Praise for FGW staff... and a little criticism of FGW stations

[whole diary]

[Phil]

But we all know that there are engineering works across the network on weekends, there network is that big that there always are so what is the point in reminding us

We all know, but I think it's still worth repeating for the occasional traveller (of which there are many, particularly at weekends).

Potential disruption can never be overstated to my mind. The more people are made aware there might be a problem with their journey, the better it is for everyone concerned.

Then again, coming from Melksham I suppose I would say that, given the fact that if my train is ever delayed or cancelled it's pretty likely I'll have a 24 hour wait until the next one....

[Btline]

Sorry, but platform alterations are often "May I have your attention please...?"!

[onthecushions]

My experience (since 1973) is that BR^▸ (British Rail(ways))-WR/GWT/FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff have always been a cut or two above those on other routes, on training, attitude, helpfulness etc etc. Well done !

My only continuing grouse is the poor diction of the Paddington annonuncers. They should listen to themselves in various parts of the station. Not all parts are drowned out by Diesel noise. They need to speak slowly, without letting their voice drop and giving emphasis to all the consonants. Regional vowel sounds are still clear... a bit of Wessex is quite in place on the Western.

Archbishop Cranmer summarised it in his 1552 PB;

 "Then shall be read.... distinctlye wyth a loude voice, that the people maye heare...".

The RC's now do the same, albeit waiting till Vatican II in 1966, so there's no excuse.

OTC

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

but if its the ''occasional traveller'' why would they be there for the announcement, a while ago and i mean years ago i bought tickets to milton keynes on a sunday... noone told us that there weree engineering works and we could only get to oxford, whats the point in the messages if they dont tell you where and the person selling the tickets doesnt bother to tell you that the line is closed

[John R]

a while ago and i mean years ago i bought tickets to milton keynes on a sunday... noone told us that there weree engineering works and we could only get to oxford,

Must have been a very long time ago if you were trying to get from Oxford to Milton Keynes on a Sunday. Come to think of it,  I think the line from Oxford closed 15 years before MK^▸ (Milton Keynes) station opened.....

[Chris from Nailsea]

Archbishop Cranmer summarised it in his 1552 PB;

 "Then shall be read.... distinctlye wyth a loude voice, that the people maye heare...".
OTC

By the way, Archbishop Cranmer was burned at the stake in 1556, so his opinion wasn't universally popular, apparently. 

Chris 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

a while ago and i mean years ago i bought tickets to milton keynes on a sunday... noone told us that there weree engineering works and we could only get to oxford,

Must have been a very long time ago if you were trying to get from Oxford to Milton Keynes on a Sunday. Come to think of it,  I think the line from Oxford closed 15 years before MK^▸ (Milton Keynes) station opened.....

then why did the bas***** sell me the ticket, grr lol (i dont know that area that well and when i asked i got told to change at oxford) we got to oxford and, im gunna shut up now

[Oxman]

Dont know how many years ago you tried to get to MK^▸ (Milton Keynes) from Oxford, but until about 2 years ago, it was a valid route using a stagecoach bus service from Oxford station to MK. It was provided by Virgin Trains, which at that time ran Cross Country. It became a bit of a problem. Stagecoach moved the Oxford stop to the Gloucester Green bus station, about half a mile from Oxford station. That didn't help. Then there was a problem with ticket acceptance and routing. Stagecoach apparently stopped accepting the rail tickets, although journey planners were still showing it as a valid route.

It was a major problem when there was engineering work North of Oxford. Journey planners always show the quickest route, and often this was via Oxford to MK. Result was passengers turning up with rail tickets routed Oxford to MK, despite the fact that Stagecoach were not accepting them and the buses were half a mile from Oxford station. Fortunately. most of the bus drivers accepted the tickets, but it did create some tricky moments for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff at Oxford. Virgin recognised the problem, and eventually started to put on coaches between Oxford and MK, and vice versa.

Not a problem now, as the route appears to have been withdrawn.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

in the end a largeish group of us all in the same situation shared a minibus.... the return journey was via birmingham new street over night.... looking back i dont even think the tickets were valid... actually this is the trip where i purchased the tickets online and the machine at the station broke and i was unable to get my tickets printed by staff at the station,,,, i had to pay for 3 of us at walk up fairs... thats the day where i decided i was going to read up on fairs and journeys before i made them

[moonrakerz]

Not a problem now, as the route appears to have been withdrawn.

Ah - another improvement !   

[thefab442]

Sorry, but platform alterations are often "May I have your attention please...?"!

On Ditra they are preceded by "Attention please, this is a platform alteration", on ATOS/SEMA by "This is a platform alteration", on Funkwerk "Here is a platform alteration", and TOA by "This is a change of platform announcement" / "This is a platform change".

[onthecushions]

Archbishop Cranmer summarised it in his 1552 PB;

 "Then shall be read.... distinctlye wyth a loude voice, that the people maye heare...".
OTC

By the way, Archbishop Cranmer was burned at the stake in 1556, so his opinion wasn't universally popular, apparently. 

Chris 

Now I understand. Incomprehensible announcements are all a Popish plot to make Proddy-Dogs miss their trains home.

Tonight however, the lassie (synthesizer?) announcing the 1922 to Oxford was wonderfully clear, getting me from my coffee on the Lawn to Platform 1 in time for a seat in the quiet coach. Thank you.

OTC

[Mookiemoo]

Archbishop Cranmer summarised it in his 1552 PB;

 "Then shall be read.... distinctlye wyth a loude voice, that the people maye heare...".
OTC

By the way, Archbishop Cranmer was burned at the stake in 1556, so his opinion wasn't universally popular, apparently. 

Chris 

Now I understand. Incomprehensible announcements are all a Popish plot to make Proddy-Dogs miss their trains home.

Tonight however, the lassie (synthesizer?) announcing the 1922 to Oxford was wonderfully clear, getting me from my coffee on the Lawn to Platform 1 in time for a seat in the quiet coach. Thank you.

OTC

So relaxed!

you were still in the lawn when announced!

I'm chomping at the bit when the cleaners get on!

[vacman]

Archbishop Cranmer summarised it in his 1552 PB;

 "Then shall be read.... distinctlye wyth a loude voice, that the people maye heare...".
OTC

By the way, Archbishop Cranmer was burned at the stake in 1556, so his opinion wasn't universally popular, apparently. 

Chris 

Now I understand. Incomprehensible announcements are all a Popish plot to make Proddy-Dogs miss their trains home.

Tonight however, the lassie (synthesizer?) announcing the 1922 to Oxford was wonderfully clear, getting me from my coffee on the Lawn to Platform 1 in time for a seat in the quiet coach. Thank you.

OTC

So relaxed!

you were still in the lawn when announced!

I'm chomping at the bit when the cleaners get on!

Chill! you'll be dead by 50 if you carry on like that!

[Sprog]

As far as I'm aware there are two Dorises and a Dave...

Doris #1: ex-Wessex on FGW^▸ (First Great Western), also all ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) stations (the English voice of the Welsh announcements). Younger, weirdly sarcastic voice. Agree completely with Donkey Guard, she gets right on my t*ts. Also does the "Welcome aboard, please listen to the following announcement for your safety" on the ex-Wessex units when the guard feels like torturing the passengers.

Doris #2: older voice, slightly posh. Frequently found working in tandem with Dave (aka shouty Phil - "a buffet service............is available........onthistrain) but has some stations to herself. Habitats include Bristol TM^‡(resolve), Bath Spa, some platforms at Reading, the down platform at Oxford and many others. There's a clip of her chattering on about the London Stock Exchange at http://www.celiadrummond.com/lse.ram - sure you'll recognize the voice when you hear it.

relex, I'm guessing that #1 is the one at Exeter Central and #2 is the one at EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains).

Now then, I'd better post a link to a clip of Phil Sayer just to stop Btline flaming me after I've posted a clip of Celia Drummond  ...

http://www.sayerhamilton.com/phil/phil_corporate.mp3

...although I really don't understand the obsession Btline. Much prefer Celia, it doesn't feel like I'm having instructions barked at me.

You are correct... Celia Drummond resides on platform 1,2,5&6 at EXD and Phil sits in the middle on 3/4.

As for the safety announcment on ex-Wessex, that is preprogrammed, and short of breaking the auto-announcer, you can't shut her up (and yes i've tried  )

Its easy, trip out & in the PACB (Comms CB on 143s)

Or just navigate through the Menu on the Auto Announcera and Stop the announcment (if you can see the screen, as most have been vandalised by idiotic TRAIN CREW!  )