From Challenger To Driver

[tubeguru]

The way we're going, everyone on here's going to be a train driver. How many have we got now? Four?

[The Raven]

Excellent once we take over the train networks we will rule the world!

[EVIL LAUGHTER]

[tubeguru]

I should point out that there are some people here who are best kept well away from the controls of a train ...

[Sam]

Who is the fourth one Neil?

[JoeGJ1984]

Who are the third and fourth drivers? I know of tubeguru and scrxisi, but no others.

[tubeguru]

Who is the fourth one Neil?

Depends who you count as the other three ...

[palkanetoijala31]

Am i a driver.?

[Sam]

Jesus no way!! Never trust you with a train!!

Well tubeguru and scrxisi and I am a mere trainee driver but hopefully I'll get there

Who were you talking about then Neil?

[palkanetoijala31]

Jesus no way!! Never trust you with a train!!

Well tubeguru and scrxisi and I am a mere trainee driver but hopefully I'll get there

Who were you talking about then Neil?

It must be quite easy to learn i be brilliant at doing the pa announcements oi ur dipstick in the 3rd carriage the door is shut for a reason and im sorry for the delay of this train as the fat controller has got his head stuck up his own arse!.

[RichieG]

I'm just going to sit here and stew in my own jealousy...

[tubeguru]

Jesus no way!! Never trust you with a train!!

Well tubeguru and scrxisi and I am a mere trainee driver but hopefully I'll get there

Who were you talking about then Neil?

It must be quite easy to learn i be brilliant at doing the pa announcements oi ur dipstick in the 3rd carriage the door is shut for a reason and im sorry for the delay of this train as the fat controller has got his head stuck up his own arse!.

The defence rests.

[Garion]

Its not a simple case of just turning a handle and pushing it (as with the 92/95/96 stock trains). You have to learn a lot of routes, signals and the controls of the train. From what I've seen and heard, you spend many months in a classroom before they even let you anywhere near a train. Even then they wont let you drive it. You have to learn how to operate it, where all the controls and equipment is, and how to take trains in/out of service etc. Then you learn the customer side of things (door controls, PA announcements etc)

After that, you get an instructor who follows you and teaches you for a set period of time, before you then take your driving test. And even then it isnt easy.

It may seem simple, especially when you're at the similator at Covent Garden but when you're in charge of 600+ people, you must be sure you know what to do in all situations. I've seen/heard people take almost a year to pass their course.

(many thanks to endless repeats of The Tube for most of this info )

[tubeguru]

I started my course in October 2007. My "front end turns" (riding in the cab but not driving) was a week in November, and my first drive with a manager was mid-December 2007. We then alternated blocks of weeks of classroom work and handling, instead of doing all the classroom and then all the handling.

For those people who aren't drivers, consider this scenario and let me know your thoughts:

You're driving an HST, and you have just entered the Severn Tunnel, a four-mile long, VERY dark and damp tunnel under the Bristol Channel. Suddenly, the fire alarm sounds, and the indications are that a fire may have been detected in the rear power car. What are your actions?

(The indications in question would be a red general fault light, a red engine stop light, and the ammeter showing amps, but that's only for those who were wondering what "the indications" were ...)

[greatkingrat]

I would say radio the signaller, keep going, and stop once you are out of the tunnel.

[tubeguru]

I would say radio the signaller, keep going, and stop once you are out of the tunnel.

Well, both those are right, but there are other things one should do ...