Punctuality

In a recent message to the staff of the London and North Eastern Railway, Sir Ralph Wedgwood, Chief General Manager, commented as follows on the important question of punctuality in train services:—

“The secret of punctuality is team work and attention to detail. Everyone can help by giving thought, and everyone can hinder by taking things for granted. The Station-master can help by seeing that his staff are on the spot before the arrival of the train, and after its arrival, by counting the seconds until it departs. The station staff can help by getting milk cans, luggage and parcels into position before the train draws up, and when the train is in, by attending first to the unloading and loading of vans. The driver can help by making up lost time whenever possible between stations. The supervisory and time-table staff can help by maintaining a practical and workable schedule of trains. Every detail counts and unless they are looked after time will inevitably be lost… . . I believe every member of the staff feels with me that the reproach of unpunctuality brings more discredit to a railway company than any other which can be levelled against it.”

Unpunctuality is undoubtedly a very serious blemish whether it concerns individuals or train services. In the latter case, of course, due allowance must be made for the vagaries of the elements and other factors incidental to railway operations which cannot be anticipated or controlled. In every other respect, however, the observations of Sir Ralph Wedgwood are in the interests of good service.