DFFT - Driver fault finding test.

[WorldoWarcraft]

Hello People,

Before sitting your DFFT exam, we are sent guidance on how to understand the Dfft etc.

Are we given this in the assessment ? Or do we need to remember all of the codes etc ?

 

[TheGoldfish]

Hello People,

Before sitting your DFFT exam, we are sent guidance on how to understand the Dfft etc.

Are we given this in the assessment ? Or do we need to remember all of the codes etc ?

youll get all the info relevant to the test on the day and you keep it during the test to refer back to when you need it … it’s not a memory test

 

[D365]

I assume this DFFT is more relevant to modern passenger stock, rather than older diesels with 'simple' indicator fault panels?

 

[TheGoldfish]

I assume this DFFT is more relevant to modern passenger stock, rather than older diesels with 'simple' indicator fault panels?

It’s not really about the functionality of the train it’s more to do with identifying faults, prioritising them and taking the correct actions in dealing with them

 

[Ken H]

It’s not really about the functionality of the train it’s more to do with identifying faults, prioritising them and taking the correct actions in dealing with them

No percussive maintainance then !?

 

[D365]

It’s not really about the functionality of the train it’s more to do with identifying faults, prioritising them and taking the correct actions in dealing with them

Yes that’s what I mean - on an old diesel the indicator just lights up if a certain train wire is energised. By the sound of it, there’s a lot more to learn on modern trains with TCMS (Train Control Management System).

 

[Ken H]

Yes that’s what I mean - on an old diesel the indicator just lights up if a certain train wire is energised. By the sound of it, there’s a lot more to learn on modern trains with TCMS (Train Control Management System).

but surely a TCMS should be an intelligent readout. Instead of a red light thats says 'low oil' a screen could show where the low oil was and possible remedies to get the train moving again.

 

[TheGoldfish]

Yes that’s what I mean - on an old diesel the indicator just lights up if a certain train wire is energised. By the sound of it, there’s a lot more to learn on modern trains with TCMS (Train Control Management System).

This test is not about knowing what’s wrong with the train or fixing it so you don’t need any knowledge of trains whatsoever… it’s about how you think and can you understand and interpret information and instructions then take the right actions …. The train and the faults on the test are purely fictitious.

 

[D365]

This test is not about knowing what’s wrong with the train or fixing it so you don’t need any knowledge of trains whatsoever… it’s about how you think and can you understand and interpret information and instructions then take the right actions …. The train and the faults on the test are purely fictitious.

Thanks, yes that's exactly what I had imagined.

 

[ThePeakNed]

Yes that’s what I mean - on an old diesel the indicator just lights up if a certain train wire is energised. By the sound of it, there’s a lot more to learn on modern trains with TCMS (Train Control Management System).

There isn’t really. You’re taught how to tap aimlessly at a touch screen, but that’s about it. There’s very little done in actual fault finding, as the TCMS tells you what’s wrong with the train, and 9 times out of 10, it’s instructions are stop and phone control.