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Great Western Coffee Shop > Sideshoots - associated subjects > The Lighter Side > How many staff from different employers can you meet on a rail journey?
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Author Topic: How many staff from different employers can you meet on a rail journey?  (Read 2112 times)
JayMac
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« on: July 01, 2011, 01:00:50 »
At best I'm ambivalent about the fractured nature of today's UK▸ (United Kingdom) railways. The pros and cons are fairly balanced. Although that depends on your point of view.

But I got to thinking just how many staff from different employers is it possible to see or encounter on one straightforward train journey from the moment you enter a station until the moment you leave another?

Let's look at Bristol Temple Meads to Birmingham New Street:

First Great Western. Ticket office, gateline and platform staff at BRI» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains).
Mitie. Station cleaners at BRI.
Select Service Partners/Rail Gourmet. Catering outlets on station and providers of on train catering.
CrossCountry. On train staff.
Bombardier. Fitters sometimes seen on XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Voyagers.
Network Rail. Station staff at BHM.
London Midland/Agency: Gateline at BHM.
Initial. Cleaners at BHM.
Virgin Trains. Ticket windows and booking office at BHM.

That's just the obvious ones. There are possibly other staff from other employers you will either see or have dealings with..... as well as the hidden ones that may've been involved in the retailing of your tickets or maintenance of the infrastructure.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2011, 20:20:09 by bignosemac » Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2011, 01:36:21 »
British Transport Police.
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) 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.
JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2011, 01:40:57 »
Severnside Community Rail Partnership.  Tongue
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readytostart
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« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2011, 13:14:13 »
Barrier staff at BHM are London Midland (although a lot are agency) and about as useful as a chocolate fire guard.
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JayMac
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« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2011, 18:47:04 »
Thanks for that rts. I've edited my OP▸ (Original Poster / topic starter, or Off Peak, depending on context).  Wink

I've also added Bombardier who may be encountered fixing things on a XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Voyager! Used to see them regularly onbaord fixing the toilets or the shop's fridges and coffee machine. Less so now what with the shops disappearing and seemingly having eradicated most of the common toilet faults. However, I did see a Bombardier technician onboard the other other day - wasn't tinkering as far as I could see - maybe just passing back to depot having completed a job.
« Last Edit: July 01, 2011, 20:19:25 by bignosemac » Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2011, 20:12:33 »
Quote from: bignosemac on July 01, 2011, 18:47:04
... Bombardier technician onboard the other other day - wasn't tinkering as far as I could see - maybe just passing back to depot having completed a job.

Ooh, er: another unusually large passenger flow, perhaps?  Shocked
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) 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.
readytostart
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« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2011, 17:44:49 »
The bombardier boys are generally hidden in cabs getting download data, though you do see them out and about tinkering with air con and display screens, their uniform is fairly generic so I suppose a lot of people don't even notice them.
Another for your list is ISS, XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) turnaround and (once in a blue moon) onboard cleaners.
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bobm
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« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2011, 19:35:40 »
Network Rail have to feature somewhere or you wouldnt get from A to B.
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