Just how hard is it to drive a train

[PudseyBearHST]

This is a curious question to know simply, how hard is it to drive a train?

I have not put this in the 'Careers' section because I am asking this purely as an enthusiast. You hear a lot people (who aren't drivers or for that matter even working in the Railways) saying its easy and not that hard so just wanted to know opinions from train drivers directly. I must admit I am guilty of the same thing and I probably underestimate the difficulty of the job. I have a lot of train simulations on my iPad and computer but of course this in no way is even close to what its like in real life.

Just to be clear, I am not asking how hard is it to be a 'train driver' (so I am not talking about things like shift pattern, suicides, etc...) but rather purely train driving

Thanks

 

[TimboM]

This is a curious question to know simply, how hard is it to drive a train?

I have not put this in the 'Careers' section because I am asking this purely as an enthusiast. You hear a lot people (who aren't drivers or for that matter even working in the Railways) saying its easy and not that hard so just wanted to know opinions from train drivers directly. I must admit I am guilty of the same thing and I probably underestimate the difficulty of the job. I have a lot of train simulations on my iPad and computer but of course this in no way is even close to what its like in real life.

Just to be clear, I am not asking how hard is it to be a 'train driver' (so I am not talking about things like shift pattern, suicides, etc...) but rather purely train driving

Thanks

Does your question start from walking up to the "cold" loco/unit? I'm an enthusiast only too, but get the impression starting a loco/unit up initially is a little more complex than jumping in your car and turning the key in the ignition.

 

[NSE]

I guess, like most things, on a clear day, on time, the train is behaving, its pretty straightforward. But when you're dealing with fog, wet tracks, leaf fall, knowing where to brake in the dark/wet/leafy conditions, dealing with trains that are refusing to play ball (couple/change from AC to DC) all whilst attempting to make up the 30 minutes you're running late (through no fault of your own) etc. Thats when you earn your stripes.

Thats my take on it, and could be terribly wrong, be interested to know what drivers think.

 

[najaB]

This is a curious question to know simply, how hard is it to drive a train?

I think you may be asking the wrong question. I would hope that every driver on the forum would answer something along the lines of "It's simple once you know how." I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable if a driver were to say "It's unbelievably hard." any more than I would want a surgeon operating on me who thought that every operation was really difficult.

Challenging? I'm fine with that. Stimulating? That's okay too. But I would hope that none of our driver forum members get home at the end of the day dripping with sweat from the difficulty of the job.

So, perhaps, the question should be something along the lines of "What's involved in driving a train?" or "How complex is driving a train?" instead.

 

[NSE]

Does your question start from walking up to the "cold" loco/unit? I'm an enthusiast only too, but get the impression starting a loco/unit up initially is a little more complex than jumping in your car and turning the key in the ignition.

I also believe that to be the case. I was on a AGA 317 that pulled the wires down (or at least control told the driver that's what the system was telling them) today just north of Lea Bridge, and once power was back, the driver said we had to wait for air to fill the (I think) compressors and brakes? (someone correct me if I'm wrong?!).

 

[SPADTrap]

I also believe that to be the case. I was on a AGA 317 that pulled the wires down (or at least control told the driver that's what the system was telling them) today just north of Lea Bridge, and once power was back, the driver said we had to wait for air to fill the (I think) compressors and brakes? (someone correct me if I'm wrong?!).

You're quite right. The 317 EMU leaks like a sieve and the compressor will not run without power in the overheads, when the main reservoir pressure gets too low the emergency brakes will apply along with the sprung parking brakes. When you get line volts back and the main compressor starts it can take a few minutes to 'build the air' up again above the limit where the brakes will apply.

 

[6Gman]

This is a curious question to know simply, how hard is it to drive a train?

I have not put this in the 'Careers' section because I am asking this purely as an enthusiast. You hear a lot people (who aren't drivers or for that matter even working in the Railways) saying its easy and not that hard so just wanted to know opinions from train drivers directly. I must admit I am guilty of the same thing and I probably underestimate the difficulty of the job. I have a lot of train simulations on my iPad and computer but of course this in no way is even close to what its like in real life.

Just to be clear, I am not asking how hard is it to be a 'train driver' (so I am not talking about things like shift pattern, suicides, etc...) but rather purely train driving

Thanks

Stopping is the real challenge.

 

[NSE]

You're quite right. The 317 EMU leaks like a sieve and the compressor will not run without power in the overheads, when the main reservoir pressure gets too low the emergency brakes will apply along with the sprung parking brakes. When you get line volts back and the main compressor starts it can take a few minutes to 'build the air' up again above the limit where the brakes will apply.

Interesting to read, thanks for that!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Just to be clear, I am not asking how hard is it to be a 'train driver' (so I am not talking about things like shift pattern, suicides, etc...) but rather purely train driving

Purely to make the thing go and stop?

Not hard at all, I've driven a Class 101 DMU (which has manual gear selection, so more complex than most) and picked it up very quickly mostly from having watched through the window so many times.

Stopping in the right place is harder, I was very cautious on the brake.

Of course, making it go and stop isn't the hard bit, that's the rest of the job...

 

[Eccles1983]

Driving (getting it in motion) is the easiest part of the job.

Figuring out how to stop, without causing passenger discomfort or sliding through is the challenge.

Also it isnt helped by various stopping patterns on the same line.

 

[ComUtoR]

Push the lever forward to brake, Pull it backward to take power, Turn switch to select direction - Job done

It's so easy a robot could do it.

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Thanks for all the replies

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Does your question start from walking up to the "cold" loco/unit? I'm an enthusiast only too, but get the impression starting a loco/unit up initially is a little more complex than jumping in your car and turning the key in the ignition.

Fair point and one I haven't actually thought about. Would depot drivers normally do this or mainline drivers? Because assumably depot drivers would start it up as the train is in the depot?

 

[PudseyBearHST]

I think you may be asking the wrong question. I would hope that every driver on the forum would answer something along the lines of "It's simple once you know how." I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable if a driver were to say "It's unbelievably hard." any more than I would want a surgeon operating on me who thought that every operation was really difficult.

Challenging? I'm fine with that. Stimulating? That's okay too. But I would hope that none of our driver forum members get home at the end of the day dripping with sweat from the difficulty of the job.

So, perhaps, the question should be something along the lines of "What's involved in driving a train?" or "How complex is driving a train?" instead.

Yup that probably is a better way of wording my question

 

[bramling]

This is a curious question to know simply, how hard is it to drive a train?

I have not put this in the 'Careers' section because I am asking this purely as an enthusiast. You hear a lot people (who aren't drivers or for that matter even working in the Railways) saying its easy and not that hard so just wanted to know opinions from train drivers directly. I must admit I am guilty of the same thing and I probably underestimate the difficulty of the job. I have a lot of train simulations on my iPad and computer but of course this in no way is even close to what its like in real life.

Just to be clear, I am not asking how hard is it to be a 'train driver' (so I am not talking about things like shift pattern, suicides, etc...) but rather purely train driving

Thanks

Driving a train from A to B is easy, although it does take some level of practice and experience to be able to complete a journey smoothly and as fast as conditions will safely permit.

The complete package of being a train driver is a little more challenging however, and this is where one does need to have the right temperament for the job. Coping with shifts, being alert, maintaining concentration whilst carrying out repetitive work, maintaining a full knowledge of rules and procedures and also routes and traction whilst being able to pull out little-used knowledge to be applied at a moment's notice and potentially under pressure, and last but not least being able to handle railway internal politics without tearing one's hair out. Some people can take on all of the above just fine, whilst for others it is simply not for them.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Easy once you learn it.

Most of the skill has been removed now with things like the professional driving policies, the removal of the auto brake and traditional EP brakes, which have been replaced by dynamic braking and electric braking which takes away the skills previously learnt.

Now after 25+ year's the only thing I find challenging is getting out of bed at 0200 and getting any form of motivation to do the job. It's boring and repetitive and as a few drivers will say its a daily exercise in keeping management and manager's off your back. Still only a few more years to do and I'm getting out.

And if you're asking if I'd recommend it as a career, then absolutely NOT.

It causes nothing but problems with your body clock and destroys your social life too, it restricts you if you like a drink and disrupts family life too.

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Driving a train from A to B is easy, although it does take some level of practice and experience to be able to complete a journey smoothly and as fast as conditions will safely permit.

The complete package of being a train driver is a little more challenging however, and this is where one does need to have the right temperament for the job. Coping with shifts, being alert, maintaining concentration whilst carrying out repetitive work, maintaining a full knowledge of rules and procedures and also routes and traction whilst being able to pull out little-used knowledge to be applied at a moment's notice and potentially under pressure, and last but not least being able to handle railway internal politics without tearing one's hair out. Some people can take on all of the above just fine, whilst for others it is simply not for them.

Thank you for your reply. There is definitely a big difference between simply being able to drive a train and being a train driver full time and I think its something a lot of people overlook. Of course there is no such thing as part time drivers or train driving purely for leisure in comparison to lets say, planes where you could get a Private Pilots License (PPL) and drive when you want, how much want. I am sure there would be a colossal difference between lets say a full time Commercial Pilot compared to someone with a PPL (apart from the obvious difference of different plane size).

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Easy once you learn it.

Most of the skill has been removed now with things like the professional driving policies, the removal of the auto brake and traditional EP brakes, which have been replaced by dynamic braking and electric braking which takes away the skills previously learnt.

Now after 25+ year's the only thing I find challenging is getting out of bed at 0200 and getting any form of motivation to do the job. It's boring and repetitive and as a few drivers will say its a daily exercise in keeping management and manager's off your back. Still only a few more years to do and I'm getting out.

And if you're asking if I'd recommend it as a career, then absolutely NOT.

It causes nothing but problems with your body clock and destroys your social life too, it restricts you if you like a drink and disrupts family life too.

Thanks for your reply. Do you think newer trains are easier to drive or are they meant to be easier to drive/ reduce SPAD and other risks? For example, the Hitachi Class 800 compared to the Class 43/91.

 

[superkev]

I'm amazed how they steer them between the rails
K

 

[philthetube]

I'm amazed how they steer them between the rails
K

Even cleverer on the underground in the dark.

Seriously you would be amazed how often I have been asked hlw you stay on the tracks.

 

[axlecounter]

To me it looks like that the easier is to drive a train, the higher are the (SPAD) risks.
If driving is more difficult (older units...) it's easier to keep focus on what you're doing.

I think that anyone that can drive a car could drive a modern unit, it's usually easy and simple. Older stock may be more a matter for people with a slightly more "technical mind" but nothing that any educated person couldn't learn to do.

 

[87 027]

Why not try it for yourself on a driver experience day? I did one a few years ago on the East Lancs Railway. As professional drivers have said, stopping smoothly and in the right place is more difficult than getting the train moving.

 

[ComUtoR]

Of course there is no such thing as part time drivers

We had Part time Drivers

 

[najaB]

We had Part time Drivers

Indeed. I think the term PudseyBear was looking for might have been 'recreational driver'.

 

[Surreytraveller]

The most difficult part is carrying the cup of tea to cab without spilling it. It used to be even more difficult with a cigarette, but not allowed to smoke anymore.
(This is a joke by the way, before anyone takes offence!)

 

[philthetube]

Thank you for your reply. There is definitely a big difference between simply being able to drive a train and being a train driver full time and I think its something a lot of people overlook. Of course there is no such thing as part time drivers or train driving purely for leisure in comparison to lets say, planes where you could get a Private Pilots License (PPL) and drive when you want, how much want. I am sure there would be a colossal difference between lets say a full time Commercial Pilot compared to someone with a PPL (apart from the obvious difference of different plane size).

London Underground has part time drivers, all the night tube drivers for a start.

 

[chris11256]

I've driven a steam train(although it was a 15" Gauge) and it took quite a while to get used to it. I suspect this was because I was being both driver & fireman(as the cab is usually only big enough for one person). PLus factor in getting there for 03:00 to start getting the thing ready.

Was quite difficult as I found certain controls very sensitive. Too generous on the regulator and the driving wheels started spinning like there's no tomorrow

 

[DarloRich]

not hard at all - it is just pulling buttons and pressing levers and stuff.

 

[zuriblue]

I had a go on a simulator at the Transport Museum in Luzern. It was easy to get it going but stopping was a lot harder - if I'd been doing it for real I would have had a lot of tea without biscuits (2 SPADs and a buffer bash in Zürich Hb)

Certainly when I lived in London, seeing the drivers running at linespeed in freezing fog was a bit daunting.

 

[mtbox]

To me it looks like that the easier is to drive a train, the higher are the (SPAD) risks.
If driving is more difficult (older units...) it's easier to keep focus on what you're doing.

I think that anyone that can drive a car could drive a modern unit, it's usually easy and simple. Older stock may be more a matter for people with a slightly more "technical mind" but nothing that any educated person couldn't learn to do.

How far someone is "educated" has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not they are suitable to drive trains.

I know of several "highly educated" people who have failed the psychmetrics, one of them was an airline first officer.

Intelligence and common sense are far, far more important than qualifications in this job.