This means the driver alone oversees both the train’s movement and door operations, rather than having a second conductor on board.
The dispute centres on the first stage of the new railway, serving six stations between Oxford and Milton Keynes.
Trains on this route will stop at Oxford, Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central.
According to RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey, the proposals would be a “significant risk” to safety and existing train manager roles.
He added: “RMT will not accept the watering down of safety on the rail network.”
However, Chiltern Railways has rejected the claim that the new services would compromise passenger safety.
Interim managing director Tony Baxter said: “We have run most of our trains with the driver in control of the doors for decades, safely and as approved by the independent rail regulator.
“It also means over 100 new permanent jobs at Chiltern, and no changes to the roles of existing colleagues.”
The operator also stressed that every East West Rail train will have two staff members on board – a driver, and a colleague to look after and assist passengers and check tickets.
The company has said it remains committed to working with RMT to solve the dispute.
What changes will be in place over the weekend?
According to Chiltern Railways’ website, the majority of passengers will “experience a near normal train service”.
There will be no services for Stratford-upon-Avon or Leamington Spa for the entire day.
Passengers will instead need to travel via Dorridge, taking a West Midlands Railway service between Stratford-upon-Avon and Dorridge.
Customers have been assured that tickets will be valid via Dorridge at no additional cost.
A further four long distance services will only operate part of their journeys:
0644 Stourbridge Junction to London Marylebone – will start at Banbury
0819 Stourbridge Junction to London Marylebone – will start at Birmingham Moor Street
1802 London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction will terminate at Birmingham Moor Street
1932 London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction will terminate at Banbury
Certain trains in and out of London Marylebone will have additional stops at Wembley Arena for passengers heading to the Girlguiding Big Gig pop concert.
A couple of years ago, in a column about Father Greg Boyle, I noted that he is quite particular and even a bit preachy about the right way to eat a steak.
It should be medium rare, never well-done, and served with a proper elixir.
Doors drummer John Densmore took note. One thing led to another, and in July, Densmore, Boyle, former Times reporter Greg Krikorian and I went to dinner at the Smoke House in Burbank.
We did not necessarily follow Boyle’s meat and beverage protocols, but we jabbered away in a red leather booth, and a good time was had by all.
Then, in August, I got an email from Boyle.
“John walks into the Homeboy Art Academy,” he wrote, “and starts jamming as the homies are playing ‘Stand By Me.’”
Boyle sent a short video, and there’s Densmore, still keeping perfect time at 81.
John Densmore enjoys an upbeat moment while teaching a music class at Homeboy Art Academy.
I wasn’t surprised. Densmore’s a busy guy, with various charitable causes and artistic ventures. He and former Public Enemy rapper Chuck D just fused music genres on an album called “No Country for Old Men.” But he’s an admirer of Boyle and his decades-long mission of gang intervention and rehabilitation.
“Hey,” Densmore told the musicians he played with that day, “maybe I can do something here.”
He suggested that he return and stage a music workshop or a drum circle.
They said of course.
On Wednesday, before the music began, Densmore insisted that I see the Homeboy Art Academy, whose founder is artist Fabian Debora.
“I grew up in the projects when Father Greg first came in,” Debora told me, referring to Homeboy’s early days in the 1980s, when Boyle was pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights. “Through the arts, I found my way to healing and transformation. Then I said, ‘How can I fulfill a need that was missing in my life?’”
The answer is the academy he now runs with Dre Comers, located near Metro’s Chinatown station, providing art instruction to tens of thousands of people. On Wednesday, teachers were busy helping students with artwork in various stages of completion, including a painting of Boyle with a halo.
Most of the participants are young adults, many of whom were born decades after the Doors’ last album was released. One student, in his 20s, welcomed us and asked Densmore what he was known for.
“I’m a drummer,” Densmore said.
He was known to far more people in the music room, including longtime musician/instructors Joe Calderon and Martin Flores. They’re part of the Young Musicians Foundation’s Music Heals program, funded in large part by legendary songwriter Mike Stoller, who co-wrote dozens of hit songs including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog,” “Poison Ivy” and “Stand by Me.”
The latter song appears on a brand new “Music Heals” album designed by art academy participants and released Tuesday, so with Densmore’s arrival on Wednesday, it was a big week for Homeboy arts.
“When you’re playing music,” Densmore told about 30 students and instructors, you can enter a state of timelessness. “It’s kind of like a meditation … A little bit of infinity creeps in … And everybody can get into that space. If you want to be a professional musician, cool. If you wind up playing the piano in a closet and nobody hears it, you’re still getting into this space that kind of heals and feeds you.”
And then it was concert time, with Densmore on drums and instructors Calderon on guitar, Flores on percussion and Mackenzie Azela on bass. Fabian Debora Jr. (bass and vocals) and Ralph Quintero (vocals) are both in the Homeboy rehabilitation program.
The band kicked off with a blues number called “Got My Mojo Working,” then it was Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me” followed by Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love.”
It all went off pretty smoothly for a group that hadn’t worked together except for a quick minute on Densmore’s previous visit. The musicians were smiling, the spectators tapped and clapped, and that magical sense of timelessness was real, spanning multiple generations.
In a place filled with people confronting the challenge of rebuilding their lives, the lyrics of one particular song were a reverie.
No, I won’t be afraid.
Oh, I won’t be afraid.
Just as long as you stand by me.
Doors drummer John Densmore, right, leads a jam session while teaching a music class at Homeboy Art Academy in downtown Los Angeles.
Debora Jr., 27, told me it was pretty cool to be playing with a member of the Doors, a band he knew about through his elders. Quintero, 50, who is studying psychology and wants to be a drug counselor, said he still couldn’t believe he had just performed with a member of the Doors.
“It’s an honor,” he said.
Everyone in the room grabbed either shakers or a small drum, and with Densmore instructing and conducting, the ensemble conjured what he called the heartbeat of Mother Earth. The music rose and fell, rose and fell as the players became one, followed by an orchestrated hush that served as a silent accent.
“Like sex,” Densmore said.
He moved on to a brief Q&A, and one of the first questions was about what it was like to be around Doors lead man Jim Morrison.
“I miss his artistry,” Densmore said. “I don’t miss his self-destruction. So I’m 81. He died at 27. And there’s different ways to do this. Hopefully you guys will keep on breathing like I am.”
As Densmore packed up his things, a young man named Jeremiah asked the drummer if he’d record a short video for the family of his girlfriend. She had just lost her grandfather, a longtime Doors fan.
“That was their go-to music, every car trip,” Jeremiah said.
He sent the clip to his girlfriend and asked her what the family’s favorite songs were. “Riders on the Storm” was one. Along with “Break on Through,” “Touch Me,” and “L.A. Woman.”
John Densmore, right, congratulates musicians Joe Calderon, from left, Fabian Debora Jr., with bass, and Ralph Quintero after they performed.
At Homeboy, Boyle’s mission has been twofold, in a sense. To show love to his charges while preparing them for lives unlike the ones they’ve known. And through his books and teachings, to remind us all that we belong to each other.
There was a bit of that gospel in the note that Flores, program director at Music Heals, sent Densmore after his visit. He thanked him, telling Densmore he had “provided our students with not only an incredible artistic experience, but also a deep sense of connection, inspiration and hope as they navigate their journeys.”
Densmore answered immediately.
“I think I might have gotten more out of it than I gave.”
RAILWAY workers are set to stage two 24-hour strikes this October in a row over doors.
The staff are making a stand against plans for driver-only operation on new services.
Staff at Chiltern Railways will walk out for two days this OctoberCredit: PA
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Chiltern Railways will walk out on October 10 and October 17.
The union said its members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over plans to introduce driver-only operation (DOO) on East West Rail services.
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The dispute centres on the first stage of the new railway, which will run between Oxford and Milton Keynes.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said the proposed operation represented a “significant risk” to safety and to existing train manager roles.
He said: “RMT will not accept the watering down of safety on the rail network.”
But Chiltern Railways has rejected the suggestion that the new services will compromise passenger safety.
Interim managing director Tony Baxter said: “We have run most of our trains with the driver in control of the doors for decades, safely and as approved by the independent rail regulator.
“It also means over 100 new permanent jobs at Chiltern, and no changes to the roles of existing colleagues.”
He added that the operator expected to run the “vast majority” of its services on both days, with the timetables for the strike dates confirmed shortly.
The operator also stressed that every East West Rail service will have two people on board.
This will include the driver and another member of staff responsible for looking after passengers, checking tickets and helping people who need assistance.
The company said it remains committed to working with the RMT to resolve the dispute.
