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Train Driver Schedule

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Raichou

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Hi. Apparently train drivers carry what is called "train driver schedule / diagram" that shows the driver which stations they have to stop at what time.
I thought this was super interesting so I looked them up on google and found this image. (This is not my image by the way.)

1612424478159.png

I am wondering what types of information falls under "Act" and "Remarks" columns, and what those alphabets and numbers mean. (For example, (1/2) for Haywards Heath and TC and PC under "Act" column.)

Thanks!
 
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ComUtoR

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Prep Circuits
Trip Circuits
Personal Needs Break

When I saw 319 and Bedford.. I had flashbacks !

Pathing allowances
<> 'Diamond time' or 'TOC' time
|| 'Box time'
() 'Squiggle time'

Headcodes
5T07 is an ECS service
1T07 Generally tells them they are running "fast"
2T24 Generally a "stopper"

Bedford CS is the sidings so its come out as ECS then into service. Pretty much standard just toi flip the first number
 
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306024

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Act is short for Activity, and defines something a driver has to do such as Mobilise, Immobilise, attach, detach, break (PNB) etc. Schedule card layouts vary from TOC to TOC, and different TOCs use different abbreviations for the same thing, with ex Southern Region TOCs having a language of their own as in this example..

To add a bit more information:
< > is performance allowance, added to aid punctuality.
| | is recovery time for temporary speed restrictions and is mandatory in schedules where defined the the planning rules. Appears in working timetables as [ ] but as ||for some reason on schedule cards.
( ) is pathing time to avoid schedule clashes, never heard that called squiggle time because......

{ } is one you won’t see on schedule cards, and that is what some planners refer to as ‘squiggle’ or ’fiddle’ time. Used where a sectional running time has to be increased, e.g. for a slow approach to a loop platform rather than a fast approach to the main platform. Using {squiggly brackets} suppresses the allowance appearing in downstream systems.
 
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WrongRoad

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PASS -travel as passenger.
AP/DP - Attach/detach portion
PILOT- act as conductor driver.
BERTH - berth unit.
PU- prepare unit.

these are few we use at my TOC
 

brick60000

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Some where I work, other than those mentioned, include
CAB - basically pass, but travel in the cab
SCU - unit check before it works an ECS after a passenger service
REFRSH - route refresh
STDBY - for a period of time where train crew are available for adhoc use by control.
CS - Carriage shunt (usually untimed)
 

theironroad

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In last few years we've gained 'WAR' - Work As Required - inserted when there is a large gap between mother workings.
also have:

TAXI/SC - Staff Car - to /from depots etc or during engineering works

BUS - travel on a bus, during engineering work.

PU - Prepare unit

Schedule Card Abbreviations Last updated : 22/07/2018 at 19:54:07
Code
Description​
Code​
Description​
Code​
Description​
Code​
Description​
#Reallocation (GEMINI)ABAttach and BerthABDBAttach and Berth then Detach and Berth.AFPAttach front portion to rear portion
APAttach PortionAP/PAAttach portion then Portion is attachedAP/PUAttach Portion & Prepare UnitAPDPAttach Portion then Detach Portion
APPAAttach Portion then Portion is AttachedAPPCAttach Portion / Prepare CircuitsAPPDAttach Portion then Portion is DetachedAPTCAttach Portion & Trip Circuits
APTCFAttach Portion & Trip Circuits FrontAPTCRAttach Portion & Trip Circuits RearASSTAssist as requiredATTACHAttach
ATTTTAttach (Through Train)BBerthBTHBerthBRTSBerth and Secure
BUSBusBPBombardier PrepCABTravel in front cab (route knowledge)CETChemical Emission Toilet
CONDTRoute ConductCSCoach ShuntDDetachDBDetach and Berth
DBFPDetach and berth Front portionDBSDetach and berth both portionsDETDetachDETACHDetach
DETTTDetach (Through Train)DFPDetach Front PortionDFPTCDetach Front Portion & Trip CircuitsDOODriver Only Operation
DPDetach PortionDP/SUDetach Portion and Secure UnitDPFDetach Portion at FrontDPRDetach Portion at rear
DPPCDetach Portion and Prepare CircuitsDPTCDetach portion and & Trip CircuitsDRPDetach Rear PortionDRPTCDetach Rear Portion & Trip Circuits
DTCFPDetach and Trip Circuit Front PortionDTCMPDetach Trip Circuit Middle PortionDTCRPDetach and Trip Circuit rear portionDTCSDetach and Trip Circuits on all portions
DWDetach & WorkDWFPDetach and work front portionDWMPDetach and work middle portionDWRPDetach and work rear portion
ECSEmpty Coaching StockFPFront PortionFPDFront Portion DetachedFUELFuel
HIREUnit on HireMPMiddle PortionNOTENote for information purposesPAPortion attached by another driver
PAFPortion Attached at FrontPAPDPortion Attached & Portion DetachedPARPortion Attached at RearPARFPortion Attached / Relieve Front
PASSPassenger ridePATCPortion Attached Trip Circuits?PBPrepare from BerthPBTCPrepare from berth then Trip Circuits
PBTCFPrepare from berth then Trip Circuits FrontPBTCRPrepare from berth then Trip Circuits RearPCPrepare CircuitsPC/DTPrepare Unit? (above sole bar) / Door Test
PCAPPrepare Circuits then Attach PortionPCDPPrepare Circuits then Detach PortionPCDTCPrepare Circuits Detach / Trip CircuitsPCPAPrepare Circuits then portion is attached
PCTCPrepare Circuits and Trip CircuitsPDPortion detached by another driverPDFPortion detached at FrontPDRPortion detached at Rear
PDAPPortion Detached and Attach PortionPDPAPortion Detached and Portion AttachedPDTCPortion Detached then Trip CircuitsPILOTPilot
PILTDPilotedPNBPhysical Needs BreakPPPartial PrepPT/APPrepare Train then Attach Portion
PTDTPrepare Train and Door TestPUPrepare Unit (from berth)PU(D)Prepare unit for DOO operationPU/APPrepare unit then attach portion
PUAPPrepare Unit & Attach PortionPUTCPrepare unit from berth / Trip CircuitsRARelieved atRABRelieve Attach and Berth
RCRoute ConductREFRSHRoute refresh in CabRELRelieveRELDRelieved
RFRelieve Front after portion attachedRPRear PortionRPDRear Portion DetachedRSE/SShunting per Depot Engineer's requirements
RTCRelieve Trip CircuitsRWRelieve and WorkRWAPRelieve and Work / Attach PortionRWFPRelieve and Work Front Portion
RWMPRelieve and Work Middle PortionRWPDRelieve and Work Portion DetachedRWRPRelieve and Work Rear PortionSCStaff Car
SHUNTShuntSPARESpareSRLShunt to release locomotiveSTABLDStabled
STDBYStandbyTAXITaxiTCTrip CircuitsTCFTrip Circuits Front Portion
TCFDPTrip Circuits Front & Detach PortionTCFPTrip Circuits Front PortionTCMPTrip Circuits Middle PortionTCRTrip Circuits Rear portion
TCRPTrip Circuits Rear portionTDTrain Disposed by another DriverTPTrain PreparedTESTTest Unit
TRNGTraining UnitWARWork as Required
 
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driver9000

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DISP - Dispose train (full shut down).
REL - Relieve (take train off a Driver).
RELD - Relieved (hand train over).
RM - Reversing Movement.
RPFM - Replatform train.
PASS - Travel as a passenger.
IMMOB - Immobilise (same as berth).
MOB - Mobilise (same as prepare cab).
DBC - Driving Break from Cab (PNB).
NB - Needs Break (not a meal break ie toilet).

Every activity has a time allowance allocated to it which is worked into the duty time along with any walking time allowed to reach the platform, Signing on point or mess room.
 

172007

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PC/DT for us is Prep Cab & Door Test I.e. Above solebar as no walking routes outside where train is stabled.
 

Ceat0908

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Out of curiosity, how much time does a driver get from booking on, to read notices, walk to train and set up cab prior to departure?
 

tiptoptaff

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Out of curiosity, how much time does a driver get from booking on, to read notices, walk to train and set up cab prior to departure?
At GWR we get 10minutes to book on, read notices and get to our train or taxi. If we need to prep a unit, we will be given the additional time for that, same with mobilising.

If it's a simple book on and relieve a unit, it'll be just ten minutes prior to the train time. Same with taxis. If we need to carry out any additional activities beforehand, we will get the allowed time (agreed by unions and the company at a very senior level) on top.
For example, when we had in-cab training, DIs and trainees were given an additional 10minutes to carry out covid checks prior to starting the day
 

theironroad

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Out of curiosity, how much time does a driver get from booking on, to read notices, walk to train and set up cab prior to departure?

At SWR it's 10 minutes sign on, read notices, prepare kit /schedule etc then 5 mins walking time minimum to station/taxi/bus from a messroom

So could be

Sign on 1342
Relieve driver /handover @1357
Train depart 1358
 

Flange Squeal

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At SWR it's 10 minutes sign on, read notices, prepare kit /schedule etc then 5 mins walking time minimum to station/taxi/bus from a messroom

So could be

Sign on 1342
Relieve driver /handover @1357
Train depart 1358
The "minimum" five minute walking time can vary location to location, for example looking at some FN diagrams when relieving in platform 1 they get two minutes walking time (1250 sign on and relieve a train 1302, for 1304 departure).
 

theironroad

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The "minimum" five minute walking time can vary location to location, for example looking at some FN diagrams when relieving in platform 1 they get two minutes walking time (1250 sign on and relieve a train 1302, for 1304 departure).

Im pretty sure the 5mins is the base in SWR t&c for all depots regardless of how close platform is to mess room.

That sounds like an illegal diagram on TPU's part.
 

ComUtoR

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never heard that called squiggle time because......

Those phrases were something I learned from this forum. We also call the () time 'Catch-up time'

Cheers for the extra info
 

306024

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Those phrases were something I learned from this forum. We also call the () time 'Catch-up time'

Cheers for the extra info

Welcome. Not heard ‘catch-up‘ time either, but of course if running say a couple of minutes late with (2) in the schedule you will catch up the time so I can see where that comes from. The language used for all sorts of things on the railway differs wherever you go.
 

Jimbo12345

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Minimum time on the tube to sign & read notices before pick up is 7 mins. 1st trains of the day get whatever applicable walking time for that depot is, normally 15-30 mins or so.
 

traingeek97

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Seeing these schedules makes me think drivers must end up doing a fair bit of overtime (most likely unpaid) to have enough time to read notices, be in position and then to book off at the end of the shift.
 

whoosh

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Out of curiosity, how much time does a driver get from booking on, to read notices, walk to train and set up cab prior to departure?

'Booking on time' (to read notices and sign on) has been 10 minutes at each of the TOCs I've worked at. I think there's a TOC somewhere where its 5 minutes.
DB Cargo get zero minutes now!

Walking time depends on location, and setting up the cab depends on traction.

traingeek97 said:
Seeing these schedules makes me think drivers must end up doing a fair bit of overtime (most likely unpaid) to have enough time to read notices, be in position and then to book off at the end of the shift.

There used to be 'Booking off time' in British Rail days which was for handing in any paperwork and checking what the duty was on the following day, but I think that has disappeared everywhere.
Most TOCs have walking time back to the signing on point at the end of diagrams, but there are some that don't - Southern and London Overground at least - their booking off time is at the platform after getting relieved or immobilising the train.

Most TOCs also have the first 15 minutes of late running per day unpaid. Although I believe Southeastern get every minute of overtime paid.

I seem to recall London Underground get nothing for the first 7 minutes delay, then between 8 and 22 minutes late booking off get paid 15 minutes overtime, 23 minutes to 37 minutes late gets 30 minutes overtime, and so on.

All that (unpaid late running, no booking off time, no walking time at the end, reduction of booking on time etc.) would've been negotiated in pay deals as 'increased productivity'.
 
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whoosh

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20 minutes unpaid at SE
Thankyou for that. I may have misremembered when I read, "every minute extra will be paid as overtime", as it was at the same time as the committed (annualised) hours arrangement was ended, and probably referred to being paid for getting a longer amended job rather than the extra minutes being soaked up in committed hours.
 

Southern Dvr

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Southern is where we get all overtime paid, we negotiated out the 20 mins unpaid firstly down to 10 mins and then out altogether in 2016 I think it was.
 

Roger1973

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I seem to recall London Underground get nothing for the first 7 minutes delay, then between 8 and 22 minutes late booking off get paid 15 minutes overtime, 23 minutes to 37 minutes late gets 30 minutes overtime, and so on.

This was the deal on London Transport buses (when it was all run in house)

The main effect of this was that no bus would ever arrive at the relief point 7 or 22 minutes late, the driver / crew would make sure they lost another minute somewhere...
 
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