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Author Topic: IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues  (Read 544163 times)
broadgage
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« Reply #540 on: June 17, 2018, 09:41:30 »

Indeed, half length new trains are primarily a weekday issue.(though the odd one appears at weekends)
No train at all due to lack of staff is primarily a weekend issue (though some weekday cancellations result from lack of staff)
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
bobm
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« Reply #541 on: June 17, 2018, 12:02:32 »

No doubt the official line from GWR (Great Western Railway) would be:

"Due to the delay in electrification works and also the delay in acquiring new rolling stock, we have had to condense our driver training into a shorter timeframe so as to minimise disruption in the future. This requires our drivers to come in on allocated rest days to carry out training therefore they are unable to work weekends..... etc etc"


Instead of the far simpler explanation of:

"It's Fathers Day, and as a result many drivers have not turned up"


It is probably a combination of the two.  Drivers may have been away from home during the week attending classroom training sessions and don't feel inclined to be out of the house again today. 

As well as getting the training finished another big help to running Sunday services will be an agreement between GWR and ASLEF» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) over making Sunday part of the working week rather than voluntary.  Talks are ongoing apparently.
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ellendune
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« Reply #542 on: June 17, 2018, 12:54:57 »

It is probably a combination of the two.  Drivers may have been away from home during the week attending classroom training sessions and don't feel inclined to be out of the house again today. 

As well as getting the training finished another big help to running Sunday services will be an agreement between GWR (Great Western Railway) and ASLEF» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) over making Sunday part of the working week rather than voluntary.  Talks are ongoing apparently.

If drivers have attended training on a rest day during the week are they even permitted to work a Sunday? Surely drivers working 7 days a week is not a good idea on safety grounds. 
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #543 on: June 17, 2018, 16:17:10 »

As well as getting the training finished another big help to running Sunday services will be an agreement between GWR (Great Western Railway) and ASLEF» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) over making Sunday part of the working week rather than voluntary.  Talks are ongoing apparently.

They are indeed talking about it.  Though implementation date is not expected to be before January 2021 as it is recognised that a significant recruitment drive will be needed to bring it in and cover shifts for the rest of the week, and a trainee driver, once they have passed all the initial tests, take a year to become fully qualified.

However, if a 'harmonisation' deal which is currently being voted on passes (and it is likely to) any driver who is employed after that date will not have the option of throwing their Sunday away unless it is able to be covered by someone else, regardless of which sector they work for (some currently don't have that option anyway).  I believe this is what Broadgage suggested should happen.  Personally I think it will take several years to make much of a meaningful difference, and of course there's nothing stopping a driver from 'throwing a sickie' other than the fact that they would get no sick pay for it.

If drivers have attended training on a rest day during the week are they even permitted to work a Sunday? Surely drivers working 7 days a week is not a good idea on safety grounds. 

A minimum of one day off after thirteen consecutive days worked is the regulation which is nationwide following the Hidden Enquiry after the Clapham disaster.
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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/
TaplowGreen
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« Reply #544 on: June 17, 2018, 16:29:36 »

As well as getting the training finished another big help to running Sunday services will be an agreement between GWR (Great Western Railway) and ASLEF» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) over making Sunday part of the working week rather than voluntary.  Talks are ongoing apparently.

They are indeed talking about it.  Though implementation date is not expected to be before January 2021 as it is recognised that a significant recruitment drive will be needed to bring it in and cover shifts for the rest of the week, and a trainee driver, once they have passed all the initial tests, take a year to become fully qualified.



So three more years of this (to a greater or lesser degree) then?

GWR should have got this sorted out so that the latest tranche of recruits could not just opt out of Sunday working at will - they knew they were joining a 7 day a week operation, for God's sake it's not 1975 any more.

I know of no other service industry which feather beds its workers quite so much to the detriment of its performance and customers.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #545 on: June 17, 2018, 17:12:33 »

So three more years of this (to a greater or lesser degree) then?

Yes.  Though perhaps better that than rush arrangements in and not have the cover and end up with even more cancellations over the rest of the week?  They should of course have attempted to get on top of it years ago.
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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/
broadgage
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« Reply #546 on: June 19, 2018, 07:13:11 »

17 half length IETs (Intercity Express Train) today, so far. So much for the hope that the arrival of a couple of full length IETs might help.
Very poor show with the summer holiday season now underway.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
CMRail
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« Reply #547 on: June 19, 2018, 07:46:04 »

Can’t wait for all the people going West on the 802s this August when they are cut in half!
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bobm
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« Reply #548 on: June 19, 2018, 07:55:22 »

17 half length IETs (Intercity Express Train) today, so far. So much for the hope that the arrival of a couple of full length IETs might help.
Very poor show with the summer holiday season now underway.

The two 9-cars won’t really change anything as they are on self-contained diagrams to new destinations. I suspect the contract specifies that in the same way as a failed HST (High Speed Train) cannot be replaced by an IET.
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Adelante_CCT
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« Reply #549 on: June 20, 2018, 10:20:27 »

Apparently no short forms planned at the moment, its strange not seeing loads of blue lines heading west from Paddington on the top left graphic.
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bobm
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« Reply #550 on: June 20, 2018, 10:22:45 »

Correct - GWR (Great Western Railway) have confirmed they have had all the sets they need for traffic this morning.  Apparently for the first time in three months.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #551 on: June 20, 2018, 10:33:38 »

Does that mean the remaining units waiting acceptance have now joined the fleet?
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LiskeardRich
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« Reply #552 on: June 20, 2018, 11:31:32 »

As well as getting the training finished another big help to running Sunday services will be an agreement between GWR (Great Western Railway) and ASLEF» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) over making Sunday part of the working week rather than voluntary.  Talks are ongoing apparently.

They are indeed talking about it.  Though implementation date is not expected to be before January 2021 as it is recognised that a significant recruitment drive will be needed to bring it in and cover shifts for the rest of the week, and a trainee driver, once they have passed all the initial tests, take a year to become fully qualified.



So three more years of this (to a greater or lesser degree) then?

GWR should have got this sorted out so that the latest tranche of recruits could not just opt out of Sunday working at will - they knew they were joining a 7 day a week operation, for God's sake it's not 1975 any more.

I know of no other service industry which feather beds its workers quite so much to the detriment of its performance and customers.

Anyone in my work who started before 1994 can opt out of any Sunday. Those of us who started after have no choice, although a local unwritten agreement is in place on my department we can have either Saturday or Sunday off if wished. Nobody is contracted to work both weekend days unless voluntarily picked both for personal reasons of needing weekdays off.
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GBM
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« Reply #553 on: June 20, 2018, 13:31:40 »

Quote
Anyone in my work who started before 1994 can opt out of any Sunday. Those of us who started after have no choice, although a local unwritten agreement is in place on my department we can have either Saturday or Sunday off if wished. Nobody is contracted to work both weekend days unless voluntarily picked both for personal reasons of needing weekdays off.

Admittedly not quite on topic, but; in First Kernow bus your contract states a 5 day out of 7 working days, which will include weekends and bank holidays. No choice but weekend and bank holiday working.




Edit note: Quote marks fixed, for clarity. CfN.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2018, 00:13:39 by Chris from Nailsea » Logged

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Witham Bobby
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« Reply #554 on: June 20, 2018, 15:12:53 »

Correct - GWR (Great Western Railway) have confirmed they have had all the sets they need for traffic this morning.  Apparently for the first time in three months.

Seems to conflict with this, from Thatcham Crossing ...

Quote
I was arriving in PAD» (Paddington (London) - next trains) this morning and at around 1120 observed a 2-car 165 departing to Worcester Foregate Street, absolutely rammed to the gunnels.

As it left, the Chiltern (Parliamentary) 165 pulled in next door, and I think 1 person got off!


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