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East Coast Cab Ride

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baldieman

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9 Mar 2012
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22
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Cambridgeshire
Hi folks,

I just wondered if anyone here knows whether East Coast have a cab ride policy for passengers who request it? The reason I ask is that I shall be travelling Peterborough to Kings Cross on Saturday and then returning so was planning to ask staff when I depart at the stations on the day.

If there is anyone here who works for EC and could perhaps put a word in it'd be gratefully appreciated! Having applied for a few trainee driver positions in the last few months it would be awesome to witness the job first hand. As a flying instructor looking for a new career on the tracks I understand that these things can be very hard to come by but thought I would ask anyway just in case!

Many thanks folks,

Baldieman.
 
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district

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4 Aug 2011
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1,098
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I do not know East Coast's exact policy but train cabs are safety critical enviroments and it is highly unlikely in my opinion that you will be highly unlikely to be allowed access to the cab. The access to cabs on the railway is restricted to only those who need to be there as unnessacary persons can cause distractions or could interfere with the running of the service.
 

Bellwater

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Joined
10 Jan 2010
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522
Location
on a 158
Hi folks,

I just wondered if anyone here knows whether East Coast have a cab ride policy for passengers who request it? The reason I ask is that I shall be travelling Peterborough to Kings Cross on Saturday and then returning so was planning to ask staff when I depart at the stations on the day.

If there is anyone here who works for EC and could perhaps put a word in it'd be gratefully appreciated! Having applied for a few trainee driver positions in the last few months it would be awesome to witness the job first hand. As a flying instructor looking for a new career on the tracks I understand that these things can be very hard to come by but thought I would ask anyway just in case!

Many thanks folks,

Baldieman.

No chance mate. You could write to EC but I doubt you'd get a positive response.

I'd rather you didn't ask Train Staff for access to cabs either.

 

jonb

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8 Jun 2005
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1,607
Location
Essex
As others have pointed out you will not be allowed into the cab by just asking on the day. I'd suggest writing to East Coast, you never know you may be lucky. However I would suspect they get a lot of requests so don't be surprised if your wish is declined.

If you are after a cab ride, why not try volunteering at a preserved railway? It's a good opportunity to witness railway operations first hand and you're more than likely to get access to cabs whilst on duty.
 

Hydro

Established Member
Joined
5 Mar 2007
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2,204
Am I being Naive here or would the OP not be treat as a security risk never mind a safety risk?

In case he nicks the drivers wallet? Good thinking. He'd have to be strong though. I hear those things can weigh upwards of 50kg on average.
 

BrianTheLion

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Joined
14 Dec 2011
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117
Location
Port Glasgow
In case he nicks the drivers wallet? Good thinking. He'd have to be strong though. I hear those things can weigh upwards of 50kg on average.

:D good one!!!

I was thinking more along the lines of the driver being overpowered in some way... like bad breath or something! :p

On a serious note though, shouldnt the cab of a train be treat in exactly the same way as an aeroplane cockpit?
 

Mr Spock

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Joined
14 Jan 2008
Messages
608
:D good one!!!

I was thinking more along the lines of the driver being overpowered in some way... like bad breath or something! :p

On a serious note though, shouldnt the cab of a train be treat in exactly the same way as an aeroplane cockpit?

Not sure that you are allowed in the cockpit of a plane any more.
 

Yew

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12 Mar 2011
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UK
Not sure that you are allowed in the cockpit of a plane any more.

Ive been in one when the plane was grounded (my brother was in a wheelchair so they had to get a lift for him. and we sat chatting with the pilots whilst we waited. However this was A) on the ground and B) before 911
 

Wath Yard

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31 Dec 2011
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Freghtliner, GBRf, Virgin are 3 TOCs/FOCs I know of who have very recently given cab rides as prizes for charity raffles or auctions, so there are no rules or laws forbidding it. However, just asking a driver for a cab ride probably doesn't stand much of a chance. It isn't 1983 any more.
 

GB

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Somewhere
Freghtliner, GBRf, Virgin are 3 TOCs/FOCs I know of who have very recently given cab rides as prizes for charity raffles or auctions, so there are no rules or laws forbidding it. However, just asking a driver for a cab ride probably doesn't stand much of a chance. It isn't 1983 any more.

The big difference is they are all structured, monitored and professionally organised.
 

Cherry_Picker

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18 Apr 2011
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2,796
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Birmingham
A traction inspector can authorise a cab ride for whoever he wants. You could write a letter to a TOC asking, you never know your luck. 99.999% the answer will be no because the only people who are in a position to help you out are not in a position to drop everything they are doing for half a day and sit in the cab with you. I'd say try your luck, but prepare to be disappointed.
 

221129

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21 Mar 2011
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Sunny Scotland
Try writing to them (the worse they can do is say no) as the old saying goes if you dont ask you dont get.
 

Lee_Again

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29 Sep 2007
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646
Location
Stevenage
I was lucky enough to enjoy a cab ride on an EC service from King's Cross to Leeds and return about 2 years ago. I was invited by the driver and we had a driver manager with us. There was also some paper work to complete. It took about 6 months to arrange.

Unless you know somebody I think your chances are very slim. You'll definately not get one just by asking on the day. The driver would be sacked on the spot.

As others have suggested, you could write to EC but don't hold your breath.

But if you're lucky, very lucky, you'll have an excellent experience. I'll never forget mine.

Lee
 

JoeGJ1984

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Joined
7 Nov 2010
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521
Just out of interest, how would the people at Video125 and the other companies who sell driver's eye view/cab ride DVDs get access to the cab? By writing to the 'powers that be' at the TOCs I presume?

And does anyone know if the 'powers that be' ever get requests for cab rides from enthusiasts?
 

JoeGJ1984

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I suppose they would be more accommodating though to the likes of Video125, etc.?
 
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Not sure that you are allowed in the cockpit of a plane any more.

I believe its a no no on any UK or US registered aircraft or any aircraft in US or UK airspace however outside of this it depends on the individual company policy, the airlines home countrys policy and i guess the captain themselves. At least this is what i seem to remember from a conversation i had with an ex EC crew member who went to work for Silverjet and now BA.
As far as the cab ride goes, you have zero chance when asking on the day.
 

MidnightFlyer

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16 May 2010
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12,857
I suppose they would be more accommodating though to the likes of Video125, etc.?

I think Video 125 et al have to shell out quite a bit of money for the privilege. I would say TOCs would be more inclined towards professional companies.
 
Joined
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Messages
141
No chance of getting a cab ride, you would need to get a driver manager to accompany you and even would have to undergo the relevant safety check!!
Personally I think it unbelievable you think you can turn up on the day and get one<(
 

RichmondCommu

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Richmond, London
Not sure that you are allowed in the cockpit of a plane any more.

No thanks to Bin Laden thats a definite no no! Back in September 2000 our twins were invited into a Quantas cockpit between Perth and Sydney (with their dad of course!) It was an incredible act of kindness and something which I will never forget :)
 

DownSouth

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No thanks to Bin Laden thats a definite no no! Back in September 2000 our twins were invited into a Quantas cockpit between Perth and Sydney (with their dad of course!) It was an incredible act of kindness and something which I will never forget :)
I can trump that, I got to go on the flight deck of an Ansett plane only a month before it all went bust!
 

A-driver

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I suppose they would be more accommodating though to the likes of Video125, etc.?

I believe 225 studios do it on contract as some TOCs (well I know mine does) use their videos for driver training so I would Imagen they have some kind of deal-he gets access to the cabs, they get x amount of copies of the film and he can flog the rest.
 

DownSouth

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In case he nicks the drivers wallet? Good thinking. He'd have to be strong though. I hear those things can weigh upwards of 50kg on average.
50kg? Do they pay drivers in 10p coins these days?
 
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