Door incident at Hampden Park (Sussex) - 29/09

king_walnut said:

As an OBS myself, I'd be ready waiting at the door for it to open on the platform side, as I am at every station. The beeping from the opposite side of the train would quickly become obvious so my first instinct would be to jump on the PA to warn all passengers to keep well away from all doors on the right hand side. Then I'd C-C the driver. After that I'd walk the train to make sure everyone was stood well away from those doors.

You don't need formal route knowledge to know the doors have been released on the wrong side.

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That sounds reasonable. In the absence of direct control of the doors via a guards’ panel, there’s little else you could do.

Out of interest, is this type of scenario something you are briefed about during your training?

I'm glad I wasn't there. I think, if I were ever on a train where I was stood next to the doors and they were released on the wrong side, the temptation to press the button might almost be greater than any of the influences of rational thought...

I've said so to other people too in the past and they have agreed. It's a little like walking into a room where there is nothing but a big button and a sign on it that says 'Do Not Press'.

I have been on a tram where the doors opened on the wrong side, and someone else did press the button, but that wasn't that dangerous - or rather no more dangerous than opening your car door into traffic is. Also, the driver just closed the doors and left.

Assume people know, but the benefit of guards door procedure involves stepping out first onto the physical platform... then pressing door release whilst stood on the platform - unlike DOO.

https://curvesofindifference.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/a902c-hindsight2.png?w=589&h=409

I once had a magical class 170 which you released the platform side and 'surprise' it opened both sides.

Bromley boy said:

Out of interest, is this type of scenario something you are briefed about during your training?

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I feel that openly discussing my training would be detrimental to my railway career going forward, given the management crawling over this forum. My training was as comprehensive as it could possibly be, covering every single eventuality and how to deal with it effectively. We weren't rushed into the role with the bare minimum training, any suggestion otherwise is slanderous. We are the now, we are the future. I am a number.

185 said:

Assume people know, but the benefit of guards door procedure involves stepping out first onto the physical platform... then pressing door release whilst stood on the platform - unlike DOO.

https://curvesofindifference.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/a902c-hindsight2.png?w=589&h=409

I once had a magical class 170 which you released the platform side and 'surprise' it opened both sides.

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Not strictly true, Southern conductor worked 377s and 313 are driver release, guard close, I believe there’s a few other TOCs (like XC) that operate that way.

How do the door controls activate on an Electrostar - are the cab desk buttons live with the Driver's key, or is there a DKS or similar that has to be operated? Is it possible to key in to a saloon Guards' panel and close the doors independently of any live controls in the cab, or does control have to be 'switched' somehow?

king_walnut said:

I feel that openly discussing my training would be detrimental to my railway career going forward, given the management crawling over this forum. My training was as comprehensive as it could possibly be, covering every single eventuality and how to deal with it effectively. We weren't rushed into the role with the bare minimum training, any suggestion otherwise is slanderous. We are the now, we are the future. I am a number.

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Kudos. That unbelievably thorough training programme shines through in the professionalism and competence of your peers. Of all onboard staff, surely the Southern OBS are the best (cont, p94...)

BestWestern said:

How do the door controls activate on an Electrostar - are the cab desk buttons live with the Driver's key, or is there a DKS or similar that has to be operated? Is it possible to key in to a saloon Guards' panel and close the doors independently of any live controls in the cab, or does control have to be 'switched' somehow?

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Doors on Electrostar stock should be released from the leading cab only, and can only be done with a driver's key. Door closing varies by breed of Electrostar. All have door close buttons in the cab, which work with a driver's key, and also conductor's key on 375s and 387s (on other variants, only the bell becomes active, and the conductor instructs the driver in movement/door control by means of the bell). Most have one saloon panel per coach, activation being by the conductor's key. You can always send a command to close all doors if the cab or panel is active, although any local door adjacent to an active saloon panel will need the key at said panel turned off, or for the panel to be overridden from the active driving cab.