rail unions

[j.sabourn]

What I remember of the NUS they were the best friends of the shipowner and relied on him to deduct their dues and hand over. All the shipowner had to do to kill off the union was to refuse to collect their dues. It kept the shipowner looking as a very democratic looking person. Anyhow as said there were shipowners and shipowners the best British one I sailed with was John I Jacobs, but others will decline to agree. JS

[John Arton]

Since 1980 we have had a Metro light rail system up here that carries some 40 million plus passenger journeys per year. Since its introduction all trains are driver only, no guards. I admit that the metro trains are most likely not as long as, or have the same number of carriages as those new Southern Rail trains that the dispute is all about but the system here has operated successfully with most accidents caused by ignorance of the passenger rather than driver failure. I saw on the news that the driver of these new trains is expected to watch 4 screens at once to check that passengers are clear before he opens/closes the doors. He should try navigating through Singapore Western anchorage with only his eyes and a dodgy radar if he really wants to know about stress.
The biggest problem, to me, appears to be not the trains themselves but rather the passengers who, from what I have seen in London, appear to be almost a law onto themselves. They completely disregard all warnings about keeping doors clear, rush onto platforms just as the train is about to leave and instead of waiting for the next train (or even timing their arrival to give themselves sufficient time to board safely) attempt to board the departing train with no thought for their own safety. Also do not get me started on how they actually treat there trains, filthy shoes on seats, litter every where.
If the Southern Rail are attempting to improve their (dire) service record with the introduction of new rolling stock, they should first look to see how they can control and improve the attitude of their (in the main) rude and ignorant passengers.
rgds
JA

[Keith Tindell]

Anyone who has caught the Isle wight train from Ryde Pier head to Shanklin (its the only main line we have ), will know that it consists of ex London underground stock, and a very bumpy ride. It does however have a guard, said with tongue in cheek, because he is also the conductor who collects the fares, he has to try and catch who is leaving the train and who is boarding, so he can catch them with their fare, quite an achievement at busy times. there are no staff actually on the stations. When i was working on the mainland on occasions one of the signal men would over sleep, with the result that no trains ran, and a frantic search for taxis was made by the Island wide railway company. When i had been late to work, i did write to the company, and as i had to make alternative arrangements to something more reliable, i offered for a small weekly fee to put the signalman on a shake call. I had a polite letter back declining my offer, kt

[Brenda Shackleton]

Our eldest g/son was in Great Ormond Street Hospital yesterday for a 7.00am operation. The Anaesthetist told my daughter that he lived in West Sussex and in order to get to work, his wife had to drive him to another station at 3.15am . Good eh? Fortunately he was awake in the Theatre.
He said that he had now handed in his notice because he couldn't do his job properly as the Strike was destroying his job and his family life. There will be others like him, no doubt.
Brenda
I read in the newspaper that the ' no guards' agreement was signed off 5 years ago.....so what is all this about ?

[cappy]

Our eldest g/son was in Great Ormond Street Hospital yesterday for a 7.00am operation. The Anaesthetist told my daughter that he lived in West Sussex and in order to get to work, his wife had to drive him to another station at 3.15am . Good eh? Fortunately he was awake in the Theatre.
He said that he had now handed in his notice because he couldn't do his job properly as the Strike was destroying his job and his family life. There will be others like him, no doubt.
Brenda
I read in the newspaper that the ' no guards' agreement was signed off 5 years ago.....so what is all this about ?

brenda it is the 5th column in the country .....that is causing these problems.....dissention and despair are there passwords ......anything to create bad karma for the elected government of this country and the people .....and yet still some will follow this ......very sad.....as ja states they have been running in geordi land for years without gaurds....cappy

[j.sabourn]

Sounds like your metro systems are all lawful with nice people riding on them. In Perth they are visited by conductors checking on tickets, and especially at night by railway police checking on the hooligans. I have used the metro about twice in two years, they wonder why people prefer their cars, and would rather not use the metro, its so obvious. Brenda you mention Great Ormond Street Hospital, I have memories of this fine childrens hospital going back to 1943 when I was an out patient there. My mother used to carry me on her back across London always ready for the air raid sirens when we used to duck into the nearest tube. I had a walking plaster on my right foot as the bone wasn't growing properly. Hope your son gets better unless the hospital has changed its reputation he is in good hands there. JS

[Captain Kong]

In Singapore the trains there have NO DRIVERS, NO GUARDS,
They all run on a master computer, the trains can do 100 mph and stop exactly at each Station at the right spot, The platforms are covered in glass, so no one can fall onto the track, and there are doors in the glass, and the trains stop exactly there to an inch, for the people to board or disembark the trains, It seems strange at first sat in the front seat, where in UK a driver would sit. But they are Very Efficient. and Very Cheap.
British trains are in the dark ages compared to Singapore. We are completely out dated and primitive over here compared with Singapore technology.,

Brian

[cappy]

In Singapore the trains there have NO DRIVERS, NO GUARDS,
They all run on a master computer, the trains can do 100 mph and stop exactly at each Station at the right spot, The platforms are covered in glass, so no one can fall onto the track, and there are doors in the glass, and the trains stop exactly there to an inch, for the people to board or disembark the trains, It seems strange at first sat in the front seat, where in UK a driver would sit. But they are Very Efficient. and Very Cheap.
British trains are in the dark ages compared to Singapore. We are completely out dated and primitive over here compared with Singapore technology.,

Brian

well that will come here eventually but the union masters will have there gold plated pensions and the drivers will be on the dole......how can they not see this it is happening year after year..cappy

[Red Lead Ted]

The trains Rolling Stock, Which is mentioned in different countries is a bit different to the old ageing rolling stock run on most of the railways in this country, A metro line you can liken to a tram system, Usually single track working from one end to the other its nothing like that on main line railway systems or underground systems, It is far more complex than that, Let me put another side to you when did rail track last modify a train station or platform that they inherited from British Rail ? Lack of investment in our rail system is not much comfort to the train crews and certainly wont help in the passenger department, Who are incidentally always complaining of trains not running on time or being packed like sardines, Single manned trains.............. You aint seen nothing yet

[cappy]

The trains Rolling Stock, Which is mentioned in different countries is a bit different to the old ageing rolling stock run on most of the railways in this country, A metro line you can liken to a tram system, Usually single track working from one end to the other its nothing like that on main line railway systems or underground systems, It is far more complex than that, Let me put another side to you when did rail track last modify a train station or platform that they inherited from British Rail ? Lack of investment in our rail system is not much comfort to the train crews and certainly wont help in the passenger department, Who are incidentally always complaining of trains not running on time or being packed like sardines, Single manned trains.............. You aint seen nothing yet

###methinks the powers that be are now setting there stall out to copy the likes of singapore ....softlee softlee etc.......didnt now the geordie metro has only a traindriver no guard......wonder where else un the country are already doing this......seeems like they can cause most upset in the capital ....its an absolute disgrace .....but in the end they will hang themselves......as so many of there bretheren have in the past .......sad but inevitable.........perhaps a good job you are out ted ......cappy