Recent content by class ep-09

Regularly, in GWR land Turbo services use mirrors or look back between Oxford and Didcot ( so Oxford and Banbury). Also , on very rare occasions mirrors, CCTV monitors and look back will also apply for Turbos between Didcot and Reading, if short of 387’s. I do not know if there is any booked...

I guess GBR could harmonise by saying -“ from now on such and such grade is on such and such contract if joining the railways “ and let all other contracts expire / retire / transfer, till everybody is on new this same contract everywhere. I know unions would bargain hard but in principle it...

Without naming any depo , route or operator - I saw diagrams issued for the train crew for entire week , where 8 intermediate stations at which all trains call, were missing and next stop on the diagram was 55 miles away in both directions If followed to the letter and not questioned by the...

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Hanborough on North Cotswold Line , I think there is only one a week ( Sundays) train that does not stop : 17.31 Hereford to London. It definitely did not stop last Sunday nor it was advertised to do so.

Sundays are not part of working week. They are “ committed” for GWR grade drivers (which is still an overtime) and voluntary for HSS grade drivers . If Sundays become part of working week, there will be need for more drivers. For now nothing is known if they become. Recent intake was partially...

Ok. Understood .

Could you elaborate, what works will start September 2027?

There were (are?) authorised walking routes at Shrub Hill (Wylds Lane) and Malvern Wells (single line) to change ends without set being double manned - in HST days . Recently here is a walking route done for 10 cars IET at Wylds Lane just to change middle cabs but not been officially signed off...

And Didcot to Oxford ( Hanborough).

I have heard that it is most ( or at least very ) sought after depot among internal transfers, where waiting list is quite ling, so to come from outside may be a long wait if ever. Happy to be corrected, it’s just what I heard

It’s harsh but if DI’s are busy with previous trainees doing their hours , next lot of trainees would have nothing to do ( and still get paid), which would be quite pointless .

The “northbound “ platform at Oxford is platform 4 not 3 . But “ Northbound “ or Southbound” has not much of a meaning here . Both platforms are bi-directional . Train in question arrived in to Platform 3 so Fire Brigade could access it and then due to blocking one of 2 through platforms , it...

All can happen . I know examples of people being stranded for 2 days before reaching home due to snow. Goes without saying they were put in to hotels . It was “Beast from the East” year type of winter in England / Wales.

You forgot to add that it is thanks to ASLEF / RMT (and other unions) there are 100’s of applicants per job due to its attractiveness. . That “very expensive” diary pays for itself after, at most , couple of hours of work. Of course no one can be forced to join any union, and of course no...