Xmas Day 2007, Erk Style

Working in an industry such as mine, you have to be prepared to work on days like public holidays when you don't really want to work. For most people, especially people with kids or large families, you would rather have the day off if you could. But for me, I don't really mind either way. So I reported for work as rostered on Xmas Day and I thought I'd have a bit of fun and let some photos tell the story.



The drive in the Forester on the way to and from work was easy. On the way to work there was a lot less traffic on the road but by the time I was driving home, there was a bit more traffic as people presumably moved around from house to house.


Despite double demerit points and the possibility of people drink driving, I did not see a single Police car in either direction on traffic duties.




Fortunately for me, I was not doing super duper early mornings like I did on the same day two years ago so I didn't get to see trains in the shed nor get them ready for service.


I noticed that this shed was nearly empty (unlike the time of this photo) but in the next few days, they will want to have a good look at the trains prior to New Years Eve as we can't afford to have broken trains sitting in depots that night.




I didn't need to get a train ready nor was I "Mr Shed" so there was no need to walk around the yard. Once the trains left in the morning it would have been a pretty quiet day in the yard.


So I signed on, checked what I was doing and then headed off in my car for my first train.








My first stop was at a service station to get a drink. I knew that not a lot of shops would be open today but the majority of the service stations would be. Then I remembered that I needed batteries in my radio so I picked them up at the service station as well. I did have batteries with me but they weren't the right size for my radio!














I had some time to wait at Clyde for my first train to Carlingford. I sent and received some text messages and spoke to Leigh before he was due to go on air at noon. I was due to do three trips on the shuttle service between Clyde & Carlingford.


Needless to say, there was not many people around. I could see the trains to and from the west, the south and the city. The trains going to/from the south seemed busier than the west trains. Maybe there are more people travelling south who do not celebrate Xmas so it was a normal day for them.


When the train arrives at Clyde, there is a bit of a wait before it departs for Carlingford so I had some down time. So I thought I'd take advantage of a quiet day and read last month's Ralph magazine.


Prior to 12 noon, it was a good chance to listen to some podcasts as well. I am gradually catching up on stuff as many shows go off air for Xmas/New Year (and also summer here in Australia).


The temperature was pleasant enough with a lot of cloud but still in the 20's/70's so it wasn't a really hot day for Xmas. It wasn't the picture perfect postcard day that I thought it might be (or tourists were hoping for) but it was warmer than the -4 degrees that my American podcast buddy Richard Jefferies reported to me later from Chicago.


Soon enough it was 12 noon and my mate Leigh (now aka Erk's Voice Over Guy) was starting his 6 hour Xmas Day special on the radio. Had he been on an FM station I could have listened to the whole thing easily but because he works for an AM station, the reception wasn't the best on my trains with all of the electrical interference around.


I did my best though, finding the best place to put the radio (see photo) on my first train but on my second train that has even more electrical interference, it was almost impossible to listen so I went back to my iPod.


Thank you for the shout-out as well, Voice Over Guy! :)





I even found a bit of time for a pole dancing shot at the end of the line at Carlingford. Believe it or not, I can pole dance although I'm no expert!



So far so good. I'm having a relaxing day at this point and there are no hassles. I wish every day was like this.


My next problem was to find something to eat. I was due to eat at Clyde but at that time of day on a normal weekend there is nothing open so I normally go somewhere else anyway. But being Xmas Day, I could not rely on my normal places. I did not feel like going to McDonalds at Auburn after the Xmas Eve incident (it was open, though!).




My first stop was the McDonalds & KFC at Rose Hill. They are located next to each other so if one is closed, the other might be open. They were both closed. Then I thought of Lidcombee but I knew from previous experience that it would be useless so I thought I'd try Auburn.


Auburn is a multi-cultural place so I thought there might be something open. I was right. There are obviously a lot of people who don't celebrate Xmas in Auburn as there was a range of shops open including a furniture shop, an interweb cafe but more importantly, a kebab shop. I'll definately keep Auburn in mind for the next public holiday I work!







Meal completed, it was time to head west to Penrith. I had a Tangara train and it was impossible to listen to Leigh so I listened to Soccergirl instead on my iPod.


I had a nice quick trip out west and it felt strange heading to my own turf for Xmas on a train. While I travel through the area every day to and from work, I rarely catch or drive a train west.


By this stage of the afternoon there were some more people out and about.

I got to Penrith which is my home town. Ironically I was about 5 minutes drive from home but because I was working, I was about 2 hours away from home. Here I am posing in front of one of many trains who (unlike me) had the day off.


Despite the day being a lot quieter than normal, we still run to a weekend timetable in case people want to travel. Some bus companies for instance run a special Xmas Day holiday where the services are halved or not run at all. As an aside, in London there are no Underground (tube), Overground (rail) or long distance train services, very limited bus service and no ferries either. One could imagine the uproar if that happened here!


All that was left for my work day was to drive my last train and then I headed home. Fortunately I was able to enjoy Xmas Dinner with my mum. Afterwards, I felt like I was going into a turkey coma.


So there's my Xmas Day!