Rail staff in First Class

[edwin_m]

They are not 'based' anywhere, they will be where they need to be to work the doors at the next stop or where they believe they are best positioned. There are no rules on exactly where they should sit or stand.

However there will always be some non-passenger area they can go to if necessary - quite properly in my view as some radio calls and other activities can't be done in a public area - so if not needing to be elsewhere when the train is busy they will go here rather than taking a passenger seat. I read on here that Northern and possibly other TOCs have rules that the doors must be operated from the rearmost door position, so unsurprisingly the conductor then goes into the rear cab when they don't need to be somewhere else.

 

[Kite159]

I've seen the food/drink trolley operator sitting in 1st class at times, sometimes the only person in the 1st class section on the 159s, which is fair enough as they need a break from selling slightly overpriced food/drinks to customers.

 

[Muzer]

I can say with certainty that you would never see a train with passengers standing where the guard actually working the train is taking up a seat-it just wouldn't happen.

Not least because their seat would be nicked every time they stood up to do the doors

 

[Starmill]

They are not 'based' anywhere, they will be where they need to be to work the doors at the next stop or where they believe they are best positioned. There are no rules on exactly where they should sit or stand.

Very well, sorry for the poor wording on my part. The relevant idea for the point mentioned is that there are some services where the guard doesn't leave the cab and some where they don't go there at all.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

However there will always be some non-passenger area they can go to if necessary - quite properly in my view as some radio calls and other activities can't be done in a public area - so if not needing to be elsewhere when the train is busy they will go here rather than taking a passenger seat. I read on here that Northern and possibly other TOCs have rules that the doors must be operated from the rearmost door position, so unsurprisingly the conductor then goes into the rear cab when they don't need to be somewhere else.

Indeed, seems fair enough really. Although note that on Northern's EMUs and possibly others any control panel is used.

 

[D1009]

Its good to see what high esteem Virmin hold railstaff (albeit other companies)when they throw travel vouchers at the general public like confetti even when the GP are in the wrong! :roll:

Are they seriously saying they cant afford a few breakfasts, especially towards the end of the run when the food would be thrown away anyway meaning its just a bit of gas (to cook the food) and water (to wash up afterwards) that is being wasted!

Not sure they care about the cost of the breakfasts, just considering what ordinary punters pay to travel in that part of the train at peak times, it doesn't look particularly professional, particularly to the management who don't get those facilities themselves when on duty.

 

[jaigee]

The only gripe I have is that on LM 350's and XC 170's the staff usually sit at the table seats leaving only the airline available.
If I am travelling with the wife or with a group this is rather annoying. :cry:

 

[Pumbaa]

Some interesting views, and I sympathise with many. From taking use of the full tables, to remaining chatting to the on duty staff, I think staff should remain professional at all times. And that may mean letting colleagues go and get on with their duties and not talking loudly, or giving up the table seat.

Ultimately I think a) if staff are travelling to/from work, travel in the class of accommodation you are entitled to and b) if on duty, same applies. I find it quite arrogant of staff to sit in First when there are plenty of seats available in Standard just because 'the Guard won't mind'. If seats become scarce, give it up and stand, or remove yourself from public accommodation if you are allowed to.

 

[tivoli]

The only gripe I have is that on LM 350's and XC 170's the staff usually sit at the table seats leaving only the airline available.
If I am travelling with the wife or with a group this is rather annoying. :cry:

Referring to my original post, the rail staff already on board were sitting at table seats, but to be fair, offered to move if we preferred to sit there.

 

[LowLevel]

I agree that staff in uniform should avoid first class, generally. Although on some TOCs breaks are taken on the train and there's no seating in the staff areas, so on board crews are permitted to take a seat in first class to have their break.

 

[scotsman]

I've seen the food/drink trolley operator sitting in 1st class at times, sometimes the only person in the 1st class section on the 159s, which is fair enough as they need a break from selling slightly overpriced food/drinks to customers.

The general consensus is that that's only acceptable in Coach K

 

[dcsprior]

The only TOC which I travel in first is EC. I've only ever once seen uniformed staff in first once - perhaps because long-distance operators are unlikely to have staff travelling to/from work or between different stints working on their trains.

The time I did see it was 3 (I think) new drivers and an experienced driver. Each of the new drivers were taking a turn between stations on their first ever solo drive. As such, it was quite interesting to hear the chat and the genuine excitement as each returned from their turn. Additionally they took the time to include a couple of interested passengers in their conversation including a woman with terminal cancer travelling to see family as part of a final list of things to do. Things like this can turn travelling from an impersonal thing into something to remember

Also, I expect there was an operational benefit of them being in first (I think it was coach M going northbound, so closest to the driving end) and of course I would rather that someone who was driving at 125mph for the first time with me on on boardhad a nice comfortable seat free of screaming babies/drunks/etc beforehand!

PS - I expect one of the new drivers had a rather hard time of it - at one point the train came to a reasonably rapid stop, and after a ~10 minute delay there was an announcement that due to the failure of a safety system we would be restricted to 100mph for the rest of the journey

 

[91104]

The only TOC which I travel in first is EC. I've only ever once seen uniformed staff in first once - perhaps because long-distance operators are unlikely to have staff travelling to/from work or between different stints working on their trains.

The time I did see it was 3 (I think) new drivers and an experienced driver. Each of the new drivers were taking a turn between stations on their first ever solo drive. As such, it was quite interesting to hear the chat and the genuine excitement as each returned from their turn. Additionally they took the time to include a couple of interested passengers in their conversation including a woman with terminal cancer travelling to see family as part of a final list of things to do. Things like this can turn travelling from an impersonal thing into something to remember

Also, I expect there was an operational benefit of them being in first (I think it was coach M going northbound, so closest to the driving end) and of course I would rather that someone who was driving at 125mph for the first time with me on on boardhad a nice comfortable seat free of screaming babies/drunks/etc beforehand!

PS - I expect one of the new drivers had a rather hard time of it - at one point the train came to a reasonably rapid stop, and after a ~10 minute delay there was an announcement that due to the failure of a safety system we would be restricted to 100mph for the rest of the journey

Us East Coast drivers get first class duty and residential travel so perfectly entitled to travel first class,there a few turns at my depot that require drivers to travel passenger between Kings Cross to Doncaster,Leeds or Newcastle although if it's a busy train I'll ride in the back cab or with the driver if I'm friendly with them as I feel uncomfortable sitting in first class in uniform if the trains busy and some trains are fully reserved so no seat for me anyway.
Also at my depot (Kings Cross) many drivers travel in from Peterborough so will be going to/from work in first class.

 

[Muzer]

The only TOC which I travel in first is EC. I've only ever once seen uniformed staff in first once - perhaps because long-distance operators are unlikely to have staff travelling to/from work or between different stints working on their trains.

The time I did see it was 3 (I think) new drivers and an experienced driver. Each of the new drivers were taking a turn between stations on their first ever solo drive. As such, it was quite interesting to hear the chat and the genuine excitement as each returned from their turn. Additionally they took the time to include a couple of interested passengers in their conversation including a woman with terminal cancer travelling to see family as part of a final list of things to do. Things like this can turn travelling from an impersonal thing into something to remember

Also, I expect there was an operational benefit of them being in first (I think it was coach M going northbound, so closest to the driving end) and of course I would rather that someone who was driving at 125mph for the first time with me on on boardhad a nice comfortable seat free of screaming babies/drunks/etc beforehand!

PS - I expect one of the new drivers had a rather hard time of it - at one point the train came to a reasonably rapid stop, and after a ~10 minute delay there was an announcement that due to the failure of a safety system we would be restricted to 100mph for the rest of the journey

Wonder what that was (WRT the PS)? Which safety systems are required for 125mph running but not 100mph running, or was it perhaps a decision made by control/the signaller/whatever?

 

[91104]

Wonder what that was (WRT the PS)? Which safety systems are required for 125mph running but not 100mph running, or was it perhaps a decision made by control/the signaller/whatever?

ADD (automatic drop device for Pantograph) isolated
Air suspension isolated
Broken bodyside window

 

[Muzer]

Ah, yes. Those all sound about right - can't believe I'd forgotten about ADD, I knew all about that one .