Driver punishment

[Gooner18]

Whilst I was waiting for the tube on the weekend, I had a thought while seeing a driver pull into the station,

Hypothetically speaking if a driver allowed a member of the public to ride with them in the cab , or worst kind scenario allowed then to drive/ assist to drive the train would they be processed for criminal proceedings under some kind of railway by- law or would it be dealt with just internally ( no doubt minimum being sacked) ?

 

[bramling]

Whilst I was waiting for the tube on the weekend, I had a thought while seeing a driver pull into the station,

Hypothetically speaking if a driver allowed a member of the public to ride with them in the cab , or worst kind scenario allowed then to drive/ assist to drive the train would they be processed for criminal proceedings under some kind of railway by- law or would it be dealt with just internally ( no doubt minimum being sacked) ?

It would be dealt with internally, however there is always the possibility for the ORR to take the matter further if they became aware, which could potentially involve them carrying out a prosecution.

 

[Turtle]

Whilst I was waiting for the tube on the weekend, I had a thought while seeing a driver pull into the station,

Hypothetically speaking if a driver allowed a member of the public to ride with them in the cab , or worst kind scenario allowed then to drive/ assist to drive the train would they be processed for criminal proceedings under some kind of railway by- law or would it be dealt with just internally ( no doubt minimum being sacked) ?

Interesting. My wife travelled about 30 miles plus on the footplate of a steam locomotive(driven by her father) as a little girl, even crossing an international border.

 

[Jan Mayen]

You can pay to ride on the footplate on the Bluebell.

Sadly not 30 miles, nor crossing international borders. You cross the Greenwich Meridien when leaving Shffield Park, though

 

[bluenoxid]

Could the member of the public be picked up for criminal trespass or is that just rail infrastructure?

A thing that would decide a prosecution would be the outcome of the driving (eg SPAD, collision, etc)

 

[ScottGallagher]

Whilst I was waiting for the tube on the weekend, I had a thought while seeing a driver pull into the station,

Hypothetically speaking if a driver allowed a member of the public to ride with them in the cab , or worst kind scenario allowed then to drive/ assist to drive the train would they be processed for criminal proceedings under some kind of railway by- law or would it be dealt with just internally ( no doubt minimum being sacked) ?

Riding in the cab isn't controversial.in itself as long as its cleared by the relevant people plus the driver themselves. Obviously any driver allowing anyone to be taking the controls or operating anything would be dealt with!!

 

[Rab Smith]

Rules for travelling in driving cabs are clearly set out in the rule book. Breaking these is a direct breach of the employment contract and can lead to disciplinary proceedings against the person.

 

[30907]

The rules have been broken often enough, as I am aware

Drivers have the sense not to get found out...

 

[JamesT]

Could the member of the public be picked up for criminal trespass or is that just rail infrastructure?

I would have thought there would be relatively little the member of the public could be charged with. If the driver has let them into the cab etc then they could argue they have permission.

 

[LMS 4F]

The rules have been broken often enough, as I am aware

Drivers have the sense not to get found out...

I and a Friend had a ride from Hither Green to Acton main line many years ago at the invitation of the driver. It was a class 59 and on a Saturday morning and we got some very interesting trackage.
I would have used the excuse that we were invited but the issue never arose.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Rules for travelling in driving cabs are clearly set out in the rule book. Breaking these is a direct breach of the employment contract and can lead to disciplinary proceedings against the person.

These rules are probably much more stringently enforced than they used to be in the climate of heightened health and safety / security with fewer blind eyes being turned. How many trains have in cab CCTV monitored remotely which would pick up on a visitor in the cab?

Well remember in May 1988 when the 155s replaced Cromptons on the Portsmouth - Bristol route I was travelling to school in the first week when the booked 4 car formation was only 2. Get to Avoncliff, where only the front door opens, and the train is wedged solid. Guard opens the cab door and instructs some of us to stand in the centre and right hand side of the cab to free up space for the handful of passengers wanting to join. Can't imagine that would happen now!

I wonder how much this tightening up has affected recruitment to a range of professional driving jobs? For example how many kids were inspired to become lorry drivers because they spent their holidays riding around in a lorry with a parent who was a lorry driver? Nowadays most insurance policies don't permit this and so kids don't get the chance to experience it.

 

[Railcar]

The rules have been broken often enough, as I am aware

As the doors closed on a Hammersmith-bound tube train at Edgware Road, I was scampering down the steps from the ticket-office level to the platform. The driver took pity on me and I made the journey to Shepherds Bush 'on the cushions', so it does happen.