Door locks

I tend to think in this modern mostly automated world now that we forget just how many staff were on platforms back in the age when some of these carriages were in daily use. From Station Masters to porters carrying luggage, many passengers having doors opened and closed for them as part of the service. I should imagine it's not inconceivable there were at least one, if not more members of staff per carriage, and once all aboard they all had the duty to check the doors and give the nod that all is well, or the guard walks the carriages on a final door check.
Now with staff at a premium, and especially if volunteer based, the level of staffing on platforms is much lower, people are not taking luggage so no porters, the personal service much lower.
So perhaps the number of those who struggle with the locks isn't that much higher than before, just less available staff to check?
Obviously today that causes a big problem as often staff now rely on the passengers to operate the locks, whereas before a member of staff at the carriages would hold the door open for the ladies and gentlemen while the porter loaded their luggage.
"Sir, Madam, Welcome to the Great Western Railway, I hope you have an enjoyable journey, we will be leaving at 10.15am. Mind the step, let me help you Madam.... there we go. I note from your tickets you are travelling to Exeter, the train should arrive at xx.xxpm, a very good day to you both", and tips his hat.
A bygone age not only for the traveller, but staffing too.

 

PA needs to be retained solely for emergencies on supposed "heritage" railways. One I know of has even fitted loudspeakers in the lavatories! How yuck can you get?

 

Lol, that conjures up some mental images of comical situations

 

Essentially the issue was that the GWR locks don't lock automatically when you close the door. The spring inside them holds it either open or closed depending on which way it is turned.

The other issue is the droplight windows with the leather straps that often passengers don't know to operate to even open the window. It isn't suprising as they are not in common use anymore.

We as enthusiasts can help though when we see someone struggling even if you are travelling on another railway. The more we help and show, the more the issue goes away and visitors know what to do.

 

PA also runs the risk of becoming another "see it say it sorted" annoyance that people shut out on the mainline, and hence probably miss something realy important.

 

One of the only downsides of one of my favourite railways (which I'm not going to name, except to say it is *not* one under discussion in this thread) is the absolutely incessant and intrusive wittering on the PA, not just when the train is in a station - it really gets in the way of what is otherwise a really enjoyable experience.