Driver Only Train Operation In Yorkshire
One of my readers has just sent me this story from the Yorkshire Post, which is entitled Commuter chaos in Yorkshire after train driver leaves conductor behind.
No-one seems to have been hurt in this demonstration of Driver Only Operation, so perhaps as a matter of honour, the RMT should look at more efficient ways of train operation.
The Anonymous Widower 
This reminds me of an incident in my youth.
I had boarded a clonker DMU from Sheffield to Doncaster.
It was standing room only even in the guard’s van.
Departure time came and went, but the train didn’t, while the guard chatted with his mates on the platform and smoked a cigarette.
I could see we had a green signal to depart.
There was a squaddie stood next to the guards position, so I said to him – “push that button twice”.
Being trained to follow commands from people seemingly in authority, he did so and the train set off.
The guard then suddenly realised what must have happened and that he was set to be left behind and started shouting and chasing after the train.
After we had gone a couple of carriage lengths down the platform, I said the to the soldier – “you had better press the button again once”. He did so and the train screeched to a halt still half at the platform.
The guard quickly entered his van and very angrily demanded who had sounded the bell.
Everyone looked at one another, but nobody said anything…
The train then kept to time for the rest of the journey!
Comment by Mark Clayton | January 31, 2017 |
I have been on several very crowded Northern trains, where the guard has had difficulty getting near the button
Driver Only Operation is the way to go. But there should always be someone on the platform, as in London.
Comment by AnonW | January 31, 2017 |