Northern Rail Guards

[scotsman]

Not travelled with Northern much (twice ever!) but they seem to be a friendly bunch, especially from my encounter with them on the first railtour I worked, where their friendly banter as we waited to leave Liverpool convinced me that the railway really is one big family.

 

[- Cal -]

Thanks for the comments! I enjoy my job based out of Man Vic, and I always try and have a smile on my face, whatever goes wrong between booking on and booking off

Gotta agree, I know 175001 and he knows me dont wanna say his name on here nor would i like him to share mine, but i too am a Northern Guard and we both cover practically the same routes (we are based at different depots) but I enjoy coming to work I enjoy the banter with passengers and the agro at times, it all adds to the fun of the job. Thanks for the comments

 

[hilbert]

As a regular user of Northern Rail services across their network, all I can say is that the staff I have met were all pleasant and friendly. Some of them, with an interest in the job will converse about units, diagrams etc.
It is very unfortunate given the size of Northerns area, that they have a mixed bag of units, with more hand me downs on the way. A new diesel unit for fleet for Northern funded by Dft would give Bombardier at Derby a shot in the arm. A drop in the ocean compared to some other projects ongoing elsewhere......
Martyn.

 

[strange6]

Most of the Northern staff I know are real enthusiasts who will go out of their way to engage in railway intercourse with the enthusiast. It's just so refreshing to engage with a company staff who really do take interest in their jobs! Cheers, Northern!

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Most of the Northern staff I know are real enthusiasts who will go out of their way to engage in railway intercourse with the enthusiast. It's just so refreshing to engage with a company staff who really do take interest in their jobs! Cheers, Northern!

Yep indeed I've noticed that on my trips to northern land too. They seem more friendly and pro enthusiast than another TOC I've experienced.

 

[krisk]

Can't fault them as a company and for their staff, maybe as I get older i'd be interested in working there especially if I had a regular line that was mine to work on.

However, maybe it is just a northern thing that we are naturally much chirpier and happier than our southern counterparts?

 

[glenbogle]

Can any of the Northern staff on here answer this, do railway staff from other TOC's travel for free on your trains on production of a staff pass or must they buy a priv?

A colleague of mine thought he read correspondence from the RMT saying this but i have never seen anything.

Thanks.

 

[jamesst]

Both Merseyrail and Northern staff can travel free on each others services as both are controlled by Serco Abellio

 

[driver9000]

Both Merseyrail and Northern staff can travel free on each others services as both are controlled by Serco Abellio

Northern also have a reciprocal agreement for free travel on Grand Central. There are a number of restrictions on the GC trains at the weekends though due to their trains being busy leaving London in the evenings.

If you don't hold a MerseyRail, Northern or Grand Central pass then other TOC staff pay the appropriate fare, same as if Northern staff were travelling on another TOCs trains that they don't get free travel on.

 

[142094]

Sure Northern have some sort of agreement with FTPE as well - you often see Northern managers using TPE services to get to/from York and Manchester.

 

[- Cal -]

Regardless of TOC, I don't mind any railway employee travelling for free on my services. I would like to think should a situation arise they would help me as is the same for police travelling for free.

 

[driver9000]

Sure Northern have some sort of agreement with FTPE as well - you often see Northern managers using TPE services to get to/from York and Manchester.

There is a residential pass available with TPE to travel to and from work.

 

[185]

There is a residential pass available with TPE to travel to and from work.

Their former MD forgot hers one day...

Lucky I was in a good mood

 

[glenbogle]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[trickyvegas]

I would agree with what the majority say - superb staff.

A guard brightened my morning last week with a call of "Tickets, passes, excuses" as he passed through the carriage.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I would agree with what the majority say - superb staff.

A guard brightened my morning last week with a call of "Tickets, passes, excuses" as he passed through the carriage.

where was that?

 

[ukrob]

I would agree with what the majority say - superb staff.

A guard brightened my morning last week with a call of "Tickets, passes, excuses" as he passed through the carriage.

where was that?

I have heard that a few times too in the Liverpool/Wigan/Manchester area. Sometimes with 'bribes' added on.

 

[185]

I have heard that a few times too in the Liverpool/Wigan/Manchester area. Sometimes with 'bribes' added on.

Or Waccybaccy as a certain (crackers) Leeds guards keeps asking

I'm never sure if he's collecting or selling!

 

[AndrewP]

Got to agree that most Northern staff are absolutely first rate.

Obviously there are one or two exceptions (including the idiot who pushed me through the barriers at Leeds because he had lost his pass) but they are generally excellent - especially if there is a problem when they keep you updated and are very visible.

Thanks guys!

 

[strange6]

Not many do this but some come around asking if you need a ticket and not checking that you have one.

 

[- Cal -]

Not many do this but some come around asking if you need a ticket and not checking that you have one.

I do that myself on busy morning services when we are approaching a station with revenue barriers or revenue staff knowing they wont be able to get away with it.

 

[strange6]

I do that myself on busy morning services when we are approaching a station with revenue barriers or revenue staff knowing they wont be able to get away with it.

hehehe Nice one

 

[Lampshade]

I do that myself on busy morning services when we are approaching a station with revenue barriers or revenue staff knowing they wont be able to get away with it.

Except Leeds - at Leeds you can get away with a ticket to anywhere, anyone who took part in the WY Challenge knows what I mean

 

[trickyvegas]

where was that?

On a Piccadilly - Crewe morning run.