What train would you like to drive ?

[futureA]

Class 390 fast down the tilitest part of the WCML.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

What about a pacer at full whack up the ECML???

 

[332 > 444]

Boo, 1. I'm TOC staff and 2. My train would be the non UK Stadler FLIRT

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Boo, 1. I'm TOC staff and 2. My train would be the non UK Stadler FLIRT

Shush... We'll sneak you into the thread and hide you behind the 442s

 

[455driver]

Given that trains run at full speed at night, in thick fog and blizzards, it might not be as much of an impediment as you think!

agree, I am sure a pres line could sort out a driver experience course for Blindtraveller if he enquired.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

agree, I am sure a pres line could sort out a driver experience course for Blindtraveller if he enquired.

It would be a good event for Blindtraveller - and some good publicity for the line!

 

[332 > 444]

Shush... We'll sneak you into the thread and hide you behind the 442s

In that case I would also drive a Stadler GTW on the Tyne and Wear Metro (yes I know not UK traction but I think they will fit )

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I'd like a day on the Southern I think. Some third rail stuff between the countryside of Kent and the hustle and bustle of Charing Cross.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What about a pacer at full whack up the ECML???

Nah, a Pacer would be most fun on something with jointed track and a high linespeed. Perhaps one of the Scottish scenic mainlines?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Boo, 1. I'm TOC staff and 2. My train would be the non UK Stadler FLIRT

Might yet get some UK ones if the new Northern franchise goes for them...they are on offer!

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Mines very simple and nothing as romantic as driving a steam loco!

I would like to drive a Class 465 (A Met Cam unit to be a precise ) no where particularly nice or specific, just a stopping service out of London would be perfect

Regards,

 

[GodAtum]

I always wondered do train drivers have "ranks" like in formula racing. Like the faster the train, the more prestigious the position?

 

[sprinterguy]

I always wondered do train drivers have "ranks" like in formula racing. Like the faster the train, the more prestigious the position?

Traditionally, driver depots have been arranged in links. It is still common for larger depots with various TOCs to adhere to a form of this arrangement, where drivers will work their way up through the links based on experience and competency.

In steam days particularly, "Top Link", or Link 1 in modern parlance, was highly revered, as the most prestigious services over longer distance routes were allocated to Drivers in this link based on their seniority and experience.

This was discussed on this forum quite recently, and the following post provided a good explanation:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=123366

Staff links are essentially a way of structuring a large depot where you have a lot of diagrams.

Each link has a certain number of diagrams, and each member of the link works their way all the way through them.

Not all links sign the same traction/routes as each other.
When you join the company, you join the lowest link, and work your way up: Link 1 is often quite revered.

Say a depot has 150 diagrams (some of the largest do!). You could have 5 links, and each link would have 30 diagrams.

 

[LeeLivery]

Has to be an HST with a VP185 engine up the Midland from St Pancras to Leeds or a 319 Brighton to Bedford.

 

[Stevieaudi]

I'm a train driver with db schenker although I drive a various amount of traction I wouldn't mind a wee shot of a virgin pendo on the route I drive from Glasgow Central to Warrington

 

[gimmea50anyday]

A 50! Newcastle-Edinburgh for the scenery.

Or a REP with no trailers attached spanking it on the SWML!

 

[fishquinn]

Only just noticed this thread!

Reality: The highland Chieftain right the way through from the Cross
Fantasy: An 87 from Euston to Mossend yard for a 47 from there to Inverness for a pair of 26s to Wick and back, a 37 to Edinburgh, a 47/7 to Glasgow Central for another 87 back down to Euston! Or 4 SD40-2s from the west to the east of Canada/America.

 

[RichJF]

Class 73 non stop from Willesden to Dover (a la TPO route) via Redhill/Tonbridge with clear green signals all the way!

Failing that the 'new' Brighton Belle soon to be returned to the mainline!

 

[SkinnyDave]

I am a Driver and there are too many to chose from but if I had to pick, I would love a shot on a Pendolino from Warrington to Euston non stop on the services from Glasgow!
I am also looking forward to driving the 2 plus 5 HST sets on the Highland Mainline eventually

 

[antharro]

Reality: 444, just out of curiosity. Maybe Weymouth - Waterloo - Portsmouth via Guildford. 317 on a Liverpool St - Cambridge fast. And a 458/0, just to see what they were like.

Fantasy: REP+TC set on the old "fast" schedule in BR days in the 80ies, Bournemouth to Waterloo. Then a 442 back down, in NSE livery. Prototype HST from Reading to Edinburgh, then the APT back down.

 

[DasLunatic]

I'd be chartering a HST from Brum to Brussels, via the Eurostar. Give the migrants something to eat

 

[SouthEastern-465]

I thought I might aswell add another to the list...

A Class 309 out of Liverpool Street on a fast service to Clacton/Walton-on-the-Naze

Fantastic EMUs I feel are really undervalued

Regards,

 

[Blindtraveler]

agree, I am sure a pres line could sort out a driver experience course for Blindtraveller if he enquired.

Really? Id have thought the H and S would have far to much to say for anything like this to happen? Had only ever asked once and whilst naming no names got greeted with the not unexpected show of narrow mindedness so if anyone has any ideas do let me know. Thanks and sorry to derail the thread.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Really? Id have thought the H and S would have far to much to say for anything like this to happen? Had only ever asked once and whilst naming no names got greeted with the not unexpected show of narrow mindedness so if anyone has any ideas do let me know. Thanks and sorry to derail the thread.

Screw the H&S...

If a completely blind man can drive in excess of 100mph, I think you can do 15mph with a qualified driver supervising in something like a 08 or 37

 

[ac6000cw]

Or 4 SD40-2s from the west to the east of Canada/America.

I'd go for a GP9 + SD40-2 + Alco Century + GE U30C + heavy train up the west slope of Donner Pass, 70 miles of steep, full throttle, climbing and great scenery (but you might need ear defenders through the tunnels and snow sheds )

Back in the UK, maybe a 6-car 'Derby Suburban' DMU from Kidderminster to Lichfield via New Street on an 'all stations' service - lots of gearchanging, rattles, squeaks, vacuum brake noises and rock-and-roll ride - and nostalgia by the bucket load...

Present day - anything with wheels and an engine from Glasgow to Mallaig - with scenery like that, who cares what you're riding in ?

 

[fishquinn]

I'd go for a GP9 + SD40-2 + Alco Century + GE U30C + heavy train up the west slope of Donner Pass, 70 miles of steep, full throttle, climbing and great scenery (but you might need ear defenders through the tunnels and snow sheds )

Hell. Fire.

 

[najaB]

Really? Id have thought the H and S would have far to much to say for anything like this to happen? Had only ever asked once and whilst naming no names got greeted with the not unexpected show of narrow mindedness so if anyone has any ideas do let me know. Thanks and sorry to derail the thread.

I don't have any specific suggestions but I really can't understand why they would use H&S as an excuse. The HSE is perfectly fine with sighted people solo driving trains at 125mph with 500 passengers behind them while they can't see the line ahead due to fog, so I can't see why they would object to you driving at 20mph on a preserved line.

 

[Domh245]

I don't have any specific suggestions but I really can't understand why they would use H&S as an excuse. The HSE is perfectly fine with sighted people solo driving trains at 125mph with 500 passengers behind them while they can't see the line ahead due to fog, so I can't see why they would object to you driving at 20mph on a preserved line.

I don't know the specifics of Blindtravelers' case, but if he can't see the controls in front of him, then that is one key difference to the drivers on the mainline! It may be surmountable by him maintaining a death grip on the controls throughout the journey and being told 'Throttle full, brake off' etc

 

[RichardKing]

This question is for non railway staff please.

If you could choose to drive any scheduled UK train for a day what would it be ?

For me, it would have to be a 442 between Eastbourne/Brighton and London Victoria/Bridge (and vice versa).

 

[Bromley boy]

Trainee driver at the moment, but my ultimate would be either:

Class 43 - was allowed into the cab at st Pancras with my dad sometime in the late 80s. There was a driver and secondman - not sure when they were phased out? I still remember the driver saying "you'd better get out now unless you want to come to Sheffield with me", and wishing we could have done.

Class 319 - a guard allowed my enthusiastic, five year old self to close the doors at Bromley south, probably early 90s.

I doubt either of those events would be allowed to happen now, more's the pity!

 

[theageofthetra]

Would have loved to have taken any loco onto a works rolling road to test performance- particularly in the US. The noise must have been just incredible!