Yes. Makes so much sense to have a Gloucester driver sign that route when he will never use it as a diversion yet a Plymouth man can't sign it anymore when he will drive past cogload almost daily.
Unfortunately there is a real hatred of HSS at present within GWR. And yet ironically which depot has the best safety record out of mid size GWR depots? Plymouth. And still the company want to take our routes and work. We are also losing the 57 work shortly. Why spend 1000s training up loads of new drivers on routes and traction when there are already blokes who cover them perfectly competently but will be forced to sign them off!!!??? Not great business sense in my view.
Because the age of HSS is over. You refused to accept and move with the times, and you're being left behind by the company and the union.
Gloucester have always signed Taunton for working service trains, not as a diversion. Plymouth don't need it any longer, as the shrinking of HSS begins and the rise of GWR continues.
Bristol - TAU is signed by the following:
Bristol GWR
Bristol TM HSS
Bristol Parkway HSS
Gloucester
Exeter GWR
Exeter HSS
Paddington HSS
If Cardiff happens, rumour is they'll get Taunton. Bristol Parkway GWR may well also get Taunton.
So why do we need Plymouth on one job a day they'll refuse to cover themselves to do more "important" work? The answer is, they don't.
This is a typical woe is us post from everyone in the company who reads these boards' least popular Plymouth driver.