BBC Documentary 'The Railways'

[OuterDistant]

I've got to say, I loved that Northern driver, what a great guy - heck of a sense of humour.

Me too - he had me and the missus laughing out loud

 

[stut]

He did look and sound like the illegitimate son of Russ Abbott and Bob Mortimer. Quality bloke, thoughbut.

 

[Cab2Cab]

I disagree. Some light profanity can actually be a positive tool, that de-formalises a situation and reduces tension. There's a difference between dropping the odd four-letter word and directing verbal abuse at someone, and a person watching a railway documentary can be trusted to know the difference.

As long as they're only swearing on-camera (not in the physical presence of customers), I think a lot of viewers will not only accept it as being a natural human trait, but will actually set them thinking "Hey, this isn't just some drone in a uniform, the railway is run by real f***ing people, just like me!"

Sorry somewhat disagree with you!!

If i knew the camera's were knocking round i would be even more mindful of my actions and words, your being paid to do a job and your representing the company that pay your wages.

Some managers/middle managers must be cringing and no i'm not a manager nor a jobsworth!!!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Just watched it on iPlayer. Thought that was much better. The Ale Trail was a real eye opener. I have heard stories of course but having never witnessed it I had no idea what it was like. I'd hate to be a Guard working them! Think I'll stay down South! It is an accident waiting to happen though, that's for sure!

I wouldnt want to be a TPE driver coming round a corner at 70 not knowing if a drunk will be on the tracks.

 

[SPADTrap]

I disagree. Some light profanity can actually be a positive tool, that de-formalises a situation and reduces tension. There's a difference between dropping the odd four-letter word and directing verbal abuse at someone, and a person watching a railway documentary can be trusted to know the difference.

As long as they're only swearing on-camera (not in the physical presence of customers), I think a lot of viewers will not only accept it as being a natural human trait, but will actually set them thinking "Hey, this isn't just some drone in a uniform, the railway is run by real f***ing people, just like me!"

Not really sure on that :?

 

[miami84]

I was hoping they might have shown the female guard that looks like Peter Kay in drag. She's always helpful and entertaining.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....Some managers/middle managers must be cringing and no i'm not a manager nor a jobsworth!!!

The Northern staff brief sent out before episode one was broadcast stated Northern were happy with what was being broadcast in episode two, and if the people at the top are happy, everyone is happy.....

 

[trainophile]

I didn't much like the obscenities, although they come as part of the package in anything on after 9.00 pm nowadays, much to my disapproval :roll:.

However what I really disliked was the bit where the two staff members nearly wet themselves with hilarity over some poor unfortunate customer, who wasn't shown (for obvious reasons presumably) so the viewer wasn't even in on the joke. Very poor show that, and it went on far too long.

 

[Tubeboy]

I agree trainophile, the hysterical laughing at a passenger who asked in a pleasant manner a question, then to be mocked and laughed at for the way she looked, as she walked away. Bit ironic as one of the staff was obese and bald.

 

[BestWestern]

I've got to say, I loved that Northern driver, what a great guy - heck of a sense of humour.

He was absolutely superb, top bloke!

 

[IanD]

I agree trainophile, the hysterical laughing at a passenger who asked in a pleasant manner a question, then to be mocked and laughed at for the way she looked, as she walked away. Bit ironic as one of the staff was obese and bald.

Just looked back at that bit. Can't see what there was to laugh at and particularly rude to do it as soon as she turned her back.

Sure I've seen the 'trainspotter' in the next shot somewhere before. (No doubt they had a good laugh at him soon as his back was turned).

 

[class303]

Staff came across well, driver was brilliant. I had to play the part where the customer info staff behind the desk start laughing hysterically, played it back a few times and still none the wiser about what was so funny. Generally staff came across a lot better than those miserable so and so's at KX.

 

[Pumbaa]

It was her eyebrows.

 

[trainophile]

It was her eyebrows.

They'd have apoplexy with me then - I don't have any eyebrows except those I draw on every day! Bluddy hilarious :roll: .

 

[ian1944]

The uncontrollable laughter at the information desk reminded me of the Botham "legover" episode in the Test Match Special commentary box, where the ongoing helplessness was totally OTT, particularly as I suspect that Jonathon Agnew's remark which started it was quite deliberate anyway. The difference was that the cricket case had no malice - the rail staff were being very irresponsible in their attitude to the enquirer. It made me wonder what their reaction would have been to someone with a speech defect - burst out laughing on the spot, maybe.

 

[Chew Chew]

A really interesting episode, especially the Ale Trail part.

Living in the north east of Scotland I'd only read about it on here and thought that there were maybe a few groups of people and that occasionally it got out of hand. I never thought that is was literally hundreds of people travelling about.

It looked like an absolute nightmare for staff and other members of the public.

I've been on a couple of Sub Crawls in Glasgow and it has never been like that.

 

[Butts]

A really interesting episode, especially the Ale Trail part.

Living in the north east of Scotland I'd only read about it on here and thought that there were maybe a few groups of people and that occasionally it got out of hand. I never thought that is was literally hundreds of people travelling about.

It looked like an absolute nightmare for staff and other members of the public.

I've been on a couple of Sub Crawls in Glasgow and it has never been like that.

Does that involve ham on Honey Oat ???

 

[Dieseldriver]

Personally I think a slightly more damaging quote came from the Northern driver, declaring how fantastic his job would be without passengers.

We all know 'the customer is not always right' and people often have a level of dislike for their customers, but to say so on national TV directly to an audience primarily of rail passengers is a bit out of order in my opinion. I doubt he would like to drive all day for no money.

TBH, I think anyone that took that comment seriously and was angered by it really needs to evaluate their priorities. I'm a passenger driver and my life would be a lot easier if it wasn't for passengers. Nothing against them and I'm perfectly aware that they 'pay my wages'... (:roll However no passengers would mean no need to stop at stations, no need to wait for them to board, no need to answer questions while in uniform etc... It's not a literal statement, all it does is point out the challenges dealing with the public bring...

 

[BestWestern]

Personally I think a slightly more damaging quote came from the Northern driver, declaring how fantastic his job would be without passengers.

We all know 'the customer is not always right' and people often have a level of dislike for their customers, but to say so on national TV directly to an audience primarily of rail passengers is a bit out of order in my opinion. I doubt he would like to drive all day for no money.

The guy was joking. He clearly had a very dry sense of humour - and was very funny throughout! I wish he worked at my place, top bloke.

 

[Aictos]

The guy was joking. He clearly had a very dry sense of humour - and was very funny throughout! I wish he worked at my place, top bloke.

Indeed it's called being sarcastic,

 

[Aldaniti]

A really interesting episode, especially the Ale Trail part.

Living in the north east of Scotland I'd only read about it on here and thought that there were maybe a few groups of people and that occasionally it got out of hand. I never thought that is was literally hundreds of people travelling about.

It looked like an absolute nightmare for staff and other members of the public.

I've been on a couple of Sub Crawls in Glasgow and it has never been like that.

Until about 12 months ago I regularly travelled from Gathurst to York on a Saturday. Coming back it was hellish. The real ale p*** heads spoilt the journey to Manchester and in the early evening you'd have the morons travelling to/from Manchester for a night out. Now I drive and the journey is far more pleasurable. Rail staff on that route have my sympathy.

 

[yorksrob]

A very interesting programme. Alas, even the most positive programme in the world doesn't alter the fact that a train service which grinds to a halt at ten thirty of an evening simply isn't fit for purpose for a city like Leeds

 

[gazzak]

Watched it last night, much better than episode 1. I was shocked at how bad the ale trail people were behaving. Sad for normal passengers on that route.

 

[38Cto15E]

Two highlights for me were 'Karl Pilkington' the Northern unit driver and Hanif from Leeds who looked like the cat that got all the cream.

 

[mac]

What I wondered was how did 3 members of the same famliy all get jobs on Leeds station. When you read the careers page some people try for years to get a job with no success

 

[Markos72]

Humour and tragedy all in one episode.
The Northern driver was excellent,very witty with a dry sense of humour(as previously stated).
Several times I've said something similiar( job would be great without the trains).

 

[GNER 373]

Really enjoying the series, Ep1 felt like the railway version of 'Airline' and some of the storytelling a but erratic. I was inspired by the Platform old boy who was retiring (name has slipped my mind) so still enjoyable, but this weeks felt a little more realistic especially showing the difficulties of working and policing the railway.

That scene outside of Asda was a poignant moment!

The BTP are fantastic and I see first hand what a hard but good job they do of policing as much as they can.

The Ale Trail was wild but don't be fooled into thinking that it is a 'one-off' section of railway. This is becoming a much too regular occurrence on our railway from KGX - EDB and much further afield!

 

[Tracky]

What I wondered was how did 3 members of the same famliy all get jobs on Leeds station. When you read the careers page some people try for years to get a job with no success

I don't see a problem with employing the son of a good worker as it is likely he will share a good work ethic and also not want to bring shame on the family by throwing sickies and being a waste of space...

 

[trainophile]

The uncontrollable laughter at the information desk reminded me of the Botham "legover" episode in the Test Match Special commentary box, where the ongoing helplessness was totally OTT, particularly as I suspect that Jonathon Agnew's remark which started it was quite deliberate anyway. The difference was that the cricket case had no malice - the rail staff were being very irresponsible in their attitude to the enquirer. It made me wonder what their reaction would have been to someone with a speech defect - burst out laughing on the spot, maybe.

It crossed my mind that if ever a female passenger undergoing chemotherapy, with the unfortunate hair loss side effect, comes to their desk, I do hope they would demonstrate a bit more maturity.

To be fair, I think in this instance they were probably hamming it up for the cameras.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I really liked the two Network Rail staff who had to tend to the broken fences and the flooding. They were rather honest and I think it may for the first time make the public aware of their existance!