Jim’s “out and about with GBRf” thread

[101]

Not sure how they can keep the job going with those sort of restrictions though - what's your Taxi policy now Jim? I spent half my life in taxis over the last few years 

[big jim]

I think most companies have put a no road learning, conducting, single man in cab policy in place at the moment, ok, there will be times when someone needs to travel or come to the cab to speak to you, last night for example the NR picop and engineering supervisor needed to speak to me which I did out on the platform at a (hopefully) safe distance 

 

I was wondering about the taxi thing last night as I had to take one from site to bescot and will do later, I’d hope that the relevant companies we use through a 3rd party biking company have something in place, the bigger companies like Addison Lee have put out emails saying what they are doing to help prevent the spread and what they would like customers to do to co-operate but the smaller local ones I’ve not seen anything or been asked to wash my hands, sanitise before I get in the taxi (we have hand wipes on the locos) 

 

unfortunately at the moment there is that culture of ‘what a bloody joke’ about the precautions I place but I personally have been a lot more careful with personal hygiene the last few weeks (that makes me sound like a right dirty sod) but I am washing hands more, in the cab I’ll wipe down the hard surfaces I’ve touched before I get off etc and the next driver gets on (similarly do it when I get on incase the driver before didn’t do the same) 

 

scary times 

 

 

 

 

[ruggedpeak]

The harsh reality is that at present 70% of intensive care patients with the virus are male, and not all by any means are elderly or have underlying health conditions. Any macho "its nothing to worry about" attitudes need to disappear fast.

 

I wish everyone well who is working to keep things running for us during this crisis.

[ajwffc]

7 hours ago, big jim said:

I think most companies have put a no road learning, conducting, single man in cab policy in place at the moment, ok, there will be times when someone needs to travel or come to the cab to speak to you, last night for example the NR picop and engineering supervisor needed to speak to me which I did out on the platform at a (hopefully) safe distance 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or with the PICOP or ES standing outside the cab on the track. Another way we have been getting around it is getting the signaler to give the driver the PICOPs phone number and for the driver and PICOP to communicate by phone even when beside each other.  

[big jim]

22 minutes ago, ajwffc said:

Or with the PICOP or ES standing outside the cab on the track. Another way we have been getting around it is getting the signaler to give the driver the PICOPs phone number and for the driver and PICOP to communicate by phone even when beside each other.  

Which is what we did on the way out of the possession this afternoon 

 

[25901]

Not been asked to work from home yet Jim

[big jim]

Way ahead of you.....

 

 

Just done a Hayes to acton yard aggregate trip! 
 

[newbryford]

On 21/03/2020 at 13:23, JohnDMJ said:

Sorry, Jim, DBSO?

 

On 21/03/2020 at 13:28, Fat Controller said:

Driver Brake Second Open; it's the Mk 2 coach with a driving cab, visible in Jim's last photo.

 

Pedantic yellow head on - they are now officially RTOV - remote train operating vehicle, as they are no longer passenger carrying stock.

However - they are still referred to as DBSOs on the rail network.

[big jim]

Never heard them called that, the only variation I know of was DBS (driving brake standard) 

 

they will always be known as dibso’s though 

[newbryford]

8 minutes ago, big jim said:

Never heard them called that, the only variation I know of was DBS (driving brake standard) 

 

they will always be known as dibso’s though 

 

Agreed - pretty much everyone calls them Dibsos or similar variations

 

 

http://www.departmentals.com/departmental/9708

Edited March 22, 2020 by newbryford

[saxokid]

On ‎16‎/‎03‎/‎2020 at 21:29, big jim said:

Some from today, bescot to toton

 

37521 passing by

 

08670

 

Toton

 

and with the wagons for the return trip

 

Iport tomorrow 

Very nice pictures Jim here...

[big jim]

Only a few from today, pleased to say not many photographers about for such a fine day, couple on the stenson branch, one of whom was there to catch me on film in both directions in 2 different places 4 hours apart, hardly an essential trip! 
 

Bescot, Drax 60

 

Newly named 66175 “rail riders express”

 

see below for details of the relaunched club

 

https://www.railriders.club

 

66715 again today

 

Toton

 

Interestingly on my way in to work this morning I passed a 9F, 92212 and it’s tender on a couple of low loaders on the M6, not something you see every day! 

[newbryford]

2 minutes ago, big jim said:

 

 

 

Interestingly on my way in to work this morning I passed a 9F, 92212 and it’s tender on a couple of low loaders on the M6, not something you see every day! 

 

I think the one and only time I've seen 92212 was on a low loader.

About 30 years ago.......

[Richard E]

On 25/03/2020 at 21:33, newbryford said:

 

I think the one and only time I've seen 92212 was on a low loader.

About 30 years ago.......

 

92212 has been on the Mid Hants for a while. She's privately owned, being one of Jeremy Hoskings fleet. Boiler certificate expired in late 2019. She was restored at Loughborough originally. I suspect she was on her way for overhaul, on line info suggests this was going to be done at Crewe using the boiler from 92245 (one of the Barry Ten).

[big jim]

Just a couple from last night/this morning 

 

66781 in Trafford park while running round 

 

And this morning in new st, unfortunately I had to get a train home, thankfully I had it to myself 

 

 

ballast tonight out of bescot 

[big jim]

Bescot 

 

Rugby

[big jim]

Shrewsbury to derby last night with a Stone train, 66753 up front 

 

 

a week of Trafford park now 

[KeithHC]

Hi Jim, a couple of weeks ago you mentioned that your photography might have to change. Just as a matter of interest has that happened.

 

Keith

[JohnDMJ]

2 hours ago, big jim said:

Shrewsbury to derby last night with a Stone train, 66753 up front

 

Didn't know the Flintstones had trains.

[big jim]

26 minutes ago, KeithHC said:

Hi Jim, a couple of weeks ago you mentioned that your photography might have to change. Just as a matter of interest has that happened.

 

Keith

not as yet, I think the rollout of the new policy has been put on the back burner for now with the current situation

 

I’ve not been too bothered about taking that many pictures to be honest, more interested in keeping my self safe and holed up in the cab! 

[big jim]

Couple from Tuesday 

 

waiting at landor st for my train, colas 70 passed by complete with new logos 

 

66781 on my train 

 

Got relief at Tamworth instead of nuneaton

 

 

[big jim]

Same job again tonight but only one way, will be heading back south on Saturday morning now

 

HST passing saltley

 

Double headed freightliner heading into landor st 

 

And parked up in Trafford park til Saturday 

 

[mikejames]

hi jim

hope you ( and family) are well

I wonder if I can ask a few questions about your recent experiences re effects of the virus?

1) what fraction of your driver colleagues are currently off ill or self isolating?

2) is there currently a shortage of drivers - so are you being asked to do 'extra' work etc

3) how about people like signallers etc.

4) what is your impression of how NR maintenance work etc is being maintained (much of your work being linked to this)

5) next weekend being Easter, there were some major works planned - do you expect them to go ahead?

 

I realise any replies will be very subjective, but people always say they like your 'as it is' view of the railway

and just at the moment the virus is the key to 'how it is'

 

Thank you as always for your always informative replies.

regards

mike j

[big jim]

1. No idea 
 

2. A lot of work is cut back at the moment so no not been asked to work extra, Still possible to get a call last minute though

 

3. Again no idea how they are staff wise, I suppose one advantage of ‘super boxes, or ROCs is they cover vast areas so if a few go sick then there should be enough other staff to cover other panels in the box 

 

4. currently still going ahead as best as it can but things may change 

 

5. As far as I know most are happening, as it happens I’m rest day all weekend so will dodge them 

 

that’s about it, just keeping on working, keeping myself safe

[mikejames]

hi

thanks for your replies and thoughts

best wishes

regards

mike j