FGW train stranded at Pewsey

[LateThanNever]

Right, so you are happy to pay even higher ticket prices to have numerous fitters sitting spare at locations every few miles on the off chance that a train may break down?

If that's what the competition does then yes - trains have got to compete. Their future will be more assured if they are better. But in fact these guys are on call rather than "sitting around". If the raiway has them "sitting around" then that's another potential saving. I've also suggested where some other easy economies might be made. Probably also a good idea to ensure that all drivers have better and more detailed mechanical knowledge - which they used to in steam days. (Train drivers in France are even now still called engineers!)

 

[Max]

well if you think that you can do better using google than a trained professional then why don't you apply for a control job.... Hmmmmm, didn't think so!!

sorry, i just get frustrated with people who think 'cos they read something on the internet that they know more than the person doing the job.... its one thing having the knowledge but its another thing putting it into practise when you have a million other things to deal with too!!!!

I think the major flaw with your point is that nobody here works in control for a TOC, including yourself and the so-called 'armchair experts'. Unless I have missed something?

 

[transmanche]

If the people working in FGW control cannot 'put that stuff into practice' then quite possibly they're in the wrong job.

well if you think that you can do better using google than a trained professional then why don't you apply for a control job.... Hmmmmm, didn't think so!!

Maybe I will, if the pay is good enough.

Like I said upthread, I do have plenty of experience of 'crisis management' in a different industry. And skills are transferable - the railway isn't unique.

sorry, i just get frustrated with people who think 'cos they read something on the internet that they know more than the person doing the job....

Ah the argument used to be you-don't-work-in-the-railway-industry-so-you-don't-know-what-the-rules-are. Now the rules and guidelines are more easily available, the argument is now you're-just-an-armchair-expert or you-don't-work-in-the-industry-so-you-don't-know-how-to-put-them-into-practice.

The fact is there are intelligent people out there who have comparable experience in different industries, there are intelligent people who are capable of reading a set of rules or guidelines and understanding them and there are people who are good at working under intense pressure. And not all of them work in the railway industry. Having made the effort to read and understand the relevant rules and apply my skills and experience to the situation means I can make an informed comment on the matter. Just because I don't work in the railway industry doesn't mean that my informed opinion can be automatically dismissed because you claim I think I know more than the person doing the job.

Perhaps if you took on board the considered and informed contributions [*] of the non-railway staff here rather than just rejecting them, it might move towards more constructive debate.

its one thing having the knowledge but its another thing putting it into practise when you have a million other things to deal with too!!!!

Absolutely, nobody said it was easy. That's why some people are good at dealing with situations like this and some aren't. Those that are paid to deal with them need to be good at it - if they're not up to the job then they either need to be better trained, or they need to be replaced with people who are up to the job.

* And I accept that not all the contributions have been considered and informed - there will always be some people who just want to rant. But I'm sure you can sort the wheat from the chaff.

 

[DarloRich]

May i ask a series of honest questions of those advocating an evacuation:

How many of you have descended from a locomotive/carriage and tried to walk along rails sleepers and ballast? How do you negotiate all of the hazards along the way which you may not be familiar with such as catch pits/point motors/switch blades/trunking and dealing with extra hazards like the weather etc

Now, if you have done that how easy did you find it? How far did you go? Finally, how easy did you find it wearing all of the safety gear?

Walking along ballast is something i have some experience of you see and wonder how easy everyone finds it because i find it bloody knackering!

 

[Goatboy]

So the bottom line then is that a TOC always handles every situation optimally (and when they don't the only reason for sub-optimal situation handling is lack of funds) and anyone who thinks otherwise is a clueless simpleton.

Glad we've got to the bottom of that - a healthy attitude to take and one thats really common in sectors which strive for continuous improvement. Not.

 

[Max]

Because of the confrontation between certain members, and the fact that most points now seem to have been covered, we have taken the decision to lock this thread.

If any significant new information comes to light in the coming days and weeks, we will consider reopening for new discussion.