Save Glasgow Works / ZH / The Caley / Springburn Depot

[aviance_uk]

Hi you may be aware that the Gemini Rail Works in Springburn has served notice of their intention to close the site in Springburn, known as "the Caley".

The site has over 150 years industrial heritage, is the biggest single rail infrastructure site in Scotland, a provides vital employment and trades to the people of Glasgow.

Many will remember it as The Caley / Springburn Works / St Rollox / BRML Glasgow / Railcare Glasgow / ZH

If anyone can help with this petition to save the site, it would be appreciated.
Thanks
Scott

https://t.co/i2BFTMeqvM

 

[Esker-pades]

The text of the petition:

Save the Caley in Springburn

The Gemini Rail Works in Springburn served notice of their intention to close the site in Springburn, known as "the Caley".

The site has over 150 years industrial heritage, is the biggest single rail infrastructure site in Scotland, a provides vital employment and trades to the people of Glasgow.

As the workers, represented by Unite Scotland, we are calling on the Scottish Government, ScotRail, Network Rail, and Scottish Enterprise to join forces with us to take control of the depot, to electrify the lines, and to keep the site open for future generations.

(@aviance_uk : Forum rules require some form of summary of any links given.)

 

[30907]

The text of the petition:



(@aviance_uk : Forum rules require some form of summary of any links given.)

Thanks. Which lines do they want to electrify, and what does that have to do with retaining a rolling stock maintenance depot?

 

[Basher]

Had a few visits around the works in the past, what a loss to both the workers and the wider society.
Best of luck

 

[Class 170101]

Could someone explain how this PRM farce is building upto 31/12/2019 yet this works is planning to close? Clearly there is work to be done.

 

[HaggisBotherer]

Thanks. Which lines do they want to electrify, and what does that have to do with retaining a rolling stock maintenance depot?

That was my question too. What does 'electrify the lines' mean? The lines in the depot or other non-electrified lines?

 

[scotraildriver]

The spur from the main line into the works (about 300yds) isn't electrified meaning any EMUs have to be diesel hauled a few hundred yards. Network Rail offered to electrify it when the Cumbernauld route was done in 2013 but was declined on cost grounds.

 

[6Gman]

I doubt that the need to trip EMUs in by diesel loco is a significant element in the location's viability.

In the end, viability is the issue. Can the operation compete economically for the available work?

If not, then I don't see what electrification/ government intervention/ a petition can achieve.

 

[gsnedders]

Could someone explain how this PRM farce is building upto 31/12/2019 yet this works is planning to close? Clearly there is work to be done.

That is the most damning condemnation of it possible—the fact that nobody wants to send stock there with a deadline looming. The standard of work has been so poor, for so long, that nobody wants to contract work to them; it just isn't worth it.

 

[380101]

That is the most damning condemnation of it possible—the fact that nobody wants to send stock there with a deadline looming. The standard of work has been so poor, for so long, that nobody wants to contract work to them; it just isn't worth it.

this^^^

The standard of work done on the ScotRail 156 refurbs is extremely poor. Units coming out with holes in the roof, no new seats, paint overspray eveywhere, safety equipment labels missing, cab items missing etc. Not a good advert for winning contracts. The sole 156 refurbished and owned by Brodie Engineering - 156478 is far superior in terms of the quality of finish.

 

[scotraildriver]

The 158 refurb was dreadful too. The last few to be done look like the cabs were painted by a 5 year old with a brush! The latest 156 done - 493 has faulty heating, the toilet leaks all over the new carpet and the drivers armrests are hanging off. Not to mention the shocking attitude and "couldn't give a !@!@" that we used to get from the staff when we used to go in and collect the units. They were meant to meet us at the gate and conduct us through the yard into the shed but they just didn't care. Even the canteen lady was a fearsome being. You were a brave man to ask for sauce on your roll! It's such a shame that a historical and useful facility like this is closing but I can't help but think both the company and staff have been at least partially responsible.

 

[380101]

The 158 refurb was dreadful too. The last few to be done look like the cabs were painted by a 5 year old with a brush! The latest 156 done - 493 has faulty heating, the toilet leaks all over the new carpet and the drivers armrests are hanging off. Not to mention the shocking attitude and "couldn't give a !@!@" that we used to get from the staff when we used to go in and collect the units. They were meant to meet us at the gate and conduct us through the yard into the shed but they just didn't care. Even the canteen lady was a fearsome being. You were a brave man to ask for sauce on your roll! It's such a shame that a historical and useful facility like this is closing but I can't help but think both the company and staff have been at least partially responsible.

I spoke with one of the fitters from Corkerhill just before Christmas about the arm rests and he basically said that "fleet management" don't care and won't pay to get it sorted. I believe there is ongoing discussions between ASLEF company council and ScotRail management about the 156 seats/arm rests as they've had quite a few complaints about them since the refurbs started coming into traffic over the last year. The use of dome headed screws instead of countersunk head ones to hold the lower cab driving desk panel on is also an issue as if you're tall like me, you hit your knees off them!

 

[scotraildriver]

The thing with the seats is that they are all different. Some are ok, some too high, some the base is too far back and at least one has the base fitted backwards and is all busrt at the back. Assuming the 156s were all born equal I'd love to know how they have all become different to each other. 3 and a half hours is torture on a bad one.

 

[380101]

The thing with the seats is that they are all different. Some are ok, some too high, some the base is too far back and at least one has the base fitted backwards and is all busrt at the back. Assuming the 156s were all born equal I'd love to know how they have all become different to each other. 3 and a half hours is torture on a bad one.

Aye, the reversed seat base one is a right bad one to get! We had a Northern Rail 156 working most of the day out of Central last year and I had to couple on to it. They have a much better driver's seat, with arm rests that actually move with the seat so they're in the right position no matter what height the seat is at! The driver doesn't matter to the people who specify the refurbs and the "promises" to involve us are all false!

 

[scotraildriver]

Given that the 158s used to have the same seat, but now have a much better one, why can't they just fit the same seat to the 156s?

 

[mde]

Scottish Labour's Richard Leonard and Paul Sweeney (MP for the area) have popped up in the Sunday Mail today with a suggestion that the works be nationalised as an "essential component" for running a public sector ScotRail bid.

There doesn't seem to be a credible plan being proposed, other than electrification of the spur that runs to the works…

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/calls-nationalise-historic-glasgow-rail-13976865

Calls to nationalise Glasgow rail depot in bid to save 200 jobs from axe
Unions back Labour's call to take over the St Rollox depot in Springburn which is set to be closed by Gemini Rail Services.

An MP has demanded the nationalisation of a historic railway works to save 200 jobs.

Gemini Rail Services announced proposals to close the St Rollox depot in Glasgow’s Springburn in December.


Labour’s Paul Sweeney is now calling for the Scottish Government to take ownership of the yards as a first step to establishing a publicly run rail network.

He said: “We are calling on Transport Secretary Michael Matheson to secure the site and to transfer the workforce over."

“There is no intention on the part of Gemini to do anything other than to walk away.

“This site was nationalised from 1948 to 1995 – it was part of British Rail – so if the Scottish Government wants to establish a public railway in Scotland, then where better to start than with this opportunity right now.

“It would allow them to take ownership of a railway maintenance workshop in Scotland, which would be an essential component of running a rail services.

“ScotRail and Network Rail are entirely devolved in terms of decision-making so it is a call for the transport minister and Transport Scotland to make.

“There is £4.8billion to be spent on rail infrastructure in Scotland in coming years and the decisions on that are entirely for the Scottish Government. The onus is now on Michael Matheson to make the call on whether to nationalise it.”

Gemini took over the Springburn site in August after a sale was agreed with Knorr-Bremse Rail Services.

But six months later, closure proposals were announced, with the company understood to want to centralise its maintenance services at a base in the south of England. At the time, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was disappointed that she only found out through media reports.

A consultation was launched on January 17, which is due to end next month, at which point the company can start to make staff redundant.

The Scottish Government has previously expressed support for a public bid for the ScotRail contract.

Sweeney, the MP for Glasgow North East, added: “The Scottish Government needs to come in and at least give us time on this or we are going to lose the infrastructure and the jobs.

“Network Rail are actively undertaking a study to electrify the line into the site – only 2.7km are needed to connect it up to the mainline.

“It’s not a major investment but it would mean you could run electric trains right into the depot, which would allow more competitive bids for work.”

Pat McIlvogue, of union Unite, has also backed the nationalisation proposals.

He said: “Our primary concern is to keep this site open. The closure plans are complete industrial vandalism – this is a profitable and productive depot.

“We have suggested a range of options that include one of full nationalisation.

“We believe the owner of the site would be willing to sell or, alternatively, Network Rail could take on a lease.”

The RMT union’s Scottish organiser Mick Hogg said: “We support any plan which would preserve jobs at this vital national asset.”