ON
TOUR

FESTIVE FUN

When Exchange extra dropped by, plans for Christmas were still being considered, but in previous years colleagues have brought a sparkle to the station. Decorations and trees in staff areas, and sometimes treats for customers handed out during ‘meet the manager’ events, add to the festive feel.

“When customers walk in and they see the decorations and us wearing Santa hats, it makes them smile and they always comment on it,” said station assistant Hourd Batitse.

DID YOU KNOW?
In the 1960s, the Kuo Yuan Chinese restaurant on Willesden High Road was the first to serve Peking duck in Britain.

FEELS LIKE A FAMILY

Straddling two Overground lines with a maze of walkways, bridges and subways linking its platforms, Willesden Junction is a busy hub where services from across the network converge.

Located in the town of Harlesden rather than Willesden, it is also home to refurbished drivers’ accommodation, Traincare and RPI colleagues, and a maintenance depot.

The station team, many of whom hail from the local area, are proud of the lengths they go to ensure customers get where they need to go and receive the best service.

“The team here are very experienced and know their stuff,” said service delivery manager Sarah Melchor. “I can rely on them to do their best and deliver great service.

“Our local knowledge is also very useful. If a customer wants to get to a certain place, we know the best way to get there and some alternative options too – especially useful during disruption.”

Customer host mentor Hassan Ibrahim has worked at the station for more than 20 years. “I like working with colleagues and particularly customers,” he said. “When I joined, I thought I would last six months but helping customers is such a rewarding job, and colleagues here really make it feel like a family.”

The team appreciates it when their efforts are recognised.

“Customers we know well will always say hello and sometimes bring us small gifts, especially at Christmas. That makes you feel that you are doing a good job,” said gateline assistant Femi Oderinde.

DID YOU KNOW?
King Charles clearly had fun on a visit to Harlesden when he was Prince of Wales in 2007. He reportedly told community leaders: “I don’t think I have enjoyed myself so much for a long time.”

ROOM TO RELAX

The recently refurbished mess room at Willesden Junction offers drivers a place to unwind and catch up with colleagues. Its location on platform five is particularly welcome.

“It saves us making a longer walk to the depot building which is good when the weather is bad and it means we get more time to enjoy our break,” said driver Chantel Chang. “It’s a job that involves a lot of concentration so it’s great to have somewhere like this to relax.”

DID YOU KNOW?
The McVitie & Price factory in Harlesden became the largest biscuit factory in the western world, employing 2,600 people by 1978.

REGGAE ROOTS

During the 1960s, the area became the birthplace of the UK’s reggae scene.

Founded in Willesden in 1968, Trojan Records became a major reggae label, producing many successful Jamaican and UK artists.

The Cimarons, England’s first home-grown reggae roots band, was formed in 1969 in Harlesden, and the town was also home to a number of reggae radio stations.

Numerous international reggae artists lived or live in or around Harlesden, including Janet Kay, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley and Liz Mitchell of Boney M.