What challenges do train drivers face whilst on duty?

Question

I've applied to train as a train driver and I am interested to know what is involved in the job. If anyone involved in the railways uses yahoo answers, I'd be interested to know how they feel about working on the railways.

Answer 1

I remember when I were a lad - I was younger then, mobile phones were the work of witches and warlocks and trains ran on steam. 'Course, now they run on rails, which makes for a much more comfortable journey.

Well, back in them days, I were a bit of a rapscallion, challenging all and sundry to proove myself a greater man and one fine tuesday afternoon in May, just after lunch, I challenged a train driver to a Hoedown Stand off.

We had one-eyed-one-toothed Bill sittin' in the drivers chair on the mouth organ squeezing out a foot stampin' beat while we took it in turns to outdo each other, boot scootin' style.

I though I had the whole affair sewen up after a particularly nimble soft-shoe Texas shuffle, when all of a sudden he surprised all of us (3 in total) with some snake hipped pointy heel-toe action I'd never saw the likes of since James Brown still had both his own hips.

Well I have to say, I was dumb struck, and told him so.

"I'm dumb struck" I said.

Mind you, that didn't last long. I soon regained the power of speech when out the corner of my tearful eye I saw a Lancaster 4619 Freight Express hurtling towards us at low speed.

"Do something!" I yelled, then jumped out the cab and ran away.

So, now you know what to expect. As a train driver, challenges include dancing, and head on collisions with other trains.

Hope that helps, lad.

Answer 2

Some train drivers die of heart attack.    Children playing on the line.....Vandalism such as putting obstacles on the track to block.     Farm cows crossing....Bomb threats....Braking failure such as wet leaves on rails.

Answer 3

Beware of jumpers

Answer 4

OK firstly I'd read the link given below gives a lot of useful information and it does tell you the chances of getting the job are very slim

I am a senior conductor for central and even in my role i have to know quite a bit about safety and for drivers its a h**l of a lot more intensive! Training lasts over a year

It can be a very boring and lonely job however as mentioned this can change in an instant when you get some moron jumping in front of a train however this does not happen to all drivers i know I've been in the business for 2 years and my train has not yet been involved in a fatality however i have seen a lot of service disruption because of it or attempted suicides

However there a lot of instances that can cause you to have a brown trouser moment! that's why you have to have high levels of concentration as you never know what could happen next.

Trains in general have got a lot safer over the years there's a lot more safety equipment in designed to prevent collisions from Signals passed at danger(SPAD's) this has been proved by the dramatic fall in in SPAD's in the last few years

Answer 5

The challenges a train driver faces when on duty, include behaving and reacting in a professional manner, and being confident in your abilities to deal with any situation.

You must have a positive attitude, and accept that some things may happen over which you cannot influence, such as suicide attempts.

In the normal course of work, staying alert and on the ball is vital.  Part of the selection process involve tests for concentration.

You must also be able to work under pressure, especially under degraded working arrangements, like when things such as floods or snow can affect normal running.

You will be trained to deal with such matters, but the key is to make sure you are disciplined enough to review such things yourself, so it's fresh in your mind.

You must remain focussed, and not become distracted.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

(Not necessarily in order of importance!):

A gruelling training period involving rules and regulations, stock and route learning, then, 'out on the road' - wrong signals, track and signal failures, your own and other people's 'human' errors, malicious damage to track train or buildings (vandalism), idiots throwing things/shooting at your cab or your train, people intent on committing suicide (jumping in front of your train from the ground or from a bridge parapet), unions, militant unionists, other staff and,  worst of all - passengers ! ! !

Well, you DID ask ! ! !

Answer 7

As long as you don't mind spending most of your working day in your own company it's not too bad. There's always the risk of something bad happening like a jumper (the human body explodes when hit by a train at speed), or twats runnning red lights on level crossings (but trains do crush cars even at low speeds).

The main challenge is adapting your driving style and general work attitude so you don't make any mistakes. On a peak hour train with 12 carriages you are the person responsible for over 1500 lives. There are many rules and regulations which must be adhered to and the penalties for breaking these could result in dismissal or even death.

I like the job, it pays well, the benefits are good and I would recommend it to anyone, but the shift work can be tough on your personal/social life, especially if you start off at depot driver grade because of all the night work involved.

You do need to be committed to learning when you apply as there is lots to take in. The rule book is huge, route knowledge, local instructions and amendments, traction types and fault finding, the list is endless.

Good luck as the selection process is very tough.

Answer 8

I should imagine on a long run it must be falling asleep.!

Answer 9

If you are successful you can look forward to long lonely hours often in isolation. The delights of shift work starting and finishing at all hours and in all weathers. Eating at strange times of the day and quite often from fast food establishments. You could also find your social life nose dives nothing like a 5am start to curtail an evening out.

As for driving you will have to learn the braking characteristics for the traction you are driving taking into consideration rail head conditions. Smooth stopping and starting and stopping at the correct place. Route knowledge remember there are no signposts to follow you have to keep it all in your head along with the speed restrictions. Knowledge of faults and failures so you have a chance to get out of trouble.

To finish off you also need a good knowledge of the rule book.

This should give you a few things to think about and if you go ahead good luck for all its faults the wages are pretty good and you get some good travel allowances.

Answer 10

well there is the constant anxiety caused by thinking,"are they going to stay away or are they going to jump'.  there is the constant threat of conflicting traffic on adjacent tracks.  long unforgiving hours  on the road.  vehicular traffic at all grade crossings

mechanical condition of the train that you are operating.  passenger service is what you are applying for? or freight?