Recent content by dctraindriver

I can’t talk for the Southern side but the SW side where the collision occurred isn’t 20mph. The main fast (where it happened) is 75 to 40 (15 into P7). Up slow is 60 mph into Clapham.

Which station? Clapham Junction?

Definitely things to consider. On the flip side of that is the monitoring and testing is a good thing for sure, most people appreciate that there is an expectation to keep on top of things within the competency cycle. It’s a positive and while most of us don’t like assessments, knowing I’m up...

I don’t know the approach speeds to the terminus station at Euston but the approach speed to Waterloo is 15 and I’m sure Euston isn’t much different, so in this instance its on the driver to stop the train before being routed into a terminus platform and letting the signaller know. I’ve had...

Stopping at a station you don’t normally stop at, depending on distance (i.e. if its not half hour till your next stop more like a few minutes), take reduced power leaving previous station and keep your speed below your normal line speed. Now you’ve been distracted twice hopefully you’ll...

Yes it’s normal, at our TOC you can work 6 on the trot. 4 of those will be week 1 and 2 of those will be week 2 or the other way round.

Once something happens and it’s something new and you have an issue due to it, you should find its burned on the brain. When something happens out of the ordinary from now on I expect you’ll pay attention to the immediate task in hand. Short journey concept is really useful. Spate boards...

Averagejoe is talking sense. I’ve done shift work most of my adult life. Most of that was structured. Railway shifts are something else, I guess there’s a few other occupations like it, flying maybe? When you’re on the 4th or 5th dead early starting about 3.30 am, after a couple of random...

Absolutely spot on. I drum this into my trainees.

You will make it work between you both if it’s really what you think you want to do, may mean someone else covering for a few hours a day occasionally but you will make it work. The railway is awkward with regards to shift work, but in fairness that’s the same in many other occupations dotted...

It was 8% extra a few years ago, as I understand it managers didn’t receive a rise for at least one year and when they did get a rise it wasn’t backdated. Happy to be corrected as it’s something the grade doesn’t really discuss so what I’ve been told has come from different parties. I’d never...

Good question to ask in your interviews then Valentine as that’s a 707 and I’m sure I remember you being a driver here you must have a few contacts who can help?

It’s at least on par with drivers, probably a couple of % higher. Don’t think there are many NT on the network.

I believe the percentage has shrunk somewhat since the last pay rise. I don’t think there’s an on call allowance. Quite a lot of duty weeks involving weekend working now of early and lates. Certainly no overtime. They certainly have my respect as they work pretty darn hard. I considered if...

Sounds good to me, where do I sign up?