Train crew persuade their Control to not terminate the train short

[Trackman]

As a matter of interest, do we know why the train was amended to terminate at Stockport ? Was it running extremely late and required to start a southbound service there, or did the set need to go to Longsight Depot for some reason ?

I’ve been thinking about this.
The only caped at Stockport I know of have been failures.
So control rang, if it was a positional move or even had to go to Longsight this doesn’t make sense, being only about 5 mins or whatever to Picc and would save a lot of grief.

 

[Falcon1200]

The only caped at Stockport I know of have been failures.
So control rang, if it was a positional move or even had to go to Longsight this doesn’t make sense, being only about 5 mins or whatever to Picc and would save a lot of grief.

I agree, it seems a strange move to terminate a long distance, busy train so close to its terminating point. The only thing I could think of was a fault in the rear cab preventing it being driven from that end and therefore requiring to go direct into Longsight, but as the train did continue to Piccadilly that cannot have been the reason ?

 

[IanXC]

I agree, it seems a strange move to terminate a long distance, busy train so close to its terminating point. The only thing I could think of was a fault in the rear cab preventing it being driven from that end and therefore requiring to go direct into Longsight, but as the train did continue to Piccadilly that cannot have been the reason ?

Unless of course whatever fault it was the driver agreed to accept - defective seat, wet seat, some safety system that would have needed 2 drivers and the driver working the train agreed to stay on to accompany the driver to the depot - its not impossible that there was some issue with the cab that was then overcome.

 

[Trackman]

I agree, it seems a strange move to terminate a long distance, busy train so close to its terminating point. The only thing I could think of was a fault in the rear cab preventing it being driven from that end and therefore requiring to go direct into Longsight, but as the train did continue to Piccadilly that cannot have been the reason ?

Yes, it could be simple as a defective wiper on the rear cab (which is not uncommon with 390's) but they would have known about that before it set off.
I've been on RTT, found it was the 1H36 that was held at Stockport for five minutes or so.
The train in question to Picc headed to Euston 25 mins later.
Something happened.. I wonder if the service became a bit rowdy with the football fans.

 

[Falcon1200]

Unless of course whatever fault it was the driver agreed to accept - defective seat, wet seat, some safety system that would have needed 2 drivers and the driver working the train agreed to stay on to accompany the driver to the depot - its not impossible that there was some issue with the cab that was then overcome.

Yes, that certainly could be the reason.

 

[muz379]

Interesting read! There's a lot of good points made in the thread.

For me, when i am dealing with a train full of passengers in a situation which could 'flash over' at any minute with very little provocation : such as i would imagine was the case on this train full of 'merry'football fans : then i can - and do - say anything and everything which gets the passengers on side. They need to know i am doing my best for them, that i am on their side, and that if they give me a little bit of time ill solve whatever the problem of the minute may be and get them where they need to go.

Unlike many of my colleagues, i am yet to have my train smashed up, have never had to summon assistance to deal with violence, have never been the victim of violence, and rarely am the cause of any delay.

I often take an 'you and me against the world' approach : it resonates with people, they can identify with it, especially when they are in drink. I don't disparage my employer : but then i don't think the crew did so in this instance.

It's easy to talk about the world in terms of 'should', and 'ought to'.

For me, the safety of my train, my passengers, and myself overrides any consideration of reputation.

Thankfully, both my line management and my hefty file of 'customer praise 'are in complete agreement!

Exactly this , also I don't know of any TOCs that gives their frontline staff PR training or even detailed training on announcing .