Drivers - things allowable in the cab?

[truckman060473]

I was just wondering if a driver brings his train to a station where there is a 5 min wait, can he do such things as, say, pick up his own mobile and send someone a text message? Or maybe go into his bag and get out a quick sandwich to eat while the train is stopped? I have seen a driver in a class 67 loco hauled set eating a sarnie at a station in his cab, and thought, if he's not allowed to consume food in the cab, surely he wouldn't risk it at a station where he could be seen doing it?

 

[Dai.]

Surely it's a case of, you're not allowed to do something whilst you are needed in full attention?

Such as Arriving (Obviously!), Departing and Driving? Because I'd assume that some runs for drivers would go over lunch breaks or lunch hours and there would need to be sufficient places where they could keep up their food and energy to keep the concentration up 100%?

I'm not a driver, I'm just suggesting uneducated guesses, I'm sorry, I'll stop it now.

 

[E&W Lucas]

There is no problem with eating and drinking whilst driving. Totally different concept to car driving. Your hands are not doing anything most of the time.

Reading matter has to be kept out of sight and mobile phones switched off whilst in motion.

 

[Corrado]

I was just wondering if a driver brings his train to a station where there is a 5 min wait, can he do such things as, say, pick up his own mobile and send someone a text message? Or maybe go into his bag and get out a quick sandwich to eat while the train is stopped? I have seen a driver in a class 67 loco hauled set eating a sarnie at a station in his cab, and thought, if he's not allowed to consume food in the cab, surely he wouldn't risk it at a station where he could be seen doing it?

No use of the Mobile at all in the cab (Must be switched off). It can only be used when you are in a safe position outside of the cab environment.

I've eaten a sandwich in cab when I've not had a chance to eat it otherwise, when trains stopped etc, , the stuff you see in cabs is unbelievable, I think everything except a pig on a spit is consumed in them. .

And while we're here, it does my head in the way people treat the cabs. The litter, graffiti, general disgusting habits that most people seem to have. I'm sure it's not like that with Virgin and the likes though. :-x

 

[GB]

At our place, mobile phone are allowed to be switched on but should be on silent and out of ones reach. Using a mobile phone whilst the train is in motion can be cause for summary dismissal or other disciplinary action.

 

[AlexS]

The lady driving a train I caught home last year was busily consuming a full chinese takeaway, carefully laid out on the drivers desk

 

[notadriver]

Out of interest do people think the drivers cab door should always have a window so you can check up on the driver in much the same way that you can always see what a bus driver is up to?

Ps: On virgin trains doesn't the train managers office have glass so one can see what they are up to ?

 

[Zoe]

There is no problem with eating and drinking whilst driving. Totally different concept to car driving. Your hands are not doing anything most of the time.

Would you say driving a train is easier than driving a car? You don't have to be concerned about what is going on behind and to the side of you. All you have to be concerend with is the line ahead of you. Travelling at 125 mph with hundreds of passengers behind you though is not a responibility I'd want.

 

[Anvil1984]

No definately not, the only reason buses are like that is because you have to pay your fare to the driver, may as well put a window in the toilet so the staff can check if your having onesies or twosies or just trying to attempt to dodge their fare.

Its bad enough with some of the stories that come out without the window, one well travelled tale of a driver who was taken off his job one day after a management bod reckoned they had a SPAD as they saw a red light as the train passed it. Problem was management bod was towards the rear of the train and the signal would do that after the front part has passed. A lack of knowledge to what goes on can cause problems.

 

[Death]

I was just wondering if a driver brings his train to a station where there is a 5 min wait, can he do such things as, say, pick up his own mobile and send someone a text message?

As far as I'm aware (From a non-driver's perspective) the use of mobile 'phones and MP3/media players are strictly forbidden in all cabs. If the driver has them in his/her possession, they have to be switched off and preferably kept out of arms reach so as not to drown out alarm sounds and/or provide a distraction.

Regarding MP3 players though, I've always been of the mindset that music could actually help a driver perform their job better under certain circumstances. If I was a VWC driver (For example) and I was allowed to listen to some decent BAL-SAGOTH or Thyrfing whilst driving, I'd be able to drive and react to signals faster, and work to much finer and more calculated tolerances regarding acceleration and stopping distances, and calculate/apply much faster cornering and junction passing speeds!

A quick question to anyone who knows their rulebooks and standards:
Let's say that a new class of train is built which has some form of standard interface (A USB port or iPod dock, for instance) provided in the control desk for a driver to plug their MP3 player into and listen to through in-cab speakers. This system is designed so that music may be played at all times whilst driving, but when an alarm sounds (An AWS "clear" ding, for example) the music is muted and the alarm sound is played clearly ensuring that the driver doesn't "miss" it against the sound of the music he's listening to.
If such a system was implemented in a trains cab, would it's use be permitted over here?

Out of interest do people think the drivers cab door should always have a window so you can check up on the driver in much the same way that you can always see what a bus driver is up to?

I very much doubt it simply because of the numerous difficulties if the train is involved in a "one under" or similar, given that a collision between human and train is generally a lot Gorier than between human and bus. It's also hard enough to council a driver who's been put through such an experience, and councilling passengers who'd also seen the event would be a very tricky and costly process.
That said, a lot of DB trains and S-Bahnen have clear windows through which passengers can look into/through the cab, so it's not impossible. I wonder what procedures DBAG have in place for dealing with such incidents where passengers have seen what's happened?

 

[Zoe]

That said, a lot of DB trains and S-Bahnen have clear windows through which passengers can look into/through the cab, so it's not impossible. I wonder what procedures DBAG have in place for dealing with such incidents where passengers have seen what's happened?

It could be set so a shutter would be extended over the glass in the event of emergency brake application.

 

[dk1]

I always pick up a coffee to drink on the start of my journey & if im lucky get another from the trolley en-route. Always eat my breakfast whilst driving as most shifts too early at start & not enough turn round time. Not sure id go as far as the lady with the full chinese though.

 

[notadriver]

Would you say driving a train is easier than driving a car? You don't have to be concerned about what is going on behind and to the side of you. All you have to be concerend with is the line ahead of you. Travelling at 125 mph with hundreds of passengers behind you though is not a responibility I'd want.

Obviously not all trains do that speed and a lot of metro style trains will be lucky if they do half that.

I think driving a train on a bright sunny day is easier than driving a car.

 

[dk1]

Oh & i wouldnt take kindly to being "checked up on"!!

 

[Death]

It could be set so an shutter would be extended over the glass in the event of emergency brake application.

That wouldn't work, I don't think. The driver would only be able to trigger an EBA in reaction to something he's seen with his own eyes (I.E: A passenger who's fallen onto the line) and any passengers standing behind him would most likely see what's happening at the same time or earlier than the driver did.

For that kind of invention, I'd suggest that over the driver's window might be a better place...But that in turn would present too great a safety hazard regarding accidental activation at speed.

 

[RPM]

I'd go as far as to say eating and drinking in the cab is a very good thing. It helps to break the journey up and avoids tiredness setting in, therefore actually aiding concentration.

 

[notadriver]

Oh & i wouldnt take kindly to being "checked up on"!!

Neither do bus and coach drivers (like me) but that's the way it goes.

 

[Zoe]

I'd go as far as to say eating and drinking in the cab is a very good thing. It helps to break the journey up and avoids tiredness setting in, therefore actually aiding concentration.

But as discussed in the other thread, drinking can result in unplanned Physical Needs Breaks.

 

[Death]

But as discussed in the other thread, drinking can result in unplanned Physical Needs Breaks.

I thought cabs were fitted with comfort pipes to alleviate that sort of problem arising?

 

[dk1]

Neither do bus and coach drivers (like me) but that's the way it goes.

Unfortunatley you dont have a choice. If im not happy with somebody up front then i dont move.

 

[TGV]

Some TGV classes have a small fridge under the drivers desk. Just big enough for lunch!

 

[TDK]

I was just wondering if a driver brings his train to a station where there is a 5 min wait, can he do such things as, say, pick up his own mobile and send someone a text message? Or maybe go into his bag and get out a quick sandwich to eat while the train is stopped? I have seen a driver in a class 67 loco hauled set eating a sarnie at a station in his cab, and thought, if he's not allowed to consume food in the cab, surely he wouldn't risk it at a station where he could be seen doing it?

The rule of thumb for eating goes with the rule - A train driver must not partake in any activity that will affect the safety of the train, so eating, drinking tea etc is allowed taking into account the above. With mobile phones the mobile phone should not be used when the train is moving, there are local company instructions with phones to be off or silent, I do not know of any company that will allow a driver to keep the phone on without it being on silent and for using it or sending a text this will apply to the top above rule.

 

[Zoe]

The rule of thumb for eating goes with the rule - A train driver must not partake in any activity that will affect the safety of the train

I don't think you are allowed to listen to a radio in the cab though even though I would have thought you could do so without it distracting you.

 

[dk1]

I don't think you are allowed to listen to a radio in the cab though even though I would have thought you could do so without it distracting you.

Definatley not (except for football results it would appear)

 

[notadriver]

Unfortunatley you dont have a choice. If im not happy with somebody up front then i dont move.

Even Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate?

Out of curiosity if 1st generation DMUs were still around would you have the blinds up or down ?

 

[dk1]

Even Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate?

Out of curiosity if 1st generation DMUs were still around would you have the blinds up or down ?

HMRI would be ok as i would be interested to chat about their job. Im happy with most people up front as i like the company. Just if i dont like them or they are rude then i put my foot down.

Blinds up or down. hmm thats a difficult one. Probably up as i know how i would have felt as a kid when so looking forward to watching the line ahead. Would depend on the day & what was behind me mate.

 

[Zoe]

Blinds up or down. hmm thats a difficult one. Probably up as i know how i would have felt as a kid when so looking forward to watching the line ahead. Would depend on the day & what was behind me mate.

If passengers could still see out the front these days and there was an incident it's possible some would try and sue the TOC for psychological damage. This is why I doubt it will ever be allowed again.

 

[TDK]

I don't think you are allowed to listen to a radio in the cab though even though I would have thought you could do so without it distracting you.

No electronic equipment that can distract you as a driver including radios
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Even Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate?

Out of curiosity if 1st generation DMUs were still around would you have the blinds up or down ?

Yes, even HMRI, a manager, Network Rail, anyone you are not happy with

 

[sprinterguy]

If passengers could still see out the front these days and there was an incident it's possible some would try and sue the TOC for psychological damage. This is why I doubt it will ever be allowed again.

It still takes place on the Tyne and Wear Metro, which runs over heavy rail formations at up to 50mph, and far from being behind the drivers’ cab, the passenger is on a level with it, so shares a very similar view to the driver as well as the same level of risk of being struck by any projectiles thrown at the train.

Germany’s Siemens Velaro ICE3 high speed trains also have a glass screen between the passenger lounge and the cab, so it is surprising just how prevalent “drivers eye view” arrangements still are.

 

[Rugd1022]

I thought cabs were fitted with comfort pipes to alleviate that sort of problem arising?

Not sure which planet you're on but where did you get that idea...?? Our 66 cabs are very basic, if we need to answer the call of nature we either have to 'plan ahead' or wait for a convenient point in the journey.

As for eating and drinking whilst driving, it's perfectly acceptable.... if it wasn't, the cabs wouldn't be fitted with electric hobs to heat up food and water. I often use it to mash my own tea with my old enamel brew can. It's all down to good judgement and common sense. We don't all have trolley dollies unfortunately so we have to take all our snap with us!

Driving freight trains, I don't have to worry about passengers looking over my shoulder, and frankly I wouldn't want it either, we have enough responsibility as it is without any additional distractions. I do understand that it's nothing new here and other countries already have interior windows between the driving cab and passenger seating but I just don't see the point. My brother is a passenger driver and the grief he gets from passengers knocking on the cab door is unbelievable.