TonyK
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The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #2415 on: November 14, 2024, 17:18:39 » |
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Quote from yesterday's (11 Nov) Parliamentary debate (relates to GWR▸ staffing
Louise Haigh Portrait Louise Haigh - View Speech - Hansard -
- - Excerpts
The hon. Lady is absolutely right, and unfortunately that is the picture across too much of our railways. The workforce terms and conditions are simply not fit for purpose.
The term "simply not fit for purpose" has become something of a catchphrase, to be used when someone in authority knows something is wrong, but also understands their complete inability to do anything about it. As a phrase, it's simply not fit for purpose. In this case, it had to be used because the other standard option, "this is a mess left by the last lot to sort out" wouldn't work. The mess was left by the now-present lot for the last lot to sort out, in the full knowledge that 14 years is too short a time to change agreements between unions and multiple train operating companies plus National Rail. Let's see what happens, but I can't seen a sudden resolution any time soon. Apologies - somehow my whole post above has got wrapped up as a "Quote" and I cannot unravel it - perhaps I should become a GWR message draftsman.......
It's simply not fit for purpose. |
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Now, please!
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2416 on: November 14, 2024, 17:22:48 » |
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these trains will be reservation only and must be booked in advance. Is this a dangerous precedent - a move away from the turn up and go railway/ In the past I have seem occasional national franchise services that have been "reservation only" but there have always been alternative train not too long before or after that have served the same stations. Does this apply to any GWR▸ journeys departing Euston too? I have a vision of the scene at Euston, already unsafe*, whereby the platform is as usual announced at short notice & the resulting stampede is stopped in its tracks and backed up by Gateline staff trying to check reservations as well as tickets, and the inevitable arguments with those that don't have one. * I've checked with my Boss and I won't be sacked for stating that! Yes, Westbound too. One of the key purposes of "reservations only" if to ensure that passengers travelling from London are given that extra alert as they book and reserve to stop them turning up as usual at Paddington having made the assumption ... Having seen the Euston stampede on more than one occasion that is truly a scary prospect if they are going to be checking tickets & reservations before boarding, and let's face it if they don't it's hardly worth telling people it's reservations only. |
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #2417 on: November 14, 2024, 17:31:54 » |
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I imagine it will largely being used as a general deterrent to travel on those services rather than being rigorously enforced at gatelines on the day.
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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ChrisB
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« Reply #2418 on: November 14, 2024, 18:19:59 » |
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One tph will go to EUS from both the west country & Swansea.
Other services, including others from closer to London from the west country (think Exeter) and Wales (think Cardiff) will go to Reading, so Reading can be reached from all stations. Those that go to Reading connect into slow(er) trains to Ealing or Waterloo.
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didcotdean
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« Reply #2419 on: November 14, 2024, 19:26:11 » |
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There is also a single Oxford to Euston service at 0754, calling at Didcot only.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #2420 on: November 14, 2024, 19:35:59 » |
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Oh. That'll be useful - for someone.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ 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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grahame
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« Reply #2421 on: November 14, 2024, 20:05:18 » |
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Oh. That'll be useful - for someone. Gets the first train into Euston for a Westbound departure. |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2422 on: November 16, 2024, 07:10:45 » |
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Today's (Saturdays) cancellation map looks more like a typical Sunday.
Saturdays have been steadily deteriorating with Sundays simply a shambles.
Is this the level of service we can now expect every weekend?
No school holidays/football matches or any other of the usual excuses that I'm aware of?
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ChrisB
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« Reply #2423 on: November 17, 2024, 13:04:30 » |
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Oh. That'll be useful - for someone. Gets the first train into Euston for a Westbound departure. Would have formed the second departure (0903 to Swansea, after the 0834 to Penzance) - but was 'promoted' owing to the 0834 being cancelled owing to a broken rail at Acton. |
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ChrisB
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« Reply #2424 on: November 17, 2024, 13:05:56 » |
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No school holidays/football matches or any other of the usual excuses that I'm aware of? Christmas shopping with their back-pay, along with using up annual leave I suspect |
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2425 on: November 17, 2024, 13:10:12 » |
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No school holidays/football matches or any other of the usual excuses that I'm aware of? Christmas shopping with their back-pay, along with using up annual leave I suspect ......two more off the GWR▸ crew shortage Bingo card!  |
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bobm
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« Reply #2426 on: November 17, 2024, 18:23:31 » |
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There is England v the Republic of Ireland at Wembley today which may attract a few and England rugby yesterday.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #2427 on: November 19, 2024, 00:45:43 » |
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these trains will be reservation only and must be booked in advance. Is this a dangerous precedent - a move away from the turn up and go railway/ In the past I have seem occasional national franchise services that have been "reservation only" but there have always been alternative train not too long before or after that have served the same stations. Does this apply to any GWR▸ journeys departing Euston too? I have a vision of the scene at Euston, already unsafe*, whereby the platform is as usual announced at short notice & the resulting stampede is stopped in its tracks and backed up by Gateline staff trying to check reservations as well as tickets, and the inevitable arguments with those that don't have one. * I've checked with my Boss and I won't be sacked for stating that! Yes, Westbound too. One of the key purposes of "reservations only" if to ensure that passengers travelling from London are given that extra alert as they book and reserve to stop them turning up as usual at Paddington having made the assumption ... Having seen the Euston stampede on more than one occasion that is truly a scary prospect if they are going to be checking tickets & reservations before boarding, and let's face it if they don't it's hardly worth telling people it's reservations only. How did it all go on Sunday at Euston? |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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GBM
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« Reply #2428 on: November 19, 2024, 07:54:25 » |
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How did it all go on Sunday at Euston?
I poste on Sunday morning about a defective rail around Acton way - this meant the first 0833 to Penzance was cancelled, and the next few services ran late. Was wondering how 'reservations only' were policed. |
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Personal opinion only. Writings not representative of any union, collective, management or employer. (Think that absolves me...........)  |
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bobm
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« Reply #2429 on: November 19, 2024, 12:55:31 » |
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 The gateline at Swindon was open. On board there were no ticket checks, let alone a look at reservations. However there were no issues with capacity. The only snag was the broken rail at Acton Main Line - so I never actually got to Euston with the train terminating at Reading! Fortunately there was a service back to Swindon within ten minutes. As an aside all the screens on the platform (as above) and onboard the displays and announcements coped with London Euston. However the platform announcements just left an embarrassing gap every time the terminus should have been mentioned. |
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