Win a Cab ride with SWT

[RichardN]

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/NCSComp.aspx?stop_mobi=yes

Win the ‘Ride of a lifetime’ during National Customer Service Week

South West Trains is celebrating the Institute of Customer Service's National Customer Service Week, between 5 - 9 October.
Look out for our road show, and events taking place across the network including giveaways, prize draws, upgrades, feedback opportunities and lots of information about our exciting plans to improve every element of our service to you.
We are giving our customers the opportunity to win the ‘Ride of a Lifetime’ – a cab ride in one of our trains from either Waterloo or Bournemouth! All you need to do is guess how many journeys are made per year between these very busy stations. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries.
Simply complete the form below to enter. Before you enter please note: you must be available to take your ride (should you win) with one of our drivers during the morning of Friday 9th October at either Waterloo or Bournemouth stations. The winner will be contacted during the morning of Thursday 8th October. The deadline for entries is midday on Wednesday 7th October.

I thought it might be of interest.

 

[Bookd]

Will the train be driven by 455driver? That could lead to some interesting debate as well as enjoying the journey!

 

[northwichcat]

I'm sure this will be of interest to some people. It's no use for me despite the fact I'm actually in London for most of next week and it would be on my birthday but I'll leave London before Friday.

South West Trains is celebrating the Institute of Customer Service's National Customer Service Week, between 5 - 9 October.
Look out for our road show, and events taking place across the network including giveaways, prize draws, upgrades, feedback opportunities and lots of information about our exciting plans to improve every element of our service to you.

We are giving our customers the opportunity to win the ‘Ride of a Lifetime’ – a cab ride in one of our trains from either Waterloo or Bournemouth! All you need to do is guess how many journeys are made per year between these very busy stations. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries.

Simply complete the form to enter. Before you enter please note: you must be available to take your ride (should you win) with one of our drivers during the morning of Friday 9th October at either Waterloo or Bournemouth stations. The winner will be contacted during the morning of Thursday 8th October. The deadline for entries is midday on Wednesday 7th October.

Competition question: How many people travelled between Bournemouth & Waterloo with South West Trains in 2014/2015?

• 250,198
• 642,026
• 7,565,788

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/NCSComp.aspx?stop_mobi=yes

 

[swt_passenger]

Will the train be driven by 455driver? That could lead to some interesting debate as well as enjoying the journey!

Would FGW give him the day off?
OTOH, if he does win the competition, would SWT let a non-employee drive?

 

[455driver]

Would FGW give him the day off?
OTOH, if he does win the competition, would SWT let a non-employee drive?

I am day off anyway on the 9th (actually ad hoc leave) so not a problem!
No I never signed that route and my traction competency has long since lapsed!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I don't take visitors even if accompanied by the required cab pass holder, I like working by myself.

 

[fairysdad]

I don't take visitors even if accompanied by the required cab pass holder, I like working by myself.

I would imagine that SWT would've spoken to the potential drivers before allowing that particular train to be the competition one. After all, (although I am not a driver!) it is a different thing to have another driver on a route refreshing trip than it would be to have a member of the public in the cab with you!

 

[cf111]

I am day off anyway on the 9th (actually ad hoc leave) so not a problem!
No I never signed that route and my traction competency has long since lapsed!

Very, very disappointing. I had specially ordered a "Rail Staff Know Nothing" t-shirt in case I won and you were in the driver's seat. To whom do I complain?

 

[455driver]

Very, very disappointing. I had specially ordered a "Rail Staff Know Nothing" t-shirt in case I won and you were in the driver's seat. To whom do I complain?

Anyone you like, read my signature!

 

[SpacePhoenix]

I am day off anyway on the 9th (actually ad hoc leave) so not a problem!
No I never signed that route and my traction competency has long since lapsed!

Do all the drivers based at Waterloo only sign certain unit types and certain routes? Do some drivers sign all types of unit out of Waterloo down every route to a certain point?

 

[455driver]

Do all the drivers based at Waterloo only sign certain unit types and certain routes? Do some drivers sign all types of unit out of Waterloo down every route to a certain point?

Yes, the lower links only sign the suburban routes then as you progress up the links you will add more traction and routes, the top link sign most routes (I think they lose some of the suburban routes) and all traction.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Yes, the lower links only sign the suburban routes then as you progress up the links you will add more traction and routes, the top link sign most routes (I think they lose some of the suburban routes) and all traction.

From the other end of the SWML, would the lower links say only sign 444s and 450s from say Weymouth-Bournemouth? btw, from a drivers point of view, when driving them, is there much difference between a 444 and a 450 apart from the difference in length?

 

[HarleyDavidson]

A single 450 is quite nippy, a single 444 isn't quite as fast as a single 450 and they (450) get slower when in multiple, but that's down to the restricted amount of current available on dc.

However once they get up to 40-50 they really start to pull away quite quickly and you can accidentally find yourself doing a bit more than you should because the ride is so good and power delivery so smooth.

From a standing start at Woking single 450 will see off 90 quite easily by West Byfleet and get a good one, probably be at the ton by then.

 

[455driver]

From the other end of the SWML, would the lower links say only sign 444s and 450s from say Weymouth-Bournemouth? btw, from a drivers point of view, when driving them, is there much difference between a 444 and a 450 apart from the difference in length?

I don't know anything about the links down there but the big difference between a 444 and a 450 is the width, I used to always bang my elbow on a 444 but never on a 450. To see it look at the amount of yellow on the outside of the windscreens, there is quite a bit more on a 450.

As for driving them they are roughly the same, a 450 was limited to about 55% and a 444 limited to about 70% giving roughly equal performance. Either way a 455 keeps up with them from a standing start up to about 40mph, something I used to enjoy doing on the down away from Clapham Junction, don't know why!

 

[Carlisle]

I don't take visitors even if accompanied by the required cab pass holder, I like working by myself.

So how are folk meant to learn their routes, do inspections etc?

 

[HarleyDavidson]

They're only accepted if I want them in there.

I slung one out the other week for asking if he could come route learning and then said, I'll be driving!

No you won't, it's my train, I will and off you go. Bleedin' cheek!

 

[notadriver]

I've been driving when accompanied by my manager when a group of 4 won a cab ride at my toc

Surprised to hear 455s keeping up with Desiros. They must be really restricted. 378s leave 455s for dead.

 

[SPADTrap]

So how are folk meant to learn their routes, do inspections etc?

Another train.