The Railway: First Great Western on Channel 5

[455driver]

It's not that unusual for the sleeper to have the labels up for the opposite direction.

I refer you to post 322 ma lud!
it also showed the down train at Reading and then switched to it leaving Paddington, it showed the 'day' coaches behind the loco and then switched to the sleepers being behind the loco. There were loads of continuity errors in it again, its not a bad program but it cant be that difficult to get most of it right can it?

 

[TEW]

Indeed, I couldn't remember if the label was seen in the bits at Paddington or when on the move. It seemed to be two journeys mashed together, one up and one down. The cab views appeared to be a down service, based on it being light in parts and on a two track section, it wouldn't normally be light on the up service until close to London.

 

[Temple Meads]

Indeed, I couldn't remember if the label was seen in the bits at Paddington or when on the move. It seemed to be two journeys mashed together, one up and one down. The cab views appeared to be a down service, based on it being light in parts and on a two track section, it wouldn't normally be light on the up service until close to London.

The label was on what was purported to be the down journey on the move. As you said, it's far from unusual for a stray label from the other direction to still be up.

The cab view looked liked the Ivybridge area to me, although I might be wrong..

 

[455driver]

The cab view looked liked the Ivybridge area to me, although I might be wrong..

John (the driver) got on at Exeter on the down so you are probably correct, and was 'interviewed' outside Plymouth station but none of that was shown unfortunately.

I know this because I was on the train.

 

[David Goddard]

And the woman standing on the platform smoking too

So was the offender. In the company of two rail staff and a BTP officer. Had they intervened, and it had been shown on the film, it would have been a good sign , and warning to others, that staff enforce the ban, which has been in place since 2007. Instead it showed that no action is taken and one can get away win it.

 

[A-driver]

So was the offender. In the company of two rail staff and a BTP officer. Had they intervened, and it had been shown on the film, it would have been a good sign , and warning to others, that staff enforce the ban, which has been in place since 2007. Instead it showed that no action is taken and one can get away win it.

It actually shows common sense policing in the sense that when a situation like that occurs the 'bull in a China shop' approach of arresting straight away, carting them off for a night in the, probably already overfull, police cells and wasting police time sorting out what was a relatively minor offence and done in the heat of the moment and probably not intentionally isn't the bast approach and may make a calm situation into a more dangerous one by acting heavy handedly. Calming the situation seems like the more sensible approach to me and little would be gained by winding the guy up by telling him stop smoking etc.

To be honest, I wouldn't worry to much about it. Enforcing such a smoking ban where alcohol is involved with only a light scattering of staff and police is probably a pretty stupid idea.

Personally I never say anything to people I see smoking on stations when I'm in uniform. I'm not that stupid and know I am likely to come off worse if the person smoking takes offence to me asking them to put the cigarette out.

 

[1e10]

I was shocked to see how many people were intending to travel without purchasing a ticket shown in the scenes at Reading. I know people fare evade but I had no idea such large groups do it.

 

[anthony263]

I was shocked to see how many people were intending to travel without purchasing a ticket shown in the scenes at Reading. I know people fare evade but I had no idea such large groups do it.

It is not actually that uncommon among students believe me I have been a student although I am pleased to say I always bought a ticket even on those occasions where I could have gotten a free ride. For example the conducter hasnt come through the train when I have travelled from Pyle to Port Talbot Parkway as they have remained in the cab but I purchased a ticket from the booking office.

You will also find students trying all sorts of trips to get a free bus ride especially passing their tickets to their freinds when the driver hasnt been looking. (Watch episode two of the Routemasters on BBC2 which is on youtube and you will see some examples of what I am talking about)

I am sure some of the staff who are members on this forum will have some stories to tell us

 

[Morden Via CHX]

It actually shows common sense policing in the sense that when a situation like that occurs the 'bull in a China shop' approach of arresting straight away, carting them off for a night in the, probably already overfull, police cells and wasting police time sorting out what was a relatively minor offence and done in the heat of the moment and probably not intentionally isn't the bast approach and may make a calm situation into a more dangerous one by acting heavy handedly. Calming the situation seems like the more sensible approach to me and little would be gained by winding the guy up by telling him stop smoking etc.

100% correct.

Must admit wasn't sure what to make of the bloke in charge at Reading. Think he had the right intentions but thought he handled the Slough ticket situation very poorly indeed. Again, despite liking the way he handed a couple of other things (the young lad with the ticket to Reading West was quite funny), did think he came out of it all looking like a bit of a knob, which probably isn't true.

 

[Greenback]

100% correct.

Must admit wasn't sure what to make of the bloke in charge at Reading. Think he had the right intentions but thought he handled the Slough ticket situation very poorly indeed. Again, despite liking the way he handed a couple of other things (the young lad with the ticket to Reading West was quite funny), did think he came out of it all looking like a bit of a knob, which probably isn't true.

My thoughts exactly. It's difficult to make a judgment, given the amount of editing involved.

Nice to see a former Reading colleague at Didcot Parkway too!

 

[Andrewlong]

I was shocked to see how many people were intending to travel without purchasing a ticket shown in the scenes at Reading. I know people fare evade but I had no idea such large groups do it.

I live to the east of Reading on the Waterloo line where there are no barriers until you reach Bracknell station. It is not uncommon to see groups of young people get on at Wokingham and off before reaching Reading with little intention of buying a ticket.

Once the barriers are open at Reading, they continue their free travel into the town centre until someone decides to close the barriers.

Ticket checks on trains between Reading and Waterloo are rare - guards appear to have enough to do with the opening/closing doors at all the stations where train stops!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I saw the Revenue Protection chief seen at Windsor and Henley on the tv series at Reading station talking to a SWT guard. Does said RP chap work for FGW or many TOC's ?

Reason I ask was he was very chummy with guard and didn't appear to be wearing an obvious FGW uniform today!

 

[anthony263]

I live to the east of Reading on the Waterloo line where there are no barriers until you reach Bracknell station. It is not uncommon to see groups of young people get on at Wokingham and off before reaching Reading with little intention of buying a ticket.

Once the barriers are open at Reading, they continue their free travel into the town centre until someone decides to close the barriers.

Ticket checks on trains between Reading and Waterloo are rare - guards appear to have enough to do with the opening/closing doors at all the stations where train stops!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I saw the Revenue Protection chief seen at Windsor and Henley on the tv series at Reading station talking to a SWT guard. Does said RP chap work for FGW or many TOC's ?

Reason I ask was he was very chummy with guard and didn't appear to be wearing an obvious FGW uniform today!

If he wasnt wearing a FGW uniform then I would say he is off duty and just chatting to a member of SWT staff he seems to know. You see it with FGW and ATW staff at Cardiff Central and Bristol TM.

 

[Flamingo]

We're not proud, we'll talk to anybody

 

[Butts]

So was the offender. In the company of two rail staff and a BTP officer. Had they intervened, and it had been shown on the film, it would have been a good sign , and warning to others, that staff enforce the ban, which has been in place since 2007. Instead it showed that no action is taken and one can get away win it.

Thank God not everyone has such a puritanical zeal :roll:

 

[dave55uk]

I think the guy at Didcot nearer the end (with the bicycle and cap) was playing up to the camera a bit too much. IMV, it made him look a pillock.

 

[Flamingo]

I think the guy at Didcot nearer the end (with the bicycle and cap) was playing up to the camera a bit too much. IMV, it made him look a pillock.

Naw, he's a very nice chap, definite character, and he does bounce around the place like that - there was no playing it up!

 

[dave55uk]

Fair enough Flamingo, I retract what I said.

 

[Flamingo]

Fair enough Flamingo, I retract what I said.

I do see him early in the morning when I'm bleary eyed, and wonder how he manages it!

 

[FGW_DID]

I think the guy at Didcot nearer the end (with the bicycle and cap) was playing up to the camera a bit too much. IMV, it made him look a pillock.

Ha ha, no that's normal. My first boss on the railway, he certainly is a character! Was good to work for.

 

[alex595]

Hey, I have seen them do East Coast, FGW and i have seen The tube series. Do you reckon they would do my locals which are C2C and Greater Anglia?

 

[RPM]

Ha ha, no that's normal. My first boss on the railway, he certainly is a character! Was good to work for.

He was my first boss on the railway too, many years ago now!

 

[bicbasher]

Catching up with last weeks episode. A FGW employee at Ealing Broadway refunded a passengers Oyster after touching in. Does Ealing Broadway have an LU terminal or can it be refunded using FGW's terminals?

 

[Antman]

Really good episode last night, once again. Anyone notice the cab light being on in the middle of the Severn Tunnel? Plus, the guy who probably rang his guardian to pre-warn them of the RPO asking for his DOB annoyed me quite a lot.
Also, nice to see the guy from the Beeb series at Twyford

Is there any specific rule against the cab light being on whilst in a tunnel? I notice a lot of drivers on London Underground driving with the cab light on.

 

[A-driver]

Is there any specific rule against the cab light being on whilst in a tunnel? I notice a lot of drivers on London Underground driving with the cab light on.

Nope, no rule at all. Obviously it's easier to see in the dark with the light off but in long tunnel sections you often can't see anything anyway (train headlights aren't any good at lightning up the road ahead) so it makes little difference if the cab light is on.

 

[HowardGWR]

Nope, no rule at all. Obviously it's easier to see in the dark with the light off but in long tunnel sections you often can't see anything anyway (train headlights aren't any good at lightning up the road ahead) so it makes little difference if the cab light is on.

Don't anyone point out that they could otherwise not read their newspaper - whoops, I just did!

 

[Domh245]

Most LU drivers have the cab light off, whenever they are driving. An inactive cab (one without a key in) will always have the lights on, for security reasons, presumably so that you can see if there is someone in there who shouldn't be there!

 

[38Cto15E]

I missed last weeks episode (Number 4) and Virgin Media seem to have removed it from their On Demand service, after originally being listed.

I tried Channel 5 On Demand but the video wasn't available, maybe I need to log in? I have also tried Youtube and again only 1, 2 and 3 available.

Is there a legal reason that last weeks episode is not available?
TIA

 

[WelshBluebird]

It is on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpaFBVSUnxY

Also the demand five version seems to be working for me at least.
http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-railway-first-great-western/episodes/episode-4-481

 

[ruggers]

would have been more entertaining if they had let those clubbers through one way, then close the barriers coming back (probably more lucrative for the TOC too!!)

 

[Dieseldriver]

Is there any specific rule against the cab light being on whilst in a tunnel? I notice a lot of drivers on London Underground driving with the cab light on.

Funnily enough a few LU drivers told me some prefer to have it on coming into stations as they reckon someone's less likely to jump in front of a train when they can see the driver!