Becoming a train driver.

Feek · 07-08-2008, 16:49

I went into central London by train yesterday and back home today and I wondered what's involved in driving a train. I'm sure that the procedure in learning to drive a train is a bit more complicated than learning to drive a car but I wanted to know more.

So I got home, had a doze (isn't power napping fantastic?) and then searched the internet. I found a very interesting blog from a guy detailing the procedure from start to finish.

It's a long blog but that's because it covers a period of fifteen months and I found it a fascinating read with a surprising event towards the end that I'm not going to reveal here.

If you've got some time, have a read. The blog is here.

Nutcase · 07-08-2008, 17:38

Driving the actual train is the easy bit. Knowing the route inside out and backwards, knowing all the rules and regs inside out and backwards, and knowing what to do when it goes wrong is the hard bit.

Done a bit of choo choo driving in my time

Fayshun · 07-08-2008, 17:42

Surely the hard bit is steering the train so it stays on those thin rails!

Von Smallhausen · 07-08-2008, 18:19

That is why only Jedi can become train drivers.

Jonny69 · 07-08-2008, 22:08

My uncle is a train driver. Says the same thing, driving the train is easy, learning all the emergency procedures is the hard bit. Also if they think you are even a slight risk to the public, like say you're depressed, they will take you off duty until they are 100% convinced you are sound of mind. That can mean 6 months off work or more and psychological analysis.

BBx · 08-08-2008, 08:52

Don't you get loads of monies driving trains aswell?

BB x

Roberta · 08-08-2008, 08:55

Paul's friend has been a train driver, driven an ambulance and been a fireman. Paul reckons he's working his way through all the jobs you say you want to do when you're a kid.

Justsomebloke · 08-08-2008, 08:56

MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Feeksta has Guns + Feeksta wants to be able to drive a train

All we need now is Buster & Ronny

Jonny69 · 08-08-2008, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBelle

Don't you get loads of monies driving trains aswell?

BB x

About £35K. Eurostar and Chunnel haulage is where it's at.

Fayshun · 08-08-2008, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

Paul's friend has been a train driver, driven an ambulance and been a fireman. Paul reckons he's working his way through all the jobs you say you want to do when you're a kid.

Astronaut next then?

07-08-2008, 16:49	#1
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	Becoming a train driver. I went into central London by train yesterday and back home today and I wondered what's involved in driving a train. I'm sure that the procedure in learning to drive a train is a bit more complicated than learning to drive a car but I wanted to know more. So I got home, had a doze (isn't power napping fantastic?) and then searched the internet. I found a very interesting blog from a guy detailing the procedure from start to finish. It's a long blog but that's because it covers a period of fifteen months and I found it a fascinating read with a surprising event towards the end that I'm not going to reveal here. If you've got some time, have a read. The blog is here. __________________

07-08-2008, 17:42	#3
Fayshun Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Adrift in the Orca Posts: 6,845	Surely the hard bit is steering the train so it stays on those thin rails! __________________ We must move forward not backward, upwards not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling...

07-08-2008, 18:19	#4
Von Smallhausen I'm Free Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tyneside Posts: 3,061	That is why only Jedi can become train drivers. __________________ " Well, old bean, life is really so bloody awful that I feel it’s my absolute duty to be chirpy and try and make everybody else happy too." David Niven, 1910-1983.

07-08-2008, 22:08	#5
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	My uncle is a train driver. Says the same thing, driving the train is easy, learning all the emergency procedures is the hard bit. Also if they think you are even a slight risk to the public, like say you're depressed, they will take you off duty until they are 100% convinced you are sound of mind. That can mean 6 months off work or more and psychological analysis. __________________

08-08-2008, 08:55	#7
Roberta Pole Model Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,986	Paul's friend has been a train driver, driven an ambulance and been a fireman. Paul reckons he's working his way through all the jobs you say you want to do when you're a kid. __________________ I fell out of favour with Heaven somewhere, and I'm here for the hell of it now...

07-08-2008, 17:38	#2
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Driving the actual train is the easy bit. Knowing the route inside out and backwards, knowing all the rules and regs inside out and backwards, and knowing what to do when it goes wrong is the hard bit. Done a bit of choo choo driving in my time

08-08-2008, 08:52	#6
BBx Reverse SuBo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London Posts: 8,673	Don't you get loads of monies driving trains aswell? BB x

08-08-2008, 08:56	#8
Justsomebloke The Night Worker Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,228	MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Feeksta has Guns + Feeksta wants to be able to drive a train All we need now is Buster & Ronny __________________