How could internal communications on long distance trains be improved?

[kentrailman]

Sigh. We have enough automatic announcements to put up with on the new Hitachi IET trains as it is, but so many journeys are spent listening to ' would the host in the rear carriages make an IC call' ' would the customer host pick up the next IC call' etc etc etc again again and again ..

Can't the staff be given mobiles or some other way to talk to each other ?

 

[TheGarner]

You would then need to make sure you have any staff member on the train you are going to work with as a contact in the mobile phone. Seems a bit excessive and what if phone signal dropped out during the journey?

 

[DarloRich]

Sigh. We have enough automatic announcements to put up with on the new fgw Hitachi trains as it is but so many journeys are spent listening to ' would the host in the rear carriages make an IC call' ' would the customer host pick up the next IC call' etc etc etc again again and again .. Can't the staff be given mobiles or some other way to talk to each other ?

could this be a slight RUK over reaction to a minor issue?

 

[kentrailman]

Yes a minor issue but still was wondering if there was a better way !! Sorry !

 

[DarloRich]

Yes a minor issue but still was wondering if there was a better way !! Sorry !

there might not be a quicker way

You would need each staff member to have a phone, have phone signal and know each number. it could get quite difficult on long journeys with staff changes.

 

[CentralTrainer]

“Has anyone get Dave’s staff mobile number?”

“Nah, give him a call over the IC to get it from him”

“Would the Customer Host take the next IC call to pass on Dave’s phone number”

 

[sjoh]

No reason the same thing couldn't be achieved with a series of bongs and bings a little like aircraft though. Question is, what is more annoying, aircraft bongs or triggered auto announcements?

 

[Chris M]

Or even just use the audio tones like Voyagers do - much less intrusive.

 

[Bantamzen]

could this be a slight RUK over reaction to a minor issue?

I'm going to say yes.

No reason the same thing couldn't be achieved with a series of bongs and bings a little like aircraft though. Question is, what is more annoying, aircraft bongs or triggered auto announcements?

Constant airline style bongs would probably attract similar complaints, despite them being far less frequent on trains than on planes.

 

[Clip]

there might not be a quicker way

You would need each staff member to have a phone, have phone signal and know each number. it could get quite difficult on long journeys with staff changes.

You just have each train set with a dedicated set of phones with the numbers pre programmed in but as others have said you are at the mercy of coverage.

Id say walkie talkies would be better

 

[PHILIPE]

Sigh. We have enough automatic announcements to put up with on the new fgw Hitachi trains as it is but so many journeys are spent listening to ' would the host in the rear carriages make an IC call' ' would the customer host pick up the next IC call' etc etc etc again again and again .. Can't the staff be given mobiles or some other way to talk to each other ?

FGW ?

 

[bahnause]

You would need each staff member to have a phone, have phone signal and know each number. it could get quite difficult on long journeys with staff changes.

SBB Train staff are using GSM-R Phones(*) for this purpose. Every staff member (and the CAB-Radio) is logged in using the train Number and a function code (xx for the driver, yy for the guard etc...). A widget on the Home screen of your phone shows you who is logged in with your train number and you can call them by tapping the appropriate function code. Works with the CAB-Radio and for on train announcements (if the CAB-Radio is logged in) as well.

(*) It‘s not a GSM-R Phone anymore, just a Smartphone with a GSM-R SIM-Card roaming in the Swisscom Network.

 

[Sprinter153]

Or even just use the audio tones like Voyagers do - much less intrusive.

There is a ‘ring’ but only audible in the vestibules, so if you’re within one of the coaches you can’t hear it. Also with 5+ staff on a 10 car set there can be confusion as to who the call is directed to.

With the HSTs I just used to leave my mobile number on the train report sheet at the buffet in case any of the customer hosts needed me but it’s harder to manage with non-gangway units and more staff.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Or even just use the audio tones like Voyagers do - much less intrusive.

Or the old-style phone ringing noise over the PA of the 195s? Really confuses people, that one!

 

[kentrailman]

FGW ?

Oops sorry yes, GWR !

 

[DarloRich]

You just have each train set with a dedicated set of phones with the numbers pre programmed in but as others have said you are at the mercy of coverage.

Id say walkie talkies would be better

Agreed. Good idea. Proper radio discipline needed mind. Over.

 

[RPI]

Mobile coverage is patchy at the best of times, with the IC system you're not at the mercy of that, you can just press the IC button but then you can direct at the person you actually want to speak to

 

[Mag_seven]

IC??????

 

[jymiee]

All customer facing and most other staff LNER are given smartphones and through corporate management software there is a section within the contacts app where you can search a colleague's name and it will give you their work phone number or desk number where appropriate. Also all train crew (catering and operational) are listed on the genius page for that headcode and pressing on their name brings up their work number. It really couldn't be more convenient if they tried other than in the more remote parts of the route where phone signal is weak (although then there is email/iMessage using the train's wifi which usually works even when there is no mobile signal.

 

[Carntyne]

All customer facing and most other staff LNER are given smartphones and through corporate management software there is a section within the contacts app where you can search a colleague's name and it will give you their work phone number or desk number where appropriate. Also all train crew (catering and operational) are listed on the genius page for that headcode and pressing on their name brings up their work number. It really couldn't be more convenient if they tried other than in the more remote parts of the route where phone signal is weak (although then there is email/iMessage using the train's wifi which usually works even when there is no mobile signal.

Depends if the TOC use Genius in that way. Not a lot do.

Using the onboard kit seems the most sensible idea. It's what it's for.

 

[43096]

FGW ?

First Greater Western, the franchise holder.

 

[43096]

SBB Train staff are using GSM-R Phones(*) for this purpose. Every staff member (and the CAB-Radio) is logged in using the train Number and a function code (xx for the driver, yy for the guard etc...). A widget on the Home screen of your phone shows you who is logged in with your train number and you can call them by tapping the appropriate function code. Works with the CAB-Radio and for on train announcements (if the CAB-Radio is logged in) as well.

(*) It‘s not a GSM-R Phone anymore, just a Smartphone with a GSM-R SIM-Card roaming in the Swisscom Network.

The Swiss, as usual, getting it right.

 

[johnnychips]

No, this isn’t the annoying one. It’s something like, and I can’t remember it exactly, alarm in the (disabled) toilet. Whatever it was, it went on from Retford to Peterborough, every two minutes. However as it evidently hasn’t engrained itself in my memory, I do not feel traumatised

 

[Energy]

I would stick a box on the train which the phones given to the employees. You can get dual sim phones so one normal sim and one sim for this, then just have it automatically check a database which train to connect to and when.

 

[Dhassell]

There is a ‘ring’ but only audible in the vestibules, so if you’re within one of the coaches you can’t hear it. Also with 5+ staff on a 10 car set there can be confusion as to who the call is directed to.

It's definitely audible from inside the coaches as well if you listening closely.

 

[hexagon789]

IC??????

Intercom presumably

 

[PHILIPE]

First Greater Western, the franchise holder.

Yes. I remember the Company

 

[Eccles1983]

This is an odd thread.

But I'll tell you why mobile phones and walkie talkies won't work.

Most company's forbid drivers from using an MPED (mobile personal electronic device) whilst driving. It's a measure that is fully supported by the unions.

Where as the cab to cab doesn't require looking at, or finding as it never moves. I can answer it without once taking my eyes off the road.

Seems like you're trying to find a solution for a non existent problem.

 

[43096]

Yes. I remember the Company

Whooooooosh......

 

[Undiscovered]

Agreed. Good idea. Proper radio discipline needed mind. Over.

Affirmative.
I've experienced both '3 3 to the Guard' and 'Umm xxx, give me a buzz when you can. Bobby's just been on with some info. Ta.' over the PA while working a train!
Guard out.