Is it possible for me to be a train driver?

[Joejones123]

Hey,
I am very new here and I have been looking around for trainee train driver jobs for a while however I do have a disability. Ive been doing some research and looked up some documents on the health standards of becoming a train driver and saw the ''Significant limitation of mobility'' fitness standard from this document which has me concerned.

Basically I was born without a left hand however it doesn't really affect me too much as im really used to it, I can do most things that people with two hands can do for example driving a car, building computers, playing guitar and video games etc.

I have had my mind set on becoming a trainee train driver for a while now but I have only recently thought about the whole medical side to it. I fit all the requirements (Great eye sight and hearing) and even have a good education, I have recently completed my A-Levels doing Mathematics, Physics and Engineering but the only thing holding me back is the disability. I 100% believe I could become a train driver regardless of having one hand, I have seen inside the cab of multiple trains and there's nothing I wont be able to do as I can use my left arm to press buttons, move levers etc.

I also don't believe that I have a significant limitation of mobility as I can do most things people with two hands can do but then again I don't know what counts as a significant limitation of mobility and how they judge that in the medical exams.
I'm really not sure what to do, its pretty upsetting since I have had my mind set on this for a while and I know I could become a driver if given the opportunity. I can also have things made for me by a hospital to help assist me however I don't know how strict the medical exams are and if they allow exceptions like that.

I'm currently 20 years old and have been waiting until im 21 to apply but im really not sure what to do right now, I appreciate any help I can get about this and if anyone has any questions about the disability ill gladly answer them.

Cheers!

 

[Llanigraham]

The only way you are going to get a full and correct answer will be to talk to one of the Train Operating Companies

 

[Val3ntine]

Hi mate;

Totally empathise with you here, just like you I had been looking into being a train driver for a very long time and pursued it straight away from the age of turning 20 into 21. I don’t have the definite answer for you regarding this but just what I think.

First of all you say you were born without a left hand? Do you have maybe a synthetic hand with complete control of finger movements? As you know on national rail infrustructure the left hand is used primarily to operate the train. To be fair either hand is just as important as the other, on some stocks the right hand controls the power handle. The right hand is also needed to acknowledge alarms, operate the radio, needed for fault finding etc so whichever hand really doesn’t matter as they’re as important as each other.
But going back to the left hand specifically, on some stock the controller is needed to be controlled by holding the knuckle of the controller ever so gentle using your thumb and 1st finger only (not sure what it’s called, index finger?) to control and enable extremely smooth braking of the train. On some other stock you have a massive mechanical handle that is needed to use your whole hand to grab around the handle with a pretty tight grip and it can be slight bit of force aswell needed to operate the handle. These are just two example of techniques to drive a train, there are many more due to there being many different types of stock, but is this something you feel like you will be able to do comfortably?

And then you have the entering and exiting a train, you need to be able to really haul yourself up with both hands with a tight grip on handlebars. From track level once you make the first step unto the steps, you then need to really pull yourself up which is essentially you pulling your whole bodyweight using your both hands and a bit of assistance from your foot on the one step, this will be looked for on your medical assesment and during your training period, an inability to be able to do this comfortably and safely will no doubt be a cause for concern as this is actually a very dangerous action getting in and out of cabs from trackside.

Really not trying to put you off as I said I have a lot of empathy for your situation but these are just small examples of what might be a hindrance to yourself or be seen as a hindrance by the railway industry. I have no doubt you will be able to get much more accurate information from from HR departments if you send some emails or make some phonecalls to your local companies and if it is a no then they will be able to give you an exact reason as to why, it may not even be any of the reasons I explained above.

 

[Joejones123]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Do you have maybe a synthetic hand with complete control of finger movements?

I can get one from the hospital if it is needed, I have used them in the past and they have probably improved a lot since then. The hospital which I go to have said they can make literally anything I need to help me with jobs/hobbies and anything else.

On some other stock you have a massive mechanical handle that is needed to use your whole hand to grab around the handle with a pretty tight grip

Its hard to say without knowing what the controllers actually look like but im sure I could do it successfully, my left arm is actually pretty strong but gripping could be difficult depending on what the controller looks like but even with that I could have something made to assist me. Ive seen a few train cabs with a lever on the left side which seems to be a forward/backwards motion lever like in the picture below but that is completely doable for me as I can use my left arm however I know that all trains are different but if you have any pictures of different controllers then I would appreciate seeing them

And then you have the entering and exiting a train, you need to be able to really haul yourself up with both hands with a tight grip on handlebars

This shouldn't really be a problem, I have pretty good strength and have worked at a roofing company for a few years in which I carry heavy items up and down ladders.

I have no doubt you will be able to get much more accurate information from from HR departments if you send some emails or make some phonecalls to your local companies

I guess this would be the best way to know for sure but Ive been holding off it because im sure they will give me the answer I don't want to hear. I'm not really sure who is best to contact about this either.

What are the medical assessments like? I think my main concern is the medical assessment as I have no idea how strict they are or if they would consider my disability to much of a limitation even though I know its not. Do they allow adjustments like a prosthetic because people who don't have the best eye sight are allowed to wear glasses right? But yeah it kinda sucks when you have your mind set on something then realize you probably wont even get the chance to try it out.

Again thank you for the reply!

 

[Val3ntine]

No worries mate it’s my pleasure. Haven’t got pictures to hand but google “class 455 cab” “class 458 cab” “class 313 cab” “class 377 cab”
Those are some different type of power brake controllers or 3 step controllers as examples. Type in any class of train that you know actually and pictures should come up.
The one you posted above is a newer type found on class 700 series, whereas other brand new stock have different types for eg class 345 and class 800.

By the sounds of it and you saying you were into roofing I can’t see why it should be an issue, thinking of it I have seen a driver on a prosthetic leg as he is ex army. Unfortunately I and others on here aren’t the company doctor so my advice, just apply as and when positions come up and ask voice your concerns to the HR teams as your application is in. They are always happy to help and that is what they are there for. All the best of luck buddy!

 

[Darandio]

Ive seen a few train cabs with a lever on the left side which seems to be a forward/backwards motion lever like in the picture below but that is completely doable for me as I can use my left arm however I know that all trains are different but if you have any pictures of different controllers then I would appreciate seeing them

You are correct, many have a left hand lever. However, some also have a hill start button built into the lever to prevent rolling backwards when starting on a hill so i'm not sure whether this makes it less straightforward for you. One can be seen on a Class 334 in the image linked below.

https://flic.kr/p/7gSPL8

Regardless, the advice to find out directly from a TOC is probably the best way forward.

 

[DanDaDriver]

I know of a driver who doesn’t have a right hand.

Less of a problem on modern stuff where you only really use it for the GSM-R and AWS cancellation.

Your right hand is used for a bit more on HST’s for example, as that’s where the reverser/direction selector and power handle are. Older units (15x) are similar.

 

[Trainguy90]

best talk to a HR department or contact the Office of rail and road directly if they can direct you to the right information
Passenger might be ok but I think it would rule you out of most freight companies where coupling and uncoupling is involved,
I know a couple of companies have got fairly strict on the simplicity of entering and exiting a cab and making it mandatory to have a firm anchor point in 3 places at all times

 

[a_c_skinner]

I think they are obliged to make reasonable adaptations to the selection procedures and to the trains you'd drive. When I was still working as a hospital doctor I met a chap who was paraplegic, a high spinal cord injury. I asked how he'd got the considerable distance to the spinal unit. I've driven, he replied. He had hoped to drive over in his new lorry (an artic. tractor unit) complete with a little hoist to get him in to it, but it wasn't ready. Heaven knows where he planned to park it in Middlesbrough.

 

[Bertie the bus]

I don’t think they are obliged to make adaptations to the trains. A train driver could drive literally hundreds of different units. It wouldn’t be considered reasonable for a TOC to modify its entire fleet for one person. You can’t compare it to lorry driving where the person can be restricted to just one.

 

[Dieseldriver]

One point to make is that medical standards aren't just there for actually driving a train. Mobility is important for a variety of tasks. Fault finding/rectifying could include operating a variety of buttons, switches, isolation cocks etc in a multitude of different places. Climbing in and out of locos/units. Coupling/uncoupling (even with a passenger TOC with units, you may need to manually do this with an uncoupling bar).
The best advice is to speak to any TOC that you wish to apply for. They will be able to give you a better answer. All the best and hopefully you get a positive outcome.