A new 12-car train????? / Freightliner driver

trains2 · Post by **trains2** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:28 pm

Hi everyone.

Today as i was standing at Eastleigh with my camera, i noticed a Network Rail worker walking down platform 1 with one of those 'push-the-wheeel-on-the-end-of-the-stick' (can't remember the name, hopefully u'll know what i mean). He was measuring the length of the platform's at Easteligh and he then said he was moving onto Winchester next. I overheard that he was measuring the lengths to check that a brand new, 12-car train would fit into the platform comfortably.
Wheather this was a brand new train formed of 12 coaches (i.e. 3 x 4-car trains), or a whole train with 12 cars i am not sure but it sounds very very interesting. However, i cannot think why or who for. SWT have got most of their new Desiro's, and the only other operator, Virgin, have enough Voyagers i think. Also, if this 'new train' was coming along soon, i'm pretty sure i would have read about it in the railway press - is there something i'm missing here, can anyone enlighten me??
Anyway just thought i'd let you know about it.

While i'm here, might i say that a particular Freightliner driver, driving a 66 xxx (can't remeber no.) needs to learn some manners. Would you say that there is a problem standing on the end of a platform (i.e. half way down the ramp) to take a photograph??? As long as i'm not risking my own safety or others i don't. And i don't think being called an f***ing tw*t is really accecptable from a driver when it doesn't even effect him. Has anyone else experianced a 'telling off' from a driver for taking a photograph??? Come to think of it, would you have told me to get back on the platform if you were the driver?? Just some thoughts for you to think about.

Cheers

jdjonny · Post by **jdjonny** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:41 pm

trains2 wrote:While i'm here, might i say that a particular Freightliner driver, driving a 66 xxx (can't remeber no.) needs to learn some manners. Would you say that there is a problem standing on the end of a platform (i.e. half way down the ramp) to take a photograph??? As long as i'm not risking my own safety or others i don't. And i don't think being called an f***ing tw*t is really accecptable from a driver when it doesn't even effect him. Has anyone else experianced a 'telling off' from a driver for taking a photograph??? Come to think of it, would you have told me to get back on the platform if you were the driver?? Just some thoughts for you to think about.

Technically no, you're not allowed down platform ramps, although as long as it was just one photo then back onto the platform I cant really see a problem - indeed, if it's safe, I do it now and again as well - after assessing theres no other trains coming.

Whats definitley wrong is the language the driver used towards you - that's totally unacceptable. Almost meets the mark of a complaint being put in.

It always amazes me how us, as enthusiasts, are often treated worse by staff than yobs riding bikes/skateboards/scooters on platforms and even drunken people being abbusive to staff - I suppose they're afraid they'll land a punch on them or something, whereas we cant do anything really... retalliation will get us kicked off a station.

Another thing to consider, would the driver rather have someone taking a photo of his train - or a guy like you chucking rocks and bricks at his windscreen. I'm sure he doesnt use language like that to anyone he sees on a bridge, even though they're potentially far more of a threat to him that you are/were at the time.

JDJonny

ca55ie · Post by **ca55ie** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 7:07 pm

He has a right to be there, and you dont. You're lucky to get off with only being calling a F*cking Twit, some get Â£1000 fines for tresspassing on railway property like you did.

Sam

jdjonny · Post by **jdjonny** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 7:16 pm

ca55ie wrote:He has a right to be there, and you dont. You're lucky to get off with only being calling a F*cking Twit, some get Â£1000 fines for tresspassing on railway property like you did.

Sam

I dont know about upcountry, but down here theres nothing to say you cant go onto platform ramps....

"Do not cross the track except by means of the footbridge" is all the signs say.

JDJonny

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 7:32 am

The platform ramps are out of bounds, technically, unless the proper crossing is down there (like at farnborough north). I know it's pedantic, but you shouldn't have been there - there are signs at a number of stations round my way that say passengers must not pass this point, at the top of the ramp.

ca55ie · Post by **ca55ie** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 7:41 am

Sorry 'bout my abrupt manner up there

He still shouldn't be on the end...staff would/could mistake him as a vandall, as there's signalling equipment of station ramps, and you can have a go at the underside of trains as they pull off...

I know you would never do that...tis just where most vandals hit!

Sam

trains2 · Post by **trains2** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 8:48 am

Thanks for the replies guys.

I know that there are rules and regulations but when you have other enthusiasts doing silimlar things and in the way sometimes, i think using your initiative is quite acceceptable. I know what the signs say and stuff but i cannot see why this driver made such a big thing about it when other drivers who had seen a few others doing it just glanced on by, and the station master didn't seem to notice even tho he could see what we were doing. Maybe he needed to take some anger out of himself, and i got it!

I would be fine if he politleyasked me to move back onto the platform, but swearing and two blasts of the horn aren't appropriate really. Anyway, it would seem likely that train drivers are intersted in the railways, or they wouldn't be doing it, so why they can't let a few things pass by i don't know.

trains2 · Post by **trains2** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 8:53 am

ca55ie wrote:He has a right to be there, and you dont. You're lucky to get off with only being calling a F*cking Twit, some get Â£1000 fines for tresspassing on railway property like you did.

Sam

I don't see how standing half way down a ramp well away from the edge of the platform is a trespassing offence that i can be prosecuted against for. Sure if i went for a little walk for 50yds or so, but 3yds???? It just baffles me.

johndibben · Post by **johndibben** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 11:29 am

Drivers are understandably wary of people standing at the end of platforms and possibly getting too close in order to photograph trains.

There's no need to be rude and as long as people act responsibly, there's usually no problem on the platform but drivers are understandably wary of people in unusual positions and ramps are used for crossing, not waiting for trains

250787 · Post by **250787** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:06 pm

When I was at Carlisle on a steam special. Some people were told to get back onto the platform.

Cheers

Matt

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 12:49 pm

The fact remains, that you passed a sign saying No unauthorised persons beyond this point. So the station is perfectly within their right to fine you for trespassing. You ignored a perfectly simple rule.

As far as I know it is forbidden to go to the end of ANY platform in the southeast, unless it is public access. All platform ramsp are out of bounds!

You have no ground for defense if you are fined...as you disobeyed the station rules. simple.

nwallace · Post by **nwallace** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 2:51 pm

But did he pass a sign that said he was entering an unauthorised area?

He hasn't said whether he did or not.

trains2 · Post by **trains2** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:08 pm

As far as i'm aware, there was no sign saying "you are entering an unauthorised area" as though i was in a military base. The two signs on the platform ramp said " Do not touch the live rail - danger of death" and " Passengers must not cross the line" or word to that effect. I did know that ur not allowed to do it, i'm not un-eductaed in the world of railways and i know why the signs are there. And its not as though i was standing in the middle of the track in front of this 66.
And before one of u goes "yeah but the fact is you trespassed dah dah dah," thats really not the main concern, its the language the driver used towards me, i would have gladly moved if he asked me nicely, but i gave him an evil look instead

ca55ie · Post by **ca55ie** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:14 pm

If you'd been working up to eight hours with an hour break in a stressful job and someone was trespassing at the place you worked, would you ask nicely?

Didn't think so

Sam

trains2 · Post by **trains2** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:31 pm

ca55ie wrote:If you'd been working up to eight hours with an hour break in a stressful job and someone was trespassing at the place you worked, would you ask nicely?

Didn't think so

Well you never know

I expect other drivers would though. Most railway workers are nice to you, how do you think people manage to get cab rides now and then, have a chat with the guard etc etc. Imagine how popular the railways would be if everyone on it was grumpy and 'stressed out'. if the driver gets stress from his work, (which he shouldn't really if he enjoys his work, otherwise he wouldn't be doing it) why is he doing it - just a bad day maybe??

Atomic Systems

A new 12-car train????? / Freightliner driver

A new 12-car train????? / Freightliner driver

Re: A new 12-car train????? / Freightliner driver