NSEWonderer
Established Member
can't imagine what the small bin bags are for
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Driver ‘Must-haves’
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cockneyviking
Member
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- 22 Jun 2015
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Food and drink is all you needcan't imagine what the small bin bags are for
AverageJoe
On Moderation
Haha the mini binoculars is a good idea.TOC issued watch is perfectly fine,. My TOC's driving policy forbids any smart watch or device switched on in the cab.
Water bottle, paracetamol/Lemsip, cappuccino sachet, decent thermos flask, spare pens and highlighters, spare railway keys, oaty bites/cereal bars for when there's delays. Pretty much everything that has been said already.
Oh and when I was new, I had a pair of mini-binoculars, so I could read signal ID plates from a distance at less familiar locations
(This helps when registering your GSMR radio)
When you are sitting spare at the depot, and there's not a lot going on, have in your locker or car the following:
A pair of headphones to plug into your phone for music/Netflix etc.
A good book/Kindle.
I have my maps on my so can find the gsmr code but the binoculars are prob quicker option.
dk1
Veteran Member
I’ve just ‘muddled through’ for almost 26 years in driving grade. You soon get to grip with what works for you and revolve your life around it accordingly.
Dieseldriver
Member
- Joined
- 9 Apr 2012
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- 1,020
They come in very handy as a freight driver with no access to a toilet for most of the day….can't imagine what the small bin bags are for
NSEWonderer
Established Member
Well then
Was Used to the standard plastic bottles with odd coloured substances littered around areas of track.
chuff chuff
Member
- Joined
- 25 Sep 2018
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- 670
Apparently oasis and lucozade bottles are good as they have a larger opening.Well then
Was Used to the standard plastic bottles with odd coloured substances littered around areas of track.
can't imagine what the small bin bags are for
What do you actually have to do if you desperately need the toilet but have a timetable to stick to?
dk1
Veteran Member
It doesn’t matter. If you need to go you need to go and a delay will result.
InkyScrolls
On Moderation
Stop the train, tell the conductor and signaller, go to the loo. It's put down as Emergency PNB, no questions asked.
BrokenSam
Member
Pro Plus
They i
Sometimes, during disruption for example, you might get stuck for ages in a siding for with no facilities. I've heard... horrible tales.
AverageJoe
On Moderation
This it why I like driving trains with toilets on them 
Juliet Barvo
Member
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2017
- Messages
- 252
I know an Elizabeth Line driver who let a passenger pee in his water bottle during one lengthy delay. I prefer all trains to have a toilet, especially one that's workingThis it why I like driving trains with toilets on them
NSEWonderer
Established Member
Was that during the 4 train passenger egress incident near Pad in 2023?
LKS
Member
- Joined
- 11 Oct 2012
- Messages
- 128
As someone who's in the same position as the OP, this has been a fantastic read and a great question asked 
Look forward to my new career on the railways
Look forward to my new career on the railways
outsider26
New Member
Thank you all for the suggestions so far!
Congratulations! When will you be starting?
As someone who's in the same position as the OP, this has been a fantastic read and a great question asked
Look forward to my new career on the railways
Congratulations! When will you be starting?
LKS
Member
- Joined
- 11 Oct 2012
- Messages
- 128
Thank you.
Well, admittedly I've got medical this month (although I'm hoping there should be an issue) then begining of August
traineemanc07
Member
I start next month subject to a medical and I must say this thread has been great so thank you to those that have contributed. Scary but exciting times ahead!
kallyvintage
Member
For those newbies starting just bear in mind that a lot of the items you will be given wont be of the best quality. In my opinion you buy cheap, you buy twice. But - they are free.
I have my own sunglasses as the TOC provided ones are a bit small for my face / head (a common problem with me and sunglasses generally) - I also dont like the style of the TOC issued ones.
The boots aren't terribly comfy and need a good bit of breaking in. The jury is out on how long they last. I used to have a load of good safety boots from previous work and I gave them all away - I always found Magnums to be the best for comfort.
The watch is really, really cheap tat, I choose to wear a smarter radio controlled watch and have the TOC one as a spare at home should mine get damaged.
Worst of all is the bag. Although theres a fair bit of storage space, I cant see them lasting very well, indeed going by the crewroom some are looking threadbare. Im quite outdoorsy and personally you cant skimp on something like a rucksack that gets hammered everyday. Thrown here and there, dug in and out of. I have a 15 year old Haglofs rucksack used several times a week that is only just starting to show its age a bit now.
Some essential kit for me? A good quality multitool for a load of emergency uses. A spork. Charge bank for phone. Toilet roll or baby wipes (sometimes you have to go for your emergency PNB in some grotty station loos) Good, thick gloves, trains are filthy under the solebar in particular. Pens, Pens and a spare pen just in case. Paracetamol et al. Water - you can go hungry for a bit on shift with little ill effect but being really thirsty and dehydrated is worse for concentration.
I have my own sunglasses as the TOC provided ones are a bit small for my face / head (a common problem with me and sunglasses generally) - I also dont like the style of the TOC issued ones.
The boots aren't terribly comfy and need a good bit of breaking in. The jury is out on how long they last. I used to have a load of good safety boots from previous work and I gave them all away - I always found Magnums to be the best for comfort.
The watch is really, really cheap tat, I choose to wear a smarter radio controlled watch and have the TOC one as a spare at home should mine get damaged.
Worst of all is the bag. Although theres a fair bit of storage space, I cant see them lasting very well, indeed going by the crewroom some are looking threadbare. Im quite outdoorsy and personally you cant skimp on something like a rucksack that gets hammered everyday. Thrown here and there, dug in and out of. I have a 15 year old Haglofs rucksack used several times a week that is only just starting to show its age a bit now.
Some essential kit for me? A good quality multitool for a load of emergency uses. A spork. Charge bank for phone. Toilet roll or baby wipes (sometimes you have to go for your emergency PNB in some grotty station loos) Good, thick gloves, trains are filthy under the solebar in particular. Pens, Pens and a spare pen just in case. Paracetamol et al. Water - you can go hungry for a bit on shift with little ill effect but being really thirsty and dehydrated is worse for concentration.
dk1
Veteran Member
I always buy my own footwear and claim money back on them up to the value of £30. Sunglasses spend most of the time on top of my head but again they are my own. As for rucksacks they tend to only last around six months even though I don’t throw them around or allow them to get dirty as that would craze me. There is never a limit on how many times they get issued and every time I ask for a replacement it’s supplied the same day.
The bag drives me insane, it doesn’t last, is poor quality, has no useful organisation and is in no way shape or form comfortable but we’ve all been told we have to use it, I wouldn’t mind if it was at least comfortable
northeast10
Member
Which bags are these? The orange hi viz types with the pull chords on the handles?
dk1
Veteran Member
Yes, that’s what we have. Standard rail industry rucksack.
NSEWonderer
Established Member
I'd buy one of your old ones if it weren't for company rules
dk1
Veteran Member
I'd buy one of your old ones if it weren't for company rules
Haha, mate mine have normally started to tear/fray just under the zip by the time I request a replacement so wouldn’t last long for you unless you fill yours with feathers.
cheekymonkey91
Member
A noise machine is good (brown noise I prefer)
NSEWonderer
Established Member
Haha fairs
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