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Poll
Question: Best option - time and day - for Meet the Manager.  (Voting closed: August 26, 2024, 09:31:32)
Prefer Thursday Afternoon - 6 (31.6%)
Prefer Wednesday Morning - 3 (15.8%)
Don't mind - can come to either - 8 (42.1%)
Unlikely to make either - 2 (10.5%)
Total Voters: 19

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Author Topic: Meet the Manager (online via Coffee Shop), Autumn 2024  (Read 4913 times)
grahame
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« Reply #15 on: August 24, 2024, 16:35:35 »

You indicated that by saying all questions to be asked in advance. Giving us nothing there to be interactive about - unless we can ask follow-up questions IF our question gets selected initially?

Hmm ... not quite what I thought I said.   Past form at these events has been to "seed" a question in a know area and then have follow up discussions based on the initial answer.  That's not changed, save that it will be able to be more interactive.

I have been to meetings before where there's a short statement based on what's come before, setting the scene (agenda item) and having the expert give an initial view, and then that turns into a discussion.  These sort of things can be quite effective.   But, yes, rolling out a question which takes the expert completely left field as a starter.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #16 on: August 24, 2024, 18:50:10 »

You indicated that by saying all questions to be asked in advance. Giving us nothing there to be interactive about - unless we can ask follow-up questions IF our question gets selected initially?

Hmm ... not quite what I thought I said.   Past form at these events has been to "seed" a question in a know area and then have follow up discussions based on the initial answer.  That's not changed, save that it will be able to be more interactive.

I have been to meetings before where there's a short statement based on what's come before, setting the scene (agenda item) and having the expert give an initial view, and then that turns into a discussion.  These sort of things can be quite effective.   But, yes, rolling out a question which takes the expert completely left field as a starter.


I support grahame on this one: it has worked very well in the past.

The basic premise here is that the Great Western Railway director (Daryn McCombe, Director of Performance, in this case) is given at least some idea of what he will be presented with, during the online discussion.

Once he's posted his initial reply, though, it's something of an 'open season' for any of our posters here to reply / challenge / refute his response.

We admins and moderators will be here to ensure 'fair play' - but we certainly won't be muffling any posts: it will indeed be 'real-time'.  Wink

CfN.  Roll Eyes
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"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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« Reply #17 on: August 24, 2024, 21:13:28 »

Thanks Chris - that makes sense - and I alluded to it in my initial post, so I don't know why Graham then didn't elucidate & left it to you?
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broadgage
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« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2024, 22:28:56 »

The previous meet the manager sessions have gone well, at least from the coffee shop point of view, with questions submitted in advance, answered by the GWR (Great Western Railway) manager, and then follow up questions and remarks added.

Unfortunately I do not recall FGW (First Great Western) making any actual improvements as a result of previous sessions. Optimists will no doubt argue that things would otherwise have got even worse.

Has the half hearted trolley service got better or worse ? I would say worse, despite the various grand plans for the future.

Have half length trains become more frequent, or less frequent ?

Has train performance in bad weather at Dawlish got better or worse ?, better , but only by suspending the service during high tides.
« Last Edit: August 25, 2024, 05:51:50 by broadgage » Logged

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.
grahame
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« Reply #19 on: August 25, 2024, 06:07:09 »

Thanks Chris - that makes sense - and I alluded to it in my initial post, so I don't know why Graham then didn't elucidate & left it to you?

I am ... delighted ... that CfN answered on this one.  Good illustration of our TEAM here.  My poll was / is an early question for members because I didn't know if morning or afternoon was best - I could have guessed but far better to "ask the audience".   Looking purely to set the date, and too early to have precise format details that - I am delighted to see - ChrisB, you would like to have.

Poll is pointing to an afternoon event.  Making it worthwhile for all, whether attending or looking back later, and making it worthwhile for attendees and for the manager and GWR (Great Western Railway) - and perhaps should they watch for others who will be setting frameworks and detail too for public transport in our area. 
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #20 on: August 25, 2024, 12:24:06 »

Let's hope those that are working, but want to contribute, can structure their day so they can have an hour off during the session.
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grahame
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« Reply #21 on: August 25, 2024, 17:22:11 »

Let's hope those that are working, but want to contribute, can structure their day so they can have an hour off during the session.

Bumping this to bump the poll which close tomorrow morning.  We want to our best to suit as many people as possible.  If you haven't please vote!
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grahame
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« Reply #22 on: August 27, 2024, 12:05:13 »

Let's hope those that are working, but want to contribute, can structure their day so they can have an hour off during the session.

Bumping this to bump the poll which close tomorrow morning.  We want to our best to suit as many people as possible.  If you haven't please vote!

A Thursday afternoon it is, then ... which one and details to be announced at the start of September
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« Reply #23 on: August 27, 2024, 12:24:34 »

Let's hope those that are working, but want to contribute, can structure their day so they can have an hour off during the session.

Ultimately whenever it is scheduled there will no doubt be someone unable to attend due to other priorities, at least getting a date and time agreed well in advance does give us all the best chance to be available
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broadgage
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« Reply #24 on: September 02, 2024, 13:25:45 »

I have submitted questions on both lack of catering and on the number of short formations.
I have no doubt that these questions will be answered, but little faith in train lengths or catering improving.
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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.
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« Reply #25 on: September 02, 2024, 13:59:55 »

I have submitted questions on both lack of catering and on the number of short formations.
I have no doubt that these questions will be answered, but little faith in train lengths or catering improving.

Well done for contributing.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #26 on: September 02, 2024, 16:56:22 »

Indeed: thank you, broadgage, for sending in those two questions for consideration.  Smiley

If any other members of the Coffee Shop forum would like to ask Daryn McCombe a question, please see details in our calendar entry, at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=29085.0  Wink

CfN.  Cheesy
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
TaplowGreen
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« Reply #27 on: September 12, 2024, 09:18:41 »

Indeed: thank you, broadgage, for sending in those two questions for consideration.  Smiley

If any other members of the Coffee Shop forum would like to ask Daryn McCombe a question, please see details in our calendar entry, at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=29085.0  Wink

CfN.  Cheesy

I've sent you a couple Chris on the theme of staff shortages at weekends and also failing infrastructure.

I'm unlikely to make the session due to work commitments but look forward to reading the responses to these and other questions which have been submitted.
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« Reply #28 on: September 12, 2024, 12:02:55 »

I'm unlikely to make the session due to work commitments...

That's a shame. 

The session will not be anywhere near as rewarding and productive unless most of the main membership can make it along.  Even if it's just dipping in quickly for 5 minutes at some point to read the responses to your own questions (if submitted) and ask a 'live' follow up.

Just for clarity I probably won't involve myself in it either, but that's because I don't think it is appropriate for those who work in the industry to be involved, other than Daryn himself of course.
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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 #29 on: September 12, 2024, 16:34:03 »

I'm unlikely to make the session due to work commitments...

Just for clarity I probably won't involve myself in it either, but that's because I don't think it is appropriate for those who work in the industry to be involved, other than Daryn himself of course.

................afraid of being "Hendied"?  Wink

I will try to dip in but it's entirely work dependent.

If memory serves, these sessions used to be a 5pm start, that'd be much more likely to attract a healthy attendance I reckon.
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