ON
TOUR
NEW CROSS GATE DEPOT
Exchange extra dropped in at New Cross Gate depot to chat facilities, festive plans and flower arrangements
BEHIND THE SCENES
On the platforms at New Cross Gate station, most customers go about their day unaware that tucked away nearby is a hive of activity, where many functions are vital for their journey.
New Cross Gate depot is one of the most important facilities in our network. It’s among the main hubs for train drivers and a pit stop for trains in need of cleaning and servicing.
More than 300 ARL colleagues are based at the depot – alongside partner companies, such as engineering service providers.
Herbert Ogolo, operations support administrator, says: “We take care of the day-to-day management of drivers, which includes managing shifts and schedules. Other companies work on the cleaning and servicing of trains. We’re not all in the same team, but we all come together to make it work.”
Herbert has worked here for more than seven years, and his main role is to procure and issue drivers with the equipment they need to carry out their jobs safely and effectively. “I was a driver for more than six years before I joined the company, so I have a good understanding of what they need,” he says.
Rooms in the main office are also used for in-class training, as driver Simon Ross explains: “We have study days where we get together and discuss any incidents and learnings we can take away.”
Simon has been a driver for more than 16 years. “The big difference from when I first started was that only 50 drivers were reporting in – now there are more than 250!”
Fellow driver Emelio McComie explains how drivers report to the main office to check in before they start their shifts. “This is where we get our daily briefings with any updates on the lines,” he says. “It doesn’t matter where you are coming from; the depot is our official starting point.”
DID YOU KNOW?
New Cross has been a significant rail hub since the 19th century, with nearby connections to the original London and Croydon Railway, one of the oldest railways in the UK.
HOP-PORTUNITY?
The New Cross Gate depot is part of an industrial complex with various other organisations dotted nearby, including the award-winning Forest Road Brewing Co, which opened in 2021.
“When they first opened, I inquired about the possibility of getting free beer after work, but so far we haven’t seen any,” laughs Herbert.
WHY I LOVE THE FESTIVE SEASON…
Simon Ross,
train driver
“My partner is cabin crew for an airline, so if she is working this Christmas, I’m going to tag along and hopefully go somewhere hot!”
Emelio McComie,
train driver
“My wife is Latin American and they have a tradition where family comes together on Christmas Eve and we open presents and then celebrate together over two days”
Herbert Ogolo,
operations support administrator
“If I can, I like to travel and I enjoy going to different markets. I went to a Christmas market in Germany once, which was really lovely”
BLOOMIN’ BRILLIANT
New Cross Gate depot won Best Team at this year’s Overground in Bloom competition.
“Most of the flower arrangements were outside,” says Emelio. “We did have a few indoor plants, including a beautiful lily, but I think it was affecting people with hay fever.”
Emelio is a keen gardener at home. “I get to spend time with my wife, but it’s also like a meditation for me,” he added. “My favourite flower is the dahlia – they are really pretty in how they open up and can get quite big. Truthfully, I didn’t know anything about flowers before I met my wife and she was really proud when I told her we had won.”
A lot of people got their hands dirty working on the arrangements. “Everyone got behind the project and the flowers looked great,” says Simon. “My role was making sure they were regularly watered – I put a sign up to remind everyone to do their bit.”
Lee Aulsberry, operations manager south, adds: “I’ve seen how much pride the team take in making the depot a cheerful place. Winning Best Team was fitting as this was a fantastic example of how everyone works together.”
Their success reflects the team’s commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere.
“We want it to feel more homely than just an office building,” says Herbert. “Many people pass through here, and seeing the flowers might relax them or improve their mood.”
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