I've seen the future!!

I've just returned from a two day course where I've been prepared for the future of London Underground!

The first day was a bit lame where we went through some theory's about how to manage and how to reach a resolution to a problem. Stuff that I already knew and applied without it needing a flashy name.

Had some excellent discussions over dinner and a couple (only a couple mind) of beers yesterday evening and then today was an absolute blast where we went through some stuff I'm really into with respect to Visualisation techniques.

The way this theory works is that it is thought that every person has their achievement limit, but you have two limits. You have the one which is your comfortable limit and the limit which makes you operate at your absolute parameters. In order to go into the area beyond your comfortable parameters you have to have a motivation to do so or have to be able to visualise where you want to get to. Money is not a long term motivator interestingly enough!

There are a couple of really good examples for the visualisation theory. When Roger Banister broke the 4 minute mile barrier he was the first person to ever achieve this, however by him doing this he allowed others to be motivated and have the vision to do the same and in the subsequent year 350 athletes recorded sub 4 minute mile times!

Another example of this is if you have ever played golf. Your first aim as a starter is to get down to scoring less than 100 shots over 18 holes. It takes you ages to do this but when you start to shoot rounds of 99, 98, 97 you rarely go back to 100+ scores and it seems easy to achieve. You then focus on breaking 90 and it is initially hard to do so but because you visualise shooting less than 90 and look at what you can do to make yourself better you eventually get there and stay there.

With work there are comparables where if you visualise what you want to achieve and can get sufficient others to visualise those same goals you will start doing things better, the more you start doing those things the better and better you become at them and the better yu are able to perform in your job.

Astounding!

As you come out of the tunnels approaching St Pancras International you come round a curve where the whole of the glorious new station is visible. Last week as we were arriving on the 0552 from Kettering one chap sat opposite clapped eyes on it for the first time and remarked to anyone who would listen "Fuck me look at that - It looks the absolute Bollocks"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quite honestly I could not have put it better myself!

A a railway operator myself you can't help but marvel at the transformation of the place and what it will provide for the traveller. I know it has come at a premium (£180 million) but when you consider that East Midlands Trains has a new station, it is a fitting gateway to England for European tourists, First Capital Connect (Thameslink) start using their new station on 9th December instead of the dump on Pentonville Road and in 2009 Kent Commuters will start to use it when Southeast Trains make it their London Base with their new Javelin Trains, not to mention the new car park and shopping centre, the cost to benefit ratio to the ordinary person seems good value.

I'll put some pictures of the insides of the new station up as the week progresses.

Tea and Coffee update..................

Apparently it's still available - While stocks last!!!!!!!!

East Midlands Trains

From Today Midland Mainline no longer exist!

East Midlands trains will be conveying me on my commute to London.

What differences will we notice? Well they are getting off to a good start by stopping the free Tea and Coffee to Standard class customers, so that will endear them to the masses!!!!!!!!!

London St Pancras International

I happened to be passing through St Pancras last Tuesday evening while the Queen was opening the New modernised St Pancras Station. Actually it's only really open to East Midlands Train services at the moment but will be home to Eurostar (14th Nov), First Capital Connect (9th Dec) and Southeast trains (December 2009).

The place will also contain a shopping centre and various hostelries including Europes longest Champaigne Bar(!).

Amusing sign.......................

Probably quite wise advice really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn!

It's back to work for me tomorrow!

I've had a lovely two weeks off - the first spent with my folks and the second involving lots of "me" time, which was much needed!

I've only really got two days at work next week due to the fact that I have a funeral to attend on Wednesday and we are taking the Duty Managers away for two days (to exotic Bourne End!) on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday and Friday will be a good opportunity to say thankyou for all the effort they have put in over the last year in making not only Golders Green a fantastic place to work at but in also playing their part in making the Northern Line the most reliable railway on the Underground system. The Duty Managers are, after all the ones which make it tick and make everything happen.

Of course the other purpose of Thursday and Friday is to plan our way forward for the next year and see how we can make ourselves even more efficient and better.

RIP Madgie Walker

aka Mrs C's Nan!

Lovely, truthful lady who when I first met her before anything else warned me that Mrs C and her Mum didn't have a sense of humour!!!!!!!!!

She passed away in her sleep last Tuesday after suffering from lung cancer for about the last 14 months.

The funeral is next Wednesday.

I like cycling!

These are a couple of shots taken while I stopped to admire the scenery on The Brampton Valley Way, early last week. I reckon I cycled about 15 miles all told and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I must get out more on my bike as I feel much healthier for it.

My visit to Coventry.....................

...................was a very nice one as well. A very good view and a fantastic performance from Watford to run out 3-0 winners. I took Corby senior as a birthday gift and he was well pleased with the end result too!!!!!!!!