Never a Dull Moment! by Collins Terry;

Author:Collins, Terry; [Collins, Terry;]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: memoir;railways;working life;railways in Britain;entertaining memories
Publisher: Conrad Press, The
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine - The General Purpose Relief (GPR) Controller Grade C

General Purpose Relief (GPR) and Rest Day Relief (RDR) Grade ‘C’

Rolling Stock Control

A Grade ‘C’ Post became a vacancy when its occupant was promoted to the Rest Day Relief (RDR) Controller Grade ‘C’. Not too many people were keen to take the job. In those days, GPR staff could have their duties changed at twelve hours’ notice, which played havoc with their social life, and in the summer months they would often find themselves on night duty for several consecutive weeks as their colleagues chose their Annual Leave when they should have been on night duty.

They also had to go to whichever Grade ‘C’ panel they were sent to, so there was little continuity.

I began to spend some spare time learning about the Grade ‘C’ panels, looking at the paperwork and talking to the Controllers. From 18th April 1979, when the vacancy first occurred, I began covering the Grade ‘C’ GPR, at the higher rate of pay.

I was based mainly on the Rolling Stock Panel to begin with, after a short period of learning. When the vacancy was advertised I applied for the job on a permanent basis.

On June 4th, I was accorded an interview. Ron C, the Chief Controller took it, along with a member of the Staff Office. I was warned about the unpredictability of shifts and panels in the GPR position, which I accepted.

On June 11th 1979, my appointment was confirmed. I was given seniority back dated to April 18th. And so, quite literally, a new chapter began in my career, and begins in this book.

“The Doc” and the professional telling off was one of my abiding memories of this early time in my career as a grade ‘C’ Controller. I had had a very brief spell of learning on the Rolling Stock Control Panel and was still a little unsure of some of the paperwork. So when, on early turn, the Maintenance Control at Croydon gave me a list of unit numbers, I filled in the ‘Maintenance Completed’ form with those numbers. I made a neat job of it.

The only problem was that the units whose numbers I had been given were actually required for maintenance. They had not been worked on at all. I made a similar gaff with another form. No harm was done but it meant a lot of work for the person who relieved me. That person was ‘The Doc.’

By mischance, after early turn on the Rolling Stock Panel, I had agreed to do four hours overtime on my old Area Three Panel.

So I was there when ‘The Doc’ discovered my mistake. ‘Whoooose filled all this in,’ came the querulous demand.

I owned up at once. Putting my hand up I said, ‘I did Doc.’

The words, ‘You stupid -**!!, accompanied by the pointing finger, streamed out from the panel. The language went on for some time, and I really believe he did not stop to draw breath or use the same word twice.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.