Will i be allwoed in depots ?

jolly · Post by **jolly** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 10:53 am

Hi

my mum and dad have siad they would like me to go and have a look around a train depot.
i am only 13 but is there anyway i can get in a depot.
someone said you have to fill in a form or telephone the depot does anyone know selhurst depots phone number.

thanks.

champy · Post by **champy** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 11:19 am

I think you would have to be accompanied by an adult and also it would really depend on the depot staff and how busy it is.

I would aim for a quiet time, ie a sunday and if they say no sorry we are to busy, say ok noproblem, when would a good time be for a visit?

i think if you are polite and courteious then u stand a reasonable chance to have a visit, but it is very hit and miss as its not like it used to be.

But please remember if u do get turned down dont keep hassling as they have a job to do and they probably get hammered to have visits all the time.

U may hit it lucky if u dont try some where else. As for phoning its up to you but u can get fobbed off easily on the phone but face to face is better.

If u explain you are keen on railways and your are doing a project with MSTS on something relevant to the place you are visiting then usually i get a good reaction and occasoinally staff members mention that there brother or son loves it and then u r in!

good luck as luck is what u need

jolly · Post by **jolly** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 11:25 am

thanks for the advice i will be going with my mum ( my dad works ) i will be going prehaps wedesnday or friday ( school is closed for the day ) and do you know the address of selhurst depot and what station would be the nearest to the depot to get off at.

ThinLizzy · Post by **ThinLizzy** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 11:43 am

You dont stand a chance, if you want an offical depot visit, you need to write to the comapny, explaining everything, and they will tell you at least one thing, you are too young!
Anybody who gets a depot visit, usually gets it via friends or somebody. As you have never done any form of personnel track safety course, or even a depot track safety course, you wont even be allowed through the gate!
Hazards of the depot?
Moving trains,
Moving points
Third rail {or overhead lines}
Machinery working within the depot, ie fork lift trucks
thats just a few.
Hardly a safe environment for a untrained person, let alone a school kid.
I will tell you one positive thing Chris, i did my school work experience in a depot, but i was in year 11, and had to be given all sorts of training and be shown round the depot by the safety manager.

champy · Post by **champy** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 11:44 am

Dont forget u will need safety equipment like boots and high viz and same for your mum!

DrkAngel · Post by **DrkAngel** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 11:53 am

I think the best way would be to go to either Crewe or Doncaster works open days that are being held this year if you can get up to them as it is worth the look around to see what they do and there are always demonstrations like at the last Crewe one they had lifting demonstrations using a freightliner 86.

ThinLizzy · Post by **ThinLizzy** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 11:59 am

kool, we used to have a Bournemout, and Eastliegh works open days, dunno what happened to them, too much paper work now i expect.

TOMMO79 · Post by **TOMMO79** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:11 pm

I agree wiyh Thinlizzy on the work experience thing. I did mine on the N.Y.M.R when I was 15. The first thing they did was give a saftey breifing around the sheds and yard, you'd be surprised how dangerous it can be even during quiet moments. In the meantime I hope you get your depot visit sorted. Have you thought about (accidently) falling asleep at the last stop?

champy · Post by **champy** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:15 pm

I guess i must be considered as a sensible, safe and trustworthy adult then?

God if they only knew......lol

ThinLizzy · Post by **ThinLizzy** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:16 pm

The answer to the falling asleep trick is "oih, get off, now!"

ThinLizzy · Post by **ThinLizzy** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:22 pm

Jon, you probably get away with it, because you have worked on similar hazardas sites before, and so you know what to look out for, and how to act {ie you dont go running in front of slow moving trains, and dont go dancing on the third rail}

jolly · Post by **jolly** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:26 pm

true

i know that shoesburyness depot owned by C2C allow people in there depot.

( the depot is right next to the station )

markw · Post by **markw** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:39 pm

There's no harm in writing.

I've escorted groups around an operational light rail depot before, and apart from being restricted to certain areas, a strict safety message before going into the depot, and of course the compulsory orange vest, it wasn't too bad. I didn't lose anyone.

However, the important thing is to write to the company first. You might also find a light rail operator (like Tramlink or Docklands) can help more for although the stock can kill just like "heavy rail" stock if you do something stupid, their depots tend to be laid out to modern standards of safety with safe areas to stand, and in some cases viewing galleries, plus the control room. They also tend to be set up to cater for the occasional visit, whereas to be fair to most railway depots they are running hard to keep things moving and may not have staff available to escort you round.

Still, no harm in asking.

jolly · Post by **jolly** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:43 pm

I may write to network rail asking if i could come in.

if i aint allowed in selhurst well i may ask tramlink if i could go around there therpia lane depot

DLR is dangerous there automatic so they wont stop if you are on the lines they will just run right over you.

markw · Post by **markw** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 12:47 pm

Not in the depot area - the vehicles are manually controlled in the depot for that reason, although you wouldn't be allowed anywhere near running lines because of the third rail. When I visited Poplar depot there were safe walkways designated where you could stand safely well away from moving traffic - although during the day there shouldn't be much movement as most vehicles are out already, and it tends to be the maintenance float in the depot.