Train driver photographed reading newspaper

[TUC]

Details can be found at: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/train-driver-seen-reading-paper-092129631.html

 

[deltic1989]

On the face of it this seems totally irresposable, but on the flip side with a still photograph its hard to know if the train is even moving, only further investigation will tell.

 

[LexyBoy]

with a still photograph its hard to know if the train is even moving

Or if the paper was being read...

I can't believe any driver would be irresponsible enough to read the paper while at the controls. I'd imagine (s)he was having a look whilst at a station or stopped for some time at signals, and didn't think what it could look like from outside. But then IANATD

 

[GB]

Where is the picture that shows this? The one in the article shows bugger all.

 

[danfitz123]

http://www(DOT)youtube(DOT)com/watch?v=epkcMSBoHkM&feature=related

This is just as bad. I hope the Train driver got suspended. It really gives people confidence in traveling on the railway.

 

[bnm]

Same story but illustrated with the correct photo can be found here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ing-newspaper-controls.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

 

[starrymarkb]

If the location is Coryton Tunnel then no signals in immediate area (nearest is the Dawlish starter followed by the set at Parsons Tunnel.

 

[150222]

that is irrelevent. there could have been something/someone on the line.

 

[starrymarkb]

Which I'm sure would have been known about by FGW either through incident records or the black box OTMR

 

[150222]

Still (s)he has to focus.

 

[GB]

Same story but illustrated with the correct photo can be found here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ing-newspaper-controls.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Thanks

 

[Eng274]

When I read the title I thought "someone has taken affront at OL Leigh's avatar" but the fact the train was in motion is pretty serious, akin to the chap who was photographed playing a sony PSP while in the cab of a freight train.

 

[66526]

From what I can remember it was never proven that the EWS driver on the 'PSP' was actually driving the train at the time, in fact I would find it extremely unlikely if he was. Who needs the press to hang railway staff when we have people like you passing those comments on here.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Who needs the press to hang railway staff when we have people like you passing those comments on here.

Are we now to have "forum censorship" ...sounds a bit like East Germany to me. The forum is supposed to be somewhere, within reason and the forum rules, when all rail-related matters can be discussed...or so I am told.

The report in one of the later links in the thread postings says that First have suspended the driver. Is this true..or incorrect reporting.

Can anyone clarify that particular point?

 

[lyesbkz]

A First Greast Western Spokesman said: 'This photograph is frankly astonishing and appears to show behaviour that falls way short of the professional standards we expect from our train drivers.

This typing is frankly astonishing and appears to show care that falls way short of the professional standards we expect from our country's media...

 

[Cherry_Picker]

It could be the fault report book for all we know. Innocent until proven guilty, (etc)

 

[route:oxford]

I hope it was a "Daily Mail" that he was reading.

"Daily Mail puts 100s of commuters life in Danger!"

 

[schwa]

The report in one of the later links in the thread postings says that First have suspended the driver. Is this true..or incorrect reporting.

Well the news report directly quotes a FGW spokesperson who directly says so, so I would have thought so.

 

[Greenback]

It could be the fault report book for all we know. Innocent until proven guilty, (etc)

That rule does not apply when it is print media and railway staff that are involved.

Having said that, I am not sure why the fault report book would need to be consulted when the train was moving?

 

[deltic1989]

That rule does not apply when it is print media and railway staff that are involved.

Having said that, I am not sure why the fault report book would need to be consulted when the train was moving?

You must excuse my ignorance on these maters but is the fault report book the size of a tabloid newspaper as that's what it looks like in the image. Still there's no proof the train was actually moving. As said innocent until proven guilty is the law, but speculation and the papers can be judge, jury, and executioner in most cases I know this from my own experience (not rail related). We can throw around theories till the cows come home but we won't get the facts until FGW release them (if they ever do).

 

[WelshBluebird]

Having said that, I am not sure why the fault report book would need to be consulted when the train was moving?

And if there was a reason for it to be consulted, surely that would be the job of the train manager rather than the driver? Certainly when the train is moving anyway. (unless FGW's TM's are only retail trained, which I doubt).

 

[Metroland]

Don't think it's just the print media is it? In the days where we all carry cameras about (even if it's just on our phones) and anyone can grind an axe on the internet for all to see about individuals or companies, you really cannot get away with this sort of thing whatever walk of life you are in. Any of us can take videos and pictures, upload them, and thousands or even (in the case of you tube) millions of people can see them. Even if people just think it's 'a laugh'.

Assuming that he is driving and reading at 60mph, I would think he's future prospects are bleak for this slip of professionalism, but that's the world we live in.

Again, assuming as reported is the case, I have nil sympathy for the man, in fact he's an idiot.

 

[Greenback]

You must excuse my ignorance on these maters but is the fault report book the size of a tabloid newspaper as that's what it looks like in the image. Still there's no proof the train was actually moving. As said innocent until proven guilty is the law, but speculation and the papers can be judge, jury, and executioner in most cases I know this from my own experience (not rail related). We can throw around theories till the cows come home but we won't get the facts until FGW release them (if they ever do).

I have never seen a fault report book, only heard of them!

And if there was a reason for it to be consulted, surely that would be the job of the train manager rather than the driver? Certainly when the train is moving anyway. (unless FGW's TM's are only retail trained, which I doubt).

I am not sure, but from my TM friends I get the impression that the TM has a report book/fault log that they use to report faults in the passenger part of the train. I assume, but could be wrong, that the driver also has something in the cab to report anything they find amiss there.

 

[66526]

If there was a fault with the train which he had noticed while moving he may have consulted the fault book to see if it had been logged previously. I have done a few things in my cab which to someone on the outside with no railway knowledge would look suspect but I am always in full control of my train.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Are we now to have "forum censorship" ...sounds a bit like East Germany to me. The forum is supposed to be somewhere, within reason and the forum rules, when all rail-related matters can be discussed...or so I am told.

The report in one of the later links in the thread postings says that First have suspended the driver. Is this true..or incorrect reporting.

Can anyone clarify that particular point?

How did I suggest forum censorship? If someone says something which is sensationalist or factually incorrect (which in this case is tarring the reputation of my profession) then I feel I am entitled to point it out. There are plenty of 'news' stories which the press release about railway staff (in particular drivers) which are partly/largely fabricated. The general public then ignorantly swallow that information. I am not referring to this particular news story in saying that, however, there could very well be more to this than initially meets the eye.

 

[Greenback]

If there was a fault with the train which he had noticed while moving he may have consulted the fault book to see if it had been logged previously. I have done a few things in my cab which to someone on the outside with no railway knowledge would look suspect but I am always in full control of my train.

I am not a driver, so I would be grateful if you could give an example of something that would need to be looked at whilst the train was still moving. As you state, it could look very suspect to someone like me with no, or limited knowledge of the business end of a train!

 

[mallard]

That photo certainly doesn't look like the train was moving. Look how completely in-focus the train is, not even a hint of motion blur! Even the enlargement is amazingly clear for a picture of a train allegedly travelling at 60mph. Also, how on earth did the photographer spot the driver reading the paper and get the shot in time? The train is only just emerging from the tunnel, for goodness sake!

Either that train was stationary when the picture was taken or the photographer was superman using amazingly top-end camera equipment.

 

[ainsworth74]

Also, how on earth did the photographer spot the driver reading the paper and get the shot in time?

Well I suspect they took a picture of the train (and it is a good picture) and then later when they looked back realized that the driver was apparently reading a newspaper.

I have to say on that photo it does look pretty damning to me but before totally condemning the guy we should wait and see what FGW's investigation turns up. But on the face of it...

 

[Greenback]

Well I suspect they took a picture of the train (and it is a good picture) and then later when they looked back realized that the driver was apparently reading a newspaper.

I have to say on that photo it does look pretty damning to me but before totally condemning the guy we should wait and see what FGW's investigation turns up. But on the face of it...

Agreed. I am sure that the driver will be able to put their side of the story to the investigation, which is as it should be.

On the subject of motion blur, I have taken a good few photos with a point and click camera of trains on the SWML where there is no blur.

 

[Metroland]

I am not a driver, so I would be grateful if you could give an example of something that would need to be looked at whilst the train was still moving. As you state, it could look very suspect to someone like me with no, or limited knowledge of the business end of a train!

They aren't even allowed to talk on cab secure radios while the train in motion! Considering that piece of line is a sea wall, prone to flooding, rock falls, people getting on the line, poor visability around the tunnels and a mix of 3/4 aspect signalling, IMHO even if he had to look at logs/notices, it's not a good place to do it!

Unfortunately the investigation won't be published, we're only likely to find out the outcome by drawing conclusions if he gets fired and that gets into the public realm.

 

[Greenback]

They aren't even allowed to talk on cab secure radios while the train in motion! Considering that piece of line is a sea wall, prone to flooding, rock falls, people getting on the line, poor advisability around the tunnels and a mix of 3/4 aspect signalling, IMHO even if he had to look at logs/notices, it's not a good place to do it!

Yes, I agree with that! But the driver may well have a good reason that they can put forward. We shall see what develops, but I am no fan of trial by media.