Hi all,
I come to you with a little of a life story, which I'll try to keep short, and also seeking maybe some advice. I've had a quick look around the forum, and tried to catch a grasp of forum etiquette, and also take time in reading and digesting information from previous threads. However if my questions/ramblings do come across as repetitive 'new guy' fodder, please accept my apologies, I don't wish to waste anyone's time with dull and rather stupid 'I want to be a train driver, what do I have to do' nonsense.
So here's the life story, as painless as I can make it. Typically maybe of an enthusiast, my interest derives from family members of generations gone by having worked on the railways, and planted the seed of fascination with various anecdotes at a young age. I grew up always wanting to be a train driver, and have through my own leisurely education over the years built up a reasonable knowledge of railway operations and a general picture of how things work. Upon leaving school (with average grades), I quickly realised that I didn't have the life experience to start work immediately on the railways, and so pursued other avenues as a career, which took me to automotive engineering, or being a mechanic without the lavish title. I learned and progressed within the industry, eventually leaving the more physical side of the industry to join a motor parts supplier, originally as a driver trainer, then in sales, and eventually a brief spell as an assistant branch manager. I left that position earlier this year to start up my own small business, a venture which I'm afraid to say has been a bit of a still birth for various political reasons. It's at this point that consideration has once again turned to attempting to pursue a career on the railways, and ofcourse that career pinnacle is as a driver.
So what kind of a person am I? well, I consider myself to be a fairly level headed person, having had various experiences of a job 'under pressure' where quick, clear decisions have needed to be made, and also been in a position where various responsibilities, some of them with safety implications have been under my control. I'm also a very mechanically minded and sympathetic person, I understand easily how things work, and indeed taking enjoyment from doing so. I learn quickly, especially things which I have a common interest, and also am comfortable in my own company, and actually often prefer working alone and uninterrupted for lengthy periods of time.
On that note, I would from an uneducated point of view consider that I may have the right mentality and ability to be a train driver, but I have to be honest, because I'm not seeking the answer I want, I'm seeking the answer that's right... I'm not the most concentrating person in the world. I'm fully aware that this is a big problem for a safety critical job of such magnitude, and believe me there is nobody that questions my suitability on these grounds more than myself. Train driving may be my dream job, but I would never dream of placing myself in a job that puts myself and others at danger if I wasn't able to convince myself, let alone others that I would not be 100% adequate for.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a vacant person, I've drove for several years and have managed to avoid any accidents (atleast ones which I were at fault!), infact I'm trained to a higher standard thanks to my previous job role, and take pride in doing things right and safely, but I do on occasions have to snap myself out of autopilot, and by my own admittance am a bit of a day dreamer from time to time. My obvious concern is were I to apply, and pass all tests and interviews etc, I would one day be in charge of several hundred tons of metal, and with my subconscious doing the work, let my attention drift off to why that passing train is unfamiliar traction, for example, and miss something crucial.
Having downloaded and spent some time with the GBT and SCAAT software, I've achieved reasonable results, and although I find the SCAAT test in particular quite challenging towards the end, I'm sure that with practice and commitment I can get my abilities to a much higher standard. But alas this is my concern, not that I can prove on a particular day that I can pass a test to prove my aptitude, but that I can be secure in my own knowledge that I can match that day in, day out, on the same stretches of track, without lapsing into autopilot or any form of tunnel vision (I thought I'd throw a joke in, as I'm unintentionally dragging this on a bit!).
So thankyou for sticking with me this far, we're at the point where I ask for your wisdom and points of view. Is it possible for one to practice and mentally train oneself to be able to consistently offer the concentration required to do this job? Are there other people either looking at the career, or maybe even are qualified who have had similar questions/dilemmas themselves? and in general from my novel of a life story am I the right type of person to do the job, addressing my shortfalls where possible?
You may be thinking regarding the concentration aspect "If you need to ask, that tells you all you need to know", and this is a question I've challenged myself with on many an occasion, and agree with, but to a point. I would never wish to be a train driver, as disappointing as that truth is, if I were not cut out for it. I respect the roles and responsibilities too much to show that level of arrogance towards them. However, I would hope that certain things can be changed, and were I able to morph my shortcomings into strengths, and be happy that it's achievable and sustainable, then that changes the picture somewhat.... but that's the million dollar question I guess.
Anyway, hi. Thankyou for reading if you've survived this far, please accept my appreciation and congratulations at doing so, and if you'd be so kind as to add your thoughts, I'd be very much appreciative still.
I come to you with a little of a life story, which I'll try to keep short, and also seeking maybe some advice. I've had a quick look around the forum, and tried to catch a grasp of forum etiquette, and also take time in reading and digesting information from previous threads. However if my questions/ramblings do come across as repetitive 'new guy' fodder, please accept my apologies, I don't wish to waste anyone's time with dull and rather stupid 'I want to be a train driver, what do I have to do' nonsense.
So here's the life story, as painless as I can make it. Typically maybe of an enthusiast, my interest derives from family members of generations gone by having worked on the railways, and planted the seed of fascination with various anecdotes at a young age. I grew up always wanting to be a train driver, and have through my own leisurely education over the years built up a reasonable knowledge of railway operations and a general picture of how things work. Upon leaving school (with average grades), I quickly realised that I didn't have the life experience to start work immediately on the railways, and so pursued other avenues as a career, which took me to automotive engineering, or being a mechanic without the lavish title. I learned and progressed within the industry, eventually leaving the more physical side of the industry to join a motor parts supplier, originally as a driver trainer, then in sales, and eventually a brief spell as an assistant branch manager. I left that position earlier this year to start up my own small business, a venture which I'm afraid to say has been a bit of a still birth for various political reasons. It's at this point that consideration has once again turned to attempting to pursue a career on the railways, and ofcourse that career pinnacle is as a driver.
So what kind of a person am I? well, I consider myself to be a fairly level headed person, having had various experiences of a job 'under pressure' where quick, clear decisions have needed to be made, and also been in a position where various responsibilities, some of them with safety implications have been under my control. I'm also a very mechanically minded and sympathetic person, I understand easily how things work, and indeed taking enjoyment from doing so. I learn quickly, especially things which I have a common interest, and also am comfortable in my own company, and actually often prefer working alone and uninterrupted for lengthy periods of time.
On that note, I would from an uneducated point of view consider that I may have the right mentality and ability to be a train driver, but I have to be honest, because I'm not seeking the answer I want, I'm seeking the answer that's right... I'm not the most concentrating person in the world. I'm fully aware that this is a big problem for a safety critical job of such magnitude, and believe me there is nobody that questions my suitability on these grounds more than myself. Train driving may be my dream job, but I would never dream of placing myself in a job that puts myself and others at danger if I wasn't able to convince myself, let alone others that I would not be 100% adequate for.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a vacant person, I've drove for several years and have managed to avoid any accidents (atleast ones which I were at fault!), infact I'm trained to a higher standard thanks to my previous job role, and take pride in doing things right and safely, but I do on occasions have to snap myself out of autopilot, and by my own admittance am a bit of a day dreamer from time to time. My obvious concern is were I to apply, and pass all tests and interviews etc, I would one day be in charge of several hundred tons of metal, and with my subconscious doing the work, let my attention drift off to why that passing train is unfamiliar traction, for example, and miss something crucial.
Having downloaded and spent some time with the GBT and SCAAT software, I've achieved reasonable results, and although I find the SCAAT test in particular quite challenging towards the end, I'm sure that with practice and commitment I can get my abilities to a much higher standard. But alas this is my concern, not that I can prove on a particular day that I can pass a test to prove my aptitude, but that I can be secure in my own knowledge that I can match that day in, day out, on the same stretches of track, without lapsing into autopilot or any form of tunnel vision (I thought I'd throw a joke in, as I'm unintentionally dragging this on a bit!).
So thankyou for sticking with me this far, we're at the point where I ask for your wisdom and points of view. Is it possible for one to practice and mentally train oneself to be able to consistently offer the concentration required to do this job? Are there other people either looking at the career, or maybe even are qualified who have had similar questions/dilemmas themselves? and in general from my novel of a life story am I the right type of person to do the job, addressing my shortfalls where possible?
You may be thinking regarding the concentration aspect "If you need to ask, that tells you all you need to know", and this is a question I've challenged myself with on many an occasion, and agree with, but to a point. I would never wish to be a train driver, as disappointing as that truth is, if I were not cut out for it. I respect the roles and responsibilities too much to show that level of arrogance towards them. However, I would hope that certain things can be changed, and were I able to morph my shortcomings into strengths, and be happy that it's achievable and sustainable, then that changes the picture somewhat.... but that's the million dollar question I guess.
Anyway, hi. Thankyou for reading if you've survived this far, please accept my appreciation and congratulations at doing so, and if you'd be so kind as to add your thoughts, I'd be very much appreciative still.
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