Operations Director Paul Watson`s Response to National Express
The following transcripts are from emails between National Express Driver Steve Wakelam, National Express Driver Manager Paul Lartey and TPE Operations Director Paul Watson.
Email 29th June 2009
The following transcripts are from emails between National Express Driver Steve Wakelam, National Express Driver Manager Paul Lartey and TPE Operations Director Paul Watson.
Email 29th June 2009
Steve`s main concerns above, are that the TPE 185 units run over the same routes as National Express trains, his worry is that if one of National Express employees had to be on or around the track side, which could be for a variety of reasons, a TPE 185 unit might not be able to give an adequate warning to the member of staff that his or her train was approaching.
Points of note:
1. Horns and wipers on these units cannot be trusted to work, and often
fail!
2. Even though these faults are and were reported on a regular basis, these units were kept in service and TPE Management were fully aware of the problems!
Email 1st July 2009
Points of note:
1. Horns and wipers on these units cannot be trusted to work, and often
fail!
2. Even though these faults are and were reported on a regular basis, these units were kept in service and TPE Management were fully aware of the problems!
Email 1st July 2009
National Express Manager Paul Lartey makes a valid point, that TPE Drivers should raise their concerns using their own procedures. I do not have to even answer that issue, this website is testament to what happens when issues are reported, IGNORANCE. Lets also remember I was an H&S Rep for many years, I couldn`t even get acceptable facilities to do this job.
Email 6th July 2009
Email 6th July 2009
Points of note:
1. The horns on 185 units cannot be relied upon to work in cold weather
and in any weather when they travel above 75mph.
2. Concerns over being party to an incident involving a 185 unit that has a faulty warning horn.
Email 20th July 2009
1. The horns on 185 units cannot be relied upon to work in cold weather
and in any weather when they travel above 75mph.
2. Concerns over being party to an incident involving a 185 unit that has a faulty warning horn.
Email 20th July 2009
So Operations Director Paul Watson tells National Express Driver Manager Paul Lartey that there are no problems affecting the 185 fleet as alleged?
We shall see later in this section what Ops Director Paul Watson actually says.
Emails 17th August 2009 and 28th July 2009
We shall see later in this section what Ops Director Paul Watson actually says.
Emails 17th August 2009 and 28th July 2009
The bottom line of these 3 emails is that National Express Manager Paul Lartey believes what he has been told and emailed from TPE Operations Director Paul Watson.
"(a) In terms of our 185`s we do have failures of equipment from time to time as do most fleets around the industry. (b) We like colleagues, have procedures in place to remove them from service, (c) when these arise and maintenance regimes to rectify. (d) We also track for trends. (e) We are satisfied that we are compliant with all requirements".
(a). Trying to deflect away from TPE`s responsibility by implying that other fleets are the same.
(b). Yet again implying the term, "like others", in respect of "colleagues",
clearly after empathy because of the situation he is in.
(c). Procedures in place? Partial Failure of a warning horn:- Train remains
in service with no restrictions regarding speed. Look at my section
titled, "Warning Horns (The Shocking Truth)", this is evidence which
shows just how bad these procedures and maintenance are.
(d). "Track for trends"? These warning horn faults have been evident for
years, what use is tracking for trends?
(e). Compliant with what? I ask anyone, just read, "Warning Horns (The
Shocking Truth)", Surely to god, this is not classed as being compliant.
As we can see, this response from Operations Director Paul Watson does not answer the questions asked by National Express Driver Steve Wakelam, he also ducks the warning horn failures by only mentioning "equipment" in terms of failures.
Steve stated:
Horns and wipers on these units cannot be trusted to work, and often fail!
The horns on 185 units cannot be relied upon to work in cold weather and in any weather when they travel above 75mph.
Email 21st August 2009
"(a) In terms of our 185`s we do have failures of equipment from time to time as do most fleets around the industry. (b) We like colleagues, have procedures in place to remove them from service, (c) when these arise and maintenance regimes to rectify. (d) We also track for trends. (e) We are satisfied that we are compliant with all requirements".
(a). Trying to deflect away from TPE`s responsibility by implying that other fleets are the same.
(b). Yet again implying the term, "like others", in respect of "colleagues",
clearly after empathy because of the situation he is in.
(c). Procedures in place? Partial Failure of a warning horn:- Train remains
in service with no restrictions regarding speed. Look at my section
titled, "Warning Horns (The Shocking Truth)", this is evidence which
shows just how bad these procedures and maintenance are.
(d). "Track for trends"? These warning horn faults have been evident for
years, what use is tracking for trends?
(e). Compliant with what? I ask anyone, just read, "Warning Horns (The
Shocking Truth)", Surely to god, this is not classed as being compliant.
As we can see, this response from Operations Director Paul Watson does not answer the questions asked by National Express Driver Steve Wakelam, he also ducks the warning horn failures by only mentioning "equipment" in terms of failures.
Steve stated:
Horns and wipers on these units cannot be trusted to work, and often fail!
The horns on 185 units cannot be relied upon to work in cold weather and in any weather when they travel above 75mph.
Email 21st August 2009
On Fri, 21/8/09,
Steve Wakelam <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Steve Wakelam <[email protected]>
Subject: 185 units
To: "paul lartey" <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, 21 August, 2009, 10:37 AM
Paul
Just been sent this
Thought you might be interested.
It clearly shows that TPE are fully aware of a design fault, and warning horns can fail at any time!
I know that Drivers do need to report these things in the correct way but that is no good if the horn fails, just as you are trying to give a warning and cannot because it randomly fails.
Not sure what they told you in your phone conversations but hope that they did mention this.
Maybe it is time to send or post a letter to our staff warning them of this. We do work over the same routes and this could be dangerous.
Regards
Steve
The following information was attached to this email:-
First transforming travel
transpennine express
Fleet Update
Period 10
(07/12/08-03/01/09)
"Your feedback is important”
Class 185 horns
The issue of class 185 air horn defects is one problem about which FTPE drivers wish to know what is happening. Since introduction, horn faults have become prevalent during the winter months especially during damp conditions. A number of alterations to the system have already been on carried out in the form of pressure regulators, non-return valves, settings and adjustments. We have discussed the matter further with Siemens and the following protocol will now be followed:-
• Reported horn defects will be endorsed as "checked against specification", with details of rectification work or found to be compliant with specification (as applicable).
• 'NFF' or 'working on arrival' at depot shall no longer be acceptable answers.
• Siemens producing an action plan for managing and rectifying horn faults.
• Assistance from FTPE to investigate in service and provide the necessary detailed information on the reported fault.
We will update on progress with this matter.
So Operations Director Paul Watson was fully aware of these warning horn defects, but decided not to inform National Express of this, I find this an absolute disgrace, every train operating company should have been made aware of this, so that they could warn their staff to be extra careful in circumstances where they might have to be on or around the track side. BASIC COMMON SENSE!
From: Steve Wakelam <[email protected]>
Subject: 185 units
To: "paul lartey" <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, 21 August, 2009, 10:37 AM
Paul
Just been sent this
Thought you might be interested.
It clearly shows that TPE are fully aware of a design fault, and warning horns can fail at any time!
I know that Drivers do need to report these things in the correct way but that is no good if the horn fails, just as you are trying to give a warning and cannot because it randomly fails.
Not sure what they told you in your phone conversations but hope that they did mention this.
Maybe it is time to send or post a letter to our staff warning them of this. We do work over the same routes and this could be dangerous.
Regards
Steve
The following information was attached to this email:-
First transforming travel
transpennine express
Fleet Update
Period 10
(07/12/08-03/01/09)
"Your feedback is important”
Class 185 horns
The issue of class 185 air horn defects is one problem about which FTPE drivers wish to know what is happening. Since introduction, horn faults have become prevalent during the winter months especially during damp conditions. A number of alterations to the system have already been on carried out in the form of pressure regulators, non-return valves, settings and adjustments. We have discussed the matter further with Siemens and the following protocol will now be followed:-
• Reported horn defects will be endorsed as "checked against specification", with details of rectification work or found to be compliant with specification (as applicable).
• 'NFF' or 'working on arrival' at depot shall no longer be acceptable answers.
• Siemens producing an action plan for managing and rectifying horn faults.
• Assistance from FTPE to investigate in service and provide the necessary detailed information on the reported fault.
We will update on progress with this matter.
So Operations Director Paul Watson was fully aware of these warning horn defects, but decided not to inform National Express of this, I find this an absolute disgrace, every train operating company should have been made aware of this, so that they could warn their staff to be extra careful in circumstances where they might have to be on or around the track side. BASIC COMMON SENSE!