Driver using a bit of initiative

[yorkie]

@ yorkie
Had no idea of the debate I would initiate!
I was on the 1054 from Hatfield this morning, which would have reached New Barnet around 1108 so seems it probably WAS booked to call there after all. My mistake
The additional call was not announced on the station information displays or on-board the train, though. I guess the people at New Barnet knew in advance that they had an extra London-bound train, judging from the numbers who boarded!

In that case it was definitely booked to call. Sounds like it was only advertised at New Barnet.

 

[LE Greys]

I've seen a few instances of people trying to board ECS services at stations where the train has been held, even if that train has no carriage lights on and clearly states 'Not in Service' on the destination indicators. Unfortunately I don't think there is much more that can be done, as most of the time the passengers in question are oblivious to what is going on or distracted by something else (i.e. earphones).

Recent shot of a northbound ECS doing a driver change at Stevenage in the down slow. Notice how only the loco is in the platform. There are plenty of stories of passengers in slam-door days ending up in sheds because of signal stops in stations.

 

[A-driver]

A few months back I took a set of empty 313s from hornsey to letchworth. I was run in the down fast all the way and was checked down to a red at Stevenage. I crawled through Stevenage to try to avoid stopping but came to a stand just in the end of the platform (the signal came straight off to green when I 'sg-d' so I guess I was forgotten about!) but it caused chaos. The Newcastle train was being advertised 5 mins behind me, no 'stand clear not in service' on the platform screens or anything and all these people with suitcases tried getting the doors open. Both me and the platform staff shouting 'not this one, you need the next one' but people are adamant they could get on.

I could have tried getting then to Newcastle but would have been late and a pretty uncomfortable journey!

I normally try to stop short of any platforms with a red to stop people trying to board, especially hornsey and harringay in the morning peaks. Problem is some places (including new barnet in the up) have approach controlled signals to cross to the fast so it won't clear until you are half way through the platform.

 

[TDK]

On a semi-fast FCC service from Hatfield to Kings Cross recently that was scheduled to call at Potters Bar and Finsbury Park only, the train was held at a red signal at New Barnet, awaiting a path onto the up fast line. As people on the platform stepped forward, presumably unaware this was not a planned stop, he - to my surprise - opened the doots to allow them on board. How refreshingly sensible was that, given there was going to be a delay of around 90secs anyway, since a faster service had only just whizzed past?

If the driver had used his initiative he would have stopped short of the platform if the train was not due to call at the station unless the starter signal is track approach so maybe they didn't use their initiative after all.

 

[A-driver]

If the driver had used his initiative he would have stopped short of the platform if the train was not due to call at the station unless the starter signal is track approach so maybe they didn't use their initiative after all.

Due to engineering work everything was being put on the up fast at new barbet south and the signal at the end is approach controlled and you need to get about half way through the platform fir it to come off. Problem is the timetable rarely works to plan when they do this so you don't know how many trains will pass on the fast before you are let out.

But as has been said, several trains, including is one, are booked to call there on a Sunday as pick up only so not advertised on the train (plus there are no PIDS codes including Barnet)

 

[ReverendFozz]

what would happen to a driver if he makes an unscheduled stop to pick up or drop off, using the example I mentioned earlier about some guys not being allowed off a stationary diverted GNER train at Stockton, what trouble would the driver or guards have been in had they opened the doors.

Apologies if this is a stupid question

Sent by Comrade Marxista Fozzski

 

[A-driver]

what would happen to a driver if he makes an unscheduled stop to pick up or drop off, using the example I mentioned earlier about some guys not being allowed off a stationary diverted GNER train at Stockton, what trouble would the driver or guards have been in had they opened the doors.

Apologies if this is a stupid question

Sent by Comrade Marxista Fozzski

To be honest it depends on the TOC but not much really. I know some companies take it seriously (like southern) as they see it as a lack of concentration if you stop accidentally and in their logic that lapse of concentration could equally result in a SPAD/stop short/overrun etc. They also fear that it you stop at a red in a station and open doors there is little to stop you opening them at a red where no platform is present (as does happen!)

When I worked for southern I stopped out of course once in severe disruption and could see trains stopped at all the signals infront of me. It was raining and a fairly quiet platform late at night. To cover myself I called the signaller on the csr and explained that I would be opening the doors. This is recorded so if management approached me about it I would be covered and could prove it was a conscious decision, not a momentary lapse in concentration.

Other companies (like FCC) don't really do anything about extra stops. Fails to call are frowned upon but still not counted as a safety issue but stopping additionally, unless causing delays as has happened, won't be picked up on and the worst you would get for it would be a 'read your schedule card properly next time' from your manager next time they saw you-they wouldn't go out of their way to I gives you about it.

 

[RPM]

If the driver had used his initiative he would have stopped short of the platform if the train was not due to call at the station unless the starter signal is track approach so maybe they didn't use their initiative after all.

Indeed! My approach in these situations is to slow right down to a crawl once I've passed the yellow in the hope that the red at the forthcoming station will have changed by the time I see it. I just can't be doing with punters coming up and tapping on my window asking why I'm not opening the doors.