I have recently passed a safety critical concentration test and I am awaiting an interview for a train dispatcher, I am looking for some advice/information about the job?
anything would help from the interview experience & questions, what is the training like/where do you do your training?
I really would like this job and want to prepare the best i can! any advice is welcome
cheers.
I can give you a brief guide on how to dispatch a train, however some TOC’s have different ways of dispatching and sometimes the signal can differ but in most cases the procedures are similar.
Let’s say the train arrives on the platform and it is ready to leave.
Firstly, you look out for Ready to Depart Indicator which is usually a white light signal for the train, if the RTDI is visible you can then give the white light signal to the driver which is the Station Work Complete signal.
The driver will then close the train doors.
You then have to carry out the Train Safety Checks, which is as follows:
1) Making sure the train doors are closed and all BIL lights are off. (BIL = Bodyside Indicator Lights, which are the orange lights on the train.
2) Making sure the train doors are closed and there are no obstructions between the doors, ie. clothing trapped.
3) Making sure nobody is in contact with the train.
4) The dispatch corridor is clear.
5) And is this train safe to depart?
After the Train Safety Checks is complete, you then look out for the RTDI and it should still be on and visible before giving the next signal.
If the train is safe to depart and the RTDI is on, you give the green signal to the driver, which is the Ready to Start signal.
The driver will depart the train.
(The dispatch is not complete until the train is fully cleared off the platform)
So now you have to watch the train clear off making yourself aware of your surroundings at all times, watch the train leave and making sure it fully clears until you cannot see the 2 red lights on the tail end of the train.
That’s your dispatch complete.
And as I said dispatch differs with TOC’s as signalling is different but the safety concept is the same.
Also as said above, dispatching consists of concentration, situational awareness, safety, if you feel that your dispatch has been interrupted then you start your dispatch process again, even if it means your train will be delayed because safety is paramount. It’s better off to have a delayed train than someone injuring them self or falling on the track because of a dispatch failure, it will just put your job at risk if you do not follow the dispatch process.
