Dispatchers standing very close to the guard when dispatching

[amahy]

I have often witnessed this at various stations, including at Crewe dispatching long Avanti trains. I thought that one of the purposes of a dispatcher was to provide a better view on the whole platform with long trains, where the guard can’t see all doors by themselves?

It seems a bit pointless to have an extra pair of eyes looking at the exact same view! Surely it would be better for the guard and dispatcher to spread out?

For extra context, on one occasion, the guard and dispatcher were standing about 5 metres away from each other, dispatching a 9 car Pendolino on platform 12, which has an inward curving platform. I am pretty sure that from where they were standing, neither of them could see the very rear of the train!

 

[KNN]

I might be wrong but I think Crewe is two person dispatch, so you can't see the whole train anyway. The assisting dispatcher is checking the bits the person in charge can't see.

 

[Segedunum]

On very curved platforms at my TOC you can have up to three dispatchers (with one as the lead dispatcher). You won't have anything being dispatched without each part of the train being visible to somebody dispatching.

 

[Mugby]

I've seen this at several stations when the train has been a 2-car DMU and the dispatcher has been standing literally beside the guard but still raised the baton. It may be a requirement but it seems rather silly - and looks it too!

 

[mmh]

The platform dispatcher won't know where the guard will be until they step off the train.

 

[sir_gummerz]

The platform dispatcher won't know where the guard will be until they step off the train.

Depends on the station, traction and TOC. For example at my station all DMU traction can only be dispatched from the rear cab, or rearmost pasenger door. Intercity trains they have to be a quarter from the back of the train.