Can you sign a dual voltage / bimode unit in only one voltage/traction type?

[Egg Centric]

I think the title says it all. Could you sign a dual voltage unit in only DC mode, for example? Or a hybrid locomotive in only under-the-wire mode?

Or if you sign traction is the idea that you can "do everything"?

 

[507 001]

Well I guess Southern Drivers signed 313s in DC mode only (although I believe the AC mode was removed entirely) and Northern Drivers signed 319s in AC mode only (again with the DC mode mostly removed).

I’m sure it’s been mentioned on here that some Southern Drivers don’t sign the AC mode on the Electrostars?

 

[norbitonflyer]

Presumably they must at least be made aware of what that big switch does that they mustn't touch

 

[stadler]

I think the title says it all. Could you sign a dual voltage unit in only DC mode, for example? Or a hybrid locomotive in only under-the-wire mode?

Or if you sign traction is the idea that you can "do everything"?

Yes it certainly happens. There are many Drivers who sign dual voltage stock but only sign routes of one voltage.

SE Drivers sign 375/6 and 377/5 in DC only.

SN Drivers (except for a very small amount at Norwood depot who sign the Clapham to Watford route) sign 377/2 and 377/7 and 387/2 in DC only.

LO Drivers (at New Cross Gate depot) sign 378/2 in DC only.

LO Drivers (at Chingford depot) sign 710/2 and 710/3 in AC only.

GN Drivers (except for a small amount who sign the TL route too) sign 387/1 and 387/2 and 387/3 in AC only.

GWR and HX Drivers sign 387/1 in AC only.

LNWR and WMR Drivers sign 350/1 in AC only.

Eurostar Drivers sign 373 in AC only.

So it definitely happens. It just means they are only trained on the AC or DC part (as applicable) as training on the other mode is unnecessary.

 

[pompeyfan]

Isn’t that more of a route knowledge issue though? If any of those examples above suddenly extended their route knowledge, I wouldn’t expect them to then need a conversion course.

If a GBRF driver for example is working an IET set down to Eastleigh, would they work it in both AC and diesel?

 

[GW43125]

Yes it certainly happens. There are many Drivers who sign dual voltage stock but only sign routes of one voltage.

Eurostar Drivers sign 373 in AC only.

So it definitely happens. It just means they are only trained on the AC or DC part (as applicable) as training on the other mode is unnecessary.

Pedant's note-the approach to Brussels is 3kV DC. The old 750V DC 3rd rail equipment has been long since removed.

 

[driverd]

Isn’t that more of a route knowledge issue though? If any of those examples above suddenly extended their route knowledge, I wouldn’t expect them to then need a conversion course.

If a GBRF driver for example is working an IET set down to Eastleigh, would they work it in both AC and diesel?

Likely depends on training.

Bare bones training - look to TPE. Class 802 drivers signed them but didn't sign coupling them. It's probably fair to assume that, in the same way a driver would need additional training to press couple mode and drive onto another unit from 2 feet away (don't sign 80x, don't hate me if that's not quite the full story), they'd likely need additional training to press Pan up and check for the line light (if only signed on diesel). I actually would suspect, with the APCO kit to take into account, power change over may actually require quite a bit of training (thinking more around faults etc).

 

[TurboMan]

Isn’t that more of a route knowledge issue though? If any of those examples above suddenly extended their route knowledge, I wouldn’t expect them to then need a conversion course.

If a GBRF driver for example is working an IET set down to Eastleigh, would they work it in both AC and diesel?

It's not necessarily the traction knowledge that's the issue. Any driver working an AC train under the OLE will need to know the relevant rules in module AC of the Rule Book (responding to an ADD activation or loss of line light, coasting, examining the OLE etc.).