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You find you remember a lot of it without even realising. I’ve just changed TOCs and had to do a rules course (of sorts) and I was surprised I committed so much to long term memory I didn’t realise I had.

I know you said they couldn’t tell you specifics about the days of work, but did they also not tell you what you can expect from the job etc? They must have had an idea of what shifts would look like?

The only reason having someone by the neck is reasonable is if you’re in fear of your life really (because it’s dangerous to strange someone, even if you think you’re not applying much pressure). It would be hard to justify it in any other incident.

It’s just a funding thing. A train driver is a train driver and once licenced, has that qualification. Certain apprenticeships do effectively constitute a degree, but as apprenticeships go, this is probably one of the less useful ones.

Don’t get me wrong, there is an average time, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find what it is out. It’s so hit and miss it’s generally anyone’s guess.

There are standard and enhanced psychometric tests. Freightliner test to the enhanced standard. This is all the usual assessments, with higher than normal scores needed for the Group Bourden, and an additional “Driver Fault Finding” test.

I’m in the process of moving TOCs (in fact, I start at my new one on 1st Sept). The process for me was simple and relatively quick, however I didn’t apply to a vacancy I saw, but asked about qualified recruitment, during some feedback from a DM interview. I was then put on a list, and received...

BPT can and often do advise TOCs, but they have no authority over the running of the railway at all. Some officers do have other ideas, but that’s another matter.

Temporary isolation is different to full isolation anyway, in all circumstances and traction types.

The rules on isolating TPWS is the same old or new as far as I’m aware. The new system just has extra functionality which tells you when you’ve had a SPAD? The system operates the same, no matter which version. Unless I’m misunderstanding the old/new thing.

Railway recruitment is notoriously lengthy. Technically offers can be withdrawn at any time up to the start date, but it’s generally unlikely unless things change with the business need such as contracts being lost etc,

I think you’re confusing trespass as a civil matter (refusing to leave when asked for example), with trespass on the railway (criminal). The two are separate offences.

As long as they can pass the distance vision/peripheral vision test (which, to be fair, one can be almost blind to pass, as long as corrected vision is okay) and colour blindness test they won’t have an issue. So yes, it’s all about passing the tests.

I know where the BTCA applies, but it’s all areas of operational railway (ie where trains move about). I’ve worked on the railway for 20 years, 15 of which have been enforcing Byelaws, along with other acts including the British Transport Commission Act and have had many successful prosecutions...

There’s no strict liability offence of trespass in terms of lineside trespass. There’s not two railway trespass offences. The Railway Byelaws make it an offence (still criminal) to essentially trespass (although they’re careful to not use that wording - Byelaw 13), but this is not the same as...

The DSD is the mechanical device which requires driver input, where as the DVD is the device which operates the timed warning and will put the brakes in if it’s not responded to. I guess the DVD does all of the work really, since the DSD is essentially just a switch?

Although there has to be a sign, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pass said sign in order for trespass to be an offence (otherwise trespass wouldn’t be punishable as an offence at anywhere other than railway stations or some level crossings). If someone goes on to the tracks from a...

They can do what they want in terms of the routes you’ll sign. It’ll form part of the company’s Competence Management System (CMS) as far as is the bigger picture, but as trainees, you’ll effectively have to just learn whatever you’re told to learn, and be assessed on these accordingly.

Unlikely much will change with the operations side of the railway, but office based roles and those not essential to the running of the railway have always been more vulnerable. Previously certain roles were protected by franchise agreements etc.

I’ve known of it happen too. To be honest though, unless you go mad and have a proper binge, chances are you’d pass the screening anyway given the usual start time of training.