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Dale Charman to leave LUL

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RailUK Forums

fIIsion

Member
Joined
20 May 2009
Messages
55
What are links?
Every depot has a roster. When you first join the depot you normally go into what is called the pool. In the pool you can be given any duty and find out those duties a week in advance. Eventually when a vacancy becomes available you join the roster and you can effectively plan your duties for years, at least until there is a new timetable.

Most drivers join what is called a syndicate (mafia for those that know) who take over your duties and hopefully give you want you want, i.e earlies, lates, certain rest days etc.

Links are like a miniature version of the roster. There is an early link, late link and mixed link which is a mixture of early and late shifts.

The issue with the links is that once you are in, it can be very difficult to get out off. So you could be doing permanent late shifts. This is fine if you like lates but sometimes things change like having children and suddenly you need earlies. Most people want to be in the early link but it’s often filled with the senior drivers. I’ve had drivers leave my depot because they were stuck in a link and moved elsewhere to get more flexibility.

Links are not common in most train crew depots.
 

Kay_M

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2019
Messages
251
Fixed rosters, such as "Early", "Late", or "Mixed", whereby drivers do a limited range of start times on duties appropriate to their own link. Only 5 depots across the entire combine have links IIRC.
I believe it's Cockfosters, Arnos Grove, Acton Town (District), Earls Court and Morden
 

Trainfan2019

Member
Joined
9 Aug 2019
Messages
527
Was great to see Dale's front cab video of his final journey driving a London Underground train. Recommend it for really interesting commentary.
 

davews

Member
Joined
24 Apr 2021
Messages
995
Location
Bracknell
He said in one of his earlier videos that he will be doing one in a month or so telling us what he is now doing. From his comments it looks like just a change of career rather than anything to do with his relationship with TFL.
 

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