The Railway:First Great Western Series 2

[L&Y Robert]

The programme seems to concentrate on exceptional circumstances like the bad weather, dealing with huge crowds from sporting fixtures, flooded lines and so-on, OK they do a good job, but how do they cope with the routine running of the system. What are the problems confronting staff on, say, an ordinary Tuesday in November? The great commute, then the long-haul passengers, drawing up the time-table, who does it, what are the guiding principles. Crewing - whole episode there. And how are they getting on with the new Reading station? Are the electrification works causing any operational difficulties? And what about impositions from the Crossrail works? You know the sort of thing, ordinary run-of-the-mill situations!

 

[HowardGWR]

The programme seems to concentrate on exceptional circumstances like the bad weather, dealing with huge crowds from sporting fixtures, flooded lines and so-on, OK they do a good job, but how do they cope with the routine running of the system. What are the problems confronting staff on, say, an ordinary Tuesday in November? The great commute, then the long-haul passengers, drawing up the time-table, who does it, what are the guiding principles. Crewing - whole episode there. And how are they getting on with the new Reading station? Are the electrification works causing any operational difficulties? And what about impositions from the Crossrail works? You know the sort of thing, ordinary run-of-the-mill situations!

There are more episodes so I suppose it may calm down a bit later on.
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I haven't seen the latest series. I was asked if they could follow me (Jody was unavailable and I was the obvious next choice!), but I declined, as it would play havoc with my Witness Protection programme!

Great reply.
I don't usually find watching people at work very interesting but these programmes may be good PR.

 

[455driver]

Do some people on the railway see themselves as the 4th emergency service?

Thats the Coast Guard isnt it!
Or is it the AA?
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I haven't seen the latest series. I was asked if they could follow me (Jody was unavailable and I was the obvious next choice!), but I declined, as it would play havoc with my Witness Protection programme!

She turned up the chance to flounce around looking all important, surely not!

 

[Flamingo]

There are more episodes so I suppose it may calm down a bit later on.
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Great reply.
I don't usually find watching people at work very interesting but these programmes may be good PR.

The best refusal I heard was "My family think I play the piano in a whorehouse, if they found out I worked on the railway the shame would kill me!"

 

[jon0844]

I haven't seen the latest series. I was asked if they could follow me (Jody was unavailable and I was the obvious next choice!), but I declined, as it would play havoc with my Witness Protection programme!

Admit it, you got scared and flew away!

 

[HowardGWR]

The best refusal I heard was "My family think I play the piano in a whorehouse, if they found out I worked on the railway the shame would kill me!"

great stuff, keep them coming, no, just contact the Channel 5 people and you can have your own series.

 

[Flamingo]

Admit it, you got scared and flew away!

Damn right I did!
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The programme seems to concentrate on exceptional circumstances like the bad weather, dealing with huge crowds from sporting fixtures, flooded lines and so-on, OK they do a good job, but how do they cope with the routine running of the system. What are the problems confronting staff on, say, an ordinary Tuesday in November? The great commute, then the long-haul passengers, drawing up the time-table, who does it, what are the guiding principles. Crewing - whole episode there. And how are they getting on with the new Reading station? Are the electrification works causing any operational difficulties? And what about impositions from the Crossrail works? You know the sort of thing, ordinary run-of-the-mill situations!

Boring. To be fair, they are looking for good television, not a "How it works" type film.

 

[LateThanNever]

Damn right I did!
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Boring. To be fair, they are looking for good television, not a "How it works" type film.

You are absolutely right. Still, hopefully there are enough TV Channels these days that Jodie will not be recognised in the future. But the producers are invariably looking for drama, not documentary. Been on telly only once - for a couple of news items - and the follow up was - turn it into a drama. It was certainly a drama for me. But I'm pleased that I refused the dramatic play...

 

[Flamingo]

She turned up the chance to flounce around looking all important, surely not!

She's not like that, the editing was out of her control. She's a good TM!

 

[455driver]

She's not like that, the editing was out of her control. She's a good TM!

I am sure she is (it appears that way in the program as well), I should have put a smillie or 2 on the end to show I wasnt being serious!

 

[Flamingo]

I am sure she is (it appears that way in the program as well), I should have put a smillie or 2 on the end to show I wasnt being serious!

I know you were joking, but somebody would only think you were being serious!

 

[WelshBluebird]

I remember seeing the cameras at Reading when going to the England V Wales match, didn't make the connection with the program though!

 

[455driver]

I know you were joking, but somebody would only think you were being serious!

Yeah, wouldnt they just! :roll:

 

[Kite159]

2 Episodes in and no appearance of that friendly revenue protection officer yet?

And "Why are we waiting?" From someone waiting in the queue at Cardiff.

 

[matt]

So who from RailUK phoned up FGW to complain about their first class experience...

 

[thealexweb]

Who tweeted "My sandwich no longer tastes nice" XD

 

[fgwrich]

Uh oh, I spot some Portillo-esq editing with the Reading guard. First service of the day to Gatwick, with our branches 150, then we're with the driver at the other end of the unit in a 166 cab, then we're at Bramley with the 150, then Guildford with the 166, then a 165 and back to the 166... Confused?

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I've met that guard a few times,he's brilliant and if you've had a grotty trip,he knows how to pick you up & get you smiling again,the railway needs a few more like him.

 

[Kite159]

Uh oh, I spot some Portillo-esq editing with the Reading guard. First service of the day to Gatwick, with our branches 150, then we're with the driver at the other end of the unit in a 166 cab, then we're at Bramley with the 150, then Guildford with the 166, then a 165 and back to the 166... Confused?

I noticed that last week at Taunton, a 150 changing into a 153 before back to a 150 etc

 

[Crossover]

I've met that guard a few times,he's brilliant and if you've had a grotty trip,he knows how to pick you up & get you smiling again,the railway needs a few more like him.

He seemed that way. Quite liked the "I will be with you all the way to Gatwick Airport and, if you're on the wrong train, all the way back to Reading too"

 

[Rapidash]

One of the guys down here has the opening line of 'I will shortly be coming through the train for a ticket inspection. Please have all tickets, passes, travelcards and excuses ready, thank you!"

 

[GodAtum]

i remember when the 1740 maidenhead - paddington was cancelled quite a few times, never got a refund though. although it was fun going on the marlow branch and seeing out the rear windows!

 

[Nozzacook]

Uh oh, I spot some Portillo-esq editing with the Reading guard. First service of the day to Gatwick, with our branches 150, then we're with the driver at the other end of the unit in a 166 cab, then we're at Bramley with the 150, then Guildford with the 166, then a 165 and back to the 166... Confused?

They did well to only be 15 down after changing the train so many times.

 

[CC 72100]

One of the guys down here has the opening line of 'I will shortly be coming through the train for a ticket inspection. Please have all tickets, passes, travelcards and excuses ready, thank you!"

I know the character you mean, always raises a smile.

 

[bussnapperwm]

The blonde one who works on board is quite good looking

 

[Northerner]

I think that's it is always welcome to try and educate the traveling public just how committed railway staff are "on the most part" to providing the best service with a limited infrastructure.
I was working for FGW at this point ,and a lot of my colleagues still are.
It's such a great way of life and I'm proud to be part of it

 

[Hyphen]

The blonde one who works on board is quite good looking

I would also note for the benefit of the Twitter user who asked if the CS Twitter girl was "hot" - it seems that yes. Yes, she is.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I would also note for the benefit of the Twitter user who asked if the CS Twitter girl was "hot" - it seems that yes. Yes, she is.

No deep breathing down the phone in the vain hope she'll be on the other end.

 

[EM2]

I was amused to see the application of glue to the ballast to stop it moving, something the modelling fraternity have been doing for years!

 

[Cletus]

A reminder that the final episode is on Monday next week.