should fgw staff encourage law breaking?

[whole diary]

[Btline]

The year before, I was in Wales (Cambrian Coast Line), we had a 10 min wait at Harlech, and I remember the guard saying "you can get off, but you must leave the station to smoke. make sure your back on board 3 mins before departure.... etc."

ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) are very strict about enforcing this and staff have obviously been briefed thoroughly. Was on a Penarth-Cardiff train last year and after we stopped at Dingle Road the driver told a man smoking on the platform to stop and pointed out the notice he was standing next to.

Willc - I am not surprised they have had training! "Move 3 yards...."

[vacman]

I really can't see the justification for banning smoking on open platforms. At Chippenham there's a fog of smoke at the bottom of the steps in the North car park, and in front of the ticket office, that every passenger has to walk through. These people wouldn't be smoking there if there was a small smoking area at the far end of the platform.

I used to think that, but I see why now, as the platform staff don't have to spend half their time swwping up fag butts from the platforms now!

[Sion Bretton]

Not just Chippenham, Trowbridge people smoke on the platform. I have noticed seems to be people under 30 years old.

[miniman]

I used to think that, but I see why now, as the platform staff don't have to spend half their time swwping up fag butts from the platforms now!

Instead, of course, no-one at all sweeps them up from the bottom of the steps! Personally as an ex-smoker, given the choice between putting a fag end in an ashtray / sand bucket or stubbing it on the floor, I would always use the bin if one was provided!

[smokey]

Hypothectical question.

If a driver/guard smoked in the cab during a journey, would the next driver taking over the train be able to refuse to take that trian until the cab was cleaned and defumigated?  It being a contaminated area and hence unsafe.

Oh yes! and there are a couple of drivers and guards who have said they will start doing just that.

Whilst there will always be a hard core of Smokers who consider the Smoking Ban DOESN'T apply to them, let some members of train crew be warned,
The Smoking Ban is a H & S Issue, and breaking this ban in a Train Cab, could cause a relieving Crew to refuse to work the train further.
This leads the offending (smoker) Train Crew Member open to Disciplinary Action by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (or other TOCS), and whilst there are actions by Staff that the Unions will represent staff at hearings for, there is little a Union can (or will do) when staff are dismissed for Illegal acts such as Fraud, Assaulting someone (unless self defence) or beaches of H & S Law.
Smoking in Enclosed Areas is breaking H & S law and is something the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) is unlikely to defend in a Court of law.

Something Smokers fail to realise is just how much SMOKING STINKS

[Conner]

Something Smokers fail to realise is just how much SMOKING STINKS

Very true, I was sitting behinnd the closed vestibule doors and the closed cab door in a 158 but could still smell it.

[devon_metro]

Should have pulled the emergency handle and claimed you could smell a fire

[Conner]

Should have pulled the emergency handle and claimed you could smell a fire

That would have gone down well. 
But as I wanted to make a connection, it probably wasn't the best idea.
Mmm, chaos.
Me: Fire, I smell fire!
Everyone: AHH!
Followed by screams and lots of panic.

[Btline]

Should have pulled the emergency handle and claimed you could smell a fire

Doing stuff like that is always tempting, but the potential delay is always the problem.......!!!!!

[Conner]

Should have pulled the emergency handle and claimed you could smell a fire

Doing stuff like that is always tempting, but the potential delay is always the problem.......!!!!!

If nothing is wrong it only takes a minute or two.
Had it happen before on 158750. A toddler clambering around in a packed ex-FC^‡(resolve) at the front pulled it by accident.
Brakes come sharply on.
Conductor runs to front as Driver comes out of cab.
Establish girl pulled it.
Off we go.

[Btline]

Should have pulled the emergency handle and claimed you could smell a fire

Doing stuff like that is always tempting, but the potential delay is always the problem.......!!!!!

If nothing is wrong it only takes a minute or two.
Had it happen before on 158750. A toddler clambering around in a packed ex-FC^‡(resolve) at the front pulled it by accident.
Brakes come sharply on.
Conductor runs to front as Driver comes out of cab.
Establish girl pulled it.
Off we go.

Suppose, but a "minute or two" into Reading.......

I see what you mean.

[swlines]

Pulling 'the cord' on a 2 car unit and a 8 car HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is slightly different...

[Conner]

Pulling 'the cord' on a 2 car unit and a 8 car HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is slightly different...

And between Truro and Redruth or London and Reading.

[swlines]

I would say it would cause more disruption if you pulled it at Saltash than if you would at Reading - contraversial view I know but I have that theory due to the single line.

[Conner]

I would say it would cause more disruption if you pulled it at Saltash than if you would at Reading - contraversial view I know but I have that theory due to the single line.

Not Saltash, on the bridge.