No Operator Available

[Deleted]

How common is it these days for a signal cabin to be in danger of, or actually, closing down due to lack of available operators? I remember once that the entire Met was suspended through Harrow because there was no one available to open the signal cabin.

Also, do any of the remaining cabins like Whitechapel or Edgware Road have king levers? If they ever did, were these used when the cabin had to be closed due to lack of available staff?

[Tubeboy]

I think in the recent past, the Northern had a much reduced service in the late evening one night, particularly at the top end of the line. This being due to a shortage of signal ops, the late turn refused to stay on, and well.......... ;D

[programmes1]

Hammersmith? is this the new location of the SSL control centre.

[Deleted]

Where at Hammersmith? I can't think of any obvious locations - which may actually be the point!

[Colin]

Having recently met someone who is very involved in this project, I can confirm that you will not find out the answer to that question TOK!

As for signallers being missing; as has been mentioned, Earls Court regularly has desks unmanned - and I have known Richmond box to close on one occasion.

[prjb]

c5 said:

Must say its not at very pretty looking building!

I saw the latest architects drawings on Friday and they look quite good actually. The person who showed me them is the same person who Colin is refering to. I suspect, that after meeting the individual concerned, Colin is now the most informed member of operational staff on the railway for this particular area!

[Deleted]

A few weeks back I encountered a novel approach to being offered a wrong route - there was no signaller on the desk at Earls Court so I had to divert the train!

Great new method of running the railway, just follow whatever random route you're given.

[Colin]

Happened a few weeks back at Turnham Green too

[Deleted]

colin said:

Happened a few weeks back at Turnham Green too

Yes it was Turnham Green where it happened to me.

[citysig]

I have closed Edgware Road signal cabin.

Some years ago, when the management slammed in a no smoking ban in all staff areas, apart from mess areas (the first time, not the most recent time) they brought with it a few other "new broom" rules and regs.

Signal Cabins had long been deemed the signalman's mess area by a more clever management than had taken over. If you couldn't get your signalman relieved for an official break, he could at least have a cup of tea and a cigarette "in his mess area."

My colleague on the early shift had threatened closure for a physical needs relief, and shortly after the threat, a relief was found for him. He was therefore able to pop out a couple of times for a cigarette.

There were no available staff on late shift, and so when I called for a relief, and was told none were available, I threatened to close the cabin. The manager tried to call my bluff but failed. I closed - albeit only fully closed for around 5 minutes. In this time my immediate manager had called to say the smoking ban for the cabin had been "relaxed" slightly.

Even for those 5 minutes it ruined the evening peak service. Needless to say you couldn't get away with that excuse these days.

To be honest, back then it was relatively common to tell the manager you were closing - and normally you would get what you wanted before it came to that. But there were a few occasions where it actually happened.

Baker Street's control area could, theoretically, run without any staff supervising it for quite a lengthy period of time. But for any manager looking in who thinks he/she has just struck gold, don't even think we would leave it in the correct mode to allow it to operate without staff for any length of time