Standing to drive trains

[Christmas]

Some older BR stock can be driven both seated and standing as this is the way they were designed. Many drivers prefer to stand, sometimes for short periods to stretch their legs, relieve boredom or simply for a better view when coupling ir uncoupling.

It looks like with the scrapping of much of the PEP or MK3 derived multiple units, that drivers being able to stand up and drive will quickly become a memory.

What do our driver members think? Which do you prefer? Of course there will be newer drivers at certain TOCs who only drive stock which must be driven seated.

 

[Efini92]

I liked standing up, especially when I was tired. It’s a shame you can’t really stand up in the modern stock.

 

[irish_rail]

150s will be around a while yet. Plenty like to drive them standing up.

 

[Christmas]

150s will be around a while yet. Plenty like to drive them standing up.

As long as you're about 5'8" or less! I imagine seeing out of the windscreen for taller drivers is a hassle.

 

[T74]

As long as you're about 5'8" or less! I imagine seeing out of the windscreen for taller drivers is a hassle.

15/s are lovely to drive standing up

 

[skyhigh]

As long as you're about 5'8" or less! I imagine seeing out of the windscreen for taller drivers is a hassle.

I'm taller than that and I can see out fine standing up on a 150.

 

[irish_rail]

As long as you're about 5'8" or less! I imagine seeing out of the windscreen for taller drivers is a hassle.

I think 15x are a hassle full stop for taller drivers due to the terrible leg room in the cab!

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Older SNCF electric locos always seem to have been driven standing up (including the 1955 record holders).

 

[John Bishop]

I think 15x are a hassle full stop for taller drivers due to the terrible leg room in the cab!

Yeah you’re not wrong there!!

 

[Flange Squeal]

I did used to like the ability to switch between sitting and standing on such stock, but on the flipside I do generally find the cab seats on (some!) of the more modern stock I drive to be more comfortable than the fold down off the wall seats, so feel less need to stand while driving.

 

[michael74]

On a 150 at the moment, at 6' (and a bit) all I can see is the blind and a few meters of track and the seat keeps trying to drop down

 

[GN Boy]

Standing was far more comfortable when you had quite an intense diagram - it certainly kept you awake! Sadly this is no more now that we only drive Desiro City and Electrostar stock.

 

[chuff chuff]

I think 15x are a hassle full stop for taller drivers due to the terrible leg room in the cab!

Indeed I think they used the average height of an 1950's man when designing the cab.

 

[ComUtoR]

I'm seated nowadays but when I could stand I didn't mind it. The standing seats were perch style so you wouldn't get too uncomfortable.

Overall it was good to have the option to stand

 

[AndrewE]

Didn't standing use to be the norm (pre 1950s?)in EMUs and on London underground?

 

[Dieseldriver]

Didn't standing use to be the norm (pre 1950s?)in EMUs and on London underground?

Yes although the DSD/Deadman was incorporated into the power controller so easier to stand in a comfortable position without having to place your foot on the DSD pedal

 

[Dstock7080]

Didn't standing use to be the norm (pre 1950s?)in EMUs and on London underground?

Difficult to stand and see ahead in Tube Stock.
Surface Stock were much better, with A, C, D, S all configured so that standing was/is easy.

 

[Kneedown]

It is still possible to drive standing up on modern stock that I drive, although you do have to be a bit creative with body position. As mentioned above the seats on, 222s for example, are of such quality that standing is rarely necessary. If you get a minute or two at a station that is a sufficient opportunity for a quick leg stretch.

 

[Sorcerer]

I always used to think that drivers stood up largely for concentration reasons, but based on what I'm reading here it seems comfort is a bigger factor than I thought.

 

[Lewlew]

Difficult to stand and see ahead in Tube Stock.
Surface Stock were much better, with A, C, D, S all configured so that standing was/is easy.

You get a decent view on 72s, as long as you’re no taller than 5ft 10 ish. The sun visor does protrude into your vison slightly

 

[D365]

Yes although the DSD/Deadman was incorporated into the power controller so easier to stand in a comfortable position without having to place your foot on the DSD pedal

Thanks for saving me a question!

 

[dan4291]

I sign class 80x units and, although I've not tried it myself, I've been told by one of my instructors that it is possible to drive them stood up. You just have to have the driver's seat at some rather extreme angles!

 

[Dieseldriver]

I always used to think that drivers stood up largely for concentration reasons, but based on what I'm reading here it seems comfort is a bigger factor than I thought.

It depends, personally if I’m feeling a bit tired I tend to stand up on a stretch of line where I don’t have to really use the controls for a while (in full power climbing up a gradient).

 

[irish_rail]

I sign class 80x units and, although I've not tried it myself, I've been told by one of my instructors that it is possible to drive them stood up. You just have to have the driver's seat at some rather extreme angles!

I've done it for a short period using the DSD holdover button when I was getting especially uncomfortable on a long trip. Did the job as felt better afterwards, but as you say it isn't overly straightforward to do!

 

[AG1994]

The 80x has a hand DSD button; with the seat all the way back, high up and bum cushion tilting slightly forwards I can stand relatively comfortably. But the (£40k) seat is plenty comfy with enough adjustments to see a 3-4 hour stint through comfortably.

Considering the amount of 80x’s there will be, it seems the stand up driver is not a thing of the past!

 

[Efini92]

I've done it for a short period using the DSD holdover button when I was getting especially uncomfortable on a long trip. Did the job as felt better afterwards, but as you say it isn't overly straightforward to do!

Is the dsd holdover meant for 125?

 

[dk1]

Used to frequently drive standing up on 15X units. Couldn’t do it on 170s & certainly can’t with the new order. Helped those with back issues on longer runs.

 

[whoosh]

From ASLEF's Cab Ergonomics Guide:

"The normal driving position shall be with the driver seated and facing forward. A secondary driving position must be facilitated in a way that the driver can drive in the standing position."

They've been saying that for quite a few years now, yet plenty of stock has been introduced where there is no provision for a standing position.

 

[Efini92]

From ASLEF's Cab Ergonomics Guide:

"The normal driving position shall be with the driver seated and facing forward. A secondary driving position must be facilitated in a way that the driver can drive in the standing position."

They've been saying that for quite a few years now, yet plenty of stock has been introduced where there is no provision for a standing position.

Did they really need to specify that the seated position be facing forward?

 

[AndrewE]

Did they really need to specify that the seated position be facing forward?

I'm sure that I have seen pictures of old electric stock with the seat with its back to the bodyside, so that the driver had a twisted spine if he used it.