Strike ballot for South Western Railway staff

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

I'm sure a 28% pay rise will make all these safety concerns magically disappear......worked for the Southern comrades.

[Steve Bray]

This week in the new timetable, many surburban trains have been extended from 8 to 10 cars. On Monday evening, the train I was on pulled into Raynes Park station. Very quickly the guard opened the doors; however, at the same time, the driver realised he/she'd stopped short, and moved the train forward, presumably unaware that the doors had been opened. Passengers were of course getting off the train and one stumbled and fell onto the platform but soon got up. However, this could have been far worse.

[ChrisB]

Better then that the driver opens the doors? An argument for Onboard Supervisors rather than guards.

[IndustryInsider]

Or you have doors that are interlocked with the brake so the train can’t move when they’ve been released.  Most (if not all) modern trains have that feature.  What stock was this train formed of, Steve?

[Steve Bray]

Not 100% sure of the class no's but I think I am right in saying they were 2 x 455's + 1 x 456 to make up the 10 car formation

[Surrey 455]

This week in the new timetable, many surburban trains have been extended from 8 to 10 cars. On Monday evening, the train I was on pulled into Raynes Park station. Very quickly the guard opened the doors; however, at the same time, the driver realised he/she'd stopped short, and moved the train forward, presumably unaware that the doors had been opened. Passengers were of course getting off the train and one stumbled and fell onto the platform but soon got up. However, this could have been far worse.

How did you manage to get a train on Monday? I got to Waterloo at about 6pm and everything was listed as delayed or cancelled. I headed off to Victoria instead to find the next few services calling at Epsom had been cancelled. At least I got a seat in Wetherspoons while I was waiting.

[Steve Bray]

This week in the new timetable, many surburban trains have been extended from 8 to 10 cars. On Monday evening, the train I was on pulled into Raynes Park station. Very quickly the guard opened the doors; however, at the same time, the driver realised he/she'd stopped short, and moved the train forward, presumably unaware that the doors had been opened. Passengers were of course getting off the train and one stumbled and fell onto the platform but soon got up. However, this could have been far worse.

How did you manage to get a train on Monday? I got to Waterloo at about 6pm and everything was listed as delayed or cancelled. I headed off to Victoria instead to find the next few services calling at Epsom had been cancelled. At least I got a seat in Wetherspoons while I was waiting.

I actually had a function after work, so returned from London at around 9pm, just when services started operating (I won't say "were getting back to normal", because they weren't); however this incident was another hiccup which created a further short delay




Edit note: Quote marks fixed, for clarity. CfN.

[JayMac]

Further strike action on South Western Railway has been called by the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers). A three day walk out from 0001 on Thursday 21st June until 2359 on Saturday 23rd June.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-confirms-further-strike-action-on-south-western-railway/

The usual moderate language from the RMT in that press release.