Trainee train drivers wanted...

Trainee train drivers wanted...

Author
Discussion

Stedman

7,213 posts

191 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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That sounds like a massive ballache with hours not counting etc. Hours driving the traction you're going to sign are hours.

You chaps sign LOADS when you pass out. We only sign our depot - albeit massive - and one destination from both Vic and London Bridge. Up until Monday I still only signed my original route +1, the +1 being a slight add-on to my original. Absolutely bonkers considering i've been doing it 11 months. Anywho, i've been left alone for nearly 4 weeks to route learn loads biggrin

Yeap, job is quite good. You are your own boss most of the time. If only the jackets provided weren't the worst things in the world, EVER!

itcaptainslow

3,695 posts

135 months

Saturday 15th November 2014
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What a pain in the tits! I'm King's Cross depot so I'll end up doing a load of Hertford-Moorgate's & Welwyn, stoppers so at least they'll keep me on my toes.

And I agree-best job ever and I haven't even got out there yet!

RB5Bird

502 posts

194 months

Saturday 15th November 2014
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Stedman said:
As in, passed out got your own key and licence?
Yep. Sounds like its quite different to FGW, done less hours, but will have more time to learn more routes. Only sign the docks for now, which isn't far, will be adding the refinery next week. After doing that for a few weeks (or months, I don't know) I'll start signing more, possibly Didcot.

Exciting times, and it is a cool job.

Fergie87

336 posts

160 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
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I qualified as a driver 4 weeks ago but have only done 4 jobs on my own and the rest has been route learning. I started in the class room this time last year so took 11 months to qualify. I am guessing it's a lot quicker on passenger trains. I came from outside of the rail industry and have to say I love the job and it is by far the least stressful job I have had. I can fully recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new career.

itcaptainslow

3,695 posts

135 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
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Final core traction assessment on Friday. Bricking it!

Nikko 40691

697 posts

189 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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itcaptainslow said:
Final core traction assessment on Friday. Bricking it!
Good luck!

itcaptainslow

3,695 posts

135 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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Passed smile my memory went totally blank when investigating a fault, nerves getting the better of me I think (I hate being assessed-give me punters to deal with anyday!).

Coupling & uncoupling went well, out driving (brake handling) next week and the week after! biggrin

Stedman

7,213 posts

191 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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itcaptainslow said:
Passed smile my memory went totally blank when investigating a fault, nerves getting the better of me I think (I hate being assessed-give me punters to deal with anyday!).

Coupling & uncoupling went well, out driving (brake handling) next week and the week after! biggrin
Top man, well done.

Don't worry about the fault, we've all done it. A 16 day lad cancelled a train today because his vigilance wasn't working.


His face went white when someone asked him if he'd put it in 'forward' roflclap

valiant

10,072 posts

159 months

Friday 21st November 2014
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Hehe, Soon after I passed out I called our control demanding a fitter meet me as I could hear a 'gurgling' sound coming from somewhere in the cab. Having never noticing this before and being new I naturally thought that the train was about to implode or something.

After holding up the service while a puffing, sweating and generally hacked-off fitter runs down the platform to meet me, he listens and announces "That's the fking aircon you stupid bd! It's the refrigerant working it's way around the system. Now don't call again unless your fking wheels fall off!".

When your on your own for the first time it's surprising what new things you hear. I've been doing this for a while now so I generally swear and kick things to get them working again!

Good luck to all you newbies. It's a great job and you'll be kicking yourselves you didn't do this sooner.

itcaptainslow

3,695 posts

135 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Drove today for the first time biggrin really enjoyed it. The DI was complimentary about my technique, reactions to things without being prompted and judgement in stopping. Keeping my feet on the floor but I'm pleased by his comments.

Now to keep the focus and build on a good start smile can't wait for tomorrow!

Rick101

6,959 posts

149 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Lol, random faults are frustrating from a Control point of view. Very difficult to sort if not clear cut. The most annoying one is when driver is having a bad day and decides to go round loco with a fine tooth comb and fault everything he can find!

itcaptainslow

3,695 posts

135 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Rick101 said:
Lol, random faults are frustrating from a Control point of view. Very difficult to sort if not clear cut. The most annoying one is when driver is having a bad day and decides to go round loco with a fine tooth comb and fault everything he can find!
Got told a story today about a driver failing a train because the cab heating wasn't working. Apparently he didn't actually want the heater on and the temperature was just fine, but just in case... eek

Rick101

6,959 posts

149 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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I've had all sorts. Seat not having enough padding was one of the best.

P5Nij

675 posts

171 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Rick101 said:
I've had all sorts. Seat not having enough padding was one of the best.
You should come for a ride out with me on one of our shagged out FLHH 66s, at 60mph on full throttle with two thousand tons in tow they are as rough as f*ck! There will be quite a lot of us having to retire early through bad backs, hearing loss etc thanks to the god awful things we have to drive!

Still a great job though...

Rick101

6,959 posts

149 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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66's. I should be so lucky.

British Rail Research division. Fairly important work. What do we have, 31's and 37's!

itcaptainslow

3,695 posts

135 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Been driving 313's this week. Some of the oldest rolling stock in regular passenger service I'm told-they're not bad though and at least they're simple beasts! Don't know what all the fuss about dynamic brakes being crap is either (so far)-the one's I've driven brake nicely with the dynamic in and I'm getting the hang of judging the station stops nicely in step one and putting the monitors/car stop right in the middle of the window, which pleases the OCD in me. biggrin

Definitely the best job in the world, can't wait until I go back in the next day, and I'm still a trainee!

P5Nij

675 posts

171 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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Rick101 said:
66's. I should be so lucky.

British Rail Research division. Fairly important work. What do we have, 31's and 37's!
I'll be learning 70s soon, a mate at Lawley Street who's on them says they're even worse! I think his 'complete abject failure / fire bell going off' rate is something like one in three so far. Can't wait.

31s, 37s, 40s, 47s, 50s etc, lovely old things if they're looked after - the 50s we had at Old Oak used to fly ;O)

43034

2,963 posts

167 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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P5Nij said:
I'll be learning 70s soon, a mate at Lawley Street who's on them says they're even worse! I think his 'complete abject failure / fire bell going off' rate is something like one in three so far. Can't wait.

31s, 37s, 40s, 47s, 50s etc, lovely old things if they're looked after - the 50s we had at Old Oak used to fly ;O)
Did you ever do anything on the west coast?

Those 81s-85s used to be a bloody nightmare apparantly. Bouncing around at 110mph!!

P5Nij

675 posts

171 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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43034 said:
P5Nij said:
I'll be learning 70s soon, a mate at Lawley Street who's on them says they're even worse! I think his 'complete abject failure / fire bell going off' rate is something like one in three so far. Can't wait.

31s, 37s, 40s, 47s, 50s etc, lovely old things if they're looked after - the 50s we had at Old Oak used to fly ;O)
Did you ever do anything on the west coast?

Those 81s-85s used to be a bloody nightmare apparantly. Bouncing around at 110mph!!
Yes - I started at Rugby (have come full circle and am back now) when the 81s, 82,s 83, 85, 86s and 87s were still about - they're all rough to varying degrees! Missed out on 84s as they'd gone before I joined BR. Been bounced out of the seat on most of the above...!

rambo19

2,737 posts

136 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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P5Nij said:
Rick101 said:
I've had all sorts. Seat not having enough padding was one of the best.
You should come for a ride out with me on one of our shagged out FLHH 66s, at 60mph on full throttle with two thousand tons in tow they are as rough as f*ck! There will be quite a lot of us having to retire early through bad backs, hearing loss etc thanks to the god awful things we have to drive!

Still a great job though...
You should make sure you report that. Bad driver seats can and do cause serious back problems.