Modern Railways Pictorial Magazine, June 1983 Issue

IT WOULD be interesting to know.if a would-be passenger on BR has ever managed to get a reply from tht train enquiries' telephone number atEuston station. The numbers published hi the telephone directory are perpetually engaged. In the unlikely event of the number ringing callers join a queueing system with seemingly interminable delays. In contrast, the enquiry number of British Caledonian Airways consistently has a fast speed-of-answer by staff who give the impression that they are anxious to encourage business. At many enquiry counters overworked clerks are dealing with members of the public at the counter while up to 10 telephone lines 'flash' unanswered on 'key and lamp' concentrators on desks behind them. Local station telephone numbers are usually not published, presumably because the railmen on duty do not have the time to pursue complex timetable queries. The only other solution provided by BR is to provide enquiry numbers with recorded messages which give only basic 'A to B' information, from a machine which is incapable of answering supplementary questions or giving details of fares, etc. Passengers can, of course, purchase an all-line timetable but with two major supplements issued during the past year BR's communications with the travelling public are at a very low ebb. The problem is reflected in other ways, such as the common failure to communicate with passengers waiting on platforms at secondary stations when trains are running late. It is easy to be critical but an inability to secure information is time consuming and frustrating for the traveller. While BR's income from football specials continues to prosper it is interesting to reflect on the fares charged for Footex passengers compared with those imposed for railway enthusiasts' Chartex specials. While railfans were paying £15 in March to travel around GE suburban lines behind a Class 50, Norwich football supporters managed to get Class 37 haulage to Hove for half that fare! There have been numerous occasions on which the 'Jeremiahs' of BR's operating sections have shaken their heads at sensible rail tour proposals and yet, immediately a locomotive fails, Class 73s work to Birmingham and Class 40s arrive at Paddington — to quote but two recent examples. There has been some relaxation of rules in recent months with Class 56s appearing on rail tours and pairs of Class 40s thundering down the WCML, so perhaps there will be light at the end of the tunnel. It will be a sad day indeed -when BR's operators feel unable to woo their most ardent supporters, or to cater for their rail touring needs — a source of business resulting in much-needed income. In the July issue ofMRP there will be a glimpse inside Derby Litchurch Lane Works, Railrover takes his camera to Cardiff, while in Picture Parade the work of Michael J. Collins is featured. In the south there will be an item on Diesels at Brighton while in the north the town of Shipley, Yorks is in focus. Railscene, Works Round-up and Stocklist
will bring you the news in words and pictures. Add to this Photoguide and Special Spot and it is easy to see why MRP is so popular. Order your copy today.