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Do railtour operations need a unified voice ?

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by steamvideosnet, Aug 5, 2012.

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Do we need a unified voice for railtour operations

  1. Yes we need the return of SLOA

    4 vote(s)
    5.9%
  2. Yes we need something but not SLOA

    27 vote(s)
    39.7%
  3. No it's ok as it is

    24 vote(s)
    35.3%
  4. No but it is not ok as it is

    9 vote(s)
    13.2%
  5. n/a, don't care etc

    4 vote(s)
    5.9%
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  1. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Maybe you should name and shame if you feel that strongly ?
     
  2. the-gog

    the-gog Member

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    I'm not Spartacus! :laugh:
     
  3. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Well of course we're a crowd of oddballs, but if taking an interest in a Great British invention and seeking to preserve it in the best way possible is odd, I plead guilty..

    Obviously I appreciate the humour intended here, and it's much needed on this thread as others will probably agree.

    Unfortunately, it's not uncommon among those that don't like change to continually "big up" the status quo and atempt to distract attention from the evidence against them with diversionary tactics such as those seen in use on this thread.

    The evidence of considerable disquiet regarding the current scene among the majority of members on here is mounting however with a considerable number of damning posts having been made over the last couple of hours.

    The toilet situation is a difficult one actually, and one where I would have some sympathy with Promoters provided they can evidence the fact the stock is always delivered to it's first joining station with all the toilets 100% clean, tidy and working. Any that aren't should be locked out of use. After that, it's a bit of a lottery as human beings being what they sometimes are, and especially the male of the species I'm ashamed to say, the condition of toilets can be compromised subsequently.

    Now JD Wetherspoon, of whom many on here are regular customers I'm sure have a system of inspection for their toilets which by and large works quite well I think, (though in my local branch one of the cubicles had a door missing for six months), but never the less the intention is there. Maybe SD, RTC, VT and co should try something similar ? It wouldn't be easy I grant you, and might be expensive if it involved taking on someone to act as a "duty cleaner", but it could make the difference between converting a first time booking into a repeat one or putting someone off steam tours for life so the long term cost could be less than you might think.

    I could be tempted to suggest that coach stewards become multi skilled and wear an "express cleaning kit" around their waist as is also common in "Spoons" now since Mr. Martin introduced them, but that might encourage the creation of a lynch mob so I better keep the idea to myself !
     
  4. tromba

    tromba New Member

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    Sorry - I thought (reading back through some previous threads) that a few jabs were perfectly acceptable on here! Say what you will - at least I am a realist!

    Now, getting the tour operators / stock suppliers to clean up their act (toilet-wise) is something that they should take note of and work to improve.

    Can we extend the same request to the airlines as well? It seems that any heavily used toilet facility in a confined space gets pretty messed up after a few hours of continued use. But you are right. There is no excuse for a lack of toilet paper, etc.

    Has anyone tried calling / writing / emailing the tour operators directly? I am sure they would take more notice from direct contact rather than some rather lengthy rants (I cannot think of any other way to describe them) on here that they may or may not read.

    Several folks on here (maybe it’s the same one arguing with him or herself?) obviously have an agenda or ulterior motive. Have they ever tried doing it themselves or even offering their (self proclaimed) expansive knowledge of the inner workings of the industry to assist what is a high-cost low-margin industry rather than trying to whip up some support for a class-action lawsuit that wouldn’t pass the laugh test?

    Yes Frank, Hamish and others – I am talking to you!

    In conclusion: Certain things will not be changed by multi-page wafflings on here such as NetRail’s monopoly of the UK rail network.

    Some things could be changed by putting pressure on the operators directly and I think Frank correctly listed them a few posts back, so I will refrain from repeating him.

    Stop typing War-and-Peace on here whilst sitting on your couch watching the Olympics and do something about it!
     
  5. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Very poor show yes, and completely unnecessary.

    SD won't be able to excuse this by parading further tit bits about their greatly anticipated "new train" if the toilet in the stock delivered that day was dirty before a single passenger got on board ?

    I would hope one of their representatives are looking into it. Can I ask whether you reported your finding to anybody on finding it ?
     
  6. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Suspect something similar could be behind the mysterious, (and very sudden) leap forward by the "yellow line" ?
     
  7. Ben Vintage-Trains

    Ben Vintage-Trains Member

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    I will be the first to admit that at times on long trips, the toilet situation has become an issue. Our trains always start out with clean toilets and they are cleaned again during the breaks, but there can be a lengthy period inbetween when the stewards are tasked with regularly replenishing the TP, but.........

    It does seem to be a trait of the male spieces that when standing up on a moving train and therefore presented with a lurching target, our aim can be a little off!

    I willl endevor to take a page out of other public bathroom operations and set up an inspection schedule on our next lengthy trip - 18th August to Llandudno. Let's see if it improves the situation.

    We do need to co-operation of the passengers as well. Filling the sink to overflowing to wash your hands, then letting the water slop all over the floor really doesn't help matters.

    Regards.

    Ben
     
  8. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Great response Ben, and typical of the "can do", pro-active and positive attitude of VT if I may say so. Given the majority of customers are still men of "vintage" heritage themselves, you can't blame this on the "youth of today".

    It wouldn't be unreasonable to describe the toilets on some tours as "no go areas" that should be sectioned off with blue coloured tape by the end of some of the longer tours !

    I hope other Promoters will take note of VT's example here !
     
  9. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    I did email one Rolling Stock provider and a Tour Operator about the lack of heating, and lighting on one tour to London.

    After reading other comments, I still wonder if enough has done to ensure that rolling stock is fit for its purpose.
     
  10. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Whatever the reason for that it's hardly an exhaustive survey no matter what the outcome. Not sure now many NatPres members there are but the number of people voting is but a small percentage of the overall membership.
     
  11. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Seems we have a new member literally just joined, only made 4 posts, and he is already telling people what to do & slagging people off.
     
  12. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    I think you'll find "He" is a "She" unless you're talking about a different member ?
     
  13. the-gog

    the-gog Member

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    buseng was referring to tromba
     
  14. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    So why can't Tromba be female?
     
  15. the-gog

    the-gog Member

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    I didn't make any comment on whether Tromba is male or female, did I.
     
  16. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    I know, that's why I made the point I did having looked at "About Me"
     
  17. railrover

    railrover Member

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    Shall we take a vote on it?
     
  18. eco082007

    eco082007 Member Account Suspended

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    Check the profile details, no need for a vote !
     
  19. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    What's to say the profile details are accurate? You can put any name you like.
     
  20. Northern Union

    Northern Union New Member Account Suspended

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    Tour Operators Taliban have been out in force
     
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