A Day Away

A had a day away from the trains yesterday.

As part of my P&D (performance and development) I asked to spend the day in the Line Controller's Office.

I speak to these people on a daily basis but have never seen any of them. And have never seen what they really do!!!

So I arrived at the controllers office for the start of the afternoon shift. I was given the tour round and shown where everything was. Including where all the signals are controlled from and who controls them and also some of the Line Controller's from a different line.

It was a fairly quiet afternoon and not a lot really happened. But even with the service running smoothly with no major problems. I was surprised to see that the controller doesn't stop. There is always something, no matter how small, that needs to be sorted.

I was also surprised to see how the controller gets treated by some of my colleagues! At the end of the day he is only doing his job, but some drivers are just so rude!!!

I had a good day up there and learnt a few things that I didn't know about before.

And who knows, maybe one day when I get bored driving trains, I might decide to become a Line Controller.

Some Thanks At Last!!!

I often say that the job I do is very thank-less. I go from day to day without a thank you from anyone.

So imagine my surprise when I got a Thanks To You award today.

I got asked to go up to our TOM's office (Train Operations Manager) at the end of my meal break. Thinking it was for something totally different I went off to see him.

I had a box and an envelope put into my hands. I was then told to check the contents and sign for it.

I opened up the box to find a framed certificate with my name on it. Saying that I had been awarded a Silver Award, for something that I had done back in January and forgotten all about!!!

I then went on to check the contents of the envelope. Imagine my surprise to find enclosed £100 of Capital Bonds Vouchers.

Oxford Street here I come!!!

Back To Work For A Rest

Ive just had a lovely week off work. Although it was very busy and hectic.

As well as going over to Wales last weekend, Ive been all over the place.

Monday and Tuesday were fairly quiet.

Wednesday I popped across to Disneyland Paris for the day. I am a huge Disney fan. I had a great day over there, although it was very hectic. As I've been there before I knew exactly what I wanted to go on. So I planned my day out to the max to get in everything I wanted to do.

Thursday I was out all day shopping with my sister.

Then Friday it was up to Lincoln to visit some of my best friends. Friday night was a good laugh. It was on with the wheels and off to a Roller Disco. I haven't had roller skates on for approx 20 years!!! But I hadn't forgotten how to skate and didn't fall over once.

Saturday we drove own to London to go and see The London Roller Girls VS The Irn Bruisers,
from Glasgow. In a Roller Derby Bout. It was great. Quite a few of my friends do Roller Derby and I have been tempted to join up and do it to. But what with the shift work and the high risk of injury I have decided against it (for now). I will be a cheerleader on wheels though for my friends team.

So all in all I've had a great week off work. But I'll be glad to go back to work tomorrow for a rest!!!!

Poxy Train Service!!!

I am of course referring to National Rail, and their wonderful service over the Bank Holiday.

I had to travel to North Wales with my other half to collect a car yesterday. Even though I knew about the bank holiday and that there was a lot of engineering work going on, I didn't realise how bad it was going to be!!!

I sorted out all the arrangements as my other half is totally useless when it comes to that sort of thing!!!

We decided to go nice and early and left my house at 5.30 am.

I live out in Upminster, Essex. So we jumped onto the first train of the day to Fenchurch Street. Then it was along the District line to Victoria. Stop for a quick cuppa and a bite to eat. It was then along to Victoria Coach Station and onto a coach to Birmingham. We then had to get a taxi from Birmingham coach station to Birmingham Train Station. A quick loo and cuppa stop and it was onto the train to Shrewsbury. Arrived at Shrewsbury an hour later then changed trains to Bangor. The last part of the journey.

We finally arrived at Bangor station just before 4.00 pm!!!

I was glad when we picked up the car and went to the hotel for a much deserved nap.

The drive back today was a lot quicker and easier.

I hope next time he buys a car its a bit more local!!!

What I Do For A Living

I thought I would start off my new blog career with an explanation of what I actually do for a living.
I am an Instructor Operator for London Underground. This means that I am first and foremost a train driver. But it also means that I get the fun job of training the new recruits how to drive a train.

There are currently 16 Instructor Operators (or I/O's) on the line I drive on and at present I am the only female one. I must admit though I really enjoy my job.

Some of the new trainee's we get pick up driving really easily and take to it like a duck to water. Others, well....... what can I say. Some people are just not cut out to drive a train!!!

I have a new trainee with me this week who has picked up driving a train very quickly. It was his second day of driving today and he coped really well with all the disruptions that went on today. He worked as a CSA for approx 7 months which definitely helps.

It takes approximately 6 months to train as a driver, so my job is vital in getting the new drivers out there.

I also have to put up with the odd bit of abuse from Station Supervisors!!!http://londonundergroundlife.blogspot.com/

Going Round In Circles - Part 2

I started doing a blog last year called Going Round In Circles.

After a short time of writing it I ran out of this to blog about. So I stopped doing it.

A lot has changed since then, so Ive decided to resurrect my blog.

It will be mostly about my work life as an Instructor Operator on London Underground. But occasionally a bit about my life may also slip in. If something makes me happy, gets on my nerves or just gets in my mind, I will write about it on here.

So I hope you enjoy this blog (if you don't then you don't have to read it!!!)