7081 east end refurb

[TMBA]

I had 7081 refurb unit changed over today because the C.S.D.E was failing to work between Whitechapel and Barking and complaints about the heating or lack of it on the whole train. so when the temperature drops below freezing why doesn't the depot just put the fuses back in?
it will stop passenger complaints dramatically.
As a further point the unit it was changed over only because four out of six cars had working heaters and it was real cold this morning as you all know.

[Phil]

Are you allowed to fail a train for defective heaters, or is this just considered sh*t stirring?

[Colin]

The train has to remain in service, though a changeover can be requested if it cause's "passenger discomfort".

Nice grey area this one - how do you define passenger discomfort? err, the punters are going blue Gov.......

Like I say, a changeover can be requested - indeed, on this occasion it happened - but don't bank on the change over actually happening, cos most times, it probably won't ;D

[Chris W]

rbruce1314 said:

Are you allowed to fail a train for defective heaters, or is this just considered sh*t stirring?

Given that the supply/maintenance of units are now 'out-sourced', what are the implications for drivers should they 'fail' a unit while in service.... not only from the customers/cattle/passengers, but specifically from managers or the maintenance companies......

Just watch out for the Northern Line many mornings on BBC Breakfast many mornings as an example - and as I experience most days when traveling from South Wombledon to the City

[Colin]

Under the umbrella of PPP, everything has a cost.

Basically, whenever an 'incident' occurs on the railway, it generates an 'item'. The circumstances are taken into account (time of day, location, cause of incident, etc), then someone is blamed and the company fined. In the case of equipment failure that makes that asset unavailable for it's intended use (ie, train fault) the contractors are fined. If the asset cannot be used because of LUL (ie, no staff available), then LUL is fined. Incidents caused by something out of anyones control, ie, lightning cause's power failure, is exempt, though ultimately the cost is bourne by LUL.

As far as train defects go, we have a booklet for each stock which provides guidelines on what is the appropriate course of action when defects are discovered - though even that still leaves grey areas. Ultimately though, the safety of a train and it's passengers is totally the responsibility of the driver - what he/she decides at the time goes, regardless of who it cost's. A manager will only get involved if the driver breaks rules, such as driving in service with no pilot light or cannot fix simple problems like switching an MCB.

[TMBA]

colin said:

Under the umbrella of PPP, everything has a cost.

Ultimately though, the safety of a train and it's passengers is totally the responsibility of the driver - what he/she decides at the time goes, regardless of who it cost's. A manager will only get involved if the driver breaks rules, such as driving in service with no pilot light or cannot fix simple problems like switching an MCB.

To be honest I could have lived with the fact that the C.S.D.E. wasn't working because it was only the Whitechapel to Upminster reverser's because of the engineering works but if it was the whole route through then I would have taken it out earlier, but even though it was Whitechapel to Upminster when I had complaints about the heating on a number of occasions then I'm sorry but it had to be changed over.
The annoying thing is though that even though we do our bit and arrange a fitter and then he arranges for the change over I then get another train with heating problems! unfortunately this has been a common thing with the D stock since it came onto the district back in 1979 and it looks like its gonna stay with us with the refurbs as well and the same thing applies in the summer as well except this time its the cooling , they can never get it right no matter how many times its put in the Tcard or reported to managers etc. sorry to rattle on about this one but my colleagues I'm sure will agree with me.