Trainee train drivers wanted...
Discussion
Vickers_VC10 said:
Been foggy lately. Can't beat going full chat with < 10m visibility.
''I knows where I is and I knows where I's going'' 
For those on here who have applied and been successful, congratulations - once you start getting out and about it will all slot into place and become second nature. Road learning can be very boring at times, but the route knowledge itself can be a very satisfying part of the job, particularly if you're lucky enough to be based at a depot with a varied route card where you're not doing the same thing day in, day out.
For those who've applied and not any success, keep trying, be persistent, I'm sure you won't regret it
Gareth1974 said:
Corvid-2020 said:
Not for class 20 training with you I hope based on your username. Are you a Saltey man?
It was a Jocko, not a 20... 
Must admit major eyesight fail looking at the engine length - looked longer than I remember a gronk being (eyes divert all the time when I see that picture to the stacked trucks rather than the loco, I expect one day to see an animated gif where they fall down) but then I looked under the plate and it is obvs an 0-6-0 rather than a Bo-Bo.
I must admit though, the only time I've seen a loco wheelspin was a gronk in TMD in the late 1970s / early 1980s trying to get away from a wrong humped pair of Sealions! Screech like Billy-O then I'm sure it set off on the last two driving wheels with the other four in the air, you could smell the railhead burn!
Oh, if you are new to the railways, make sure that none of you colleagues have placed "air bomb" bangers under he deadmans treadle. Used to be the opening week works banter. Makes you think you've just gone over some Dets. Do they still use Dets these days or is it electric / signal control. Used to love nicking them as a kid from unlocked cabs in TMD and then leaving them about....not always in railway places to go bang.
Corvid-2020 said:
Gareth1974 said:
Corvid-2020 said:
Not for class 20 training with you I hope based on your username. Are you a Saltey man?
It was a Jocko, not a 20... Must admit major eyesight fail looking at the engine length - looked longer than I remember a gronk being (eyes divert all the time when I see that picture to the stacked trucks rather than the loco, I expect one day to see an animated gif where they fall down) but then I looked under the plate and it is obvs an 0-6-0 rather than a Bo-Bo.
I must admit though, the only time I've seen a loco wheelspin was a gronk in TMD in the late 1970s / early 1980s trying to get away from a wrong humped pair of Sealions! Screech like Billy-O then I'm sure it set off on the last two driving wheels with the other four in the air, you could smell the railhead burn!
Oh, if you are new to the railways, make sure that none of you colleagues have placed "air bomb" bangers under he deadmans treadle. Used to be the opening week works banter. Makes you think you've just gone over some Dets. Do they still use Dets these days or is it electric / signal control. Used to love nicking them as a kid from unlocked cabs in TMD and then leaving them about....not always in railway places to go bang.
We still use dets, I had to use some at the end of last year when my loco failed at Great Glen on the Midland mainline and I had to carry out assistance protection. Another old trick with them was to drop then down the stovepipe of the brake van once the guard had built up his fire....
I've now got my contract confirming a January start.
Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
ChocolateFrog said:
I've now got my contract confirming a January start.
Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
Absolutely no pre reading. Forums are by and large full of Walts. Learn from your colleague's and tutors. Better to learn something correct rather than something that is half right. Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
As above - don't try to pre-empt anything or get ahead of yourself, just go with the flow of the training and it will all gradually slot into place. If for whatever reason you do find that you're struggling with a particular aspect, don't be afraid to ask for a bit of help.
Out of interest, where will you be based...?
Once you pass out and get some route knowledge under your belt you'll be fine. The day will come when you're pootling / hurtling along somewhere, enjoying the views of the countryside and then think to yourself ''bugger me, what a great way to earn a living''.
Out of interest, where will you be based...?
Once you pass out and get some route knowledge under your belt you'll be fine. The day will come when you're pootling / hurtling along somewhere, enjoying the views of the countryside and then think to yourself ''bugger me, what a great way to earn a living''.
Edited by P5BNij on Thursday 10th December 13:32
Vickers_VC10 said:
ChocolateFrog said:
I've now got my contract confirming a January start.
Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
Absolutely no pre reading. Forums are by and large full of Walts. Learn from your colleague's and tutors. Better to learn something correct rather than something that is half right. Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
Thanks.
P5BNij said:
As above - don't try to pre-empt anything or get ahead of yourself, just go with the flow of the training and it will all gradually slot into place. If for whatever reason you do find that you're struggling with a particular aspect, don't be afraid to ask for a bit of help.
Out of interest, where will you be based...?
Once you pass out and get some route knowledge under your belt you'll be fine. The day will come when you're pootling / hurtling along somewhere, enjoying the views of the countryside and then think to yourself ''bugger me, what a great way to earn a living''.
Excellent, I can't wait. Out of interest, where will you be based...?
Once you pass out and get some route knowledge under your belt you'll be fine. The day will come when you're pootling / hurtling along somewhere, enjoying the views of the countryside and then think to yourself ''bugger me, what a great way to earn a living''.
Edited by P5BNij on Thursday 10th December 13:32
I'll be based out of Sheffield.
ChocolateFrog said:
I've now got my contract confirming a January start.
Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
I agree with the other posters regarding no prep with rules & traction, plus take some of the armchair experts on the some forums with a pinch of salt. This forum is nicer to posters than some dedicated rail forums I've found.Getting back into work has been long overdue for me so I'm really looking forward to it.
A question for current drivers. Is there any beneficial pre-reading or other prep I could be doing?
I've avoided getting into the forums mainly because I want start with a blank slate without any false misconceptions but I don't want to go into day 1 totally unprepared.
So advice for the first 16 weeks much appreciated.
It's a challenging but rewarding 9-12 months of training from day 1 to pass out, even then your s PQA driver for a further 2 years. But my mindset is you never stop learning & have an open mind, plus there's no such thing as a stupid question.
I've found a minority of new drivers can be quite cocky & arrogant, but if I can see this I know that the DMs know these people aswell. I just kept my head down when I was training & listened to the experienced drivers/ DIs.
As they have all been trainees & the vast majority are helpful.
Good luck & enjoy the classroom 9-4 / 5 day week environment
I've seen a few cocky ones and yes generally they are the first to relax too much and have an incident.
Everyday is a learning day, I found, that after passing out the rules made more sense and gave me a better underpinning of them.
I also agree that no pre reading is req as the school will teach everything in an order that makes sense.
Everyday is a learning day, I found, that after passing out the rules made more sense and gave me a better underpinning of them.
I also agree that no pre reading is req as the school will teach everything in an order that makes sense.
Think I’ve finally found the right thread here for advice 
.
Got an assessment coming up with DB cargo. Totally new to me, although I’m used to the transport industry. Looking for more of an insight into the job and the recruitment.
Anyone willing to post here or pm much appreciated. Wasn’t expecting to be having a good stab at a new career after 30 years in the old one but needs must and this looks like a good challenge from reading this.
.Got an assessment coming up with DB cargo. Totally new to me, although I’m used to the transport industry. Looking for more of an insight into the job and the recruitment.
Anyone willing to post here or pm much appreciated. Wasn’t expecting to be having a good stab at a new career after 30 years in the old one but needs must and this looks like a good challenge from reading this.
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