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How stupid are train drivers?

So I get on the local train this morning - the hottest day of the year so far, and the heating is on. Not only was I hot and unfit for work when I arrived, my disposition toward other passengers and possibly members of the train crew was at an all time low. I say possibly members of the Train crew as there were none to be found. As soon as the train has stopped they are off to thier tea room faster than a hamster gnawing its way out of a sack full of angry snakes. Do these driver just turn the heat on in the depot to get themselves warm and then forget or do they do it maliciosly. My money is on the second one. I think that they think that they earn less than the passengers on thier substandard train on thier way up to the city. Wondered why the trains are so substandard? It's because theres not much left over after paying the drivers thier heafty wack. The average wage packet on the local trains is a lot less than the drivers - I know I personally counted them all.

Posted by Simon at May 27, 2003 8:22 AM

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Comments

1 February 19, 2004 11:32 AM andrew

if you knew anything about trains you would know that the drivers have almost no control over the heating on most trains. not only that but passengers keep opening the windows which keep the heating on! If they left the windows alone the heating would turn off when up to temperature.

2 February 20, 2004 12:57 PM Simon

Fortunately I do not profess to know anything about modern trains but as a revenue delivering passenger I do know that if a driver has almost no control then he potentially has the ability to exert SOME control...

Meanwhile, leaving the windows shut is, in the eyes of the mere mortal traveller, stupid - the choice of a small amount of immediate relief for the pregnant woman perched on the un-ergonomic designed seating verses a slim hope that over the next 20 to 30 minutes the average temperature in the whole carriage may drop one degree by opening a small window is an easy one, a no brainer in fact - the window gets opened 10 times out of 10 and any fault in that lays in the design not the customer behaviour.

An open window can potentially afford a drop of 3-5 degrees of temperature for those in the immediate breeze zone around the window space, but this will not affect the immediate temperature control needs of the majority of the passengers, on average during peek times 120 paying passengers in a carriage that seats 64.

I think what Andrew says is true - "If they left the windows alone the heating would turn off when up to temperature." but who has the time to wait for four hours on a booked 21 minute journey? - normally 26-32 minutes on average (over the limit daily but I have never been compensated by South Eastern).

3 May 17, 2004 9:32 AM Sir Bob Reid

it is true the drivers do have some control over the heating system. but on most trains the heat is generated by the engine. i suppose a driver could shut down the engine and simply coast along and hope the train made it to its destination...

4 July 31, 2006 6:03 PM JimM

Clearly you are bitter and resentful towards the person who drives your train. Rather than directing your anger at the people who are actually responsible for the dire situation of our rail network, you choose the easy option and blame the driver. Your rant about the heating is valid, but modern trains have automatic ( and often unsatisfactory ) air-con and heating systems. However, you do not care about this as you are simply attacking individuals performing a certain role. You will be pleased to know that assaults on rail staff have increased massively over the last few years. These were a combination of physical,sexual and verbal attacks.
I hope this makes you feel better.

5 July 31, 2006 7:16 PM Simon Cox

Thanks for the comment Jim. You will have noticed that the rant was posted back in May 2003 and I am very happy to say that the situation has improved dramatically since that point. I now have the option of getting an air conditioned train into work and one home - though not all of them are like this.

At the time I was angered at paying a huge amount annually to travel but not getting what I would perceive as a value for money service. I think that has changed. At the time drivers were threatening strikes (I am sure the reasons were valid but the people suffering were the commuters not the 'management') for huge pay rises which basically commuters would end up paying for - hence my 'targeting' in this instance. Drivers are representatives of the train companies and should expect to field complaints from customers like any other staff in the front line. And no of course it does not make me feel better that assaults have increased, I abhor violence. I choose to have my say here rather than pick on individuals at stations (unless its meet the manager time at London Bridge...). I don't get angry just for the sake of it but some things do rile me and this subject at the time did.

Daily now I am having a very pleasant commute on air conditioned trains driven by very nice people. The new trains are more spacious and there is a different atmosphere - I feel like I am being cared for.