Hastings - Redhill?

[OxtedL]

From southeastern website:

Line problem at Redhill.
Train services between London Charing Cross and Hastings via Tonbridge are now running normally at Redhill.

Can SouthEastern drivers do this diversion? Southern have got the Redhill <> Tonbridge Line, so are they doing this today?

(engineering works Sevenoaks to Tonbridge today)

Thanks.

 

[Ivo]

Can and do. Trains are fast between London Bridge and Tonbridge today, running dead through Redhill.

 

[Galvanize]

As far as I'm aware, only Southeastern drivers/conductors sign the Redhill-Tonbridge route, even though the London Bridge-Tonbridge services are now operated by Southern!
Sometimes the train would have a Southeastern driver and conductor (presumably from Tonbridge depot) all the way to London Bridge, otherwise both would disembark at Redhill, and a Southern driver would take the train DOO to London.

 

[Class2ldn]

Tonbridge drivers sign the southern route from tonbridge to london bridge anyway. Haha beaten to it lol

 

[Galvanize]

Tonbridge drivers sign the southern route from tonbridge to london bridge anyway. Haha beaten to it lol

Don't they still sign the route to Horsham via Gatwick Airport too?

 

[Class2ldn]

Some of the old skool might have done it but dont believe they do it anymore. One of my colleagues is based there and iv never heard him mention that. May still though???

 

[Galvanize]

Some of the old skool might have done it but dont believe they do it anymore. One of my colleagues is based there and iv never heard him mention that. May still though???

I think that may go back to the days of when Southeastern and its predessesors SET and Connex used to run Class 508s down to Gatwick Airport from Tonbridge. Just that I've occasionally seen Horsham services worked by Southeastern crew out of London Bridge!

The 17:59 London Bridge-Horsham 12 car 377 job is worked by Tonbridge driver and conductor as far as Redhill, but thats because part of the train came in from Tonbridge on its outward run.

 

[OxtedL]

So the Tonbridge Line is worked by SouthEastern drivers?
No Southern at all?

I can see why this might be the case, although it surprises me that Southern agreed to provide stock only on this service. At least 377s are similar to 375s, probably works well. Shows the (possibly only) advantage of having two franchises next to each other with the same owner.

 

[chuffchuff]

So the Tonbridge Line is worked by SouthEastern drivers?
No Southern at all?

No worked by both

 

[pendolino]

So the Tonbridge Line is worked by SouthEastern drivers?
No Southern at all?

I can see why this might be the case, although it surprises me that Southern agreed to provide stock only on this service. At least 377s are similar to 375s, probably works well. Shows the (possibly only) advantage of having two franchises next to each other with the same owner.

Redhill (Southern) drivers sign Tonbridge. They also sign Redhill - Reading and drive FGW services via Guildford.

 

[OxtedL]

(brain collapses)

Do scotrail drivers sign it as well?

I guess this is sort of legacy from BR days?

 

[trentside]

Forgive me for what could be an obvious question...

When a driver from Southern is driving for SouthEastern or FGW, who is paying his wages? I'd presume that he is payed by Southern who then charge SE and FGW for the drivers services?

 

[pendolino]

When a driver from Southern is driving for SouthEastern or FGW, who is paying his wages? I'd presume that he is payed by Southern who then charge SE and FGW for the drivers services?

I think so, yes. Just a basic (sub)contracting arrangement like any other.

 

[55003]

I commute on this line and a conductor once told me that most of the cock-ups occur because the staff are based in Tonbridge but the stock is based at the other end.It would appear that Southern and SET don't talk to each other when there are service difficulties.
I was once on a rail replacement bus which was meant to connect with a train at Edenbridge that should have come from Tonbridge.Unfortunately when the bus arrived at Edenbridge there was no train and no likelihood of one appearing either.I picked up the rail phone and asked for Redhill station.I then proceeded to tell the station supervisor that I was going to tell the bus driver that he was to take the bus to Tonbridge with myself and the other passengers.The bus driver did not know the way so I had to give him directions to Tonbridge and the intermediate stations.
I don't think a train ran down the line for at least three days during the snow in late November.I was on a train that was three hours late leaving Redhill and could not even reach Nutfield before it turned back!I ended up stuck in Gatwick for three days and went back to work.I finally got a taxi home from Gatwick when the snow had cleared five days later
Finally don't get me started about them chopping the Gatwick services !!

 

[Minstral25]

As far as I'm aware, only Southeastern drivers/conductors sign the Redhill-Tonbridge route, even though the London Bridge-Tonbridge services are now operated by Southern!
Sometimes the train would have a Southeastern driver and conductor (presumably from Tonbridge depot) all the way to London Bridge, otherwise both would disembark at Redhill, and a Southern driver would take the train DOO to London.

Is Redhill to London Bridge a DOO route? I ask because being a regular traveler I often watch the guard closing the doors from inside the 377 and giving right of way to the driver so I am surprised the guards do that if the Driver could do it all?

 

[OxtedL]

I believe that DOO is allowed all the way to Brighton (for FCCs benefit I think), but rarely used from Redhill in my experience.

There was a debacle a year or so ago when Southern almost shoved in some DOO stuff, but the unions did not approve...

 

[Galvanize]

Is Redhill to London Bridge a DOO route? I ask because being a regular traveler I often watch the guard closing the doors from inside the 377 and giving right of way to the driver so I am surprised the guards do that if the Driver could do it all?

Certain services along that route are DOO, but most of them carry a conductor. I believe most of the London Bridge-Reigate services are run DOO, but most of the London Bridge-Horsham services have conductors.

I certainly remember talking to a Southern conductor last year, he was saying how back in the Connex South Central and then the [Govia] South Central days, there was a plan to get rid of all the conductors when the new Class 377s replaced the Slammers.

 

[southerner2174]

The tonbridge and reigate are worked by a conductor from at least purley southwards, all the horsham services are worked throughout by a conductor

 

[55003]

I travelled to London on Saturday from Tonbridge and services were diverted over this line due to engineering at Hildenborough .The services ran fast to London Bridge and I was surprised at just how poor the ride was when travelling much faster than I usually do over this stretch of line.Did anybody else experience this?

 

[OxtedL]

You get this sometimes. Coming from Orpington one Sunday we were on the slow lines due to engineering works, and the quality of the ride was appalling! Where few trains run fast I guess they're not that concerned...

 

[Southern313]

Redhill - Tonbridge is signed by Southern crew based at Redhill only as well as Tonbridge and I believe Hastings SET crews.

All London Bridge - Horsham services are driver/guard operated although there is a mix on certain services of Southern and SET crews. There is one service I know of that is worked with a Southern guard and SET driver which is the 10:03 London Bridge - Horsham as far as Redhill.
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I think so, yes. Just a basic (sub)contracting arrangement like any other.

Correct, prime example being Southern Redhill drivers working the Reading route on FGW stock. Stems from old BR days and hasn't been changed.