Driver Only Operation
Driver Only Operation (DOO) is defined in Railway Group Standards as:
"The operation of a train without a person on board for the purpose of protecting the train when the driver is incapacitated and the train is stopped by failure, accident, obstruction of the line or other exceptional incident."
There are further distinctions between DOO(P) and DOO (NP):
Requirements for DOO(P) are more onerous:
The Train-to-Signal box radio system introduced by British Rail came to be known as Cab Secure Radio (CSR). This system is now being superseded by GSM-R.
The report following the review proposed staff costs be reduced by moving to an 'Open Station' system where revenue collection was carried out on the train rather than at staffed stations. The trains would become driver only operated, with the guards employed solely on revenue protection and customer care duties.
Under the Strathclyde Manning Agreement:
Implementation of SMA was due to start in Autumn 1985. The appearance of the first DOO modified class 303 unit in July 1985 sparked off a guards dispute which saw the south side suburban services out of Glasgow Central suspended for 2 weeks.
After numerous delays, some due to technical problems with the radio system, the Inverclyde lines became the first route operated under SMA in July 1986. Within a few months the new electric service to Ayr began, and this was SMA operated from the start. The Cathcart Circle services changed over in the following year, but implementation on the remaining electric routes had to wait until the completion of the Yoker resignalling project.
The intended introduction of SMA onto routes operated by new Sprinter DMUs never happened. Many of these diesel services continued beyond the Strathclyde PTE area and operated on routes without modern signalling.
Signal Box notes:
Sighthill SB replaced by Cowlairs SC in December 1998 (Springburn Branch).
Glasgow Central SC replaced by West of Scotland SC in December 2008.
"The operation of a train without a person on board for the purpose of protecting the train when the driver is incapacitated and the train is stopped by failure, accident, obstruction of the line or other exceptional incident."
There are further distinctions between DOO(P) and DOO (NP):
- DOO (Passenger), applies to trains carrying passengers
- DOO (Non-Passenger), applies to Freight, Mail, Parcels and Empty Coaching Stock, Light Locomotives and On-Track Machines.
Requirements for DOO(P) are more onerous:
- Secure Train-to-Signal Box radio system
- Multiple Aspect Signalling, with the location of all trains monitored in the Signal box by track-circuiting
- Sliding-door rolling stock
- Driver viewing aids, such as CCTV or mirrors at stations
- Enhanced lighting at stations
Train-to-Signal Box Radio
The Train-to-Signal box radio allows drivers to contact the Signaller without leaving their train unattended whilst using signal post telephones. Unlike the NRN system, Train-to-signal box radio allows calls directly to the signal box and the signaller can positively identify from which train the call is being made.The Train-to-Signal box radio system introduced by British Rail came to be known as Cab Secure Radio (CSR). This system is now being superseded by GSM-R.
Strathclyde Manning Agreement (SMA)
During 1983 British Rail and Strathclyde Regional Council carried out a joint review of the Strathclyde PTE supported rail network in response to the escalating support bill. The Paisley Canal and Kilmacolm line closed during the year, and it was expected the futher lines would follow.The report following the review proposed staff costs be reduced by moving to an 'Open Station' system where revenue collection was carried out on the train rather than at staffed stations. The trains would become driver only operated, with the guards employed solely on revenue protection and customer care duties.
Under the Strathclyde Manning Agreement:
- Guards would retain their grade and pay.
- Revenue protection staff would be rostered to cover all trains
- Trains would not be cancelled for lack of a 2nd member of staff.
Implementation of SMA was due to start in Autumn 1985. The appearance of the first DOO modified class 303 unit in July 1985 sparked off a guards dispute which saw the south side suburban services out of Glasgow Central suspended for 2 weeks.
After numerous delays, some due to technical problems with the radio system, the Inverclyde lines became the first route operated under SMA in July 1986. Within a few months the new electric service to Ayr began, and this was SMA operated from the start. The Cathcart Circle services changed over in the following year, but implementation on the remaining electric routes had to wait until the completion of the Yoker resignalling project.
The intended introduction of SMA onto routes operated by new Sprinter DMUs never happened. Many of these diesel services continued beyond the Strathclyde PTE area and operated on routes without modern signalling.
Routes of Operation
| Start Date | Route | Signal boxes | Trains |
| 05/07/1986 | Glasgow Central - Gourock / Wemyss Bay | Glasgow Central SC, Paisley SC | Class 303 |
| 29/09/1986 | Glasgow Central - Ayr | Glasgow Central SC, Paisley SC | Class 318 |
| 19/01/1987 | extension to Ardrossan Harbour / Largs | Paisley SC | Class 318 |
| 29/06/1987 | Cathcart Circle / Neilston / Newton | Glasgow Central SC, Cathcart SB, Motherwell SC | Class 303 |
| 11/05/1992 | Argyle Line, Dalmuir - Motherwell / Lanark / Carstairs | Yoker SC, Glasgow Central SC, Motherwell SC | Class 303, Class 314 |
| 13/09/1993 | Helensburgh Upper - Drumgelloch and branches | Yoker SC, Sighthill SB | Class 303, Class 320 |
| 12/12/2005 | Argyle Line extended to Larkhall | Motherwell SC | Class 318, Class 334 |
Signal Box notes:
Sighthill SB replaced by Cowlairs SC in December 1998 (Springburn Branch).
Glasgow Central SC replaced by West of Scotland SC in December 2008.
Trains
- Class 303: From mid 1985 refurbished class 303 units were fitted with in-cab door controls and SMA radios. Gangways between carriages were fitted and the door controls were removed from the guards compartments.
- Class 314: between 1988 and 1991 the 16 units were fitted with SMA radios.
- Class 318: Fully equiped for DOO(P) from new in 1986. Part of fleet fitted with conductor's door controls and NRN radio for use on the North Berwick Branch from 2001.
- Class 320: Equiped for DOO(P) from new in 1990, but modified to allow guard to give bell signals to driver pending introduction of DOO(P).
- Class 334: Fully equiped for DOO(P) from new in 2000, and featuring carriage mounted cameras and in-cab CCTV screens. Fitted with later CSR type radios.