Oral history; interview with Jamie Geen, 2023
Main details
| Reference number | 2023/1107 |
|---|---|
| Description | Jamie Geen talks about his role as a Customer Service Assistant on the Elizabeth line |
| Interviewee | Jamie Geen |
| Dates | 06/07/2023 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Topics | |
| Completeness | 59% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Object title Oral history interview with Jamie Geen, 2023 -
Interview summary
Track 1 of 1 [00:27:12] Jamie Geen was born 17 October 2001 in London and grew up in Ruislip. Parents Kate and Wayne. Father works in fire service, mother in an office. Attended Ruislip High School. Always wanted to work on the railway. Started career on buses then applied for Customer Service Assistant for Elizabeth line. Explains application process. Works on central section, between Paddington and Whitechapel. Describes remit of role. Talks about announcements. Gives example including humour for Heathrow service interchange 'to the rest of the world'. Talks about training for role and impact of COVID-19 pandemic [00:05:00]. Explains station systems including platform screen doors and manually dispatching trains. Describes training station mock-up at West Ilford. Not an operational station. Jokes about being train spotter and visiting station others can't. Describes faults training. Talks about trial operations phase and first time people used line as part of testing. Mentions riding the full line in March 2022. Surreal experience. Talks about liking architecture of stations and speed of trains. Describes size of team on shift and various roles [00:10:00]. Explains enjoying practical side of role. Describes shift pattern, prefers late shift. Talks about challenge of getting to work so early in the morning. Explains challenges of role. Mentions track fire at Maidenhead. Talks about a swan on a line causing disruption in late June 2023. Laughs about puns that came out of situation. Scott McCloud, Communications and Stakeholder Manager for MTR Elizabeth line, also in attendance, inputs. Talks about not knowing what to expect for role. Describes railway as one big family. Describes uniform, use of purple [00:15:00]. Talks about safety-grade shoes. Explains briefing for opening day. Worked late shift. Mentions train spotting community attending. Talks about taking photos for people. Describes team structure and roles. Talks about radio systems that are used. Talks about challenge of role when there is severe disruption. Enjoys working at Paddington, social [00:20:00]. Talks about shadowing staff at station across wider line including Custom House as a surface station. Explains difference at stations with platform screen doors. Describes typical day in role. Explains assisting passengers with additional needs. Talks about making announcements often, has lost his voice. Explains break pattern and station facilities including mess rooms [00:25:00]. States he'd like to remain in a career on the railway, possibly as a driver eventually. Talks about using the Elizabeth line. Ends with reflecting on what makes trains on the line unique. End of recording [00:27:12] Please note: this is a summary of the full original recording rather than the edited web version -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Interviewer Jen Kavanagh, 06/07/2023Interviewee Jamie Geen -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Interview location MTR Elizabeth line office, 06/07/2023