waiting at signal

[Welshman]

Of cource in the past freight drivers stuck in loops would have just gone to the signal box for a nice cup of tea. Not so practical these days when the nearest box could be many miles away.

Either that or hung a bucket on the balance bar of the signal and grabbed forty winks!
Equally impractical today. I don't think you can hang a bucket on a colour-light.

 

[ungreat]

Done that before! Used to take a bit of bacon and egg with me and fry it up for a butty and brew a can of tea on the hotplate,feet up, chew on ya snap, sup ya tea and wait the signal!...happy old days

 

[mac]

well he wasn't there last night so no need for tea and plenty of sleep for me.How would it affect his working hours sat there all night if he was a hull driver he was late home.

 

[HST Power]

He probably has the weekend off. I think train drivers work a four day week (think, not positively sure)

 

[Rugd1022]

It varies, and you can actually do thirteen days on the trot (but no more).

Just a thought, I know this is a light hearted thread, but if anyone is thinking of nipping down to give a driver a brew during the night....please don't trespass!!

He may be fast asleep anyway......

As for the engines running all night - it's often necessary to keep engines running so as to maintain air in the braking system. If it's shut down for more than an hour the train will require another brake test before being allowed to proceed, and if there's no staff available to do this then it has to be kept running.

 

[HST Power]

Just a thought, I know this is a light hearted thread, but if anyone is thinking of nipping down to give a driver a brew during the night....please don't trespass!!

Looks like we'll have to cut a hole in the fence to pass the tea and cake through!

 

[junglejames]

Looks like we'll have to cut a hole in the fence to pass the tea and cake through!

But i thought the train usually sat in the platform? Thats why i suggested the brew.

Regarding working hours, I expect he is on nights, and sitting there is all part of his roster. Thats the most likely.

 

[mac]

Looks like we'll have to cut a hole in the fence to pass the tea and cake through!

no need he's parked on the platform,as for leaving it running all night it was a bit noisy

 

[HST Power]

Then I don't see what Rugd1022 meant when he said about trespassing, seeing as he's parked up at the platform!

 

[Rugd1022]

Then I don't see what Rugd1022 meant when he said about trespassing, seeing as he's parked up at the platform!

Aha... I didn't realise he was in the platform

 

[HST Power]

Then may the tea and cake continue!

 

[brompton rail]

Why stop at tea and cakes for freight drivers? Next time I change at Gilberdyke can I drop the OP an email requesting tea and cakes, please. Would be great as Gilberdyke station doesn't have too much going for it!

 

[HST Power]

Why stop at tea and cakes for freight drivers? Next time I change at Gilberdyke can I drop the OP an email requesting tea and cakes, please. Would be great as Gilberdyke station doesn't have too much going for it!

I think a lot of stations could use that facility! We'll have to start a petition!

 

[Ploughman]

why would a freight train try to go to hull after the signalmen have gone home,last 2 nights there as been one get to gilberdyke then sit at station with engine running for 6 hours untill signaller gets to work.

Could it have been a ballast train?
They often run following the last passenger or freight.
In this case however someone may have forgotten that there was an additional train and gone home after the regular last train.
Some signallers are very quick at closing up when it suits.

 

[GB]

When it suits? Hows that?

 

[Ploughman]

When it suits? Hows that?

From personal experience.
Booked time for box closing checked and verified, turn up 30 mins prior ready to take possession at booked time as stated in relevant notices.
Only to find box closed 45 minutes early after last train went early.
Signaller closed up and went.
Checked with on call personnel and could not get box reopened as work of low priority.
Job cancelled 10 men sent home, too far to deploy elsewhere in time.

I could see the page from the C notice through the window on the hook on the wall with the relevant item number highlighted.

Turned out the particular signaller had a history of closing early as he did not like staying the extra 15 mins past his time to deal with the possession.

 

[GB]

Thats pretty poor show,

I believe now, if you are not on a 12hr shift and you can still get your 12 hours rest, you can be required (compelled) to stay on for upto 1hr to account for any delays to the last train or to take possessions.