Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 16:15 28 Mar 2024
* Passengers pleaded with knifeman during attack
- How do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?
- Jet2 launches first flight from Liverpool airport
- Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
28th Mar (1992)
MOD Kineton tour, branch line society (*)

Train RunningCancelled
15:16 London Paddington to Cardiff Central
15:30 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington
16:04 Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood
16:51 Filton Abbey Wood to Bristol Temple Meads
17:04 Bristol Temple Meads to Filton Abbey Wood
17:51 Filton Abbey Wood to Bristol Temple Meads
17:54 Cardiff Central to London Paddington
17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street
19:33 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill
20:56 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington
Short Run
12:03 London Paddington to Penzance
13:10 Gloucester to Weymouth
13:28 Weymouth to Gloucester
15:10 Gloucester to Weymouth
15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
15:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
16:19 Carmarthen to London Paddington
16:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
16:54 Cardiff Central to London Paddington
Delayed
13:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
13:55 Paignton to London Paddington
13:59 Cardiff Central to Penzance
14:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
14:36 London Paddington to Paignton
17:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 28, 2024, 16:27:07 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[142] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[80] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[56] Return of the BRUTE?
[46] If not HS2 to Manchester, how will traffic be carried?
[43] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[34] Reversing Beeching - bring heritage and freight lines into the...
 
News: the Great Western Coffee Shop ... keeping you up to date with travel around the South West
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: 1 ... 18 19 [20] 21 22 ... 139
  Print  
Author Topic: Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway since September 2017 - ongoing discussion  (Read 424422 times)
grahame
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 40690



View Profile WWW Email
« Reply #285 on: December 24, 2017, 12:04:03 »

I thought we had noted that already (maybe in another thread?)

We may have done, Chris ... such is the volume of stuff happening and the busyness of the forum that things end up getting repeated.   Chris from Nailsea does an excellent lead job of joining threads up so they form a building reference later (we really appreciate that Chris), but it's the nature of breaking news that the same data may fly in from several angles at once.

I'm a tutor (in IT) in my day job. And one of the tips I learned, from a cynic, was to repeat myself.  "Tell they what you're going to tell them.  Tell them.  Tell them what you've told them. And they may remember it".   Now I don't hold fully with that, though there's an element of truth; there is certainly a need for a pulling together of individual threads into a total picture ("summarising and adding context").    And  I do wonder how anyone can see the full flow of posts here and elsewhere and take it all in ... so a moderate repetition of key items does (IMHO (in my humble opinion)) more good than harm.

Quote
I thought we had noted that already (maybe in another thread?)

Repeating and highlighting certainly helps bring home key information - thank you for the highlight  Wink
Logged

Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
Adelante_CCT
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 1314



View Profile
« Reply #286 on: December 24, 2017, 12:33:47 »

I was unaware it had been, the last thing I recall being mentioned was that it was due to be signed off between Xmas and NY, so good to see if it officially has been
Logged
stuving
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7156


View Profile
« Reply #287 on: December 24, 2017, 12:39:00 »

I was unaware it had been, the last thing I recall being mentioned was that it was due to be signed off between Xmas and NY, so good to see if it officially has been

I think that's right. The sign-off only happened last Friday morning, so it can hardly have been reported before that. Given how important this was, that is certainly taking it right down to the wire - or perhaps (like all well-behaved pantographs) up to the wire.
Logged
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10095


View Profile
« Reply #288 on: December 24, 2017, 14:24:40 »

Yes, definitely signed off.

The main issue for the new year and new timetable is the 387 service extending to Didcot, and the few 12-car formations that will be operating.

Most drivers will not have driven an electric 8-car train west of Maidenhead, so they will be cautiously finding their feet when it comes to stop car markers and braking points.

12-car trains will provide a big capacity boost, but at stations like Slough, Maidenhead, and Twyford they will be stopping at platforms with the doors opening on as few as 7 cars, which will no doubt take a while for customers to get used to, and needs publicising extensively.  At Reading the rear four will be locked out of use, so again there's a performance risk of delays whilst that takes place.

I forsee those issues causing a few delays to begin with, but I think the crew shortage problem will be significantly eased.
Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
Timmer
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6293


View Profile
« Reply #289 on: December 24, 2017, 16:03:55 »

Been a much much better day today, the best for a long time  Smiley

Things looked to have been going smoothly with the diverts to and from Marylebone. I think GWR (Great Western Railway) have been wise to just operate an hourly service along with the hourly services between Bristol and Reading (to change for services to Waterloo)
Logged
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10095


View Profile
« Reply #290 on: December 24, 2017, 16:17:05 »

Yes, everyone who works today is on ‘double time and a quarter’ meaning there were enough volunteers to counter those who had taken the option to not work.  Same deal for New Years Eve as well.

The run up to Christmas was very poor, but the big getaway period itself has largely been very successful - largely due to it being spread out more.
Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
Timmer
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6293


View Profile
« Reply #291 on: December 24, 2017, 16:47:28 »

Sadly the same cannot be said for XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services with the already reduced timetable due to strike action being further reduced due to traincrew issues. Looking at RTT» (Real Time Trains - website) you have trains due to run cancelled operating only as empty coaching stock to their destinations.
Logged
phile
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1382

Language spoken Welsh as well as English


View Profile Email
« Reply #292 on: December 24, 2017, 16:54:30 »

Been a much much better day today, the best for a long time  Smiley

Things looked to have been going smoothly with the diverts to and from Marylebone. I think GWR (Great Western Railway) have been wise to just operate an hourly service along with the hourly services between Bristol and Reading (to change for services to Waterloo)

GWR - Nil   Northern - 73
Logged
Timmer
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6293


View Profile
« Reply #293 on: December 24, 2017, 17:20:08 »

GWR (Great Western Railway) - Nil   Northern - 73
Perhaps Northern weren’t offering something as generous as GWR were for working today?
Logged
stuving
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7156


View Profile
« Reply #294 on: December 24, 2017, 17:30:15 »

The run up to Christmas was very poor, but the big getaway period itself has largely been very successful - largely due to it being spread out more.

While this year's calendar has been relatively favourable for railway planners, it has been quite the opposite for SNCF (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways). They have been getting flak for crowded trains and stations, and for "overbooking". Part of their excuse is that this year's school holidays start on the 23rd, which is as late is ever happens and it's been ages since the last one (actually 2006) so everyone has forgotten what to expect.

That is probably true, and the press comment is largely synthetic outrage. For a start all TGVs (Train a Grande Vitesse) and some Intercités are reservation only, and while there may have been the odd glitch that led to people being unable to take their reserved seats that wasn't the big problem. It's the other Intercités where reservations are optional, and TERs that don't have reservations at all, that were so full it left barely enough elbow room for sending angry tweets.

I still haven't found out where SNCF tell you which Intercités require reservations, but I'm sure they must do somewhere. These are longer distance trains, of the traditional cross-country kind, and not very fast. I didn't realise until now that there are also long-distance TERs, which are even slower - so neither "express" nor "régional". For example, Paris Bercy-Lyon takes 3 hours to Dijon and 5 to Lyon.

SNCF didn't help their case when one of their staff tweeters used the word overbook and said they do it for the same reasons recently given here - people like the turn-up-and-go flexibility. Later they corrected that to point out these were trains with no bookings or admitting passengers without. Note that their unreserved tickets now valid for a week from the date you ask for - so the charge of "selling too many tickets" is less apt than it is here.

The complaint with most force was from people who did reserve but couldn't travel as the train was already full and in some cases left early for safety reasons. The SNCF answer was that they can't reasonably call the police to clear a train - but that is an admission that they don't attempt to regulate boarding on those trains (not so very many) nor enforce reservations.

Of course the journalistic comment didn't bother to understand any of that. And I do expect some here will be envious of that level of crowding.   
Logged
TaplowGreen
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7743



View Profile
« Reply #295 on: December 24, 2017, 17:33:58 »

Sadly the same cannot be said for XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services with the already reduced timetable due to strike action being further reduced due to traincrew issues. Looking at RTT» (Real Time Trains - website) you have trains due to run cancelled operating only as empty coaching stock to their destinations.

Irrespective of the leverage it gives, you have to question the morals and human decency of those prepared to strike in these circumstances on Christmas Eve knowing the misery it will cause to thousands of people.

Great to hear that GWR (Great Western Railway) services have held up so well today.
Logged
ellendune
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4452


View Profile
« Reply #296 on: December 24, 2017, 19:12:43 »

Irrespective of the leverage it gives, you have to question the morals and human decency of those prepared to strike in these circumstances on Christmas Eve knowing the misery it will cause to thousands of people.

Great to hear that GWR (Great Western Railway) services have held up so well today.

I think this is more than a little of an overreaction TG.

I would have thought that this year - with Christmas Eve being a Sunday and with the rush starting on Friday - this was more a symbolic strike at one of the least disruptive days. After all NR» (Network Rail - home page) have already started Christmas shutdowns. 

I don't know if XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) staff are contracted to do Sundays or whether it is voluntary...
Logged
Timmer
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6293


View Profile
« Reply #297 on: December 24, 2017, 21:08:13 »

I would have thought that this year - with Christmas Eve being a Sunday and with the rush starting on Friday - this was more a symbolic strike at one of the least disruptive days. After all NR» (Network Rail - home page) have already started Christmas shutdowns. 
Well the next XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) strike day certainly won’t be a ‘symbolic’ one...it's on the 27th.
Logged
ChrisB
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 12334


View Profile Email
« Reply #298 on: December 24, 2017, 22:16:32 »

....and the 31st....
Logged
Timmer
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6293


View Profile
« Reply #299 on: December 24, 2017, 22:27:42 »

....and the 31st....
Yup, along with all the other dates in January across various TOCs (Train Operating Company). I guess that’s one thing we can be thankful for that GWR (Great Western Railway) are one of the few TOCs not involved in an industrial dispute.
Logged
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: 1 ... 18 19 [20] 21 22 ... 139
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page