Route learning Videos

[nozzacook]

I have watched the route learning video for Gatwick to Victoria could someone with a lot more knoweldge than mine please tell me what the symbol below the line speed is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRfeQH2y434

[tubeguru]

That's the CSR radio channel. CSR stands for Cab Secure Radio.

[nozzacook]

Cheers for that neil I noticed the channel number changed several times is that normal.

[tubeguru]

Yes, they are the radio zones. Each radio mast only transmits so far, so as you go from cell to cell the code changes.

Some CSR systems update the radio channel automatically, and some don't. The FGW Turbos are manual, hence why you will see CSR radio boards at various points on our routes.

NRN (National Radio Network), which is an old system from the '70s also has radio channels, but they are much further apart. On a journey from Paddington to Penzance an HST will go through four NRN areas. On a journey from Paddington to Oxford a Turbo will go through 15 or more.

NRN is due to be replaced by GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications, Railways), a much superior system which does not require channel changing.

[Sam]

NRN is due to be replaced by GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications, Railways), a much superior system which does not require channel changing.

As is CSR

[tubeguru]

NRN is due to be replaced by GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications, Railways), a much superior system which does not require channel changing.

As is CSR

FGW Turbos require channel changing on the CSR. I don't know what it's like elsewhere.

[Sam]

NRN is due to be replaced by GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications, Railways), a much superior system which does not require channel changing.

As is CSR

FGW Turbos require channel changing on the CSR. I don't know what it's like elsewhere.

The CSR we have changes automatically and is being replaced by GSM-R soon.

[nozzacook]

One other question with route learning is it a written test or do you drive the route with an examiner like a driving test.

[tubeguru]

One other question with route learning is it a written test or do you drive the route with an examiner like a driving test.

This is the way FGW do it:

You sit down at the depot with a route assessor (a driver who is qualified to do that job), and go through the route brief. You watch the DVD of the route and he points out relevant things to you. He also issues you with your map for that route.

Then you go out and route learn it, sitting up with the driver. We are allowed to drive the train if we sign the traction and are confident with the route (and also if the driver lets us!) Once you've finished that (you get a different amount of time for each route) you have a day where you meet the route assessor and answer the questions for that route. The way our route assessors do it is to go through them with you one-by-one, instead of letting you answer them all first. Once you've done that and got them all right, you have your "first ride over the route", where the route assessor rides with you as you drive the train in both directions over it. If he's satisfied that you know it, he will pass you on that route.

Then it's back to the depot to sign the paperwork and your route card.

[nozzacook]

once signed do you have to resign at set intervals. or is it only if you haven't driven the route for a while.

[tubeguru]

If we don't go over a route for six months, we have to have a refresher. It's our responsibility to maintain our route knowledge, so you should "put in" for a refresher at about 4 or 5 months. If you keep swapping off of certain jobs to avoid a route (as Plymouth drivers often do with Reading to Bristol via Box) then you will have to have a refresher.

If you don't have a refresher and go over six months then, technically, you can sign it off and would have to re-learn it from scratch. However, management take a dim view of this, and will not be happy if you keep asking to re-learn stuff all the time.

[Starkey7]

You mention getting all questions right. What if you get one wrong?

[tubeguru]

Doesn't really matter. He's just checking to see if you know what you're talking about generally. He'll know if you don't know it, because you'll have no idea about most of the questions, and you'll be crap when you drive it with him.

If they have to prompt you for any of the answers, they make a note of it on the sheet.