With deep regret we report the passing of retired Waterloo driver and ASLEF representative Len Holloway.

The service is to be held at the Grove Park Cemetery on Friday 17th January at 11:00.

After the service, refreshments will be served at the Railway Telegraph Pub, 112 Stansted Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 1BS.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Strawberry Hill driver Mark Hutchins.
Many of us knew Mark by the nickname Butch.

The service will be held at Hanworth crematorium on the 28th January 2020, at 14:00 hours.

A notice has been issued regarding unsafe conditions on the raised walkway between the Reception and Shunting Neck that we know as Poole Sidings.



The notice was issued by Weymouth Health and Saftey on the 4th of February 2020.

As of the 6th of February 2020, and after minor remedial work, Poole sidings raised walkway has been passed fit for use as a walking route when berthing class 444/450 units (5/4 car formations ONLY and exiting via the LONDON end cab door) when NOT going beyond the 5 car mark and wholly accommodated on the waikway DURING THE HOURS OF DAYLIGHT ONLY as the lighting continues to be inadequate and not fit for purpose, also the country end of the walkway is in need of repair and is not fit for use.

ANY OTHER FORMATION requiring to be berthed in the sidings MUST HAVE A COMPETENT PERSON in the London end cab to ensure that the rear of the train is within 15 metres of the London end walkway steps. If a competent person is not provided then berthing should not be carried out. In ALL cases train crew must alight via the London end cab door after walking through the train.

ALL TRACTION TYPES AND FORMATIONS CAN ENTER THE SIDINGS IF THE DRIVER IS BOOKED TO BRING THE UNIT OUT WITHOUT ALIGHTING.

These conditions will be reviewed in 7 days to ascertain whether the remedial work required has been carried out.

For those that don't know, the normal method of applying for Ad-Hoc leave is suspended for specified days over the Christmas and New Year period and replaced by a draw.

Anyone that wishes Ad-Hoc for the following dates ...

• CHRISTMAS EVE THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER 2020
• SUNDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2020
• NEW YEARS EVE THURSDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2020
• NEW YEARS DAY FRIDAY 1ST JANUARY 2021

... Must submit an Ad-Hoc leave draw form to Waterloo LDC no later than the 1st of May 2020.

The draw will be carried out WC 04.05.2020 by the Waterloo LDC.

All applicants for each day will have their names put into a container, then drawn randomly one by one. The first person drawn for a particular day will be given number 1, second person 2 etc... until all applicants have been drawn. The full list will then be given to CRO. Those within the depot quota will get leave. If the CRO can grant leave over the depot quota, this will be done in strict draw order. Anyone applying for ad-hoc after the draw deadline will be added to the bottom of the list in the order received.

The result of the draw will be posted in the members area. If you want to apply, go see the LDC and get a form. The LDC are currently located in the office usually used by the Head of Drivers.

You can download the draw form to print off here as an Adobe Acrobat PDF.

If you prefer, you can download as a MS word DOC file.

The September 2020 footplate vacancy list (posted on the 2nd of September is now available to download


Notes :

1. Applications must be received by the 16th of September.
2. Successful applicants list will be produced on the 7th of October
3. Move date will be the 13th of December.

In line with the 2019-2022 pay award, FPV lists have reduced from six lists a year to four and will be produced on the first Wednesday of December, March June and September. Each list will close two weeks after the official posting date and the successful applicants list will be produced the first Wednesday of the following month. Move dates are no longer set in stone and each successful applicant may receive a different move date. Successful applicants will be given a transfer date of no less than one month following notification and a maximum of three months

Members are advised that nominations for the South Western Railway Company Council representatives are now being sought for a three-year term of office commencing on 1 January 2021.

Nominee elections must be conducted at branch level. Each branch must submit a form to head office containing their successful candidates by 23.59 hrs on Tuesday 3 November 2020.

As most of you will be aware, SWR plans to open a new mainline depot at Clapham Yard in December 2020 and is offering Waterloo and Wimbledon Park drivers' first bite of the cherry. The initial establishment figure will be 24, but the currect plan will see this rising to 40 through two later stages.

SWR have produced a poster with a lot of information : Click here to download the SWR poster

If Drivers Company Council (staff side) produce a newsletter on the subject, it will be added here later.

Note : The first window to apply is short and ends midnight on the 16th of November.

Paul Fenn has been elected to Company Council for the term commencing 1st of January 2021. He replaces Nigel Cummins who has stood down after 21 years on Council. Paul has sent a letter to be circulated to the membership and is displayed below :


Dear Branch Secretaries,

Today it was confirmed that I have been elected to join the 2 incumbents on company council from 1st January 2021. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all branches for the privilege to represent our grade at council level. I look forward to joining Martin & Andy in the New Year, and working with your LDC's to achieve the best for our members.

Lastly, I would like to say a big thank you to Nigel Cummins for his service to Company Council and would like to wish him all the best for the future.

Please could you bring this email to the attention of your members

Yours Fraternally

Paul Fenn

LINK 3

K. MAHIDA vice VAC line 12


Link 4

N. SINGH vice VAC line 21