[robowombat]

Evey day it seems I read something that astounds me about the collapse of standards. My father was a career railway engineer. The few times I was permitted to visit him in the working area always required me being introduced to the (at least) assistant yardmaster as a way of vetting my presence. I was never allowed to be in the cab during actual train movement and the only time I had an on the job visit was when my dad was working a yard job never a through freight let alone a passenger job. This story reflects a complete collapse of discipline at all levels in Midland Rail. Its not just the operating employees that engaged in these disgraceful antics that the hammer should fall on but the management team as well starting with the superintendent of operations, the railway police and the office of the road foreman and the assistant road foreman of engines. For operating employees to engage in these acts indicates a long term decline of discipline and professionalism and the rot starts at the top.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

It may have been part of the latest union contract.

[Stoat]

This story reflects a complete collapse of discipline at all levels in Midland Rail.

I have no doubt that your father, by contrast, performed his job safely and admirably and always kept passenger safety at the top of his concerns.  This story, in my view, not only highlights a collapse of discipline as you so very rightly state, but also a complete lack of self-respect and the professionalism that stems from that.  For a person charged with such a job and the immense responsibilities that go with it to even consider such a thing as this is mind-boggling to me.

Hopefully the perpetrators will be quickly apprehended and made an example of.