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Great Western Coffee Shop > Journey by Journey > London to Swindon and Bristol > Dispatch Staff
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grahame
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« on: January 31, 2013, 08:31:56 »
Waiting at Chippenham, I'm used to seeing dispatch staff helping to close doors and get trains on there way ... but yesterday evening as far as I could see there were none, train staff (manager and assistant on each?) doing the job, with knowledgable customers helping where less knowledgable ones left doors open.  Change in staffing arrangements?

Coupled with me experience earlier in the week where I had to program the TVM▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) from my laptop to get the tickets I wanted, and reading of one of our members providing customer advise at Westbury, are we seeing a further move to the DIY railway for customers?
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Southern Stag
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« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2013, 13:10:29 »
Probably just staff shortages, it does happen from time to time. In the evening there is unlikely to be anybody available to cover, so if the rostered member of staff goes sick then the station will just be unstaffed.
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Milky Bar Kid
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« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2013, 18:36:23 »
Can comfirm was a staff shortage only.
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johoare
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« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2013, 23:14:32 »
That happens at Maidenhead very occasionally on the one or two service we are allowed the luxury of an HST▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))..

I've noticed more and more (and even when despatch staff are there) that passengers will close doors they see that are left open as they pass and I always do... Now if only we could train the people who leave them open in the first place Roll Eyes
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bobm
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« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2013, 23:16:56 »
... And close the windows but that might be asking way too much.  Grin
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johoare
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« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2013, 23:20:50 »
The despatch guy at Maidenhead was closing windows too tonight... Apart from the one that just wouldn't budge  Grin
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grahame
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« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2013, 07:49:54 »
Quote from: Milky Bar Kid on February 08, 2013, 18:36:23
Can comfirm was a staff shortage only.

Thanks.  That's what I was hoping.

Quote from: johoare on February 08, 2013, 23:14:32
I've noticed more and more (and even when despatch staff are there) that passengers will close doors they see that are left open as they pass and I always do... Now if only we could train the people who leave them open in the first place Roll Eyes

I do that too if there's no-one close by  / as a courtesy to help get the train away but ... I've wondered if the independent passenger (i.e. one who's not even passed through the door) is supposed to do so, or whether there's a safety case and insurance issue.  Apparently no-one around, shove on the door and - oops - someone's getting off late and gets hit by the closing door.
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Andy W
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« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2013, 08:04:25 »
Quote from: grahame on January 31, 2013, 08:31:56


Coupled with me experience earlier in the week where I had to program the TVM▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) from my laptop to get the tickets I wanted, and reading of one of our members providing customer advise at Westbury, are we seeing a further move to the DIY railway for customers?
How on earth do you program a TVM from your laptop? Can you program 1st class tickets at a favourable rate?
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thetrout
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« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2013, 04:35:57 »
Quote from: bobm on February 08, 2013, 23:16:56
... And close the windows but that might be asking way too much.  Grin

So I'm not the only one who closes the windows as well! Grin

I always close doors behind me too as a 'courtesy' and I find the noise vaguely satisfying...!
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Grin Grin Grin Grin
grahame
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« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2013, 07:39:03 »
Quote from: Andy W on February 09, 2013, 08:04:25
How on earth do you program a TVM▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) from your laptop?

OK ... I was just using it as a smart network printer Grin for things that can't be done from its customer panel.  And data entry onto a remote computer rather programming that remote computer ...
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2013, 13:33:22 »
Quote from: thetrout on February 10, 2013, 04:35:57
Quote from: bobm on February 08, 2013, 23:16:56
... And close the windows but that might be asking way too much.  Grin

So I'm not the only one who closes the windows as well! Grin

I always close doors behind me too as a 'courtesy' and I find the noise vaguely satisfying...!

Yes, I too close the windows, whenever possible. And that industrial strength door slamming is so therapeutic ...  Wink Cheesy Grin
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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