Question: Without exception, guards seem to return to the rear of a Sprinter or
Pacer to operate the doors, even though there is an identical set of
controls at both ends. Is there a rule saying that the guard has to
operate the doors from the rear end of the unit? If so, why? And why
then is it OK for Merseyrail guards to operate the doors from any
location in the train? Any information about sentinel CCTV ?
Answer:You're not far off the mark. OK, I'm junior to you but I write this on
very good authority.
Don't forget that this time last year, fNW were trying to force a change
in the method of working of 150 and 156 units, (OK, you don't sign DMUs,
and I don't sign EMUs) but also in 323s the driver was going to open the
doors and the guard was going to close them.
18 months ago, NoSp was going to use the "Sentinel" CCTV system for DOD
on certain lines until the RMT kicked up a fuss. You might remember
seeing something about *that* in RailSnooze. I'm pretty sure that some
sort of DO method of working was envisaged when the units rolled off the
production line, and TPTB have been trying to get it in ever since.
