The worst mess rooms.

[Johncleesefan]

Tbh I'm either ignorant to it or just plain don't care as when I walk in the mess I sit kinda where I please. Who can be bothered implementing chair politics. Get real hobbies

 

[MartinB1]

I agree the messrooms at Waterloo are pretty grim and the way they are treated by other depots is disgusting.....and are very tiny considering the amount of staff we have at Waterloo along with other depots using it as well and can get very cramped.

However, when was the last time you went into the Waterloo messroom? I think you find times have changed. Yes their is a top table but It's not question of stupidity it's just the older drivers having a favourite place to sit and being set in their ways, which your likely to find in most depot messrooms. But the less senior drivers are changing the attitude. If anything it is Wimbledon drivers taking all the chairs to sit around one table. Leaving no room to get to the other tables if you can find a chair.

I went in there as a trainee nearly 2 years ago right at the start of my training whilst I was doing the front end turns cab experience. On a break I went in there and sat down at the first available table to make some notes of what I had been observing. As I stood up comments were made by another driver at that table. I was too shocked to respond, and walked out never to set foot in there again. I previously had heard of the 'top table', but at that moment was not even thinking of it. It is natural for people who know each to sit with each other (ie your comments about Wimbledon drivers), however this top table behaviour is ridiculous. I certainly haven't experienced this in any other messroom.

If it simply was a case of Waterloo drivers wanting their own area because the messroom is uniquely used by so many drivers from across the network , that would be a different matter. The top table though appears to be for the 'elite' set of Waterloo drivers, and certainly not for younger drivers be it from Waterloo or elsewhere.

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[LowLevel]

We used to have a top table but it was replaced with a greater number of smaller circular tables and it's nicer for it.

We still have natural groupings ie depot drivers in one corner, guards in another and mainline drivers in another but there's plenty of mixing about. I never feel uncomfortable about plonking myself in the drivers end if there's someone I want to chat to.

 

[MartinB1]

I went in there as a trainee nearly 2 years ago right at the start of my training whilst I was doing the front end turns cab experience. On a break I went in there and sat down at the first available table to make some notes of what I had been observing. As I stood up comments were made by another driver at that table. I was too shocked to respond, and walked out never to set foot in there again. I previously had heard of the 'top table', but at that moment was not even thinking of it. It is natural for people who know each to sit with each other (ie your comments about Wimbledon drivers), however this top table behaviour is ridiculous. I certainly haven't experienced this in any other messroom.

If it simply was a case of Waterloo drivers wanting their own area because the messroom is uniquely used by so many drivers from across the network , that would be a different matter. The top table though appears to be for the 'elite' set of Waterloo drivers, and certainly not for younger drivers be it from Waterloo or elsewhere.

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On a rear occasion I sit in a Waterloo messroom, it's the one for guards. Hopefully when and if another another messroom is built at Waterloo this will change things . The current facilities are inadequate for the sheer number of traincrew that use them.

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[TEW]

On a rear occasion I sit in a Waterloo messroom, it's the one for guards. Hopefully when and if another another messroom is built at Waterloo this will change things . The current facilities are inadequate for the sheer number of traincrew that use them.

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It's funny you should say that, as I'm a guard but only ever use the drivers messroom at Waterloo! Most the guards at my depot are the same, and all the drivers and guards from our depot tend to group together in the drivers room. I agree with the comments that the facilities aren't good though. Far too small, especially when there's disruption. The air conditioning always seems to be on the blink too, leaving it far too hot in the summer.

 

[TEW]

Talking of toilets, how have we both managed to omit Streatham Hill?

The worst toilets I know of are the staff ones at Chessington South, thankfully not a PNB point, it would be rather unsanitary based on the condition of toilets. From what I understand there is a long running disagreement over who is responsible for cleaning, with the inevitable result that nobody really does anything other than top up the toilet paper, and if you're lucky some hand towels. No heating so they're damp and mouldy. Used to store an old, broken equipment from the station. And there's only a keyhole on the outside, not the inside, so it's possible for someone to accidentally lock you in there.

 

[Matt Taylor]

Most crew (from Fratton at least) avoid the Waterloo mess rooms as much as possible, if I'm booked a pnb there I'll generally get some hot water from the guard's room but spend the rest of the time on the train, on the balcony or taking a stroll somewhere.

Eastleigh is the only place I know where the toilets are around twice the size of the mess room which is nicknamed 'the cell' as it consists of two chairs, two tables plus basic kitchen equipment.

 

[Monty]

Most crew (from Fratton at least) avoid the Waterloo mess rooms as much as possible, if I'm booked a pnb there I'll generally get some hot water from the guard's room but spend the rest of the time on the train, on the balcony or taking a stroll somewhere.

Eastleigh is the only place I know where the toilets are around twice the size of the mess room which is nicknamed 'the cell' as it consists of two chairs, two tables plus basic kitchen equipment.

Eastleigh has to be the single worst messroom on the the SWT network, it's truly appalling.

 

[WA_Driver]

I went in there as a trainee nearly 2 years ago right at the start of my training whilst I was doing the front end turns cab experience. On a break I went in there and sat down at the first available table to make some notes of what I had been observing. As I stood up comments were made by another driver at that table. I was too shocked to respond, and walked out never to set foot in there again. I previously had heard of the 'top table', but at that moment was not even thinking of it. It is natural for people who know each to sit with each other (ie your comments about Wimbledon drivers), however this top table behaviour is ridiculous. I certainly haven't experienced this in any other messroom.

If it simply was a case of Waterloo drivers wanting their own area because the messroom is uniquely used by so many drivers from across the network , that would be a different matter. The top table though appears to be for the 'elite' set of Waterloo drivers, and certainly not for younger drivers be it from Waterloo or elsewhere.

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I can assure you I am no "elite" Waterloo driver and I have only been a driver for 3 years and I occasionally sit at the "top table" but all you got to do is simply stand up for yourself or challenge comments made to you.

The problem is that people "believe the hype" about Waterloo "top table", i argue it can be better but I have been at Waterloo for 6 years and believe me when I say it has got a lot better then what is used to be.

 

[WA_Driver]

The worst toilets I know of are the staff ones at Chessington South, thankfully not a PNB point, it would be rather unsanitary based on the condition of toilets. From what I understand there is a long running disagreement over who is responsible for cleaning, with the inevitable result that nobody really does anything other than top up the toilet paper, and if you're lucky some hand towels. No heating so they're damp and mouldy. Used to store an old, broken equipment from the station. And there's only a keyhole on the outside, not the inside, so it's possible for someone to accidentally lock you in there.

The Hampton Court staff toilets (PNB point) is up there. Never any hands towels & there is no hand dryer. But annoys me when station manager or staff have time to place pictures of staff helping at the station when Hampton Court Flower Show is on but can't be bothered to replace hand towels or toilet roll and do nothing about the graffiti telling them there is no paper or towels

 

[Juniper Driver]

I can assure you I am no "elite" Waterloo driver and I have only been a driver for 3 years and I occasionally sit at the "top table" but all you got to do is simply stand up for yourself or challenge comments made to you.

The problem is that people "believe the hype" about Waterloo "top table", i argue it can be better but I have been at Waterloo for 6 years and believe me when I say it has got a lot better then what is used to be.

Bajesus...When I transferred to Waterloo in the late 80's I'm sure I had it worse (in the old block)...The older drivers mainly and it took me quite a while till I got "established"...I'm sure it was worse then,than what it is now.

Ah my favourite was Fratton especially as I signed the Pompey line in the early 1990's...It was like a western when I walked in their messroom...Tumbleweed swing doors and howdy pardner....your new to these parts?..Haven't been there since 2007 though so I don't know what it's like now...The Pompey Harbour messroom always seemed to have a lot of flies flying round...getting stuck to that sticky paper if I recall correctly.

 

[tsr]

The worst toilets I know of are the staff ones at Chessington South, thankfully not a PNB point, it would be rather unsanitary based on the condition of toilets.

Aha - as it so happens I'm talking about the smell in the vicinity of the messroom at Streatham Hill, which goes one better (or worse) - it's right next to the CET emptying equipment for the depot. Unpleasant doesn't even get close.

As for staff toilets, the conditions at Norwood Junction (station) take some beating. You also can't actually turn the lights on in one of the staff facilities at East Croydon. London Bridge ones are too small. Victoria Platform 19, unsurprisingly, is almost always broken or in the process of being flooded - that's both the staff loos and the platform below. South Bermondsey, though not a PNB point, basically has a cupboard next to the ticket office, which is also a cupboard, complete with mop.

 

[pompeyfan]

The staff toilets at Southsea Low level leave a lot to be desired, admitidly they're clean, but that's about the only thing going for it. Covered in Brexit graffiti, toilet humour etc.

The mess room at the harbour has apparently had lots of money spent on it before I started. Not an unpleasant place, certainly.

 

[Matt Taylor]

The kitchen area at Portsmouth Harbour was replaced a few months ago and it seems to have finally got rid of the flies.

 

[driver_m]

I wish i signed Waterloo. I'd love to go and plonk my backside straight on that top table and cause outrage. There's none of that nonsense at VT that I'm aware of but at Euston there is a 'Manchester' table which usually gets some sarcastic comment off Liverpool or Preston staff if they occupy it. All good natured though. No genuine malice. Our worst messroom would probably be New St simply because it is windowless, usually very quiet and devoid of any personality. The old LM messroom and Canteen was a lot better with its 'Longsight XC' corner and our staff usually tucked up in the canteen.

 

[BTU]

Bournemouth (old) was dismal...Don't like Salisbury that much.Southampton.Staines isn't wonderful.

Don't mind Guildford but many of my fellow depot drivers don't like grub there.Woking just about passes.

Brock is like a temporary messroom though,no?

I dont mind Salisbury, agreed East Grinstead is a bit rough but only because of the loo in there other than that its not to shabby.

 

[Juniper Driver]

Corr wish I got long enough breaks to have a chance to moan haha I'm normally in, eat, wee, drink, out!

Are you a driver as well then? You freight drivers have it rough.

It's nice to have a PNB/Break away from the cab between jobs as opposed to driving trains all day long.Don't like the quiet room at Waterloo much as it just seems to be being used as an ordinary messroom....Came in useful the other week though when I just needed to get out of the noise and sit in the quiet for 15 minutes as nobody else was in there.

The kitchen area at Portsmouth Harbour was replaced a few months ago and it seems to have finally got rid of the flies.

I miss those flies...it was like watching 633 Squadron when I got bored.

Bournemouth (new) messroom gets my vote as the best messroom...It's more like a holiday chalet.Well done SWT/Network Rail or whoever.

 

[BTU]

Are you a driver as well then?

It's nice to have a PNB/Break away from the cab between jobs as opposed to driving trains all day long.Don't like the quiet room at Waterloo much as it just seems to be being used as an ordinary messroom....Came in useful the other week though when I just needed to get out of the noise and sit in the quiet for 15 minutes as nobody else was in there.

Yes I am a driver for sins. Some of those quiet rooms are a little grim but some are more like cinema rooms just minus the popcorn.

 

[Lucky63]

Manchester Oxford Road - rodents
Preston 1+2 - small and dirty
Leeds - the most unfriendly messroom out there
Sheffield - can be similar to Leeds on its day

Piccadilly and Buxton for the friendliest mess rooms with Liverpool being decent majority of the time. Although the seating at Liverpool isn't great!

 

[LowLevel]

Oxford Road mess room is universally avoided by EMT crews when we have to spend time there - total dive. Happily we usually keep our units with us.

Sheffield I've heard about - 'foreign' crews including Northern's own usually just seem to use the EMT mess room on platform 5 which is often empty and when I've been in it (we don't have many booked PNBs at Sheffield now) is usually sociable enough.

 

[Please Explain]

I'm enjoying the comments about Victoria! The Platform 19 messroom is indeed more than a bit dire. Don't forget the stairs, cunningly manufactured in the size, shape and indeed smell of a u-bend.

As for the other messroom, regarding the "wrong bit for your uniform" comment, it seems to be improving a tad. Just you try Brighton. You can't even have different depot crews sitting on the same table (except if Selhurst drivers turn up and want to wind everyone up, and trust me, they enjoy that).

There are loads on the Southern network, both train crew and station staff ones, which bear no resemblance to anything which anyone human (or other variants of train crew ) should have to use. Epsom used to be quite bad but they have proper furniture, tidier tables and a TV now (but no toilets, so you can make do with a flooded gents' next door). I don't agree with the comments about Haywards Heath - it's utterly unloved and soul-destroying. Dorking is basically a grubby galley kitchen at the back of someone's desk. Leatherhead has a microwave behind a partition at the back of the ticket office, where train crew certainly once had to wait (not so much now).

Meanwhile, "minimum break at East Croydon" is a euphemism for a ten minute walk with the outcome of wolfing down your meal in what appears to be Harry Potter's cupboard.

Ah, the infamous ECR "cupboard under the stairs".. -(well ramp!). I've heard many tales about that interesting place..
Leatherhead can be fun -(depending who is in the t/o!), regarding Dorking, I have been the occupier of that desk many times was when I was GPR'ing down there briefly two years ago, has been one of my favourite locations to work on the railway yet. The grub from the cafe next door is to die for!
Epsom is indeed very nice now on both 1/2 and the old guards room on 3/4. There is a staff toilet too on platform 2, if you come out the mess room and do a U-turn to the left. Key can be obtained from the platform office if you ask nicely!
Sutton on the other hand is a hole! Mitcham Junction is also a dilapidated dump. But the very best mess room I've ever had the pleasure of using has to be new Blackfriars, that is indeed very smart.
I'm sure the new starter OBS's are being made to feel "more than welcome" down at that friendly place they call Brighton mess room...

 

[Scotrail84]

I think the messrooms at Waterloo are pretty grim, not helped by there still being a 'top table'. I had a bad experience the first time I went in there and accidentally sat at the Top Table. I personally can't be bothered with that stupidity and avoid the messroom. Costa, Starbucks, and Pure is where I wind down on my breaks .

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If any c**t ever tried that with me they'd get a piece of mind to start with, then I'd book off immediately and they'd have to find someone else to work the train.

 

[Scotrail84]

Carlisle is a dump as well, high ceilings with motion sensors that put the lights on when you move. Not good when you're there for hours at night. Plus the freight men are loud as ****.

 

[12CSVT]

A female colleague of mine started out as a conductor for Anglia Railways, I believe at Ipswich.

There being only male facilities, she had to get changed in the store cupboard.

Isn't that illegal ?

 

[dctraindriver]

Of course we don't. We aren't stupid enough to drink alcohol. There are as many managers as Traincrew in there often holding one to one meetings. Times have changed & Wetherspoons is seen as a cafe these days. Full uniform & lanyard worn at all times.

Still frowned at my TOC

 

[dctraindriver]

Bournemouth (old) was dismal...Don't like Salisbury that much.Southampton.Staines isn't wonderful.

Don't mind Guildford but many of my fellow depot drivers don't like grub there.Woking just about passes.

Brock is like a temporary messroom though,no?

Waterloo isn't great either. I'm not brave enough to sit at the top table

 

[dk1]

Still frowned at my TOC

They need to move on mate especially a train breakfast time. Let them frown I say :roll:

 

[HLE]

Hasn't it recently been taken out of use due to being unsafe or something? Dodgy floor or ceiling? All the mainline platform buildings look very tired to me.

No it's still in use on platform 1 - you may be getting confused with the toilets on platform 2 - they've been out of use about three times in the last year due to a collapsed drain.

Still confuses me why they moved the toilets to platform 2 from 1 years ago, as there is still a disused toilet block about 20 yards away from the current one on platform 2, that was taken out of use about 10/15 years ago also due to a collapsed drain....

Plenty of disused rooms elsewhere on the station, that haven't been used for an age that do give it the 'tired' look.

Only last week a chap who hasn't been to the station for 40+ years said apart from the two new platforms, not much has changed!

 

[HLE]

They need to move on mate especially a train breakfast time. Let them frown I say :roll:

Indeed. It's a responsible job held (mostly) by responsible people. Management should trust their staff (yes really!) to not have a 8am pint with breakfast!

 

[Blindtraveler]

I am shocked that some of the conditions you foalk are tollerating are allowed!

I can sort of understand the eating in Wetherspoons thing but wonder this. If you went to a supermarket caf for breaky would that matter seeing as theres shelves upon shelves of booz in said supermarket?
Isnt that the same thing?