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● G.M. 2450 h.p. locomotive No. 084 of Class 071 (1976) in Inchicore Works for overhaul during the 1992 visit to Ireland by members of the Institution
IRELAND VISIT
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THIS highly successful visit started in Dublin, the programme including visits to North Wall goods yard where there is a large daily traffic in container trains, and its controlling signal box, the C.T.C. panel box, controlling main line movements and the D.A.R.T. panels. At Inchicore the works, machine, wagon and carriage shops were seen and also the running shed.
Next came the D.A.R.T. maintenance depot at Fairview, after which during the journey to Bray there was an opportunity to see A.T.P. functioning in service.
A trip to Belfast enabled visits to be made to Adelaide goods yard, York Road works and the central service depot. On the party's free day, members travelled to Waterford (a chance of some footplate riding on this journey), to Galway and to Wexford among the destinations. The final group visit was to Cork yard and loco shed.
This week had many other visits and meetings to produce a most enjoyable and absorbing time for all concerned — our party numbered 19 with the very welcome presence of Mrs Salmon, Mrs Kirkland and Mrs Barrett. The whole party appreciated the true Irish hospitality and friendship shown during the week and, in the words of organiser and General Secretary John Lunn: "being in the company of railwaymen of the highest order".
International Driving
IN the Annual Report for last year we noted that our member Terry Clark (formerly NSE South Central driver, Tattenham Corner) was among the first intake of drivers selected for training as an International Driver. Terry has sent us the following notes on his experiences to date:
I am now employed by European Passenger Services as an International Driver. European Passenger Services (EPS) is a new British Rail subsidiary set up to operate and market passenger train services (in co-
My first year as a driver for EPS has been one of constant learning. I have had to learn both French and Belgian train rules and regulations as well as learning the route I will be driving the international trains along.
Language training is currently being carried out at the Polytechnic of North London at Holloway and the Polytechnic of West London at Slough. The training is intensive as EPS require their drivers to have a high standard of French. The teachers at both Polytechnics are not only
excellent at language tuition but are experts at boosting confidence too!
I have found learning the railway rules and regulations for different countries a lot easier that the language training, having been a train driver for British Rail for some years. In fact, a requirement for employment as an international train driver with EPS is a minimum of five years train driving experience.
After three weeks of classroom work in French rules, I went to the French depot at Tours to observe train operations for a week. Following that, I went to the Belgian depot at Mons to see their rules in operation.
All the drivers, including myself, have enjoyed going to France and staying with families there to help with our language training. Most recently I spent ten days in Rouen and three weeks in Lille 'en famille' where I experienced the warmth and generosity that the French hospitality has.
Study trips were also arranged and one included an interesting visit to the Paluel Nuclear Power Station where we saw electricity being produced for use by Eurotunnel. We also viewed the reactor unit and steam turbines.
At the Police Academy in Roubaix some of the drivers were given instruction on compiling incident reports for the French Police authorities. We listened intently to a lecture on immigration and passport control and how the French Police will prepare to deal with any incidents involving the international trains. All the lectures and talks are conducted in French.
Very soon I will be starting my 240 hours simulator training on the Class 373 Eurostar trains and the Class 92 loco that will head the international night services. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Eurostar trains and for the start of services. It certainly looks as if 1993 will be as varied and interesting as 1992 has been for me and the other new drivers.
Nous souhaitons a Terry el ses confreres bonne chance el nos felicitations pour leurs nouvelles carrières
Members at the Northern Ireland Railways C.S.D. during the visit to Ireland in September 1992. Third from right is our host Mr K. McKnight, centre is Mrs Kirkland, with husband and London centre vice-
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
AS 1992 draws to a close, I look back over the year that has seen membership grow by a staggering 70% and the establishment of a new centre based in the West of England. This has only been made possible by the hard work put in by members of the Institution, particularly the Secretaries, John Lunn and Nick Edwards
I believe that there are members or potential members who could establish centres at other locations for example the West Midlands or Yorkshire. Let's set a target of opening another centre in 1993.
In the next few years we will see major changes to our railway industry with many potential private operators establishing themselves and many of our members likely to find themselves working for a different employer. Our revised rules allow for these changes, but why wait until then to spread our wings? London Transport, Manchester Metrolink and Tyne & Wear Metro all offer opportunities for new members and branches!
J. LEWIS
THE GENERAL
SECRETARY WRITES
THE YEAR 1992 has been a memorable one for the Institution. At the end of 1991 we had 154 members, and I wondered how close we might get to the magic 200 by December 1992. Well, as I write this in November, membership stands at 269* and a new centre has been established in the West of England.
Attending the opening meeting of the West of England centre at Exeter on 12 October was a marvellous experience — the membership in Bristol/Exeter has gone from three at the turn of the year to 75 today. It is, of course, the hope of the council and I that more centres will open up in other parts of the country.
We are the Institution for all railway staff and managers, with the simple aim of bringing all dedicated railway staff together to learn and to exchange ideas in a friendly atmosphere. Do join us. more centres will open up in other parts of the country.
We are the Institution for all railway staff and managers, with the simple aim of bringing all dedicated railway staff together to learn and to exchange ideas in a friendly atmosphere. Do join us. more centres will open up in other parts of the country.
Our winter meetings continue to be well supported, with attendance figures now averaging between 25 and 30 per meeting; likewise, the various visits made this summer have been well supported and of quite a varied nature. Included in our programme have been visits to the Networker driver simulator at the Waterloo Training School, Didcot Power Station and Westinghouse Signals Division.
JOHN LUNN
* By the end of the year membership total had reached 280
.
IT IS particularly pleasing to note that among new members in 1992 are three from London Underground Limited. At one time, members from the Underground formed a significant and specialist part of our membership, but in recent years the connection has declined. We hope that we shall welcome more LUL members soon.
THE maintenance of the ever-