The LNER Encyclopedia

Seems someone leaked an email to the local BBC and it turns out most of the 400 job losses will, in fact, be front line staff - it was on BBC South Today last night but SWT refused to be interviewed. 69 train despatch staff, for a start. Poor devils- this comes hot on the decision by the government not to allow them to reduce the opening hours of booking offices. Let's see what happens next!

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/SWTrai ... losses.htm

They have either had 400 people sitting around doing nowt for god knows how long or customer services are going out of the window. I rather think the latter, if they ever had any customer services!

There are very real dangers for the railways at this time. Economic recessions and downturns, though serious enough in their effects, also provide heaven sent excuses and "opportunities" to managers in all industries to trim, cut costs, generally cut back and restructure and we know that once gone or reduced many services of all kinds will never be restored.

SWT are the only commuter firm that run guards on almost every service. If southeastern and 'one' or whatever it is called these days, don't need them then I guess SWT can carry on ok too. Or do the Desiro's need a guard?

The saddest thing for me was when the refreshments trolleys went from the Cambridge line out of the 'cross.

CVR1865 wrote:SWT are the only commuter firm that run guards on almost every service. If southeastern and 'one' or whatever it is called these days, don't need them then I guess SWT can carry on ok too. Or do the Desiro's need a guard?

The saddest thing for me was when the refreshments trolleys went from the Cambridge line out of the 'cross.

Oh, yes please let's keep guards even if all their EMUs (bar the Lymos) could easily be converted to DOO - Driver Only Operation seems such a quaint throwback to really cash-strapped BR days and doesn't do much for passenger confidence when travelling on trains. SWT guards get 5% commision on ticket sales, that's one reason why a lot of them are constantly up and down the trains looking for scroats without tickets and other no good boyos. Any idea why they did away with refreshment trolleys on the Cambridges, mate? Seems a bit harsh - buffet cars to nothing at all in 40 years!

The refreshments went when WAGN ended and First took over so I thought it was a cost exercise on the part of First so they could afford the pink vinyls. I think the same thing happened when WAGN handed the Liv street services over to one as well. I stoppped using the cross when the food went and then when one went I was so unimpressed with the grey nat ex livery I stopped using liv street. So I am not quite sure now how I will get to Cambridge in the future, perhaps wait for SIr Nigel again like at christmas!!

stembok wrote:There are very real dangers for the railways at this time.

I think the future for heritage railways must be looking a bit bleak too, unless more people decide to take holidays in the UK because of the comparative weakness of sterling against the Euro.

Or sterling against the dollar. Disney Land in Florida suddenly becomes quite pricey...
Also the UK becomes cheaper for people travelling from other countries.

It could be a boom time for them if they market themselves correctly.



Richard

richard wrote:Disney Land in Florida suddenly becomes quite pricey...

I've never really seen the attraction of any of the American theme parks, to be honest, but am probably in something of a minority. If I was going to take a holiday in America it would have to be something like driving a vintage Mustang from the Atlantic to the Pacific - with a lovingly-crafted selection of music - and at a time when the entrance requirements to America weren't so unwelcoming.

This story on the BBC today suggests that UK heritage lines are already feeling the pinch.

Well the entrance requirements are getting closer to the default (=visa required). The "Visa Waiver" was a special reciprocal agreement between the EU and the US, essentially for tourists. Some in the EU say that it is effectively dead with the latest US controls - so they might drop the waiver for tourists from the US.

There's a lot in the US. Yes Disney doesn't appeal to me either. There's a lot of scenery which you could see with your Mustang. A few decades back they definitely had a way to make a stylish car (except the Edsel of course! ), and you've also got freight railroading on a huge scale.

Richard

Perhaps when there's a new president tomorrow I'll feel better disposed towards America... Dame Bullhead and I have always fancied seeing Arizona and New Mexico (we would, of course, hope there was fiercely efficient aircon in our fantasy classic 'Vette), as long as the local rattlesnake population behaves itself.

Until then, in 2009 it's possibly Marrakesh and definitely Grosmont (for the fifth year running) - not so many mesas, but better for cod and chips

Is it too early to claim the "Off Topic Posting of the Month" award?

Rattlesnakes aren't really a problem - besides you get adders up in the Moors

I haven't seen many rattlesnakes. The closest to a living healthy one was when our blind dog found one. The snake didn't even rattle its tail.

For me, it will be the UK this summer - probably late June / early July, with a week in Cambridge for the first week of July (the Darwin Festival). Bringing things more to a railway theme, are there any shows I should know about? North Norfolk isn't too far away if they have something on. And I haven't been to a British model show since I was a kid...


Richard

http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/other/events.php

Have a look at this web site for list of exhibitions.

Thanks - looks like Basildon might be the best bet so far. One day I'll make it to Telford (Gauge O Guild) or Leamington Spa (NGS) but both are difficult due to teaching timetables and the Missus.

Richard

Obviously SWT didn't get their way and have just announced a further 120 job losses, which in total will mean 12% of their workforce are to go up the road. According to the local BBC, they have refused to be interviewed. A great shame if it happens as they are pretty good at running a railway, just like the old Southern Region, or perhaps slightly better in some things, hardly surprising given the money Stagecoach have made over the years as opposed to the always skint BR