metrocammel said:
Although I sound cynical, I suppose it is worth the drivers while to cancel a train, as if he does, he wont have to complete his shift... but I imagine still will get paid for the same work he'd have done without the problem. OK, this situation is perhaps not the best, as there was some, albeit minor looking, damage... but there are some things a driver will cancel a train for- that really baffles me.... I still dont understand why that ONE service (on ACoRP Saturday) to London was caped with a broken windscreen wiper at Norwich - Im sure they would have been able to get a spare to Liverpool Street in time for it to be replaced there - or even just delay the service at Norwich and fix it there and then? - But No....
Sorry, that's the rules. A train is not allowed to run if the windscreen wipers arn't working, or if the windscreen is damage in any way that would effect the driver's visability. I've seen a train cancelled at Norwich due to the 90 being turned and the windscreen that was now going to be leading was filthy and even by the best efforts of the staff couldn't be cleaned. The driver was quite right to refuse to take it. The only irritiating thing was that they spent such a time trying to clean it that it was almost time for the next service to leave when they finally cancelled, wheras had they cancelled from the start they would have been able to step back the set behind.
These same things occur with road vehicles. If you drive your car without working windscreen wipers it is illigal, or with any other thing that would prevent you having a good view through the windscreen (like those idiots who think it's fine to drive around after clearing a tiny bit of snow from the windscreen).
I wasn't their with this incident at Newcastle, but from what I have read, plus other knowledge, the window was not damaged enough for the train to be un-usable (in which case it wouldn't have gone any further than where the incident happened without assistance or special measures being taken), but it was up to the driver. Newcastle is a driver change point, so the driver taking over wouldn't have been able to decide if he was happy to take it until the train arrived. Oviously he was, which is why the train made it to Glasgow.
When it comes to drivers cancelling services deliberatly, I bet it does happen, but I'm sure it's a small minority, and I doubt they would get away with it to much without arising suspition from managers.