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Questions about driving trains.

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johnnyp_360

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Very interesting thread. Thanks drivers!
Here a question. Are all drivers trained in both MPH and KmPH with regards to line speeds and distances? Or is all train driving exclusively imperial? Are there plans to change it to metric? As I understand, RAIB produces reports with metric measurements.
 
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RPM

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Very interesting thread. Thanks drivers!
Here a question. Are all drivers trained in both MPH and KmPH with regards to line speeds and distances? Or is all train driving exclusively imperial? Are there plans to change it to metric? As I understand, RAIB produces reports with metric measurements.

Depends a bit on where exactly you are. I believe HS1 is all metric. LUL use metric for distances, but not sure about speed. The vast majority of the network is still Imperial though. The rule book gives distances in both systems. I believe there is a long term plan by NR to replace mileposts with kilometre posts.
 

swt_passenger

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Depends a bit on where exactly you are. I believe HS1 is all metric. LUL use metric for distances, but not sure about speed. The vast majority of the network is still Imperial though. The rule book gives distances in both systems. I believe there is a long term plan by NR to replace mileposts with kilometre posts.

ERTMS roll-out will apparently force the change.
 

Dieseldriver

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On LUL it's a mix. On conventional lines it's mph whereas on lines with different signalling systems it is kph.
 

Jamesb1974

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Apologies if this has been asked already:

When crossing from fast line to slow line ( and vice versa!). How do you know when then last carriage has passed over the points in order for you to accelerate?


I can't speak for other companies, but all mainline DB Schenker locos have a 'Q-Tron' device fitted. This is basically a small computer mounted either on the central cab windscreen pillar (on a 60) or above the driver's windscreen (on a 66/67).

You enter your personal pin number, train ID and then you can enter the train length from the information provided on the train list (paperwork that accompanies each freight train). On the train list, the length is calculated in SLU's (standard length units). 1 SLU equals 21 feet, so you multiply your SLU's x 21 to find out your train length in feet, then enter this into the Q-Tron.

When you approach a crossover or speed restriction, there is a button near to the braking controls that activates the train length function of the Q-Tron. Press it once to arm it, press it again to activate it as the loco passes out of the speed restriction/crossover.

The Q-Tron then counts down the train length, plus a safety margin of about 10-15% before beeping to let you know you are across. You can also watch the length count down in feet.
 
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bristolnige

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why don't drivers have the same sort of protection in terms of seating and seatbelts harnesses that you might find in a rally car ?
 

bristolnige

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yes - sorry if it sounds odd. if say a train was derailed, wouldn't it be safer for you to be held in the seat securely ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know this wouldn't help much if it was a very serious incident :D
 

A-driver

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yes - sorry if it sounds odd. if say a train was derailed, wouldn't it be safer for you to be held in the seat securely ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know this wouldn't help much if it was a very serious incident :D


If drivers do them shouldn't passengers to? If a train collides with anything in a way that a seatbelt may make a difference then the driver is still going to be killed regardless!
 

455driver

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Bearing in mind we are sat in the crumple zone a seat belt would be more of a hindrance than an advantage.
 

jopsuk

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Further, even under emergency braking- or hitting something/derailing - a train doesn't decelerate anywhere near as fast as a car. I've never heard any tales of train drivers being thrown into the windscreen of a rapidly decelerating train?
 

Domh245

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But the amount of safety systems in place means that a head on high speed collision should never happen. If any public transport should have seatbelts, it would be buses.
 

455driver

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Sufficient deceleration might be achieved in the event of a head on collision between two trains

If (and it is a massive if) my train is about to have a head on collision the last place I want to be is strapped to a seat in the cab! ;)
 

A-driver

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Sufficient deceleration might be achieved in the event of a head on collision between two trains


I'm sure it would but being thrown out of the chair into the windscreen in that scenario would be the least of my worries.

Plus many drivers stand up to drive anyway.
 

GB

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As far as freight is concerned, I would imagine a seat belt would make the driver too restricted to comfortably reach all the controls or look back out the side window etc.
 

A-driver

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As far as freight is concerned, I would imagine a seat belt would make the driver too restricted to comfortably reach all the controls or look back out the side window etc.


Is that any different from passenger? Looking back out the window at stations to dispatch every few minutes etc?
 

GB

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Probably not, but as I don't work for a passenger company or spend anytime in the cab of a passenger train I didn't feel qualified to comment how you work.
 

455driver

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Probably not, but as I don't work for a passenger company or spend anytime in the cab of a passenger train I didn't feel qualified to comment how you work.

Why not?
I doesnt prevent everyone else (who may never have driven a train in their life) doing it! :lol:
 

TDK

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Sufficient deceleration might be achieved in the event of a head on collision between two trains

If it was imminent that I was going to have a head on collision with another train for whatever reason I would either run back to say hi to the guard or jump and take my chances. Seatbelts in cars were designed to stop a driver/passenger getting thrown through the windscreen as passengers of trains do not have a windscreen in front of them I do not believe that seatbelts are necessary. If you also compare the frequency a head on train collision against an accident with a coach on the roads it is a huge difference. Seatbelts are just not required on trains.
 

bennito

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if i were a driver and say my son was on the train would he be allowed to join me in the cab for the journey or would that be a sackable offence
 

A-driver

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I have a question.

Is it easier to drive in the dark?
Mainly to do with better visibillity of signals.


Some elements are easier, some harder signals are generally easier to spot, you obviously don't have any issues with sunlight reflecting etc, but some other areas can be harder-obviously less overall visibility, dispatch can be a pain in badly lit stations etc.

if i were a driver and say my son was on the train would he be allowed to join me in the cab for the journey or would that be a sackable offence


Most likely a sackable offence. TOCs get very funny about drivers having people upfront with them, especially non staff members. Some TOCs even frown on having other drivers up front with you.
 

bristolnige

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Wasn't quite sure about the first responses I got to my previous question but thank you for your thoughts. Although some things may seem very obvious to you, its not always to people looking in from the outside.

Could I ask a couple more ?
What is the best route that you drive and why ?


Is there any of the romanticism of the railways left or has that gone ? did that only exist for people looking in from the outside ?
 

A-driver

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Wasn't quite sure about the first responses I got to my previous question but thank you for your thoughts. Although some things may seem very obvious to you, its not always to people looking in from the outside.



Could I ask a couple more ?

What is the best route that you drive and why ?





Is there any of the romanticism of the railways left or has that gone ? did that only exist for people looking in from the outside ?


I think the term "romanticism" is perhaps limited to passenger perception and even then mainly infrequent passengers. If you spend 10 hours a day at work driving trains up and down at all sorts of horrible times of day with management throwing what they throw at you etc then you find very little about the job that is "romantic"!

I suppose to some a train pulling out of kings cross is "romantic" but I can't say that I have ever given it a second thought when driving a train out of there myself.
 

SkinnyDave

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I have not long started my Train Handling hours and there has been no feeling of "romanticism"
when I was on a flat stretch of line running on greens I did once briefly think to myself F##k me I'm driving a Train! That has been it and probably will be for rest of my career lol
 
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Cherry_Picker

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I have not long started my Train Handling hours and there has been no feeling "romanticism"
when I was on a flat stretch of line running on greens I did once briefly think to myself F##k me I'm driving a Train! That has been it and probably will be for rest of my career lol

In ten years time you will be thinking to yourself, 'F##k me. I'm driving a train...' :lol:
 
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