Depot visits

[Ronnoc]

I once did just "pop in", some drivers that saw me didn't give 2 craps, I went to the office and the guy never said anything, instead he just greeted me and we just had a little conversation.

[John Stait]

Years ago, I used to go to every WMPTE/WMT garage, ask politely and get in (usually with the promise of avoiding the pits and workshop areas) and I always said a polite thank you when I left, usually clutching the latest copy of the depot fueling sheet!

I realise with H&S it's all different these days, but can we please have some common sense here? Write in or call the garage concerned who will say yes or no. Bring a Hi-Viz. if the answer is no, then it's no for a good reason, please respect that. And for god sake, act responsibly and safely, as has been said, garages are private property and you can be done for trespassing if you've no good reason to be there.

John

[Mike K]

I'm sorry to say this but MW should be barred from this forum with comments like that.

Come on now, let's get real. You might not agree with the comments, and they might not be advisable but he hasn't insulted anyone, made a personal attack etc.

[MW]

And yes they may notice, last time I was in YW I got asked to see my employee 'passport' by someone who didn't recognise me

Were we supposed to keep that?

I'm sorry to say this but MW should be barred from this forum with comments like that.

Whoaaaaaa, chill out bro. I don't know why everyones getting upset lol, I was actually being sarcastic. That's not to say it wouldn't work though.

Good advice there, especially considering you're an employee!

That maybe what you used to do which also  included starting up buses & posting a video on YouTube......

Are you talking about that? I didn't start them, just electrics on. Nah I was there with permission though. All of them I was there with permission. I've never actually gone in without it. I was just humouring him.


Edit: Merged my posts into one.

[Stuharris 6360]

Whoaaaaaa, chill out bro. I don't know why everyones getting upset lol, I was actually being sarcastic. That's not to say it wouldn't work though.

Exactly, which is why it is best not to make comments like that on a forum like this.

Somebody sneaks into a garage and gets seriously injured or even worse, then it will affect each of us because all depot visits will be banned and quite probably NE (and other companies no doubt) will be loath to do anything for enthusiasts in the future.

Best advice is to contact NE in advance and get permission to visit, then you can be shown around and stay safe at the same time.

[Tony]

A lot of independent small operators are happy to let enthusiasts have a look around their depots if you just walk in and ask someone there. But the larger operators (national express etc) are probably far more worried about health and safety etc.

there is another big difference, a small operator only has a small number of employees with a few things going on at any time, a garage with over 100 buses based there will always have something going on, machinery in use, vehicles moving etc.

I wish it was still the same as when I was a teenager and you could basically just walk up and ask politely and get around almost any bus or railway depot, but there does seem to be a lot more people about without the 'self-preservation skills'  trying to enter premises nowadays

[Tomf1993]

there is another big difference, a small operator only has a small number of employees with a few things going on at any time, a garage with over 100 buses based there will always have something going on, machinery in use, vehicles moving etc.

I wish it was still the same as when I was a teenager and you could basically just walk up and ask politely and get around almost any bus or railway depot, but there does seem to be a lot more people about without the 'self-preservation skills'  trying to enter premises nowadays

Tony, this is why I asked you via PM the other day about you arranging some garage visits to say WA for us, so silly people dont feel the urge to just walk into garages and could end up getting hurt or something..  :)

[Bryan]

......

I wish it was still the same as when I was a teenager and you could basically just walk up and ask politely and get around almost any bus or railway depot, but there does seem to be a lot more people about without the 'self-preservation skills'  trying to enter premises nowadays

How times have changed, not always for the better.

These days someone is always ready to take legal action against a company even if they have an accident which is their own fault.

If I was in charge of a depot would I take the risk of letting someone wander arround? I hate to say no.

[Tomf1993]

I very much doubt any one can just walk into any depot and wonder around, of course without a hi vis on they will get spotted and asked to leave. 

[Tomf1993]

If I was you people who want to visit garages, I would just wait for open days to be organised, or ask in reception rather then just going in, as every TWM like WA has loads of guards patrolling the depots due to criminal damage etc

[GeminiFan1991]

If I was you people who want to visit garages, I would just wait for open days to be organised, or ask in reception rather then just going in, as every TWM like WA has loads of guards patrolling the depots due to criminal damage etc

I've visited many garages (My expeditions involve me staying on the outside) the only 1 time I've seen/ encountered a security guard was ironically at BY when I was told not to photograph the garage

[Stuharris 6360]

I've visited many garages (My expeditions involve me staying on the outside) the only 1 time I've seen/ encountered a security guard was ironically at BY when I was told not to photograph the garage

If you were stood in a public place, don't see that they can stop you taking photos?

[GeminiFan1991]

If you were stood in a public place, don't see that they can stop you taking photos?

I didnt fancy my chances with arguing with the guy although I get mixed answers about photographing a garage

[Stuharris 6360]

I didnt fancy my chances with arguing with the guy although I get mixed answers about photographing a garage

As long as you are in a public place, nothing they can do about it! What do they keep in their, buses or the crown jewels.

[GeminiFan1991]

As long as you are in a public place, nothing they can do about it! What do they keep in their, buses or the crown jewels.

I feel the same way, I feel as if NX didnt want their garages to be photographed, then garages would be enclosed as buses would be hidden from view