Northern Rail Guards

[strange6]

I have had a weeks break this week and have travelled the NW network quite extensively. I know Northern management and other senior people read these forums so I would like to pass on my compliments and thanks to the Northern Guards in the North West. Every one of the guards that I have come across this week have been professional, knowledgable and EXTREMELY polite and courteous in their dealings with me. They smile, called me 'sir' quite often and have always been meticulous in their response whenever I have had a conversation with them; they are a credit to Northern and the rail industry in general. I would like to single out one guard who works the Wallgate routes (Man Airport to Southport in particular), Ian, who is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Well done, Northern! Here's hoping for another 12 years of professional service

 

[glenbogle]

Shame most of their trains and stations don't reflect the staff.

 

[SS4]

Shame most of their trains and stations don't reflect the staff.

True but the money isn't there. Remember to most politicians only Scotland is north of Watford.

Glad to see you have a good time with the guards OP

 

[Mojo]

True but the money isn't there. Remember to most politicians only Scotland is north of Watford.

Aside from the millions spent on light and heavy rail in the core cities in the 80s and 90s, plus trams in Nottingham, multi millions for Tyne/Wear Metro, Manchester Hub, HS2 plans, etc., etc.

 

[strange6]

True but the money isn't there. Remember to most politicians only Scotland is north of Watford.

Glad to see you have a good time with the guards OP

You're absolutely correct. Northern can only work with what they are given and they do a fine job of it in my opinion. Some of the guards even went out of their way to explain to rail enthusiasts where their other stock was working that week. True professionals and I take my hat off to them

 

[voyagerdude220]

I fully agree with you Strange6, I often travel on Northern services & find their Conductors to be extremely friendly and helpful 99.9% of the time, which I can't say for any other TOC, maybe with the odd exception.

I used to feel very happy towards VT TM's, far less so these days, but I don't want to go off topic.

 

[WestCoast]

Northern's staff are their greatest asset. Much better quality than most of the rolling stock!

True but the money isn't there. Remember to most politicians only Scotland is north of Watford.

Funny how London Midland has experienced fleet renewal on a regular basis though, while Northern relies on hand-me-downs. When the 3 180s leave the Northern fleet, all DMUs will be from the BR era. Although, that's a debate for another thread.

 

[strange6]

Northern's staff are their greatest asset. Much better quality than most of the rolling stock!

Fair do's to them though. I have noticed a distinct lack of 142's on the Wallgate routes this week (very unusual since that is the main stock on these routes usually); most of the traction have been 156's and they have been very clean and comfortable. I have even seen a bag emptier on the 10:13 Liverpool to Manchester Airport service this morning which I have never seen before! They are trying, believe me

 

[Lampshade]

Northern's staff are great, it almost makes up for the presence of Pacers

 

[WestCoast]

Fair do's to them though. I have noticed a distinct lack of 142's on the Wallgate routes this week (very unusual since that is the main stock on these routes usually); most of the traction have been 156's and they have been very clean and comfortable. I have even seen a bag emptier on the 10:13 Liverpool to Manchester Airport service this morning which I have never seen before! They are trying, believe me

It does just mean that a 142 ends up somewhere else though! There was one on a Blackpool North - Liverpool South Parkway working a few weeks ago.

They do indeed work well with what they've got. Most of their passengers don't know about the DfT effectively being British Rail when it comes to rolling stock (why would they?) and personally blame Northern for the shoddy trains.

The staff work cope well too and remain friendly and professional, much better than some TOCs with better rolling stock.

 

[strange6]

It does just mean that a 142 ends up somewhere else though! There was one on a Blackpool North - Liverpool South Parkway working a few weeks ago.

They do indeed work well with what they've got. Most of their passengers don't know about the DfT effectively being British Rail when it comes to rolling stock (why would they?) and personally blame Northern for the shoddy trains.

The staff work cope well too and remain friendly and professional, much better than some TOCs with better rolling stock.

I don't mind the 142's at all (much prefer them to the original seating 150's). They're simple machines that do the job of going from A to B which is what you want on short to medium journeys

 

[WestCoast]

I don't mind the 142's at all (much prefer them to the original seating 150's). They're simple machines that do the job of going from A to B which is what you want on short to medium journeys

I don't want to turn this thread into the typical Pacer thread but in my opinion they are inadequate machines that aren't fit for the 21st Century Northern network; they are a nightmare for standing passengers, the ride is often shoddy (track plays a massive role here), the toilets are dodgy and the seating is inadequate for more than about 40 minutes (I often travel on them for 1h30m+). The Merseytravel "refurbished" examples are just very poor indeed, with awful seating.

However, they are very quirky indeed (I can see why they have a cult following on here!) and I may miss them a little bit when they're gone. They are something different from the norm! I don't mind them so much when they are quiet, but they are terrible for the morning commute!

 

[strange6]

Back on topic; Northern Guards are brill! I have another week off in a couple of weeks so I may concentrate on the dispatch staff and drivers if I can

 

[175001]

Thanks for the comments! I enjoy my job based out of Man Vic, and I always try and have a smile on my face, whatever goes wrong between booking on and booking off

 

[strange6]

Thanks for the comments! I enjoy my job based out of Man Vic, and I always try and have a smile on my face, whatever goes wrong between booking on and booking off

I think that's what makes the difference you know. I get the impression a lot of your collegues have a real interest in the railways which goes a long way in providing excellent customer service

 

[ukrob]

It does just mean that a 142 ends up somewhere else though! There was one on a Blackpool North - Liverpool South Parkway working a few weeks ago.

There were at least two on that service this morning.

Back on topic, I can't remember his name, but there is a guard who often works services out of Lime Street with a pony tail and tattoos who despite his appearance, is a pussycat and extremely friendly. Also one of only a few guards who bothers to do ticket checks after departing Lime Street. Always enjoy seeing him catch people who walked through the barrier.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I find the Northern staff on the South Manchester lines are really very helpful and I have never seen a "grumpy" one. Their Customer Relations staff at Leeds that I have ever dealt with were excellant.

With regards to Pacers, we don't see any of these passing through Poynton and Prestbury en route to our big local Metropolis called Macclesfield.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I find the Northern staff on the South Manchester lines are really very helpful and I have never seen a "grumpy" one. Their Customer Relations staff at Leeds that I have ever dealt with were excellant.

With regards to Pacers, we don't see any of these passing through Poynton and Prestbury en route to our big local Metropolis called Macclesfield.

psssst Paul there is a booked job with 2 pacers around 7-7.30 am (normally we only get the one tho, and that is FROM Macclesfield to Picc)

and thankyou to everyone for there nice words about my colleagues, I can honestly say it is good to see that we are appreciated,Thank You

 

[trentside]

I'd completely agree with everything said in this thread. Most of my dealings are with Northern's crews from Sheffield and I find them to be excellent, friendly and knowledgeable.

I'd also agree with comments about their customer relations staff. Recently had cause to complain about an awful rail replacement bus experience and they apologise profusely (and politely, addressing my letter point by point - not just a stock reply) and gave me a complimentary day travel voucher that I will put to good use!

 

[AlterEgo]

It's nice to see rail staff get complimented for a change!

I'd echo what previous posters have said - Northern's staff usually have a great attitude whenever I travel with them, which is usually in the Manchester area. I can't think of a single bad experience. It would be interesting to know how they are trained or how they are viewed by management, which clearly makes a difference.

I'd much rather travel on a Pacer with a proficient and helpful crew than on brand spanking new trains with offhand and aloof staff.

 

[Eeveevolve]

Long Time browser. This thread made me register.

Im just a typical commuter between Huddersfield and Leeds.

When possible I get on a northern on this route even though it adds 20 minutes to the trip just for the friendliness and great conversations you have with the northern staff.

(Plus a 3g phone signal is much better on a Pacer than the TP 185s...)

 

[ANorthernGuard]

It's nice to see rail staff get complimented for a change!

I'd echo what previous posters have said - Northern's staff usually have a great attitude whenever I travel with them, which is usually in the Manchester area. I can't think of a single bad experience. It would be interesting to know how they are trained or how they are viewed by management, which clearly makes a difference.

I'd much rather travel on a Pacer with a proficient and helpful crew than on brand spanking new trains with offhand and aloof staff.

Our management tend to know we have a more than average harder job for a guard due not only to the age of our stock but also the fact that most of our delays are caused by "Express" services (Our services from Stoke on Trent is a perfect example),The majority of us ar4e just normal lads n lasses just earning a wage and trying to make it as pleasant as possible for all concerned (including ourselves), sure we have our bad days like everyone else, but the majority of us certainly do not see ourselves "better" than others (unlike a minority of express train staff), As I have done the job for quite a few years I have got to know alot of very pleasant people from MD's of National charities to a baggage handler at the airport, we deal with everyone from all walks of life and 99% of the time it is a pleasure!

 

[valenta]

The guards on the Tyne Valley are always polite and helpful. And also worth a mention is the driver who offered to put my luggage in his cabin from Newcastle - Carlisle.

 

[nedchester]

I'll go along with what is being said here.

Did a North West Rover a few weeks back and all the Northern guards I came across Cumbrian Coast, Tyne Valley, services out of Manchester were polite.

That said most of the guards I came across were pleasant as well and TPE can have a mention here as well.

 

[boltonwanderer]

Simply cannot fault the people of Northern Rail, pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable and really do care about and take pride in their job. A credit to the company.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Unfortunately, going against my earlier very positive comments about Northern traincrew, I had an extremely rude Conductor on the 09:50 CNE to BPS last Saturday (10th), who basically accused me of fare dodging (without actually saying it), for trying to use my railcard onboard due to the ticket office being very busy & me not wanting to me late for work..

To rub salt into things, I was only there at the last minute, because my original train 40 mins later had been cancelled!

On a far more positive note, I've had one of the friendliest members of staff from Northern on two journeys this week (same guy) Tuesday- heading into Manchester & this morning.. I'm sure someone on here knows him.

 

[valenta]

Unfortunately, going against my earlier very positive comments about Northern traincrew, I had an extremely rude Conductor on the 09:50 CNE to BPS last Saturday (10th), who basically accused me of fare dodging (without actually saying it), for trying to use my railcard onboard due to the ticket office being very busy & me not wanting to me late for work..

Looking from the guards perspective, I can see that the job may be quite stressful at times, particularly when there is a lot of people and a limited amount of time to check everybodies tickets, perhaps he was just harassed.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . . perhaps he was just harassed.

Probaly.
Its not always an easy life on Northern's network (for some 'easy life' would be a luxury!).

I'd just like to add my own observation that Northern's staff are generally a joy to be with.
I just wish some of the other operators didn't knock the comraderie and humanity out of their own teams as they do. They destroy their biggest asset with their policies and structures. Even worse, they just don't seem to realise what they're doing to their own Companies when they make life difficult for their staff.

 

[CarterUSM]

I wish I worked for Northern sometimes , though my head would be too big to get out the cab with all the plaudits i'd receive on here!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I just wish some of the other operators didn't knock the comraderie and humanity out of their own teams as they do. They destroy their biggest asset with their policies and structures. Even worse, they just don't seem to realise what they're doing to their own Companies when they make life difficult for their staff.

This sounds so familiar to me.:cry:

 

[Yew]

I wish I worked for Northern sometimes , though my head would be too big to get out the cab with all the plaudits i'd receive on here!!

Aha, But the shame of Working on a pacer offsets it.