Is a watch necessary for a driver

[Wiltshiresam]

Hi all, I’m due to start training as a driver in 2 weeks time. I’m thinking about having buying a watch before I start so a couple of questions:
A) is is necessary
B) would an Apple other smart watch be allowed/suitable in the cab?

 

[Mintona]

You will almost certainly be issued a watch when you start. It’s quite handy to have, although most modern trains will also have a clock in the cab somewhere.

 

[dk1]

You are not officially allowed to have a smart watch switched on in the cab in the same way mobile phones & other devices should be switched off & not just on silent. As said you will be issued with a watch as part of your equipment. When the battery eventually dies you'll just be issued with a new watch, or that's what happens at my depot.

 

[66701GBRF]

Phones being switched off vs put on silent is company specific.

 

[dk1]

Phones being switched off vs put on silent is company specific.

Fair enough. It's not like anyone is going to check it.

 

[driver9000]

A watch is a Rule book requirement for Train Crew. You will be issued with one.

 

[TheGoldfish]

We’re told Smart watches a definate no no In the cab Phone must be off, tablet can be on but in airplane mode + DO not disturb ... everything must be out of sight and out of reach.
the toc watch they give you is a bit crap but does the job ... seems not many people use them ... even seen a few come up on eBay lol!

 

[dk1]

And then another twist. We are allowed to have work tablets on whilst driving if they are used for driver advisory systems. This will eventually be put onto the in cab screens.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Fair enough. It's not like anyone is going to check it.

Depends on your company. At my TOC it is phones to be off in any live cab, and in the event of certain incidents there is an agreement they can check when your most recent text, phone call and WhatsApp activity were. If the time is while you were driving then, even if you didn’t reply, it shows your phone was on while driving and breaching the policy, on top of whatever you’ve done. In more serious incidents there is also the ability to obtain phone records, so simply deleting a message before a manager sees your phone won’t necessarily help you.

 

[tlionhart]

If you’re starting training, just stick to the one they give you. I never had an issue with the TOC watch. In training, the electronics rules will be covered. It will probably be covered on day one or the day they issue you tablets. (Seeing most TOCS are going paperless)
You may see qualified drivers wearing their own watch or smart watches. When you’re new just stick to the one they give you. It works good enough. (Unless your TOC states otherwise)
Good luck with the training.

 

[choochoochoo]

Depends on your company. At my TOC it is phones to be off in any live cab, and in the event of certain incidents there is an agreement they can check when your most recent text, phone call and WhatsApp activity were. If the time is while you were driving then, even if you didn’t reply, it shows your phone was on while driving and breaching the policy, on top of whatever you’ve done. In more serious incidents there is also the ability to obtain phone records, so simply deleting a message before a manager sees your phone won’t necessarily help you.

I never understood this policy. It's pretty simple to by-pass.

If a driver wanted to use a phone surreptitiously, then all they do is have one phone they tell their employer is their personal mobile and then use another phone that their employer knows nothing about.

Besides you still can get situations when the GSM-R is ringing because your Control decide you approaching a red at a station where wrong-side release is a risk, is a good time to call is deemed fine.

But going back to the original topic, save your money, the TOC Watch is fine. It's accurate, durable and does its job.

 

[Anvil1984]

Besides you still can get situations when the GSM-R is ringing because your Control decide you approaching a red at a station where wrong-side release is a risk, is a good time to call is deemed fine.

And at some TOC's using / answering the GSM-R on the move is completely forbidden too

So I guess my answer to the OPs question is you will be told in training what you are / what you can't have. You'll be given a watch as its part of your mandatory equipment and at most TOCS timekeeping is at least partly your responsibility (no going 5 minutes early) as well as the guards / platform staff. Don't jump the gun and buy your own stuff because it looks nicer

 

[choochoochoo]

And at some TOC's using / answering the GSM-R on the move is completely forbidden too

True, but it is still distracting when it rings and if you don't pick up it automatically plays through loudspeaker !! I don't mind if it's signaller, but really Control should be putting the phone down if I don't answer the GSM-R and not letting it get to that stage. They've got the option to send 'contact control' message.

Anyway, we digress. I say a watch is a must, as does the rules. Even if your train has one in the cab, what about when you're making your way to the train or on break. Yes you may have a phone which can tell you the time, but much easier to look at your wrist than take something out of a pocket. Also useful for gauging distance should you ever need to lay protection (- it takes about 15 minutes to walk 1.25 miles roughly although that also depends on the footing in the cess)

 

[16.19]

Hi all, I’m due to start training as a driver in 2 weeks time. I’m thinking about having buying a watch before I start so a couple of questions:
A) is is necessary
B) would an Apple other smart watch be allowed/suitable in the cab?

You will be provided with a standard watch by your ToC.

 

[theironroad]

True, but it is still distracting when it rings and if you don't pick up it automatically plays through loudspeaker !! I don't mind if it's signaller, but really Control should be putting the phone down if I don't answer the GSM-R and not letting it get to that stage. They've got the option to send 'contact control' message.

Anyway, we digress. I say a watch is a must, as does the rules. Even if your train has one in the cab, what about when you're making your way to the train or on break. Yes you may have a phone which can tell you the time, but much easier to look at your wrist than take something out of a pocket. Also useful for gauging distance should you ever need to lay protection (- it takes about 15 minutes to walk 1.25 miles roughly although that also depends on the footing in the cess)

Our control or anyone else for that matter (except signaller) isn't allowed to ring us on GSMR. Signaller will normally send a text 'contact signaller' if it's a routine call.

As others say, you'll be issued a watch. Just a basic one but ours are connected for synchronization that's it.

Having said that , few people actually wear company issued watches at my TOC. I've not worn one (any watch) for years. People do wear smart watches but I assume they can disable them from any sound or flashing visual notifications etc as that is a definite no no.

There's plenty of clocks around stations, trains, messrooms etc.

 

[16.19]

You will be provided with a standard watch by your ToC.

In addition:

Starting out as a trainee you’ll do well to get the basics correct, the small things that can make the bigger difference - and this is a perfect example; use your basic TOCS watch that you are given. It tells the time and that’s all you’ll need.

Once you’re out of driver academy and are getting ready to start with your minder a good DTM will question your knowledge of the Mped policy if you’re rocking up with a smart watch or anything other than what you’re provided.

Not worth the hassle.

Good luck

 

[matt_world2004]

Do the watches from TOCs pick up the time through radio frequencies. Or are they required to be manually set by the driver. I assume watches would have to be minute accurate which might preclude then being set by the driver.

 

[dk1]

Do the watches from TOCs pick up the time through radio frequencies. Or are they required to be manually set by the driver. I assume watches would have to be minute accurate which might preclude then being set by the driver.

Normally the radio frequency ones. I have never set the time on the half dozen or so that I've been issued in the last few years.

 

[16.19]

Do the watches from TOCs pick up the time through radio frequencies. Or are they required to be manually set by the driver. I assume watches would have to be minute accurate which might preclude then being set by the driver.

They use radio frequency. Although sometimes they can go out slightly and may need manually adjusting.

 

[OneLowban]

You will learn through training what the policy is and you will be given a watch.

Our policy is phones off and smart watches in ‘watch’ mode only. I wear an Apple Watch on the left and my company watch on the right.

 

[theironroad]

You will learn through training what the policy is and you will be given a watch.

Our policy is phones off and smart watches in ‘watch’ mode only. I wear an Apple Watch on the left and my company watch on the right.

I'd say wearing two watches on the railway is very, very unusual.

Not too sure i understand why either, unless you like watches but no harm done.

 

[16.19]

I'd say wearing two watches on the railway is very, very unusual.

Not too sure i understand why either, unless you like watches but no harm done.

I have to agree here, it is unusual. I’d also be wary of having an incident whilst wearing a smart watch. Questions would be asked to why you need to wear 2 watches at the same time?

 

[OneLowban]

That’s fair I guess.

I wear my smart watch on my left as I use the smart features when I am not driving and almost any other time bar when I shower/etc so I guess I am used to it there. I also use that as my primary time keeping on the railway.

I wear my company watch also incase anything were to happen to my smart watch (battery, stop working etc) I have an instant, accurate secondary to refer to.

 

[30907]

(- it takes about 15 minutes to walk 1.25 miles roughly although that also depends on the footing in the cess)

OT but you must be a very fast walker - I thought I was brisk but even in my youth I don't think I could have done 5mph.

 

[choochoochoo]

OT but you must be a very fast walker - I thought I was brisk but even in my youth I don't think I could have done 5mph.

Ha, yes I've been told I do walk very quickly. To be fair walking on the cess will probably half that.

 

[jamesst]

Our control or anyone else for that matter (except signaller) isn't allowed to ring us on GSMR. Signaller will normally send a text 'contact signaller' if it's a routine call.

As others say, you'll be issued a watch. Just a basic one but ours are connected for synchronization that's it.

Having said that , few people actually wear company issued watches at my TOC. I've not worn one (any watch) for years. People do wear smart watches but I assume they can disable them from any sound or flashing visual notifications etc as that is a definite no no.

There's plenty of clocks around stations, trains, messrooms etc.

Yeah my toc is the same, the only person who can contact you via the gsmr is the signaller.
We can call control but any information is relayed to us via the signaller only.

 

[Railweigh]

You are not officially allowed to have a smart watch switched on in the cab in the same way mobile phones & other devices should be switched off & not just on silent. As said you will be issued with a watch as part of your equipment. When the battery eventually dies you'll just be issued with a new watch, or that's what happens at my depot.

The batteries in a TOCwatch are easy enough to replace, just a bit fiddly and held in with a few metal clips.

In addition:

Starting out as a trainee you’ll do well to get the basics correct, the small things that can make the bigger difference - and this is a perfect example; use your basic TOCS watch that you are given. It tells the time and that’s all you’ll need.

Once you’re out of driver academy and are getting ready to start with your minder a good DTM will question your knowledge of the Mped policy if you’re rocking up with a smart watch or anything other than what you’re provided.

Not worth the hassle.

Good luck

This! Don’t draw attention to yourself when you’re new, just do everything as you’re supposed to. I don’t wear a smart watch but I do wear a watch for activity tracking (heart rate, steps etc). I still always carry my Tocwatch with me though.

 

[Stigy]

I must say I find the policy of having a Fitbit under the same policy as a mobile phone a bit draconian (or even a smart watch I guess). When my phone is switched off, my Fitbit won’t receive any notifications at all so is basically just a watch. I believe it’s the same with other watches such as Iwatches etc.

 

[172007]

TOC watch at my place is a traditional analogue type. Utterly useless, the minute hand does not match up so you don't know if you are 30 seconds late or early. Cab clocks don't show seconds and when you set them to the correct time the seconds don't reset so if its 30 seconds fast it will always be thus. Same with the PIS interface clock's, they don't have seconds and are also inaccurate most of the time.

Getting a cheap radio controlled digital watch shows that you are consciousness.

 

[dk1]

The batteries in a TOCwatch are easy enough to replace, just a bit fiddly and held in with a few metal clips.

I would imagine it's not too bad but whenever I've asked for a battery they just throw a new watch at me.