International Women’s Day - encouraging women to consider rail careers

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From ITV

Three passenger trains will be entirely run by female staff on Friday to mark International Women’s Day.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about)), Southeastern and Great Western Railway (GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)) will operate the special services in a bid to encourage more women to consider a career in the rail industry.

An LNER train from Edinburgh to London King’s Cross will have all six of its onboard roles filled by women, including driver, train manager and chef.

The Flying Scotsman service will be rebranded Flying Scotswoman for the month of March.

A total of 15 women will be involved in running a Southeastern train from London Victoria to Faversham, Kent.

They include driver, conductor and Network Rail signallers.

A GWR train from Bristol to London Paddington will also have an all-female crew.

Also ... https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/britains-first-all-female-operated-train-service-runs-today

[REVUpminster]

Strange you can have an International Women's Day when todays Women's World Day of Prayer has changed it's name to World day of Prayer for the last two years.

[Marlburian]

Flying Scotsman rebranded Flying Scotswoman for International Women's Day

[Phil]

Also ... https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/britains-first-all-female-operated-train-service-runs-today

I'm absolutely certain I've travelled on a GW^▸ (Great Western) service between Swindon and Westbury with a female driver and guard several times - hard to remember really, simply because it's never struck me as being particularly noteworthy. I'm still not sure what makes it "news".

[stuving]

Also ... https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/britains-first-all-female-operated-train-service-runs-today

I'm absolutely certain I've travelled on a GW^▸ (Great Western) service between Swindon and Westbury with a female driver and guard several times - hard to remember really, simply because it's never struck me as being particularly noteworthy. I'm still not sure what makes it "news".

Yes, I was wondering if it's now time to stop exceptionalising things like this, in favour of seeing them (and if need be presenting them) as routine.

[TaplowGreen]

Also ... https://newsroom.southeasternrailway.co.uk/news/britains-first-all-female-operated-train-service-runs-today

I'm absolutely certain I've travelled on a GW^▸ (Great Western) service between Swindon and Westbury with a female driver and guard several times - hard to remember really, simply because it's never struck me as being particularly noteworthy. I'm still not sure what makes it "news".

Yes, I was wondering if it's now time to stop exceptionalising things like this, in favour of seeing them (and if need be presenting them) as routine.

Signalling of various types exists on the railways. Virtue signalling included.

[grahame]

My understanding is that there are currently around 20% ladies and 80% gentlemen in day to day shift operation in the rail industry. It is no longer rare to see a woman as train manager or driver.

It is still worth the occasional reminder to all demographics underrepresented in the work force that if they are ready, willing and able they should consider a railway job / career.

I can't help feeling that it might now even be counter-productive to promote it on the basis of being "unusual" or "pioneering". There are many people who would love a job in rail, but would like to do so quietly rather than as a trailblazer which stunts like "Flying Scotswoman" may imply.

[TaplowGreen]

My understanding is that there are currently around 20% ladies and 80% gentlemen in day to day shift operation in the rail industry. It is no longer rare to see a woman as train manager or driver.

It is still worth the occasional reminder to all demographics underrepresented in the work force that if they are ready, willing and able they should consider a railway job / career.

I can't help feeling that it might now even be counter-productive to promote it on the basis of being "unusual" or "pioneering". There are many people who would love a job in rail, but would like to do so quietly rather than as a trailblazer which stunts like "Flying Scotswoman" may imply.

………...surely it can only be a matter of time before The Flying Scotsman/woman is renamed something more non binary to reflect our more progressive and enlightened times?

[grahame]

………...surely it can only be a matter of time before The Flying Scotsman/woman is renamed something more non binary to reflect our more progressive and enlightened times?

The name "Flying Scotsman" was officially adopted for a train in 1924.  In those days, I don't think there were any female drivers or firepeople. The term "Flying" didn't seem to promote another mainstream mode of internal but longer distance public transport in those days either. Perhaps multiple part of the name could do with modernisation?   After all - the trains had been replaced I don't know how many times ...

[bobm]

My understanding is that there are currently around 20% ladies and 80% gentlemen in day to day shift operation in the rail industry. It is no longer rare to see a woman as train manager or driver.

It is still worth the occasional reminder to all demographics underrepresented in the work force that if they are ready, willing and able they should consider a railway job / career.

I can't help feeling that it might now even be counter-productive to promote it on the basis of being "unusual" or "pioneering". There are many people who would love a job in rail, but would like to do so quietly rather than as a trailblazer which stunts like "Flying Scotswoman" may imply.

………...surely it can only be a matter of time before The Flying Scotsman/woman is renamed something more non binary to reflect our more progressive and enlightened times?

What about Manchester United and Queen's Park Rangers?

[Trowres]

………...surely it can only be a matter of time before The Flying Scotsman/woman is renamed something more non binary to reflect our more progressive and enlightened times?

I was going to suggest "The Teleworking Android"... but perhaps that still counts as binary?

[TaplowGreen]

………...surely it can only be a matter of time before The Flying Scotsman/woman is renamed something more non binary to reflect our more progressive and enlightened times?

I was going to suggest "The Teleworking Android"... but perhaps that still counts as binary?

.......well there's the "Trans" Siberian, and the Trans Wilts of course! 🙂

[SandTEngineer]

Lots of women in the 'back offices' as well, that you never see.  When I ran one S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph) drawing office in the past we had at least five women draughtpersons out of about twelve in total.  My daughter is now one as well (must be the railway genes!).

[grahame]

I was out travelling by train today and got on and off no less than 9 services as I updated my picture library. 5 ticket checks by ladies and 4 by gentlemen. Perhaps the figures were skewed because it's a Sunday based on the old saying "A woman's work is never done".

I do sense that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are ahead of the game on this one, and to be congratulated for that.

[Bmblbzzz]

………...surely it can only be a matter of time before The Flying Scotsman/woman is renamed something more non binary to reflect our more progressive and enlightened times?

I was going to suggest "The Teleworking Android"... but perhaps that still counts as binary?

.......well there's the "Trans" Siberian, and the Trans Wilts of course! 🙂

How offensive to suggest that trans people wilt! In the interests of non-discriminatory supportiveness, this service should be renamed "Trans and Cis Stand Firm". Unless of course that is taken to suggest, erm, something else...