xc life winter 2011

The magazine for CrossCountry peopleXCLifeWinter 2011

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He’s gotrhythmNewcastle RSMloves the beat of the drums

XCLife p1 1/12/11 17:17

Being prepared is thekey to running arailway for all seasons

2 XC Life Winter 2011

IT is certainly a world full of change anduncertainty today. Things we might never havethought likely seem suddenly to be happening.

We have known of the environmental challengefrom global warming but the apparent growth innatural disasters – earthquakes, tsunamis andfloods – and the global financial turmoil andregime change in numerous countries, took mostof us by surprise. I suppose less of a surprisethough, was our getting a new Secretary of Statefor Transport – giving us a fourth in our first fouryears of the franchise!

Railways have generally been renowned forcoping with change and with unexpected crises,although we try to be prepared by assessing riskand planning our emergency response. If we haveto stop running, we are generally able to offer aservice again pretty quickly.

Two years ago you may remember, when floodssplit the town of Workington, it was the railwaywhich first united people again. A wonderfulexample, but perhaps no surprise really. After all,railways have even helped out in wartime andeven today, the Royal Logistic Corps has a needfor railway skills!

Closer to home, thankfully the army wasn’tneeded to quell the civil unrest and looting on ourstreets earlier this year! It was clearly a frighteningevent for those who got caught up in it.

In Birmingham, we tested out our ‘businesscontinuity’ plan and relocated Control, so identifyinga number of refinements to our plan which willleave us better prepared the next time we call on it.

But it is the seasons which usually present uswith our biggest challenges – too hot and dry insummer; too cold and snowy in winter; too dampand leafy in autumn. Thank goodness for spring!We are always preparing for something but thefocus just now of course, has been onpreparations for winter, after the snow fall weexperienced over the last two years.

When snow falls, there is always a big focus onour infrastructure and our trains, our timetablesand our communication with customers.

Those are all important but as we all know,nothing much moves without our people. I nevercease to be impressed by the commitment shownby railway people in getting to work so that wecan help others do the same, or travel further still.

I guess each of us has a bit of a plan for copingwith our own journeys to work when the weatherturns against us. Those are clearly good plansbecause we have continued to offer a goodservice, with little need for emergency timetablesand the like. We are well prepared and when thegoing gets tough, it is a chance to show just whatwe can do.

Let’s hope that over this winter we are nottested too fiercely, but if we are, we have ourplans. Whether or not we have a white Christmasor New Year, I would like to say thanks to allCrossCountry people for the commitment shownin every season this year, and to wish you andyour families a happy and peaceful time over theholiday period.

by Andy CooperMANAGING DIRECTOR,CROSSCOUNTRY

facebook.com/crosscountrytrains

STAFF “stranded” in the messroom at Edinburgh helped out onthe platforms when engineeringworks shut down the East Coastmain line between Edinburgh andBerwick for three weekends.

On-board employees pulledtogether with platform staff tohelp passengers find their way to

and from the rail replacementbuses that were put in place.

“There was a real team spiritwith people of all grades workingside by side,” said DaleMcDonald, Edinburgh RetailService Manager, who was amongthe staff who responded to thecall to help out.

ACrossCountry service centreemployee has a special reasonto be saddened by the death of

Sir Jimmy Savile, pictured right.Bob Hartley met him a few months

ago at Birmingham New Street – andwitnessed first-hand his legendarypublic spiritedness.

The station supply assistant hadgone to meet a Birmingham to Leedstrain at New Street and discovered thatSir Jimmy was busy at the entrance tothe First Class carriage.

“I chatted with him for a couple ofminutes and then suggested he takethe weight off his feet,” said Bob. “Buthe told me he was helping out with thecatering.”

Bob watched in surprise as Sir Jimmyproceeded to assist the First Class Hostin taking tea and sandwiches to thecustomers.

“He was totally in character,” saidBob, who has been working in the

catering side of the railways for sevenyears. “He was always doing somethingfor others, in his everyday actions aswell as in his charitable work.”

Jim fixed it forpassengers’ tea

‘Stranded’ staff show team spirit

BobHartley –

witnessed at firsthand Sir Jimmy

Savile’s legendarypublic

spiritedness.

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XCLife p2 2/12/11 09:11 Page 1

DAVID Wright lays down thebeat in his role as drummerfor a well-known brass bandin the North-East.

The gifted percussionistholds the rhythm for theEasington Colliery Brass Bandwhen they make their annual

appearance at the Durham Miners’Gala. He is also centre stage atRMT union marches in London andconcerts in churches, town hallsand clubs.

David, a Newcastle Retail ServiceManager, practices twice a weekwith his fellow musicians at the oldwages office of the formerEasington Colliery. He said: “I wasintroduced to the band by my

girlfriend Kim who is on thecommittee.

“I used to play thecornet when I was atschool but the drums aremore important since Ilove rhythm – I really likekeeping time.”

As well as concert bassdrums, David is an exponentof kettle drums, cymbals andtubular bells. The SouthShields-born former RAFphotographer added: “I have myown electronic drum kit in a backroom at home.”

● Our front cover picture showsDavid opposite the band HQ inEasington.

THE memories flooded back for twoCrossCountry drivers when they tookto the footplate on a steam excursion

across the North of England.Kevin Treeby and Mick Kelly were the two

designated drivers in charge of ScotsGuardsman hauling the Train of Hope, whomade the heritage trip to raise money for acancer charity.

Kevin drove the train on its first leg fromCrewe to Carlisle – reviving memories of hisearly days at Crewe North Sheds in 1963under British Railways in the steam era.

Then Mick took over to take the train toHellifield, relishing the chance to takethe controls of Scots Guardsman46115 because it spent its last daysat Longsight in Manchester, whereboth he and Kevin are based.

As long-time volunteers for theWest Coast Railways charter trainoperator, which also supplied threediesel drivers to take the loco to andfrom Carnforth, both Manchester drivershave years of expertise on the footplate.

“It was a privilege and an honour toparticipate in the excursion, which wasorganised by five Virgin drivers,” said Kevin.

“We jumped at the chance because weboth work with steam at West Coast andwe had the route knowledge to be able todrive the engine.”

Mick said: “It was poignant and at thesame time exhilarating. I fired and droveScots Guardsman during its preserved years– it is one of the most powerful 4-6-0steam engines ever designed.”

The excursion, which took passengers viathe historic Settle and Carlisle line and wasaccompanied by an aeroplane flying abanner for several miles, raised more than£40,000 for the CLIC Sargent charity caring for young people with cancer and their families.

COVE

R S

TORY

Return to thefootplate

twitter.com/crosscountryuk

DavidWright witha selection

of his drums.

KevinTreeby in

front of Train ofHope at Crewe

station where hestarted his leg of

the journey.

Kevin on thefootplate.

XC Life Winter 2011 3

Laying down the beat for top brass band

XCLife p3 1/12/11 17:06 Page 1

4 XC Life Winter 2011 crosscountrytrains.co.uk

XC Life focuses on Leeds Centre – where staff are meeting the challenges of ke

AT the centre of the Leeds operation areTony Popplewell, Kerry Cross and CarlBennett.

Driver Team Manager Tony who was bornin Dewsbury, has been on the railways for 35years since joining as a traction trainee atHolbeck depot in Leeds.

As well as carrying out managementduties from his office, Tony goes out on tothe network to do driver assessments and

out-of-hours checks. The father-of-two, whocycles in to work daily from his home inWest Park, Leeds, is joined for two days ofthe week at Leeds by Manchester-basedDriver Team Manager John Hornby.

Customer Service Manager Kerry Crosshas had a varied 17-year career on therailways including on-board steward andtraining course developer.

After joining CrossCountry as CSM shebecame Business Manager Northfor 18 months before taking on herpresent role in charge of on-boardcaterers, train managers andrevenue protection inspectors.

Oldham-born Kerry, who goesout-and-about to carry outassessments, lives in Birkenshaw,Bradford.

Team Organiser Carl Bennett is aformer First Class Host who wasseconded to his present role whenDonna Harding took a career breakfor 12 months.

Before he joined the railways twoyears ago Carl, who is Castlefordborn and bred, was a Cabin CrewManager at Leeds Bradford Airport.

■ More than 36 million people usethe station annually.

■ Leeds station is the busiest in thenorth of England and the 4thbusiest outside London forpassenger numbers and trainmovements.

■ With its total of 17, the station isthe largest by platforms outsideLondon.

■ The station is supported on brickvaulted arches, in part over theRiver Aire.

Leeds FACTFILE:

Management trio atheart of operation

Retail Service Manager Shelley Whiteheadchecks the notice boards in the messroom at Leeds CrossCountry Centre.

Revenue Protection InspectorLeanne Buxton in the trainingroom at the Centre.

Retail Service Manager Kayleigh Dutton takesa break in the ‘quiet room’ at the Centre.

DriverTeam Manager

Tony Popplewell,left, pictured at Leedsstation with CustomerService Manager Kerry

Cross and TeamOrganiser Carl

Bennett.

XCLife p4-5 1/12/11 16:50 Page 1

f keeping the trains running on time and dealing with high passenger volumes

facebook.com/crosscountrytrains XC Life Winter 2011 5

LEEDS is the biggest growth centre fortrains in the country – andCrossCountry’s operation reflects the

city’s status as a key railway hub.Hourly through services via Leeds from

Birmingham and the South West toEdinburgh, taking in York, Darlington andNewcastle, are a crucial element in themodern network.

CrossCountry services are also a vital linkfor people in the West Yorkshire conurbationlooking to make connections for Skipton, theYorkshire Dales and Harrogate.

“Leeds is a major railway centre and thedevelopment of services in recent years hasbeen phenomenal,” said Driver Team ManagerTony Popplewell.

“Before CrossCountry was set up only onethrough train a day ran from Leeds toEdinburgh. With the pathways so busynowadays our priority is to keep the trainsrunning on time while meeting the challengeof high passenger volumes at peak times.”

CrossCountry’s Voyager 220s and 221s, plusa fleet of HSTs, run out of Platforms 8, 9, 11,12, 15 and 16. Around 75 per cent ofCrossCountry trains arriving at Leeds receive acrew change.

The CrossCountry Centre, situated on the4th Floor of the Administration Block offPlatform 8, houses 39 drivers, 24 trainmanagers, 25 RSMs, 10 FCHs and four RPIs.

The Centre has just been given a makeover,with an extended mess room and theaddition on the 3rd Floor of two trainingrooms, a quiet room and an LLC room.

Customer Service Manager Kerry Cross said:

“The new rooms are ideal for weekly safetybriefs, forums and visits by managers.

“We have also recently taken the Avantixlobby in-house, which gives staff more controlover their equipment.”

DRIVER Assessor Dave Lee isproud of his home city – andeven prouder to be arailwayman based at LeedsCentre.

With 33 years of railwayservice under his belt, he stillgets a thrill to be taking histrain up the steep incline outof Leeds, or to catch sight ofthe ever-changing city skylineon the homeward leg.

Born in Lower Wortley, Davejoined British Rail as a tractiontrainee at Holbeck depot inLeeds. After five years hebecame a driver, qualifying in1983.

“I was graded as a driver inCarlisle and I joined

CrossCountry under Virgin in1998,” he said. “I have alwaysfound there is a greatcamaraderie among drivers atLeeds, and there is a wonderfulsupport team.”

As a youngster Dave used towatch Deltics and other locosas they arrived into Leeds.

“I’m proud to be from Leeds,working out of Leeds,” he said.

“As drivers we see somewonderful scenery along theNorth Sea cliffs going up toEdinburgh – but there’snowhere like this part of theworld.”

Dave and wife Julie have two sons Callum, aged 14,and Sam, aged 10.

Growth in services reflectskey railway hub status

A great camaraderieamong centre drivers

Train Manager RichardCoates booking on duty.

DriverAssessor

Dave Lee in thecab of a Voyager

at Leedsstation.

XCLife p4-5 1/12/11 16:50 Page 2

‘‘

’’6 XC Life Winter 2011 twitter.com/crosscountryuk

LEEDS United football team has been arecurring theme in my time as a lifelongresident of England’s third biggest city.

I grew up supporting the famous team of theearly 1970s, starring giants such as Bremner,Lorimer and Hunter. At the age of 13 and 14I used to watch the stars train at Fullerton Park– now a car park. Even now, from my bedroomwindow in Wortley, I can see the roof of thenew East Stand at Elland Road.

Of course Leeds has a lot more going for itthan just football, cricket and rugby (nowadaysI am a Leeds Rhinos rugby league fan).

The city is the fastest growing in the UK, abooming centre and a shoppers’ paradise. Marksand Spencer originated in Leeds with MichaelMarks opening his first stall on Kirkgate Marketin 1884.

The city is a lot brighter and airier than itused to be – impressive buildings include the

Civic Hall with golden owls on its twin spires.The waterfront has been revitalised.

I am proud to say with 34 years’ servicebehind me that I am the longest servingmember of CrossCountry who originates fromLeeds. Born in Morley, I joined the railwaysshortly after my 18th birthday. Although Leedsstation can be cold when the wind blowsthrough, I have always enjoyed working there ina variety of roles.

There’s no better place in the world than myhome county and I always say that I am aproud Yorkshireman. We have the YorkshireDales and a fine history as well as distinctivefood and drink – I was brought up on Yorkshirepudding as a child.

Although I have seen the landscape ofYorkshire change over the years, with more andmore people coming in, it still retains itstraditional appeal.

SHOPPING centres and car parksbuilt in the sixties are high on thelist of must-see objects for keenamateur photographer Simon Kent.

The Derby driver travels widelyto take pictures of examples ofthe high rises and concreteconstructions which surroundedhim as he grew up.

“It’s a kind of nostalgia becausethese buildings are the same ageas me,” said Simon.

“Some people believe the sixtiesstyle is horrific but I find a strangesort of beauty which can becaptured in a perfect light.”

Simon’s work includes asequence of images of thefamous multi-storey car park(now demolished) in Gatesheadwhich featured in the MichaelCaine movie Get Carter.

He also tackles railway subjects– his photo of an HST reflected ina river in Derby won first prize inthe Arriva photographiccompetition.

Concretein focus

As a supplement to the XC Life focus on Leeds in the previous

pages, Train Manager STEVE LORD tells us why he is so

attached to the city where he has spent his life.

Leeds United anda whole lot more!

SteveLord outside

his beloved EllandRoad with the iconic

statue of Leedslegend Billy

Bremner in thebackground.

XCLife p6 1/12/11 16:40 Page 1

crosscountrytrains.co.uk XC Life Winter 2011 7

ONE Reading TrainManager had a special

reason to be delightedwhen CrossCountry became partof the Deutsche Bahn group.

Mike Adamson travelsthousands of miles on theGerman operator’s trains andsays he “loves them to bits”.

Mike uses his InternationalCoupon Ticket, made availablethrough the Rail Staff Travelfacility at ATOC, to travelextensively in Europe.

Taking advantage of CityBreaks in locations such asBudapest and Dusseldorf, heexplores the culture of thecontinent using DB trains.

“I first got the bug for cheapforeign travel when I went onextra-curricular study toursunder a BR scheme back in the1990s,” said Mike. “More recentlyI have taken advantage of thegenerous allowance of free travelthroughout most of Europe.

“My latest trip was to

Budapest which I reached byflying to Brno in the CzechRepublic and then taking a freetrain ride to my destination.

“My hotel cost £21, beer was£1 a pint and on the way I wasserved an excellent goulash inthe restaurant car.”

Mike takes an especial interestin the names of the EuroCitytrains. “They are usually ofcomposers, writers or fascinatingplaces and it spurs me on tofurther travel,” he said.

CROSSCOUNTRY’S first virtual “Meetthe Manager” session has been hailed asa success after customers and stakeholdersexchanged questions with senior managersthrough the company’s official Facebook page.

From CrossCountry’s Birmingham offices,Managing Director Andy Cooper, ProductionDirector Helen Waters and Commercial DirectorDavid Watkin plugged into the social media worldto hear peoples’ comments.

The pilot session on November 1 had beenpublicised in advance on Facebook and Twitter, andthe response was excellent with a total of 39questions being answered on the day.

Speaking afterwards, David said: “We had been

looking for a way to talk directly to ourcustomers about the issues that are

important to them, but without any stationsto manage this had proven a challenge.

“This virtual initiative offers an opportunityfor people outside the business to put questionsdirectly to the heart of CrossCountry.

“The posts on the day were really good – peoplehad clearly thought through the issues theywanted to raise. Along with questions about howand why we do things, we also saw people makingsuggestions about how we might like to do thingsdifferently.”

CrossCountry now plans to hold virtual “Meetthe Manager” sessions every quarter.

Mike loves exploring Europe on their trains

PERIOD 6(four weeks to 20/08/11)

PERFORMANCE: 90%

DELAY CAUSE:Network Rail 60.6%, XC 9.8%,other train operators 29.6%

DELAY CAUSED BY XC:16.4% within target

AVERAGE PERFORMANCEOVER THE LAST YEAR:88%

FLEET MILES BETWEEN FAULTS:

Class 170 – 13,651(Yearly average 16,948: +7.97%year-on-year)



HST – 33,275(Yearly average 19,976: +42.13%year-on-year)

CATERING SALES:+7.65% on last year

AVERAGE TICKET PRICE:£11.61 (+5.8% year-on-year)

PASSENGER COUNTS:The % of counts successfullycompleted

76% (last year 76%)

BusinessSTATS

Senior managers plug into social mediato answer questions from customers

MikeAdamson

checks his Europeantrain timetable as he plans his next

continental rail journey– on Deutsche Bahn,

of course.

ist Wunderbar!ist Wunderbar!

XCLife p7 1/12/11 16:35 Page 1

8 XC Life Winter 2011 XC Life Winter 2011 9facebook.com/crosscountrytrains twitter.com/crosscountryuk

CROSSCOUNTRY’S LUCKY STARSare getting the red carpettreatment.

The names of all our people whohave so far been recognised under theSTARS scheme were put into a hat.

In a random selection 20 STARSwere plucked from the dip makingthem LUCKY STARS in line for treatsranging from pampering delights todays off and nights out.

The LUCKY STARS are beingpersonally thanked and each presentedwith a LUCKY STAR by their managers.It’s the latest exciting phase of theSTARS scheme which recognisesemployees who have gone the extramile to give outstanding customerservice.

Since May a total of 145 STARShave been given out. The STARSinitiative has been introduced as a wayof giving instant recognition to thosewho have excelled.

The aim is to give praise whenthings go right in a world where ever-increasing customer expectationscan lead to focusing only on thingsthat go wrong.

Almost all the STARS recipients aremembers of the Customer Serviceteam but there are also somemembers at Cannon House and onedriver. Nineteen of our STARS havebeen so active on the CustomerService front that they have received

two or more STARS.Jeremy Higgins, Customer Service

Director, said: “We wanted a simpleway to recognise great service whenwe see it and STARS fits the bill.

“We are now turning the STARSclock back to zero and we are lookingto find many more STARS in 2012,with another LUCKY STARS draw onthe way.”

STARS WHO WENT THE EXTRA MILE Aaron Wood • Adam Schielke • Adrian Compton • Adrian Trimble • Andy Hayward • Andy Macallister • Andy Priest • Andy Pursey • Andy Walton • Angela Moffat • Anthony Fielding • Ashley Brown • Ashok KumarBernadette Williams • Bill Woolford • Bob Silk • Bogosha Choman • Brendan Keenan Brian Loughlin • Carl Bennett • Carol Dewhurst • Carol Morris Caroline Litterick • Caroline Teggin • Carys Deeley • Chang Phatranuchit • Chris Bligh • Chris Pedley • Claire SmithClare Harbour • Colin Saunders • Corinne Abrahams • Craig Gluyas • Dan Noakes • Daniel Renton • Danielle Lee • Darren Boardman • Darren Hibbs • Darren Shelton • Darren Smith • Dave Knight • Dave Mansell • Dave Mercer • Dawn Aird • Dominique ConnellDonna Tudor • Ed Orwin • Eddie Martin • Elaine Linton • Emma West • Eric Embury • Fiona Cairns • Francis Gennace • Fred Finley • Gareth McMurray • George Pugh • Graham Heath • Harry Cairney • Hazel McCluskey • Heather Davis • Ian Hudson • Ian Peglar

STARS WHO WENT THE EXTRA MILE Jake Whiteman • James Hill • James Kelly • Jane Hyndman • Jason Rose • Jaspal Singh • Jo Targett • Jo Taylor • John Bates • John Fenwick • John Regan • John Shackleford • Karl Shaw • Keith Jerrom • Kevin Kramer Kevin Seymour • Laura Bates • Lauren Agnew • Lee Hadfield • Lesley Brooke • Linda Stephenson • Lousie King • Lyn Phillips • Mahmood Mizra • Malcolm Jarrett • Marc Gadd • Marc Knight • Margaret Doonan • Mark Cadell • Mark Gregory • Masawood Khan Matt Sheldon • Olly Pilsworth • Palbinder Kooner • Pam Johnson • Paul Collins • Paul Swift • Paul Tyzack • Pete Archibald • Pete Roberts • Pete Rowland • Peter Keenan • Phil Melrose • Rachel Kennedy • Raja Amin • Rebecca Browne • Rod Learmonth • Roger BrownSally Botwood • Samina Mahmood • Sandi Ayres • Sandra Young • Scott Hudson • Scott Moffat • Steve Straughan • Terry Butcher • Tim Bateman • Tim Pogson • Tim Waters • Vicki Hutchison • Wayne Hill

Wayne Hill (five extra annual leave days), John Fenwick (32” LED TV),David Mercer (iPad), Raja Amin (eight cinema tickets), Fred Finlay (experienceday in London), Harry Cairney (spa day for two), Francis Gennace (£25 bookvoucher), Tim Waters (XC Simulator Experience/cab ride), Matt Sheldon(hamper), Tony Fielding (iPod), Dan Noakes (selection of wine and beer),Tim Bateman (pair of chef’s knives), Rod Learmonth (four standard XCcomplimentary tickets), Pete Roberts (two First Class XC complimentarytickets), Olly Pilsworth (XC umbrella), Tim Pogson (£50 Amazon vouchers),Sally Botwood (XC model train), Ian Peglar (trip to Central Rivers), Louise King(comedy night for eight people) and Aaron Wood (£25 iTunes App voucher).

Lucky stars and their treats

Retail Service Manager TimWaters, left, and Train ManagerJohn Fenwick receive theirLucky Stars from CustomerService Manager Gill Thomsonon the platform at Newcastle.

Edinburgh TrainManager Rod

Learmouth, left, ispresented with his

Lucky Star on theplatform by Customer

Service ManagerStewart Cumming.

Bristol Train Manager Ian Peglar is pictured with CustomerService Manager Dawn Perkins holding his Lucky Star.

Revenue Protection Inspector Wayne Hill is presentedwith his Lucky Star by Customer Service ManagerSimon Silcock at Birmingham New Street.

Harry Cairney, Station Team Manager at EdinburghWaverley, is presented withhis Lucky Star by Customer Service Manager Stewart Cumming.

Birmingham Service Centre Team Member Francis Gennace,left, is presented with his Lucky Star by Customer ServiceManager Chris Longhurst at Birmingham New Street.

Leeds Train ManagerTony Fielding ispresented with hisLucky Star at LeedsCentre by CustomerService ManagerKerry Cross.

Birmingham Revenue Protection Inspector Louise King is presented with her Lucky

Star by Customer Service Manager Simon Silcock.

Red carpet and treats galore to

thank our lucky stars

XCLife p8-9 1/12/11 16:17 Page 1

10 XC Life Winter 2011

BEST wishes to Manchester Driver Dennis Robinsonwho is retiring at the end of this month after 50years service.Congratulations to the following who havereceived long service awards:

Ian Wilkinson, Manchester Driver; Richard Plunkett,Birmingham Train Manager; Mark Sweeney,Birmingham Resource Centre.

Andrew Coleing, Birmingham Driver; Colin Brookes,Birmingham Driver; Paul Jones, Birmingham TrainManager; John Drury, Leeds Train Manager; LindaKilley, Birmingham Retail Service Manager; VictoriaHutchison, Edinburgh First Class Host; Darren Henry,Birmingham Station Staff; Mark Learoyd, Leeds TrainManager; Gary Wilson, Newcastle Driver; KevinWoodruff, Plymouth Driver; Martin Thomas, BristolDriver; Barry Tyson, Bristol Driver; Sean Livingstone,Regional Driver Manager LNE and Scotland; IanCharlton, Newcastle Driver; Nikolas Douglas,Newcastle Driver; Jake Medley, Birmingham Driver;Philip Jones, Birmingham Driver; Paul Kibbey, BristolDriver; Andrew Porter, Customer Service Manager;Robert Hatcher, Bristol Train Manager; AnthonyWhitehead, Birmingham Driver; Gail Warburton,Manchester Train Manager; Andrew Sansome,Leicester Driver; Jennie Plumbley, Birmingham TrainManager; Tammy Wells, Birmingham Train Manager;Timothy Jordan, Bournemouth Driver; Carl Beattie,Bristol Driver; Robert Withall, Leicester Driver;Darren Shelton, Birmingham Service Centre; DavidCossar, Edinburgh Retail Service Manager; MarkGregory, Manchester Train Manager; Lisa Cherry,Newcastle Driver; David Chapman, Newcastle Driver;Richard Mackie, Bristol Driver; David Walkley,Reading Train Manager; Lee Hadfield, Leeds TrainManager; Anthony Fielding, Leeds Train Manager;Samina Mahmood, Edinburgh Retail Service Manager;Sandra Young, Edinburgh Retail Service Manager;Wendy Woodus, Finance; Philip Melrose, ManchesterRetail Service Manager; Keith Jerrom, CambridgeSenior Conductor; Robert Silk, Bristol Retail ServiceManager; John Brydon, Newcastle Driver; IanWatkins, Newcastle Driver; David Stott, NewcastleDriver; Paul Leng, Newcastle Driver; Paul Johnson,Newcastle Driver; Gary Fenwick, Newcastle Driver;Andy Pursey, Bournemouth Train Manager; PeterDalton, Leicester Senior Conductor.

Glenn Smith, Bournemouth Train Manager; JamesBreach, Bournemouth Train Manager; Tom Emerson,Leicester Senior Conductor; Pat Burke, LeicesterSenior Conductor; Phillipa Steels, Cambridge SeniorConductor; Bryony Govan, Graduate ManagementTrainee; Joanna Higgs, Western Route ProjectIntegration Manager; Alain Ressaire, Reading ServiceCentre; Lukasz Szozda, Reading Service Centre;Howard Corrie, Reading Service Centre; HannahBrown, Reading Retail Service Manager; StephenCatchpole, Birmingham Retail Service Manager;Adam Page, Reading Service Centre; Beth Wilson,Birmingham First Class Host; Andy Cox, BirminghamFirst Class Host; Matthew Prior, Birmingham Driver;Simon Heeley, Birmingham Driver; Jim Mee,Birmingham Driver; Stephen Bird, Leicester Driver.

NEW STARTERS

10 YEARS

25 YEARS

PAUL Amabile’s father died of motorneurone disease – and he vowed todo the New York Marathon in his

memory. After trying for four years toget accepted for the event, the LeedsDriver was successful this year andcompleted the run on November 6.

Battling against injury, he ran throughfive boroughs of the Big Apple in fivehours 43 minutes, raising money for amotor neurone charity along the way.

“It was an ambition fulfilled,” saidPaul. “I wanted to raise awareness abouta terrible wasting disease.

“My father’s death had a profoundeffect on me and the marathon seemeda good way to honour him.”

Paul tore a calf muscle three weeksbefore the run, and was unable to train.

Then during the race itself his kneeswelled and he was forced to completethe course alongside 47,000 othercompetitors in severe pain.

“I was watched on the day by my wifeand a couple of relatives,” Paul added. “Itwas good to be back in New Yorkbecause Sarah and I got married there –it’s almost a second home to us.”

MALCOLM Cotterell completedthe Great Birmingham Run in onehour 56 minutes, helping acharity close to his heart alongthe way.

The Training and DevelopmentManager was keen to raiseawareness for Caring MattersNow. The support group helps

children such as his daughterJamie who are affected by therare skin condition CongenitalMelanocytic Naevus.

Malcolm raised more than£600, including a donation byCrossCountry, towards researchbeing carried out by doctors atGreat Ormond Street Hospital.

Long service,leavers &

new starters

A marathon inDAD’S MEMORY

Run raises cash and awareness

Paul Amabileproudly shows his medal for

competing in the NewYork Marathon withthe finishing line in

the background.

XCLife p10 1/12/11 16:54 Page 1

XC Life Winter 2011 11facebook.com/crosscountrytrains

SIX intrepid Plymouth employeestook up a challenge to cycle intothe wild landscape of Dartmoor tohelp raise money for a hospice.

The event was the annual Tourde Moor which attracts more than900 entrants for a ride throughthe Plym Valley Nature Reserve

and then on to Princetown. TheCrossCountry group calling itself“Blackie’s Boys” comprised TrainManagers Pete Hamlyn, RyanBlackie and Richard Smith, RetailService Manager Dale Hyatt andDrivers Gary Whatmore and GaryMartin.

“We all like mountain bikingand four of us trained together inpreparation for the ride. We raisedmoney for cancer research in acharity event earlier this year.

“It was hilly going up toPrincetown – the highest town inDartmoor – and the return routewas over rocks. We were caked inmud from head to toe.

“On the way back past Sheep’sTor we had a job seeing where wewere going because of mist.”

Ryan said: “It was a prettyrelentless ride but I was helped bythe fact that I have been cyclingto work over the last three years.”

The cyclists raised a total of£500 for St Luke’s Hospice inPlymouth. They completed the 35miles circuit in around four hours.


PERFORMANCE: 87.5%

DELAY CAUSE:Network Rail 63.2% XC 9.4%,other train operators 27.4%

DELAY CAUSED BY XC:11% within target

AVERAGE PERFORMANCEOVER THE LAST YEAR:87.6%






CATERING SALES:-2.87% on last year



75% (last year 77%)

BusinessSTATS

IT’S CrossCountry versusLondon Midland on the Judofloor when Paul Watson pits

his skills against his friendGraham Powell.

The two regularly fight eachother during training at theSolihull Judo Club.

Birmingham XC Driver Pauloften comes out on top eventhough London Midland DriverGraham is a British OpenChampion twice over.

It’s bound to be a closecontest – Paul is a Black BeltThird Dan and has won fourgold medals and one silver indifferent competitions duringhis 35 years practising thesport.

“I took up Judo as a teenagerafter being inspired by myfather,” he said. “I gained myfirst Black Belt 16 years ago andI have always enjoyed the sportfor its discipline and fitnessbenefits.

“I have just started againafter a long lay-off and I wouldlike to reach Fifth Dan before Iam too old.”

Paul, along with two othersincluding Graham, is enteringthe current British OpenChampionship, in theover-50s section. He practicestwice a week at sessionswhich include warm-ups,throwing, demonstrations andfights on the ground.

He is currently passing on hisjudo experience by coaching15-year-old club member AliceSumner.

FOLLOWING theenvironmental awarenesschallenge completed byNewcastle DriverManager SeanLivingstone in July,Cambridge depot havedecided to recycle paperand cardboard. Thismeans approximately10kg of material isrecycled each week. Usedbatteries from halolamps are also collected.

Unfortunately thereare no recycling facilitiesnear Cambridge station –so Team Organiser JohnCraig takes the recycledmaterial back home toHertfordshire which hasmuch better recyclingfacilities.

Blackie’s boys cycle moor for charity

Recyclinginitiativelaunched

BlackBelts Paul

Watson, left, and his friend and Judo

opponent Graham Powell.Below, Paul with Judo

protégée Alice Sumnerwho he is currently

coaching.

CAKE-MAKER extraordinaire John Shackleford is devising aspecial novelty cake to celebrate the anniversary of BristolCentre’s move into historic Bristol and Exeter House.Thetrain manager’s gingerbread model of the building toppedwith icing sugar ‘snow’ will be raffled for Macmillan CancerSupport. John has also been selling produce from hisgarden to raise money for cancer research.

Cake marks anniversary

Judo fights are an inter-TOC battle

XCLife p11 1/12/11 12:45 Page 1

12 XC Life Winter 2011 twitter.com/crosscountryuk

Roast Pheasant withBraised Rice.FOR THE ROAST PHEASANT:1 large pheasant cleaned and rinsed.2 sprigs of rosemary, stripped andchopped.2 table spoons of fresh thyme.1 cup of olive oil.Salt and pepper.

METHOD

Preheat oven at 250 degrees.

Stir the thyme and rosemary into theoil and set aside. Rub the pheasantinside and out with the salt andpepper and place in a close-fittingroasting dish. Then pour the herb oilall over the pheasant.

Bake the pheasant in the pre-heatedoven for an hour then cover with foiland cook for a further hour. Bastethe pheasant every 30 mins with thehot oil and juices while cooking.

Remove from the oven and coverwith a double sheet of foil. Allow torest for 10 mins before slicing.

FOR THE BRAISED RICEHalf a pint of chicken stock.5 oz of rice.75 grams of sliced mushrooms, plus ahandful of chopped fresh herbs.30 grams of butter.50 grams of bacon lardons, fried.

METHOD

Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees.

Bring rice and chicken stock to theboil in an oven-proof dish.

Place in oven for 10 mins then addthe mushrooms and cooked baconlardons.

Cover with a lid and return to ovenfor a further 3 mins then removefrom oven and add the butter andherbs and serve.

As an added extra, take the pheasantjuices and a little red wine: reduce in a pan and then pour over thepheasant to serve.

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CrossCountry’s veryown Royal chef JulesBacon, who was oncecook to the QueenMother at the RoyalLodge, offers you arecipe for a tastyseasonal dish.

DAVE Eaton draws onhidden talents as acreator of exotic

cocktails whenever the festiveseason approaches.

The Customer ServiceManager was a ‘flairbartender’ for TGI Friday’sbefore he joinedCrossCountry, and he’s neverlost his skills. He still makesguest appearances with his‘flicks and tricks’ at NewYear’s Eve parties, makingcocktails for up to 50 guests.

He’s even invented acocktail himself called Taste ofParadise, containing vodka,chocolate liqueur and coconutvanilla ice cream.

Dave broke the record forsales over one Christmasperiod when he worked at theBirmingham outlet of theAmerican themed bar andrestaurant chain.

He said: “I had four weeksof cocktail training during

which we had to memorise150 cocktails. The recipe bookitself featured 500 cocktails.”

Dave’s personal favouritecocktail is Beverley Hills icedtea, made with vodka, gin,rum and Cointreau toppedwith champagne.

He added: “There’s a cocktailfor every occasion. There’seven one called Blue Train,comprising brandy, champagneand pineapple juice.

“I prided myself on being atthe highest level in the barworld and when I joined therailway industry I broughtwith me my belief that youcan only be successful incatering by being friendly andhappy as well as efficient andknowledgeable.

“Good customer servicecomes from the passion to do it with a smile, theprofessionalism to do it rightand having care for people asthe reason you do it at all.”

– a cocktail of festive fun

‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’‘flicks & tricks’


PERFORMANCE: 85.4%

DELAY CAUSE:Network Rail 61.8%, XC 10.5%,other train operators 27.7%

DELAY CAUSED BY XC:0.5% within target

AVERAGE PERFORMANCEOVER THE LAST YEAR:87.6%


Class 170 – 16,255(Yearly average 16,509: -0.45%year-on-year)




CATERING SALES:-3.85% on last year



74% (last year 80%)

BusinessSTATS

Right RoyalRecipes

DaveEaton puts

on his cocktailmixer style for our

cameraman atNew Street

station.Dave’s

XCLife p12 1/12/11 16:18 Page 1

XC Life Winter 2011 13crosscountrytrains.co.uk

THESE ADVERTS ARE ALSO INCLUDEDIN THE SOCIAL SECTION OF THECROSSCOUNTRY INTRANET SITE,WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT ALL CENTRES.

CrossCountry staff are invitedto advertise for free in thisquarterly ‘small ads’ column.The section is open to anyone who hassomething to sell, rents out holidayaccommodation, runs a mobile disco, isorganising a football match or anexcursion to celebrate a birthday,wanting to let people know about anight out... or is simply looking toplace an appeal for a specific item. Toplace an advert here contact us at: –[email protected] or [email protected]

XClassified

BASS GUITARErnie Ball Musicman Stingray Bass guitar, withtwo band active EQ and Humbucking pickup.Schaller BM tapered-post tuners, three coloursunburst ash body. Maple neck and fingerboard. A classic instrument in fine condition,pictures available. Offers in the region of £995.

Call Neil Wignall on 07887 896925 for moreinformation.

DISCOUNT RATES FOR HAIR AND PHOTOSCrossCountry staff will receive a discount ifthey book hairdressing and photographyservices from two firms whose websites werecreated by Leeds RSM Alex Wild.

Iconic Look, a mobile hairdresser’s inYorkshire, offers women a personalised look,hair colouring or hair extensions with details atwww.iconiclook.co.uk.

A wide range of professional photographyservices including portrait, advertising,modelling, corporate and travel are available atpeterhowarthphotography.com, a Leeds-based photographic business.

BABY’S CAR SEATMamas and Papas Primo Viaggio Car Seat, fornew-born to nine months old £40. Contact GinaCripps, Roster Manager, Scotland and North-East,at Cannon House on 0121 200 6136.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – holiday home to rentFive-bedroom villa with pool/spa. Close toDisney Parks. Located on secure resortcommunity with superb clubhouse facilities. XCemployee-owned. Tel. 07875 468655 or visitwww.floridadisneymoments.com.

VINTAGE 500 SERIES AMERICANDIAL TELEPHONEThis phone, which has a loud ring, is the typeon show in Kojak, the Rockford Files andmovies from the 1960s and 1970s. It was madein North America in the 1960s and has beenrefurbished so that it is now compatible withcurrent BT and most cable phone systems.Simply plug into an existing socket. It sells onPedlars.co.uk for £115 (check the website ifyou want to see what it looks like) but it’s onoffer for £40.

Contact Will Adderley on 0121 200 6173 oremail [email protected]

A lively website for railway enthusiasts hasbeen set up by a Leeds Retail ServiceManager.

Alex Wild, who is an expert in websiteconstruction, has launchedwww.railwayfans.co.ukAlex was keen tocreate a forum forenthusiasts whowant to share

railway experiences.He said: “The idea was to set up a social

networking site which is a variation onFacebook. Anyone can join, and visitors canupload videos and pictures as well asaccessing information.

“Railway enthusiasts want somewhereto go where they can talk about trains

and air their views on railway topics.”

Online forum for railway enthusiasts

MARK Sheldon has converted his backgarden into a smallholding with the aimof becoming self-sufficient in food.

First he dug up one of his three large lawns toplant it with leeks, cauliflowers, cabbages and avariety of homegrown delights.

As a follow-up he acquired eight hens as afood source which could also make pets for hischildren.

The Derby Driver’s wife Jane and their fiveyoungsters are keen participants in the gardenproject at their home on the outskirts of Belper.

Meanwhile staff at Derby centre are enjoyingthe eggs which Mark regularly brings in for them.

He said: “The inspiration for the vegetable plotcame when the children brought home somebean and tomato plants from school.

“We thought – why not dig one of the lawnsup and grow our own veg?

“Now that we have bought the hens we arevirtually self-sufficient – we only need to buybread and milk.”

Mark gets advice on being a smallholder fromthe Backyard Farmers website.

MarkSheldon with

one of the eighthens he keeps inthe back garden

at his home.

XCLife p13 1/12/11 17:31 Page 1

facebook.com/crosscountrytrains14 XC Life Winter 2011

Ask me another

At the moment I am…

based in Birmingham, making sure people aretravelling on CrossCountry trains with a validticket.

The best thing about my job is…

the people I work with. I especially appreciatethe support I have received from “Uncle”Wayne Hill and Inspector Carys Deeley.

The most unusual thing that has happenedto me at work was…

working at Castle Cary station when Iinadvertently ended up in a game ofcharades. The buses to Glastonbury Festivalwere stuck in traffic after an accident andboth platforms were full of passengerswaiting for the road transport to arrive. Towhile away the time they started playing agame of charades. One guy on the oppositeplatform to me started walking about like adinosaur and I shouted Jurassic Park. Before Iknew it, I was miming a film back over tohim.

My most valuable possession is…

my mind.

If I have time to myself…

I play on my drums. I am in a band with thePricing and Revenue Assistant, Peter Rothery.We're called Great Uncles and we play popmusic. I wish I could play the drums like KeithMoon!

My favourite entertainment is…

live music by bands such as The Presidents ofthe United States of America, Blondie and TheRolling Stones. My favourite film is The BluesBrothers musical comedy and for reading Ilike the Transmetropolitan cyberpunk comicbook series.

The famous people I would invite to adinner party are…

John Travolta because he was in Pulp Fiction,the best film of the 90s, Gregg Wallace,because he champions the buttery biscuitbase and the entire cast of Cats, dressed incostume.

When I was a child I wanted to be…

Batman. However this dream was cruelly

dashed when I found I was terrified ofpenguins!

The best bit of advice I was ever given…

comes from Frank Zappa: Don't eat theyellow snow.

My favourite place in the world…

is the Munich Oktoberfest. It's like a magicaldreamland of beer and bratwurst.

OLIVER PILSWORTH, RevenueProtection Inspector, tells us abouthimself. Oliver has been on therailways for three years.

You can view all the photographs in this issue of XC Life and many others we didn’t have room for by accessing the picture gallery on the CrossCountry intranet

STAFF In Newcastle are settling into newaccommodation on Central Station aftermoving from their previous home inKing’s House.

The new Centre is located between RailGourmet and the British Transport Police,and gives easier access to visiting crews.

Situated on the corner of the station, onthe 1st Floor, the new premises have viewsof the Centre for Life across the road.

The accommodation includes messroom, lobby, LLC room, meeting room,booking on point and management offices.

“Everyone has settled in well,” said

Team Organiser Karen Gardner. “The brandnew facilities include a lovely kitchenwith a big American fridge.

“We are pleased to see more visitingcrews popping in to the mess room –previously not many of them ventureddown to King’s House.”

New station mess room and facilities well received by staff

OliverPilsworth at work atNew Street

station.

XCLife p14 1/12/11 16:20 Page 1

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KALEMINTPEASSAGESHEDSOILLEEKSMANUREONIONSRADISHSWEDESCABBAGECARROTSCOMPOSTLETTUCEPARSNIPSPROUTSPOTATOESSHALLOTSTOMATOESWATER BUTTPLANT POTSSWEET PEASALLOTMENTSCAULIFLOWERRUNNER BEANS

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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THE WINNERS IN LAST ISSUE WERE:Richard White, Bristol Driver, N Gauge HST model;

Jason Hickling, Birmingham Driver, £20 Currys voucher;

Jenny Hewat, Edinburgh First Class Host, £20 VUE

Cinema voucher; Judith Tray, Leeds Retail Service

Manager, £20 Pizza Hut voucher.

‘Lost’ walkofficiallyrecognised

Keep yourtarantulasat home!

Please indicate the prize you would like to win in order of preference by

putting numbers in the boxes.

If the top choice is the model train,write 1 in the box. For your secondchoice write 2 etc.

OO GAUGE CLASS 220 VOYAGER ■£20 CURRYS/PC WORLD VOUCHER ■£20 VUE CINEMA VOUCHER ■£20 PIZZA HUT VOUCHER ■

JULIAN Richards got notakers when he suggesteda “bring your pet to work”day at Bristol. Everyoneknows he is the owner oftwo tarantulas – andnobody wanted to take a risk.

The Senior Conductorsmiled: “It was a tongue in cheek suggestion but it created quite a bit of a shock.”

Julian has owned thepoisonous Chilean Rosespiders for three years.He feeds them cricketsand keeps them in atemperature-controlledenvironment.

He added: “In fact Iwouldn’t be able to bringthem into the Centre. Theycan only survive for twohours in the open air.”

A “lost” railway walk hasbeen given officialrecognition for the first time thanks to aCrossCountry employee.

Keen rambler Brian Loughlinpioneered a route fromLudgershall to CollingbourneDucis on the disused Andoverto Swindon line.

It proved so interesting –and walkable – that hehighlighted it to the RailwayGazetteer which recordslineside walks.

“They have agreed to addit to their database,” saidBrian, a Train Manager basedat Bournemouth. “It’s goodto know that it is nowrecorded for posterity.”

Brian is a regular walkerwith six CrossCountrycolleagues along disusedlines. They recentlycompleted a ramble on thescenic route betweenFareham and Gosport.

“We all live locally and weall like the social side of theoutings as well as the railwayhistory,” he added.

FOUR prizes including a collector’s itemmodel are on offer in our winterwordsearch. The theme is gardening andallotments, to reflect our story aboutMark Sheldon and his chickens onPage 13.

A Bachmannmodel of an 00Gauge Class 220Voyager, painted inCrossCountry livery, ison offer togetherwith three HighStreet vouchers.

Entries shouldarrive no later than 31December. OnlyCrossCountry employeesare eligible to enter.Simply ring the words inthe grid, cut it out andsend it with your name,address and phonenumber to:

Richard Gibson, Head ofCommunications, CrossCountry,5th Floor, Cannon House, 18Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 6BS.

a model Voyager in ourvegetable garden wordsearch

twitter.com/crosscountryuk

XCLife p15 1/12/11 16:23 Page 1

16 XC Life Winter 2011 Published by CrossCountry Communications. Telephone 0121 2006115. [email protected]

IF you have a story for thestaff magazine pleasecontact Ron Quenby on07966 424382 or [email protected]

Call us withyour stories

LUCY Chesterfieldentered a half-marathonearlier this year – and

since then she hasn’tstopped running! TheBirmingham Train ManagerCoach has completed four10K runs in the wake of herGreat North Run appearance.

Her original inspirationcame from her uncle, but

now she continues to runbecause she is convinced of thefitness benefits.

Lucy said: “I’ve surprised myselfat how many events I havecompleted. I entered The GreatNorth Run from Newcastle toNorth Shields even though I hadnever run before.

“I really enjoyed it and raised£175 for Cancer Research alongthe way. I got the bug and sincethen I have taken part in runs atRother Valley, Liverpool,Tamworth and Lichfield.”

Lucy set herself a programmeto build up her staminaand even uses an App onher iPhone for training.She added: “I am amember of a gym and Irun locally aroundTamworth to prepare for

the events. It’s a great sport – Iwould recommend it to anyone.”

KEN Hill, Revenue ProtectionInspector at Leicester, hasfulfilled his ambition ofowning a classic sports car.

The proud owner of a 1964MGB Roadster and a memberof the MG Owners’ Club, heis now setting his sights on aclassic bike.

HENRY Gibson raised fundsfor Macmillan CancerSupport by cycling 63 milesfrom Carlisle to Newcastle.

The ride was in memory ofRay Marshall, a Virgin RetailService Manager who was agood friend to a number ofCrossCountry staff.

Edinburgh Train ManagerHenry, who is a regular cyclistand triathlete, said: “Raysadly died of lung cancer. Heworked on both the West andEast Coast Main Lines so Idevised my route to reflectthat.”

Henry’s final sponsorshiptotal was £1,100, including adonation from CrossCountry.

LUCY’SFITNESS PLEA:

DAN Edwards puts his skillson the clarinet to full usearound Christmas time byplaying in candlelightservices at the church wherehe is a member of thecongregation.

Dan also entertainsaudiences at concertsthrough the year by playingthemes from films such asSchindler’s List and The LionKing to a backing track.

The Plymouth servicecentre employee is amember of the band atPeverell Park MethodistChurch.

Cycle trek inmemory ofa good friend

Clarinet bycandlelight atChristmas

Ken fulfils hiscar ambition

Lucy showsher GreatNorth Run

medal.

ROADRUNNER:

Lucy Chesterfieldin training

for another 10K.

keep onrunning!

XCLife p16 1/12/11 16:24 Page 1

xc life winter 2011

Documents

allcrosscountry people

united people

seasons2 xc life winter

change anduncertainty

emergency timetablesand

businesscontinuity plan

voyagerin xc livery

white christmasor new