Blackpool North platform staff

[ModernRailways]

This is all something of a side-issue (IMO), as I’ve always found it perplexing that in some locations the practice is to leave trains locked up when no staff are on board, yet in the London area, and some other places, there is generally no issue with leaving trains open. It seems to be very much a Northern England thing, especially the north-west.

Northerns policy is crew are either booked to be relieved, or they must secure the unit(s). Guards get 5 minutes to secure and lock a unit(s) up, and 5 minutes to prepare (security check/cab check etc).
As an example, a train is booked a 12 minute turnaround, it arrives at its terminus at 17:15, but won’t depart until 17:27. The diagram will have the guard who brings the train in secure the unit, and then a new guard will prepare, this is purely because it’s easier for diagramming purposes, of course, in that situation most staff will use common sense and either head up to the train for when it arrives or will leave the unit open. There are some occasions where the aforementioned doesnt apply, for example a turnaround could be 20 minutes between trips but the guard will be relieved at the arrival time of the inbound journey because adding 5 minutes to their diagram for disposing of the unit may mean they don’t have enough time (once walking time, break time etc is factored in) to get to their next working.

 

[childwallblues]

Most Liverpool services are due to arrive at xx57 and return at xx02 so only a five minute window in the station.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Previous MP left Parliament under something of a cloud. Replacement (= Chris Webb) has only just been elected.

Good news! The new MP for the Blackpool South constituency has been busy pledging his support to something getting sorted in his local area.

MP calls on Parliament to help save famous Blackpool rock or 'it could disappear'

Calls have been made for a debate in Parliament on the future of Blackpool's famous rock amid warnings the seaside favourite 'could disappear'.

www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

Extract..

Calls have been made for a debate in Parliament on the future of Blackpool's famous rock amid warnings the seaside favourite 'could disappear'.

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb used one of his first opportunities since being elected to ask a Parliamentary question calling for a House of Commons debate to save the historic confectionery.

 

[Greybeard33]

I visited Blackpool North today for the first time in several years and was pleasantly surprised. Staff smiling, friendly and helpful. On the return journey we were allowed on the platform 10 minutes before departure, giving plenty of time to choose a seat near the front of the train.

Admittedly this was not at busy times (1030 and 1900).

 

[HST125Scorton]

I've never had any issues with the staff at Blackpool North., personally I know most of them and they know me back from previous work. I visited Blackpool, for couple days for family on 13th-15th May. Even staying in the new Holiday Inn across the road from the station!. Upon arrival 9P47 AWC service 1114. We made our way to main entrance and was greeted with a friendly hello. Even some staff who know me personally asked how I was. They said there was a 807 popping in shortly and let me go and film it's arrival. Then take a few photos on the way back to the concourse. I would call a "Win-Win" for us on 15th awaiting 1151 9A53 back home from Blackpool. Staff let us get on the train when it arrived in on 9P47, 25mins before departure!, while holding everyone else till 1140 giving an ample 10mins for those getting on.

 

[Dave S 56F]

It can be like this at whitby Town Station if a N.Y.M.R. Pickering Whitby service if the platforms 1 and 2 a crowded before a Whitby Pickering N.Y.M.R. service sets off both the northern train staff and N.Y.M.R. Guards can be quite boisterous about a orderly queue been formed on platform 2 for tourists /passengers to board the N.Y.M.R. train it thus can be alot busier if a Whitby Middlesborough northern service pulls into platform 1 causing even more bods and chaos on the station.

 

[BeijingDave]

I've never had any issues with the staff at Blackpool North., personally I know most of them and they know me back from previous work. I visited Blackpool, for couple days for family on 13th-15th May. Even staying in the new Holiday Inn across the road from the station!. Upon arrival 9P47 AWC service 1114. We made our way to main entrance and was greeted with a friendly hello. Even some staff who know me personally asked how I was. They said there was a 807 popping in shortly and let me go and film it's arrival. Then take a few photos on the way back to the concourse. I would call a "Win-Win" for us on 15th awaiting 1151 9A53 back home from Blackpool. Staff let us get on the train when it arrived in on 9P47, 25mins before departure!, while holding everyone else till 1140 giving an ample 10mins for those getting on.

People who you have worked with being nice to you? Well, I never...

People can be the worst at customer service/being client facing, yet can also be most cordial in the staff room or work socials. I have seen it many times in various industries.

 

[The Puddock]

I've never had any issues with the staff at Blackpool North personally

How strange - I wonder why your experience is so different from the vast majority of folk over the years?

I know most of them and they know me back from previous work.

I'm no Sherlock Holmes but I suspect this might have something to do with it.

 

[43066]

How strange - I wonder why your experience is so different from the vast majority of folk over the years?

Is there any suggestion that “the vast majority of folk” actually using the station (as distinct from the majority of those commenting on this thread) have any issues with the staff? I doubt the majority of passengers have any need to interact with them at all, and people on this thread have reported using the station regularly with no issues.

I suspect the issues mostly occur where enthusiasts want to do something that goes against the usual method of operation at the station, for example remaining on the platform to take photos.

 

[Llandudno]

I used Blackpool North today - no problems.

Alighted at 1114 on the 11 car Avanti Pendolino (no ticket check on train, I boarded at New Street) and no ticket check at Blackpool North all ticket gates open.

On my return the 1900 Northern service to Manchester Airport, again no ticket check to enter the station (all gates open) but platform gates remained closed until 10 minutes before departure, no big deal 100+ boarded without fuss and no ticket check.

All good, despite the usual raft of Northern Saturday cancellations to/from Blackpool!

 

[bramling]

Is there any suggestion that “the vast majority of folk” actually using the station (as distinct from the majority of those commenting on this thread) have any issues with the staff? I doubt the majority of passengers have any need to interact with them at all, and people on this thread have reported using the station regularly with no issues.

I suspect the issues mostly occur where enthusiasts want to do something that goes against the usual method of operation at the station, for example remaining on the platform to take photos.

Ironically enthusiasts do get allowed onto the platforms there, indeed I’ve requested it in the past and it was fine (though this didn’t stop a couple of inquests despite the staff having all been advised by the supervisor, and a cleaner yelling borderline abuse across from a staff car park).

But even in the couple of hours I spent on the platforms I saw various regular passengers getting brusque treatment, not least a group of chinese tourists who had just arrived and were told off for taking their time making their way off the platforms because the staff wanted to get the door closed.

Maybe things are different now as this was a few years ago, however my impression was that it really is a quite hostile place, especially for those who try to use the station being unaware of the special local methods of operation.

 

[Deafdoggie]

I used Blackpool North today - no problems.

Alighted at 1114 on the 11 car Avanti Pendolino (no ticket check on train, I boarded at New Street) and no ticket check at Blackpool North all ticket gates open.

On my return the 1900 Northern service to Manchester Airport, again no ticket check to enter the station (all gates open) but platform gates remained closed until 10 minutes before departure, no big deal 100+ boarded without fuss and no ticket check.

All good, despite the usual raft of Northern Saturday cancellations to/from Blackpool!

I think the major issues are the ticket barriers (which you managed to avoid) and their obsession with not opening the platform doors until the last minute-it seems you got lucky there to.

 

[furnessvale]

Most Liverpool services are due to arrive at xx57 and return at xx02 so only a five minute window in the station.

Nowhere near long enough for a train AND platform to empty before potential boarders are even allowed on the platform.