Passsed a Trainee Train Driver Assessment
Discussion
Sophie194 said:
Just a quick one, I understand medicals are pretty strict, and for good reason, but how strict? I have a friend who's due to sit a medical, and his hearings fine, apart from the fact that there's a certain frequency he's not too good at hearing but only in one ear, although this doesn't affect him day to day, and he was only made aware due to a medical he sat when he began working in the police service, it didn't affect him going into the police, but I was wondering whether his would affect him?
There's only one way to find out! As you know, there are quite strict standards so there might be an issue, but on the other hand it might still be absolutely fine (or at least enough to pass) given that it's just a certain frequency in one ear. As the other chap says, they might not even test for that particular frequency - I wouldn't recommend trying to fudge the test though, as every one that I've ever done plays the tones at random intervals and requires you to press (and release) the button for each tone.Front end turns - not only will they help to provide a basis for route learning in the future, but they'll really help with learning rules and regs in the classroom...just seeing it all in practice makes it so much easier to understand when it comes to learning about it.
Sophie194 said:
Hello everyone! Thought I'd let you know how I'm getting on! In my 6th week of training now, and today I got to drive my first train - a class 156! It's been a heavy few weeks but the people I'm with are bloody awesome and we're like a family already! Definitely the right choice! Can't wait to get my driving hours in! Finally starting to believe I've done it! Eeeeeee!!!
Hey Sophie,congratulations on getting this far, I have managed to get an application in after the online 50 questions and scenarios and hope to get to the next stage which is why I'm sending this message,I was hoping you could tell me what the stages are up to being offered the full time training? It's sounds an awesome job and the amount of stuff you need to learn seems imense. I hope I get as far as that.Any advice would be welcome.Thanks
Pacman1978 said:
Would a train driver make a good airline pilot? Could anyone say in percentage terms, how harder it is to fly a plane compared to driving down a train? Or is it no contest?
I guess the only people that could say for certain are those who have done both jobs. I certainly like the idea of getting my pilot's licence; however time and money constraints mean I'll have to stick to 100mph on the floor, not 600mph through the sky! 
What about leaves on the track? Them fancy fly boys haven't gotta deal with such hazardous greenery have they? If anything, a train driver has to deal with similar scenarios that a pilot may encounter except the train driver has a lot less options available. A locomotive cannot simply maneuver around an unknown obstacle can it. Also, aren't passenger jets virtually autonomous, same as some trains?
Railway buffs did some tests a few years ago to see how the stress levels compared for a train driver and airline pilot.
Landing an aircraft compared to running into and stopping an express mainline train at somewhere like kings cross.....
The stress levels were almost identical believe it or not.
I can certainly say that stopping an class 86 with vacuum brake coaches at Liverpool Street from Cambridge was an arse!!!!
Some of the older drivers used to rub the straight air brake on approach, and you could see the look of terror in their eyes!! Great fun?
Gadgit
Landing an aircraft compared to running into and stopping an express mainline train at somewhere like kings cross.....
The stress levels were almost identical believe it or not.
I can certainly say that stopping an class 86 with vacuum brake coaches at Liverpool Street from Cambridge was an arse!!!!
Some of the older drivers used to rub the straight air brake on approach, and you could see the look of terror in their eyes!! Great fun?
Gadgit
Without trying to hijack the thread, anyone got any advice on revising the rules and regs? Just read through continously and cram it in?
Half the stuff (the stuff that's hardly used) seems to have vanished from my head, and i have a summary assessment in late February. Never did much like tests!
Half the stuff (the stuff that's hardly used) seems to have vanished from my head, and i have a summary assessment in late February. Never did much like tests!
Pebbles167 said:
anyone got any advice on revising the rules and regs? Just read through continously and cram it in?
Read through one module per day.You don't get overwhelmed with trying to do it all in one go so more will stick.
Then you can go back and do any you need to look at again.
The best option, after your test, is to read one module per fortnight and stay on top of it all.
good luck.
gadgit said:
Railway buffs did some tests a few years ago to see how the stress levels compared for a train driver and airline pilot.
Landing an aircraft compared to running into and stopping an express mainline train at somewhere like kings cross.....
You should've tried stopping a loaded coal train with HAAs in the wet going downhill !!!!Landing an aircraft compared to running into and stopping an express mainline train at somewhere like kings cross.....
Pebbles167 said:
Appreciate the advice, thanks
Should be able to sign my first route as soon as the assessment is done.
With a decent instructor prepared to squeeze the info from you I think you'll be amazed at what comes flooding back.Should be able to sign my first route as soon as the assessment is done.
What Tight5 says works a treat but also try putting any question into a scenario rather than an abstract single event.
Personally, I always preferred the 'old' way with the vast majority of rules and regs in one or two documents - lately it seems the rule book is losing lots of info to TOC/FOC instruction booklets.
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