tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post6616956497669272683..comments2024-02-10T12:12:06.028+00:00Comments on The Real Blog: The forgotten issue of safety on Southern railwaysDavid Boylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11410159311875228620noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-36903107259318731212016-07-21T07:37:24.339+01:002016-07-21T07:37:24.339+01:00@David - a PDF version is available from the purch...@David - a PDF version <b>is</b> available from the purchase link http://www.therealpress.co.uk/product/cancelled-the-strange-story-of-the-southern-rail-crisis/Neil Spellingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03631415435511484480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-83214073822619664622016-07-20T21:40:33.157+01:002016-07-20T21:40:33.157+01:00David - I'd like to read your book, but don...<b>David</b> - I'd like to read your book, but don't have - or want - a Kindle. I'd order a physical copy, but have problems getting things delivered. Any chance of making it available as a .pdf?<br />Barneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-51283958911679297122016-07-20T21:35:21.757+01:002016-07-20T21:35:21.757+01:00So from what I've read so far it seems there a...So from what I've read so far it seems there are instances where a guard doesn't have 100% visibility of all of the train (long curves, platform furniture etc) and there are instances when the driver doesn't have visibility of all of the train (low sunlight, rain on cameras etc) - is that a fair statement?<br /><br />@anonymous (btw, perhaps people could at least create pseudonyms if wishing to protect your real identity so it's easier to reply to individual comments when everyone is posting as anonymous! ) yes, I see your point on the guard remaining on the platform until all the other doors are closed, then boarding the train. <br /><br />Is it a fair statement that a drivers "view of the world" through CCTV is much reduced from that of a guard stood on the platform?Neil Spellingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03631415435511484480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-60556450171454131692016-07-20T21:07:51.479+01:002016-07-20T21:07:51.479+01:00Neil - "What's not discussed here is how ...Neil - "What's not discussed here is how a driver with CCTV view of every door is less safe than a guard stood in the vestibule with no view of what's happening outside the train whatsoever?"<br /><br />I maybe mistaken but I was under the impression CCTV images are off when the train start to move. A drivers eyes cannot monitor n number of CCTV images and the line ahead all at the same time..<br /><br />Perhaps some Southern drivers or others on Driver Only services could confirm ?<br /><br />..who looks out for that running, slightly intoxicated passenger who thinks pressing a door button on a moving train will cause it to open ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-55972020528162987502016-07-20T20:37:17.655+01:002016-07-20T20:37:17.655+01:00It's about safety!!!!
I've been a guard o...It's about safety!!!!<br /><br />I've been a guard on the coast for almost 20 years. During this time I have had to walk back along the line from a failed train three times to an assisting unit, carrying out safety procedures along the way. This procedure is now carried out by the driver but we still have to know this procedure alongside others as part of our on going safety role. The trains I have been on have hit a car and a cow. Thankfully, on both occasions, no one including the driver was hurt. Another time a person deliberately went under the train. This time, although the driver said he was alright, I found a driver passing on the train to relieve him until assistance had arrived. I have assisted drivers with failed doors and other faults many times and I have helped passengers or de-escalated situations on an enumerable amount of times. As for financial cost, last year I took £47k in on train ticket sales, which pays for my salary above and beyond.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-56302205432168521892016-07-20T20:27:44.046+01:002016-07-20T20:27:44.046+01:00@anonymous I'd love to but don't have ten ...@anonymous I'd love to but don't have ten spare hours unfortunately. That's what comments sections are for: someone has already done the hard work for you 😉Neil Spellingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03631415435511484480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-10926961773454188992016-07-20T20:24:06.562+01:002016-07-20T20:24:06.562+01:00In response to Neil Spellings. Guards ALWAYS watch...In response to Neil Spellings. Guards ALWAYS watch the side of the train before closing the doors - on crowded or curved platforms they will often step well away from the train before signalling all clear to the driver who acknowledges receipt of the signal before taking power. With DOO the driver is expected to watch 24 doors on a 12 car train and his incab screens go blank as soon as he takes power in order not to distract him from the quite important task of driving. Mr Spellings please read the RAIB reports on the Kentish Town, Hayes and Harlington, and West Wickham incidents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-80135104634115224572016-07-20T20:16:06.269+01:002016-07-20T20:16:06.269+01:00I estimate that the saving from removing the '...I estimate that the saving from removing the 'safety critical' trained guard from a crowded commuter train is less than the cost of one ticket - out of many hundreds on a typical 12 car 377 train - or if you like a fraction of one per cent. At the select committee hearing Charles Horton said that the guard replacement OBS staff would have safety training. I asked the Southern representative, area station manager from Eastbourne, who was at the Seaford station protestival whether OBS staff would have the full safety training currently given to guards. He was reluctant to answer so I said that 'I take that as a probably not.' He agreed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-73579377491362792572016-07-20T20:08:08.023+01:002016-07-20T20:08:08.023+01:00What's not discussed here is how a driver with...What's not discussed here is how a driver with CCTV view of every door is less safe than a guard stood in the vestibule with no view of what's happening outside the train whatsoever? Neil Spellingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03631415435511484480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4169740113013066976.post-17961602761317482552016-07-20T16:02:59.231+01:002016-07-20T16:02:59.231+01:00Railways are a very safe mode of transport (no pas...Railways are a very safe mode of transport (no passenger has been killed for several years) but this comes at a very high financial cost which has to be paid by the users or possibly the taxpayers. The type of incidents you refer to are rare but could be mitigated by requiring conductors to be provided on all trains which currently have them - mainly longer distance services.<br /><br />If costs continue to escalate - and they will - many people will be unable to afford train travel and be forced, as most are now,to use much less safe modes of transport such as cars or the even more dangerous bicycles.<br /><br />When motorways were first opened express coaches could travel at 100 mph but were stopped from doing so for alleged safety reasons so instead of passengers travelling quickly and cheaply in coaches driven by trained professional drivers they travel in somewhat less safe cars often driven by inexperienced people who have never used the route before. Is that good ?Dennisnoreply@blogger.com