GWR IETs - End doors out of use

[Peter C]

I've done some looking around but couldn't see anything relevant to this topic - please let me know if there's already an explanation!

When waiting to watch the GBRf tour yesterday, I noticed that the announcements played when a train approaches include a notice telling passengers that the end doors on an IET aren't for passenger use. There are also notices in the door windows telling passengers this: I've put a picture below but it's not perfect.

(Image shows one of the doors closest to the cab in carriage A of a GWR IET, with a red sign reading "Please use the door at the other end of this carriage." below a no entry pictogram)

I think this is a recent change - I've certainly only started hearing these announcements in the past month or so - but does anyone have any more information about it (i.e. when the change started being rolled out, or why)? There seems to be two different versions of this sign - I didn't get a photo of it, but yesterday I noticed an end door had a notice written in the standard GWR font and white text near the top of the window. I wondered if it was to do with coronavirus*, in the same way in which some other trains have had areas blocked off for staff only? Just curious!

Thanks,

-Peter

*(if this is the case then I expect the thread should have gone in the coronavirus forum?)

 

[LordCreed]

The seats at that end of the carriage are reserved for train crew travelling on the set (as opposed to first class which used to be used for this purpose).

 

[Peter C]

The seats at that end of the carriage are reserved for train crew travelling on the set (as opposed to first class which used to be used for this purpose).

Ah super - thanks for the explanation. So is there something inside the carriage marking the area for staff and the area for the public too? I've not yet been in the right carriage to see for myself.

-Peter

 

[317362]

Also, for clarity, they aren't locked out of use, they work as normal but are signed no entrt. Seemed to start around June from memory.

 

[Peter C]

Also, for clarity, they aren't locked out of use, they work as normal but are signed no entrt. Seemed to start around June from memory.

I'll change the thread title then - thanks. I seem to have made that bit up!

-Peter

 

[LordCreed]

Ah super - thanks for the explanation. So is there something inside the carriage marking the area for staff and the area for the public too? I've not yet been in the right carriage to see for myself.

-Peter

Yep, the first five or so rows are all showing as reserved for the entire journey, and there's red reservation labels attached to the seats saying that they're reserved for staff. Although these labels do go missing far too often...

Also, for clarity, they aren't locked out of use, they work as normal but are signed no entrt. Seemed to start around June from memory.

For the first couple of weeks they were locked out of use, however that instruction was removed.

 

[DanNCL]

Also, for clarity, they aren't locked out of use, they work as normal but are signed no entrt. Seemed to start around June from memory.

The door nearest the buffet counter on the LNER units is also marked as such, whilst still working as normal.

 

[Peter C]

Yep, the first five or so rows are all showing as reserved for the entire journey, and there's red reservation labels attached to the seats saying that they're reserved for staff. Although these labels do go missing far too often...

Thanks again. You mention that first class used to be used for the same purpose, so I assume this has been happening for a while, but is it likely to carry on into the future, or is it temporary?

-Peter

 

[LordCreed]

Thanks again. You mention that first class used to be used for the same purpose, so I assume this has been happening for a while, but is it likely to carry on into the future, or is it temporary?

-Peter

Yeah, First Class was used since the beginning of covid restrictions. As the end door of the kitchen coach is a staff only door, the external signage wasn't necessary.

I imagine it's temporary, but I wouldn't know how long etc...

 

[Peter C]

Yeah, First Class was used since the beginning of covid restrictions. As the end door of the kitchen coach is a staff only door, the external signage wasn't necessary.

I imagine it's temporary, but I wouldn't know how long etc...

Ah cool. It's an interesting thing to see I suppose!

-Peter

 

[Horizon22]

On GWR it was moved from 1st class due to a hike in 1st class bookings. Hence the 20-24 seats being marked and block-booked for crew, although the Train Manager can remove / reduce this number at their discretion if the train is packed. It started in Late May and seems to be until further notice right now.

 

[Peter C]

On GWR it was moved from 1st class due to a hike in 1st class bookings. Hence the 20-24 seats being marked and block-booked for crew, although the Train Manager can remove / reduce this number at their discretion if the train is packed. It started in Late May and seems to be until further notice right now.

Thanks for the explanation.

-Peter

 

[HamworthyGoods]

On GWR it was moved from 1st class due to a hike in 1st class bookings. Hence the 20-24 seats being marked and block-booked for crew, although the Train Manager can remove / reduce this number at their discretion if the train is packed. It started in Late May and seems to be until further notice right now.

Do they really expect 20 crew to be travelling on the service? Seems a bit high!

 

[JN114]

Do they really expect 20 crew to be travelling on the service? Seems a bit high!

No, but 6 or 7 isn’t unheard of; and providing space for social distancing (as an employer was essentially obliged to do when it was introduced), 5 or 6 rows is about right - 1 per full row, alternate side window seats.

 

[YorksLad12]

The door nearest the buffet counter on the LNER units is also marked as such, whilst still working as normal.

Interesting; I travelled in G last week and used that door, as did lots of other people (on at Leeds, off at KX). Is "Don't use this door" a Covid thing? Bit annoying if your seat is at one end of the carriage and you have to get on at the other with your suitcase.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

So do they double up if its 2x5 cars?

 

[tiptoptaff]

So do they double up if its 2x5 cars?

Of a sort.

The labels will still physically be there but the electronic reservations will drop off as its only in carriage A

 

[KT530]

And completely ignored by passengers and not enforced by the Guard, so you’ll often see staff in first class for safety.

 

[tiptoptaff]

And completely ignored by passengers and not enforced by the Guard, so you’ll often see staff in first class for safety.

Much of a muchness, as 1st is usually busier, especially on the 5s

 

[Goldfish62]

And completely ignored by passengers and not enforced by the Guard, so you’ll often see staff in first class for safety.

Hahahaha! My GWR friends think it's all a load of nonsense anyway!

 

[Horizon22]

Just a note this goes down to just 6 seats from 20th September.

 

[davetheguard]

Just a note this goes down to just 6 seats from 20th September.

Good, a much more realistic number.

 

[southern442]

Is this the same reason it's been happening on SWR's 158/159 fleet?

 

[221129]

Is this the same reason it's been happening on SWR's 158/159 fleet?

No. That has always been the case for the leading driving cab. And they are physically locked as well I believe.

 

[158747]

No. That has always been the case for the leading driving cab. And they are physically locked as well I believe.

The SWR 158 and 159 leading doors are not physically locked, the exterior door buttons are disabled when the driving cab is in use, the door buttons that operate the door from passenger accommodation into front vestibule are also disabled.