Coming to the District at Acton

Hi Ryan - looking forward to meeting you. I've got your training all planned out (seriously!).

I'll make some enquiries of the guy who does the duty books to see if I can get an electronic copy of the duty book.

Acton's a pretty good depot; relatively small compared to some and everyone pretty much gets on with everyone else - you should enjoy it.

Firstly, on the duty book front - I've had a reply from the guy that does them. He hasn't got an electronic version yet but has promised to let me know when one's available. But you'll be there in a couple of weeks and there should be a hard copy available for you.

As you probably know you'll be in the pool when you first come to the depot (and, to be honest, probably for some time afterwards) so you may be able to ask for what you prefer, but I have to say earlies are always in demand at Acton so I don't want to build your hopes up.

As you probably know Acton doesn't have a Mafia so any change over of duties that you might want has to be done on the basis of mutual changeovers, but again I emphasise that earlies are in short supply.

You may also know that we have a 'link' system of earlies, inside, lates and a conventional roster (no nights at all). To show the demand for the early link I'm about third on the list for them and I've been at the depot for almost eleven years!

Sorry if that sounds a bit negative but I don't want to build up your hopes unrealistically!

On the training front - I have you down to do your first week just going with one of Acton's I/O's on his own turns (will be earlies though) so can I suggest that you give Acton a ring and they'll let you know where to be and when.

Yes, all start and finish at Acton (though some finish in Ealing Commo Depot).

Earliest start is 04:45 - there are a pretty high number of 'dead earlies' - but fewer extreme late finishes ( many of those go to the late link) - latest book off is 01:30.

No - he produces the duty books on computer (not sure which programme he uses) but he does make them available in a format compatible with hand held devices; many now like them in that format so I'm sure they'll be available shortly.