Re: Olympic Sprint Platform - Lidcombe

[Barry Campbell <barryC@qimr.edu.au>]

C. Dewick wrote:
> 
> In <WqYT2.263$zn1.2823@nswpull.telstra.net> "Chris Downs" <cvdowns@hermes.net.au> writes:
> 
> >It must be frustrating for the drivers to have to change ends every time
> >they arrive at Lidcombe (every 20 minutes).  I imagine a better option would
> >be to have a person at each end of the train that can be driver or guard
> >depending upon the train's direction.  They would alternate roles each time
> >around the circuit.
> 
> I'd agree with you, but the guards would call a demarkation dispute and a
> lot of drivers (especially the older ones) would probably protest as well,
> because it's exactly the sort of thing that exists in the Toronto (Canada)
> subway system with a driver at each end of the train who also acts as the
> 'guard' when the train is being driven from the other end.
> 
<snip>


This is a sad indictment of CityRail management that the distinction
between Guard and Driver on suburban trains as separate types of work
still persists. Electic train guards were required to be able to drive
trains in emergencies (I assume this still applies) but as the electric
trains were still part of the NSWGR and its successors, guards worked
for the Traffic Branch and drivers worked for Loco and so they had
different lines of promotion. The logical arrangement would be: Entry
level > guard > driver as a line of promotion which would mean that you
could do this with 2 drivers with no industrial problems.

Obviously CityRail has not learned of multi skilling. 


Barry Campbell