Aictos
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Nothing on the GN or TL had them either until the arrival of the Class 377/5s, Class 387s and Class 700s too.
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Driver checking front of train before departure
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choochoochoo
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Not always. Sometimes it's not safe to get out of a cab to check them. Such as after changing ends on a shunt away from a platform. Or if the front/rear of your train is off the end of a platform when you start.
steve1981
Member
Obviously I ment where safe to do so!!
i think you will find some 156 do have them. (sorry couldnt quote you in the other reply for some reason and image is not uploading from google but it is here bottom right of panelhttps://www.google.com/search?q=cla...4#imgdii=Lp-oh6_8zY3laM:&imgrc=6BgHGJZGy0ezAM:
Thank you for the picture but this thread was initially about Scotrail units and I am telling you that Scotrail 156s do not have them (and neither do the Northern ones including the ex Scotrail 156s ). I am aware of what is and isn’t on my drivers desk.
HaggisBotherer
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Of course back in the good old days of roller blinds, the driver just looked through the headcode/destination blind box door or spyhole inside the cab. And on the Southern Region they could check the red blanks that way too 
Just drove one that doesn't, like the rest of the VP185 fitted HSTs.
DanDaDriver
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You think that’s bad, try the former toilet end of a 153!
Kneedown
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Personally I find the small end of a 153 infinitely preferable to a 156 cab. In fact I find an 08 cab preferable.
Just out of curiosity, what would anyone do if they saw a train running with no headlights on?
I saw a Pacer on the opposite platform or Rotherham last week, and I tried to show headlights with my hand - I didn't want to report it incase the driver got in trouble when it was a train fault...
I saw a Pacer on the opposite platform or Rotherham last week, and I tried to show headlights with my hand - I didn't want to report it incase the driver got in trouble when it was a train fault...
Pat their head.
Dieseldriver
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As a Driver, I just call up the Signaller to get a message to the Driver. 9/10 it's a fault and even if the Driver has forgotten, it's not a disciplinary issue, in fact, no company will hear about insignificant conversations between a Signaller and two Drivers. Headlights are there to aid peoples sighting of approaching trains, they are safety critical and it is much better to just deal with the issue there and then.
Mintona
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Yes this. Universally recognised in my experience.
4-SUB 4732
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We used to have stuff with light proving indicators like 387s - you weren’t allowed to just assume they worked. Always check anyway.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
I would. Using ones eyes is always going to be more reliable than an electronic indicator.
Oddly I find the small end of a 153 more comfortable than the big one.
atraindriver
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<deleted>
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Scotrail84
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Drivers check the front and guards check the rear.
Kneedown
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On our TOC some Guards check the rear but not all, and only as a courtesy. It is the Drivers responsibility to check correct illumination displayed at both ends of the train.
trainophile
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Just seen the same thing on a Northern at Wigan North Western. Obviously an entrenched part of the departure routine.
The_Train
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I saw a train departing Leeds with no lights on so me and the guy I was stood with did the 'European standard' for "you're lights are off" (you know the one, opening and closing your hand in a frantic kind of way haha). He clearly understood as his lights went on and after a quick acknowledgement to us he was gone.
If the train left and still no lights I'd probably report it to station staff.
It's in module TW1 that the driver and guard (and train preparer for that matter) are both responsible for checking the tail lights/tail lamps are operating at the rear of the train only (courtesy doesn't come into it) and the driver is responsible for checking the headlight.
I always check regardless because it's prevented numerous 'oops' moments. I generally set the headlights when changing ends (that's definitely a courtesy) but having done that as a courtesy I always check them before walking away from them.
Kneedown
Established Member
You're not wrong, but it's the Driver who gets to enjoy the hospitality of the managers if wrong illumination is displayed front or rear.
I suppose it depends whether they're arsey enough to say 'the guard didn't check them either'!!
Kneedown
Established Member
Swiss cheese effect. Brace for long lecture about applying NTS.I suppose it depends whether they're arsey enough to say 'the guard didn't check them either'!!
DanDaDriver
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“And what will you put into place to ensure this doesn’t happen again?”
Aide Memoire, use a highlighter to mark each location I 'TC', in the units where the Reds set automatically I'll continue to use the selector switch, I will also add a rear lights check to my change end routine.
Not that I've forgotten to check my lights before.......
"I will purchase for my guard a higher quality hot beverage and/or superior breakfast option to ensure their utmost diligence in this task"
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