Buffer Stop Tests - Bradford

[Richard08]

I worked with a travelling shunter who performed tests like this quite regularly...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYByVsC_IxY

The Charge Hand books on Monday morning and goes out to survey his yard. "What the [insert assorted expletives]?"

[Bigmet]

Clearly the Engineers Department had a surplus of condemned wagons to play with. I cannot avoid the thought that this is something on the lines of 'The war's over, let's get back to having fun'. But in earnest, with all the backlog of repair and maintenance resulting from the war and now awaiting attention I expect thought was being given to what equipment was to be standardised in the repair programme. And here's the evidence for a heavier buffer stop in wagon yards.

[Bufferstop]

I can remember seeing bufferstops being replaced in the sidings off Midland Road in Walsall. I guess it would have been 1948/9 (just before I started school). I'd never before seen that particular pair of gates open so I was curious to see what was beyond. I think the wall which ran across the end of the sidings was being demolished and a building erected, so perhaps a greater margin of safety had become necessary.

[Richard08]

Then they moved on to concrete sleeper testing. Ah, the days when engineering was fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a43SjBYJmZ4

[Bigmet]

... Ah, the days when engineering was fun ...

For as long as you can maintain some 'hands-on' activity it is fun. But soon enough 'they' catch up with you, and one is effectively handcuffed to a desk, managing others having all the fun.

So I moved on into lounge lizard (staff) roles: this is no more fun but waaaaay better paid: also garnished with an expense account, the slopey shoulders delegation licence, ( = avoidance of actually doing anything you don't fancy) and the Teflon suit, ( = no blame sticks). Only downside the required 'staff standard' behaviour ( = theatrical training in concealment of cynicism)...

[Richard08]

For as long as you can maintain some 'hands-on' activity it is fun. But soon enough 'they' catch up with you, and one is effectively handcuffed to a desk, managing others having all the fun.

That's why I quit being a software engineering consultant (mostly embedded real-time control like engine management systems, chip wafer handling machines and such) and set up a specialist car spares business, management held (and holds) zero interest. It's also why I've so many different jobs over the years, everyone assumes you want promotion when I for one just wanted to be left alone to get on with stuff. Personnel just didn't get that and I got terminated at least once for turning down promotion - apparently that made not a team player.

[Bufferstop]

Why do the pen pushers in HR always think that the best engineer will be the best manager. I remember one sitting open mouthed when I told him the guy he wanted for the job would hate an arms length job and the best guy to be manager was the one who could talk anyone into doing the job for him. "But his performance stats are lousy" - "Then I would rather have him telling people what's needed, which he's good at, than making a pigs ear of it"

[Bigmet]

...Personnel just didn't get that and I got terminated at least once for turning down promotion - apparently that made not a team player.

The epitome of the 'staff' role; confirm our 'group think' or we will demonstrate our disapproval, however valuable your skillset and experience may be. (And of course they now insist on 'HR' for this operation, which is correct - Human Remains.) I have friends who freelance in 'Personnel' who would agree, and make a very good living engaged by businesses that haven't been brainwashed by this nonsense.

...That's why I quit ... and set up a specialist car spares business, management held (and holds) zero interest...

My late Pa 'bailed out' for the same reason in 1971, and made such a good living as a freelance specialist for hire that he retired in 1981. (Not bad from arriving from The Netherlands in 1956 with about £20 in his pocket and a wife and this child to support.) I learned from his experience, but instead 'sold my soul', and retired when ten years younger than he managed. I would have cheerfully worked to normal retirement age in a fully technical role for much less money, but it was effectively impossible for the reasons you describe. And now there is concern that it is difficult to get skilled folk to stay in work as they get older. Sigh...

[stuartp]

A colleague and I were interviewing candidates for a Technical Clerk's job once, and came across the only sane HR person we'd ever met. She had to be there because neither of us had been on the "Not asking them if they intend to get pregnant then appointing the fittest one" course so we had to be chaperoned.

We were dreading it because we were required to appoint according to some incomprehensible set of Values and Behaviours which neither of us understood but she was sound.

"Appoint the one that can do the job and I'll make the paperwork fit"
"Are you sure you're a real HR person ?"

Every other one I've ever met has varied between incompetent and outright satanic.

[Bigmet]

...Every other one I've ever met has varied between incompetent and outright satanic.

All time favourite HR story: Friend of mine landed a senior HR post in a long established giant size computing business. He found himself 'put on ice' when he started and could get no information, all very disturbing, since he had a young family, had just relocated into a foreign land, etc. Three months later, he's told you are now HR director, here are the available offices, pick the one you like, and order your furnishing fit installed.

So there he is with a chap from Facilities management, selects the best (palatial) office, and he and the other guy move a strangely positioned desk away from a wall while considering the layout he would prefer, and trapped between it and the wall is a letter from the previous HR director authorising his dismissal. I have seen this letter...

So at least they are not discriminating in favour of 'their own kind' in the evil incompetence behaviour. Truly, Hell is people...

[Bufferstop]

This thread has diverged completely off topic, (I'm as guilty as anyone else) so I'm going to say if anyone wants to continue the discussion please start a new thread in the Off Topic section, I'll be glad to copy across the appropriate posts if I see thee new thread appear. John W