How to become a train driver?

spring_chicken

my husband started off as a depot driver, and then after a year or so went mainline, its good money about £38,000.

Parva

My uncle stumbled into the train driving lark a lot of years ago after the steel industry went pear-shaped. He started as a conductor and eventually went on to be a driver. I can honestly say that he hated the job with a passion! Yep, he earned a damned good crust doing it but he detested the utter boredom of the job, and I'm talking Sheffield to Manchester trips at most.

The best description of the job he gave me was the night time runs, with a whole 2 candle power lights at the front. The knowledge of driving trains is not what you can see but what you can hear. You pass a set of points and on hearing this you know that you have to slow at that point.

He (my uncle) suffered heart problems whilst in the employ of the railways and took early retirement and a nice pay off and is currently enjoying life visiting his caravan with his missus on the east coast and having a couple of holidays abroad every year.

It worked for him, he earned good money when he needed it but without a doubt he absolutely detested the job. Having been in a high pressure job where I had customers coming to approve my work on a regular basis I always thought that he had the ideal job, isolated from Joe Public but still in a position of power. I now accept that I was wrong.

Also, don't do the postman route! I have done that and all of your dreams about how simple a lifestyle it may be I can quickly dispell. It certainly opened my eyes when I did the postman thing! You see the postie with one sack of mail and think "Wow, I want that job". Unfortunately, there's around another SIX sacks to deliver!

Anyway, you get the idea. The grass always looks greener....

TwistedPsycho

Now we are getting into the nitty-gritty of the job, I will expand somewhat on what Parva was saying.

Okay some of the older rolling stock have attrocious headlights, however they are better on newer or refurbished trains; HOWEVER the headlights are not specifically there for the driver to see where they are going, they are actually for anyone on the track (maintainance staff for example - yes, they do still work with trains running, its called Red-Zone, very safe if their team of staff do what they are trained to) to see you coming. If you think about the fact that signalman like myself ensure the trains go the right way (usually), that signals tell the driver that they can proceed, have to slow down or have to stop, that the 18 months of training on some companies teaches drivers where the changes in speed limits are, then you have to ask in reality, what do they need to see?

What specifically can a driver be expected to do? Here are some examples of the "non going up and down at 125mph" roles:

Prepare trains for service at the start of the day, in depots, remote sidings or teminus stations
Walk trackside for a mile and more to find said train in a remote siding at 3am on a December morning in the rain, hail sleet or snow
If your train breaks down, act as the 1st level mechanic to try and fix all but the most complicated faults and know whether you are legally permitted to continue in service (granted, that is beaten into you at school and then you will usually have a manual or be able to 'phone a friend')
If your train breaks down and you can not shift it, to walk 1.25 miles to place your emergency protection (in the form of 3 small explosives) to prevent trains crashing into you (a historical rule from the year dot, but still required!)
Know where the next speed limit is at all times and ensure you are slow enough for it the instant you get to that marker, because if you are going to fast, the train WILL stop itself

and now some of the less painful bits:

You will occasionally get to "sit spare" as the contingency plan when it all goes wrong. It WILL go wrong so TOC's are pretty much obligued to ensure there are some to save on the cancellation and delay penalties. Sitting spare involves sitting in your depot (or sometimes at home) drinking copious amounts of tea, coffee, coke, whatever floats your boat (non-alcoholic of course). Edit: I forgot to add, you still get paid for this!
The "brotherhood" mentality. Unless you screw a member of the railway over you will pretty much ALWAYS become part of the railway family, people will help you, you will help them and come 2200, some depots will sit around the TV to watch a movie, a dirty movie, or play Poker.
The "family" mentality. Never ever ever mention you are a train driver outside of your comfort zone, you will make so many friends you will need a mortgage to afford a round in the pub.
You will get to see the countryside/world/handsome banker types/cute secretaries in their blouse and belt; standing on stations, hurling expletives at you becuase you are half a minute late..... enjoy the moment.


Hope this helps and if you choose to go for it .... GOOD LUCK.

richardvc

Really good post TP - I couldn't have put it better myself !

DVardysShadow

Parva wrote: »

... The best description of the job he gave me was the night time runs, with a whole 2 candle power lights at the front. The knowledge of driving trains is not what you can see but what you can hear. You pass a set of points and on hearing this you know that you have to slow at that point.

As TP says, the headlights are to with being seen more than with seeing where you are going.

And it is not so much a case of seeing where you are going, as knowing where you are. Hearing is just a part of it.

glenik

I have recently applied to c2c rail for the role of trainee driver. I have passed all the assesments and interviews and just the medical left to do. Although I am fit and well and have excellent unaided sight and hearing I have had Rheumatoid arthritis for the last 10 years. This is completely controlled with drugs and you wouldnt know i had it unless i told you. Does anyone know if this is going to be a problem at the medical?

Thanks