Circle Line

It must be even worse for drivers on the Glasgow Subway because the route there is a circle and the trains are ATO + there are only 15 stations.

I think W&C would be awful to drive.

Before OPO, they could do 4 Circles on one train, on either or both halves of a duty. When OPO came in it was limited to 3 Circles on a train, then at least a 10 min break, and a max of 6 Circles on a duty.
When Company Plan came in, the 6 Circle limit was removed, and, due to changes in rostering, it was possible, and indeed happened, that there were duties with 2 Circles before meal relief, followed by 3 and 2 Circles after meal relief - and these could all be in the same direction . There was one Saturday duty that had 5 Circles before the meal relief (3 + 2), another 2 Circles after AND a Whitechapel and back to Edgware Road .
However, during the mid-90's, the union reps at ERD were given the opportunity to write their own sheets, and were asked if there were any parameters they wished to have included. The RMT rep suggested that a max of 6 Circles be restored, but also that duties should be limited to no more than 4 Circles on either half of a duty, and no more than 4 Circles on one side in the course of a duty, although H&C work could be included in addition to the above, it would at least provide some variety. The reps were given 2 weeks to write their own duties, while duty schedules were also working on them.
Whilst compiling the sheets, the reps picked up on a couple of 'awkward' parts in the timetable, which could be easily resolved by re-timing a couple of trains. This was suggested to management, who agreed that they would change the timetable to suit.
On completion of the exercise, the union reps and duty schedules people met with line management, and each side presented their sheets. Needless to say, duty schedules picked lots of holes in the sheets the reps produced, although the reps countered that had they been given FULL information, they could have worked round a lot of them. In the event, the reps sheets were deemed not usable - HOWEVER - duty schedules were very concerned at how well the sheets had been prepared, with all trains manned at all times, and no trains with more than one operator booked on it at a time! And given that the reps had NEVER written a duty sheet in their lives, they considered this quite impressive ;D and were concerned that their own jobs could be at risk. As a result, although the reps sheets were discarded, the rostering parameters that they had suggested were implemented, and they still exist to this day.
The Train Crew Manager at the time was asked how much Duty Schedules had expected the reps to do in the 2 weeks. He replied 'about 50% of the M-F sheets' The reps had ACTUALLY finished the M-F sheets, and were halfway through the Saturday sheets ;D ;D


BTW - the RMT rep at the time was yours truly ;D ;D

The drivers don't only work the W&C they also work on the Central line as they work from Leytonstone Depot.

So, do W&C drivers get issued with a bottle of sedatives with every paycheck to keep them from going insane with boredom?