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Post by Admin Team on Jul 22, 2005 9:33:50 GMT
With reference to the Bakerloo drivers (and some Jubilee Line drivers, though this wasn't reported.) The "action" was only taken for the first hour or so following yesterday's incidents. Until it became clear exactly what had happened, I think they had reasonable cause to be concerned. Which deep-level tube lines had not been affected by any terrorist activity? That is in no way scare-mongering. People should use both lines as normal and I am merely stating fact which anyone could work out (and the media probably already has pretty coloured graphics ready to demonstrate this.) But in the immediate aftermath of yesterday's attacks there was plenty of renewed panic by everyone. I've now heard a bit more about the withdrawal of labour thing and, in fairness, I think the drivers in question had a point. It seems that despite what had happened, controllers on (at least) 'one line' hadn't bothered to even broadcast any sort of advisory statement about what had occurred and, as a result, there was concern over this lack of information. That does seem pretty poor to me.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 21, 2005 20:18:19 GMT
Oh dear- what have I done? My post about Mr. Crow was as a non- current national rail employee but one who is still interested in railway matters (i.e. almost a member of the public now). Every time there is a crisis, that worthy always seems to use and divert it as a demand for renationalisation, more staff, no open level crossings or some other thing completely separate from what the victims/relatives want to hear or are concerned about. It is utterly SHAMELESS and I would be saying exactly the same if it were John Prescott or Michael Howard saying it. The post was about disgusting opportunism not union membership as I think most of the regular posters realise What have you done? Nothing - other than make a perfectly valid comment! I love the description of your self as a 'a non- current national rail employee but one who is still interested in railway matters (i.e. almost a member of the public now).'! Ah - but you miss the essential point? Once a railway employee, always a railway employee - even if resting. It's a bit like being an Actor luvvie!! I wholeheartedly agree with you about the use of such an 'opportunity' to fly other issues that (probably relevantly and legitimately) are on his agenda; these are not times to do such things, IMHO. Irrespective of my own union allegiance, I would hold the same view if it had been my General Secretary (or some other 'high up' representative of my union) that had behaved thus.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 21, 2005 18:27:44 GMT
And what's all this about all the drivers on some lines don't want to work and all the drivers on the other lines do? Not sure what I think about this - I know that drivers are statistically more likely to be on a train than their "customers" but what kind of message does that send out? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mr Banana. I THINK that that item MAY come under the heading of "Media Sh*t Stirring" Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case. The BBC News site is carrying an item at news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4704031.stm where it appears that the Picc and B/loo drivers are refusing to work. This seems to be confirmed, as I've received a mail via another source (from a guy who's a Picc driver) which reads as follows (and I apologise for the rather 'robust' use of language)....... "Reports of some drivers refusing to drive trains, after todays incident, We cant let the bastards stop us from doing our work or else they have won. This is the nature of the industry that we work in we cant search people like on the airports, not feasible, lets start sticking together and I'm breaking the rules with a naughty word all of them." Personally, I think that sums it up pretty well.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 21, 2005 16:20:20 GMT
I resent the comments of both rbruce and jim re: Bob Crow. While you're entitled to your own opinion, I believe your comments are uninformed and incorrect. I've met Bob Crow and he is a genuinely decent bloke. I have heard him speak on countless occasions, he is a powerful speaker and in my mind the best trade unionist this country has produced in years. He stands up for working people like you and me and is not afraid to speak out in our interests. As far as I'm aware he doesnt assault women and make racist comments unlike other alledged "trade unionists" I can think of. I am certainly not embarassed by him or anything else about the RMT, in fact I am immensely proud of my union and it's leader - i would rather stick pins in my eyes than be a member of either of the other two poor excuses for trade unions on the job. As for todays incident - yet more proof that the powers that be couldnt give a monkeys about the staff as long as the job is running. Bill - last chance..... Either sign up properly or I'll be converting this to a 'members only may post' forum - which I don't want to do, but if I do it'll all be thanks to you. You're entitled to your opinions, others to theirs, but at least stop hiding behind anonymity. Personally on the subject of Brother Crow, I'm with rbruce - but I would be, as I'm ASLEF anyway. IMHO Crow is a self-interested relic of the past. That's my opinion, and I'm just as entitled to it as you are to think the sun shines out of his rear.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 21, 2005 16:14:30 GMT
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 21, 2005 13:20:51 GMT
Doesn't look like it was too bad - some detenators going off but no bombs... it seems they know what to do to bring the whole tube system down... Firstly welcome greatplum ( )! I've been watching the coverage and it does look like someone's decided that doing some sort of copycat event might be good fun......... I hope I'm right!
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 22, 2005 13:38:47 GMT
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 24, 2005 19:23:19 GMT
. This is a subject which I find fascinating, I could bore you all for hours (but I won't). Oh go on!!
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 24, 2005 18:34:43 GMT
*Digs into depths of memory...*
Wasn't there also some use of Underground stations in the original Quatermass productions?
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 21, 2005 20:24:04 GMT
I've been doing some thinking. It hurt, but i did it anyway. I noticed a few people have Microsoft Messenging (or MSN) and wondered whether it'd be possible to have a virtual forum meet. i.e. 1 conversation with as many members as possible. Just a thought. I'd be intrested to talk to some folk here. (Incidentally, my MSN is ivor_hardy@hotmail.com if anyone is intrested) Chris - I think you'll find mine available on the profile thingee, so it is available. BUT - in the course of our 'meet' yesterday, there was some discussion about a messaging system which has been delegated to our REAL comp experts. They'll be doing some consultaion and testing and further details will be released once it can be moved forward... but in the meantime - to anyone who wants to partake of such a medium - do make your details available
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Post by Admin Team on Sept 4, 2005 21:47:40 GMT
I assume that you're talking about the 'Working Reference Manual'?
Whilst it is accesible, unfortunately LU have made this available to staff only and if they register details including employee number etc.
Sorry that's not much help on this topic.
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 21, 2005 18:39:12 GMT
You need to be just a little careful here PP!! <fx expression of innocence, butter wouldn't melt etc> Me? What have I done? (You try to help people out and all you get is threats - mutter mutter, grumble grumble, moan moan, whinge whinge, rhubarb rhubard) </fx> Typical Picc bloke - always moaning
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 21, 2005 16:57:52 GMT
You need to be just a little careful here PP!
I have *one or two* pretty incriminating ones of you floating around here IIRC!!
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 16, 2005 8:08:09 GMT
From what I heard yesterday at Acton Town, they were hoping to move the C Stock trains last night (Friday) and once this is done it'll obviously be possible to assess fully what other damage has occurred.
As for the Picc train, I've heard suggestions that the blast blew through the bottom of the train and has caused damage to the track beneath. I've also heard that the car that took the brunt of the explosion is pretty well going to have to be scrapped where it stands, at least down to the sole bar, and then dragged out, presumably using skates.
Whilst working yesterday afternoon there did seem to be several of the Schoma diesel engineers locos on the move round the Acton Town/Ealing Common area - this may be coincidence, but I can't help feeling it's connected.
I see that the following statement was issued on 15th July by Mike Brown (LU's Chief Operating officer).......
'We will not be in a position to add to the current level of service on the Metropolitan, Circle, District and Hammersmith and City lines for a number of days.
The service on the Piccadilly line will remain suspended between Arnos Grove and Hyde Park Corner and for the foreseeable future.
Thank you for your continued patience as we work to resume full services.'
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 21, 2005 18:28:15 GMT
Brilliant Photos Chris, thanks for sharing them with us all. Indeed - great photos Chris. A few caption corrections needed, but we'll sort those in due course David - hopefully you'll be able to join us for the next one. To whoever mentioned it, yes I'll thank the Antipodean Train Operator who conducted us to Turnham Green the next time I see him. To Chris J - none of us like how we come out in photos - nearly as bad as when you hear your own voice Here's to the next one - I suspect that there'll be a return match!
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 20, 2005 20:41:39 GMT
Hi Sam,
Yes, a great day indeed, and I'm sure we'll get another one sorted in the not to distant future.
Thanks to all of you you came along and it was indeed great to put faces to names!
A few interesting ideas came out of it, so watch this place - more news and announcements will follow in the not too distant future I'm sure!
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 16, 2005 8:12:02 GMT
thought i saw DD yesterday at hammersmith w/b about 1340, but i could be mistaken... 'Yesterday' as in the 13th? Don't think it was I - I was doing Tower Hill/Ealing's, but according to the trusty notebook I departed Tower Hill w/b at 1400.
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Hello!
Jul 10, 2005 8:45:20 GMT
Post by Admin Team on Jul 10, 2005 8:45:20 GMT
Good to see another name from 'elsewhere'!
I hope you keep visiting but, hey, don't lurk - join in!
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 9, 2005 18:42:35 GMT
Great work Seth!
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 9, 2005 18:14:04 GMT
I have reservations about this. It may be seen as LU failing! In my opinion the wording would be better with something along the lines of "we won't be beaten" Hmm - possibly a good option Jim. Anyone any good with Photoshop??
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 9, 2005 15:51:49 GMT
I think we all empathize with that image message, Dave, but I would be amazed if it had official tfl sanction, who covet rights on any public reproduction of the 'roundel' icon. Russ Probably so Russ, but I think the Corporate Logo Masters would probably find themselves pretty unpopular if they were to try to invoke and copyright issues. But in an a**e covering exercise, I make it clear that I'm not the author, merely sharing something made available elsewhere!
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 9, 2005 15:29:07 GMT
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 21, 2005 9:36:19 GMT
it is being kept very hush hush though So why is it again being vented on a public forum? There's a lot more being made of this than need be. At no time was any of the travelling public in any danger. Bob, if you do join as more than a guest, maybe I can PM you the details so that you can see it was not as bad as you think. Let's leave it there before anyone gets the wrong idea. Just to add my total agreement with Citysig's comments. From information I've received from elsewhere the matter is now the subject of an HMRI and H&S enquiry so, please, let us have no more comment and/or speculation on what may or may not have occurred here. As you know, until now, I've not made it a requirement for contributors to formally register but I'm now seriously reconsidering this situation. Personally I'd regret that, but it is an option that I (and the other Admins of course!) may consider seriously.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 8, 2005 19:44:17 GMT
Hope you're OK Pat - give me a call if you need to talk.
Even from my limited involvement yesterday it was very strange. At Acton at 1400 there were trains screwed down in platforms with everything cut out and (of course) no passengers around, so total silence on what are normally busy and quite noisy platforms.
I'm not due to go through the Minories area next until well into next week, so I'm sure that at least normality will have further returned by then.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 8, 2005 19:32:27 GMT
Well, it's now almost 36 hours after 'the event' and I continue to be amazed by the recovery that's been possible - at least to the train service.
I started at about 0800 this morning (albeit not driving - I was finishing off my trainee's theoretical stuff) and the whole of the District was running, with the exception (obviously) of the service between HSK and Edgware Rd and initially the olympia service was suspended, though I guess that this was as much to do with getting other trains reversed at HSK than anything else, but that service was restored pretty quickly.
In general the attitude at Acton was 'business as usual' and I think this is the best way to deal with the situation, though I'm sure anyone more directly involved (as described in Bill's post) will need time to recover.
The Picc train is obviously the one that's causing the most significant problems, to all those involved, for a variety of reasons. I suppose 'we' should be grateful that there were not more incidents on the deep tube lines.
On the point Bill raised about the detrainment of the Picc train, and the lack of knowledge of the technicalities involved, I'm sure that, if this is true, it will be another matter addressed in the inevitable learning curve that will affect us all once the post incident investigations get under way.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 7, 2005 15:07:31 GMT
I want to know that every single member and driver here is safe. Please everyone confirm you're ok. I'm genuinly worried. Hi DS, Well, though I was at work I'm fine as I was well away from the incident when it all happened. My only contribution was to move a train from Acton Town to Chiswick Park so that stalled trains west of Acton could use the platform and then remained at CP for several hours. I know that Alan and SB are OK and I've not heard of any others that are involved here being directly involved. From the reports so far it seems that miraculously few staff have been affected in terms of injuries sustained, but I have no doubt that there will be quite a few in a state of shock - best wishes to all of those.
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Stick
Jul 5, 2005 19:08:09 GMT
Post by Admin Team on Jul 5, 2005 19:08:09 GMT
Does anyone else get any stick for having an intrest in the railways? I get lots of light hearted joking from family and friends and was wondering if I was alone. (Though I highly doubt it) Another thread I'm catching up on..... Yes, I think it fair to say that most of us here take a certain amount of stick for our 'interest' and 'enthusiasm' for the subject, but as you've already seem you're far from alone! I suppose I take more stick than many - after all, my 'identity' is now pretty much the worst kept secret around at work - but the spin off is that many staff actually look me out to ask 'off the record' questions and I get mails thanking me from colleagues for explaining things they'd never dared to ask! I even had a mail from a DMT the other day to say he's learnt more than he did on his OPT (rules and regs) training. I am known in Denmark(?) by the bloke who's the project manager for part of the D Stock refurb programme as his 'favourite train spotter' and whilst sitting with our LSM today he described me as Gricer In Chief (or something similar)! But the upshot of all that? I'm actually rather proud! So let them call you names and grow braod shoulders!
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 5, 2005 18:54:15 GMT
Nice to see that there's been activity despite my enforced absence in the last xx days!
I wish I could say I could join you for this exploration of the Newcastle Metro System (and the other events Q8's got planned for the itinerary) but I think there's more chance of hell freezing over at the momet!
Can I just undeline though a very important point, and that it that you youngsters please make sure you've got full permission of your parents, that you let them know as accurately as possible where you'll be and (as far as possible) when, and that they know how to contact you - at least mobile phones make this more possible these days.
Putting my 'dad' head on - I know I'd want to know what my lad (who's a similar age to several of you here) was up to if he were to be on a jaunt similar to this, and I know his mum (you know what mum's are like.....) would most definitely want to know.
And for the 'older' one's please ensure that you keep your own arrangements well known too - these days it's all to easy to fall foul of the 'authorities'.
I know this next bit is going to sound like an rear covering exercise but......
The Administrators/Moderators and any other 'staff' take no responsibilty or accept any liability for any arrangements made through this forum. Sorry to sound formal, but I'm sure you understand 'my' position.
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Post by Admin Team on Jul 5, 2005 19:42:42 GMT
that just got too far, I disapprove of you all Hmm - perhaps I'd better get one made up......... Great photos though guys - nice to see the efforts of others!
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Post by Admin Team on Aug 19, 2005 8:46:25 GMT
No contest at all IMHO!!
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