FCC and Platform Mirror's

[wyvfe1]

At New Southgate (Same for Oakleigh Park) there is no mirror on the fast up to London platform (Platform2), on a few occasions the 08:34 and 09:02 (8 Car) will be routed to platform 2 and sometimes it stops and sometimes not.

We've been told this is a decision made by the driver if they think it's safe to open the window and look back up along the platform to see if the doors are clear to pull away. is that true ?

Why not add mirror's to platforms that (may) have use for them.
ie 0657 0728 0802 of which also sometimes stop (or not) on Platform2

 

[Aictos]

As far as I am aware and Ungreat will be along shortly to correct me but if no mirrors or monitors are provided then driver must get out of their cabs and safely dispatch themselves from the platform, once they are aware that all doors are closed then they depart.

If you watch the dispatch videos on Youtube, it covers this anyway - just use FCC as one keyword!

 

[ungreat]

Ajax is correct-we have to get out and look back. As for services not stopping because of being routed up fast,well that's a new one on me!

 

[9K43]

When DOO was first brought in, the monitors/ mirrors were put in to replace the guard for station duties.
It may be if the method of working for these jobs, will show these mirrors/ screen as the main safety requirement for DOO trains.
If they fail then DOO trains should have a competent person to see the train away from the platform(GUARD.)

 

[Aictos]

When DOO was first brought in, the monitors/ mirrors were put in to replace the guard for station duties.
It may be if the method of working for these jobs, will show these mirrors/ screen as the main safety requirement for DOO trains.
If they fail then DOO trains should have a competent person to see the train away from the platform(GUARD.)

Or employ a dispatcher who is just as safety critically trained as any guard with respect to safe dispatch of trains.

 

[thelem]

If they fail then DOO trains should have a competent person to see the train away from the platform(GUARD.)

It sounds like you're suggesting that if one platform mirror (or monitors) is out of use then all trains calling at that station should employ a guard.

What is wrong with the driver getting out of their cab to check the train doors? It will take slightly longer than normal, but would only be until the mirror was fixed.

Assuming for whatever reason that was not possible / practical, why not have a dispatcher on the platform? Much less work required than having a guard on every train.

It seems to me that a lot of the railway establishment just want as many staff to be employed as possible, regardless of if they serve a useful purpose and ignoring their impact on the cost of the railway (and therefore fares).

 

[wyvfe1]

Ajax is correct-we have to get out and look back. As for services not stopping because of being routed up fast,well that's a new one on me!

On the 19th March there was a points failure at Alexandra palace.

At 1300 on arriving at New Southgate for my train the 1307 whizzed past at about 1304 on the fast line.

The platform next train indicators showed the 1307 as cancelled as well as the 2nd train 1327 to Moorgate also cancelled.

I rang national rail inquires who said there was a points problem at Alexandra Palace and said I need to take the next train back towards WGC and change at New Barnet or find my way to Alexandra Palace.
The timings for the trains at New Southgate are 1307, 1327 and 1347 to Moorgate; the trains toward New Barnet are 1303 1323 and 1343, so I had to wait 20 minutes for the 1323.

The 1323 arrives at New Barnet 1328 (5 mins too late for me)

The next train at New Barnet to Moorgate is the 1342, which was non-stopping at Oakleigh Park and New Southgate, and which also waited at Alexandra Palace till 1350 due to it arriving at 1346 (4 mins early)

I then took 1342 to Moorgate arriving at Moorgate at 1410. (instead of 1330)

I later on asked why the trains did not stop at Oakleigh Park or New Southgate. I was told there are no mirrors on the fast lines at those stations but there are at New Barnet and Alexandra Palace and trains cannot stop on the fast lines due to safety reasons.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I noticed today there is no mirror on the down fast at New Soutgate either.

 

[ungreat]

You were told wrong info mate.

Mirrors and monitors are only fitted to places with regular stopping services.If we call at those stations on an unusual platform with neither,then we look back.