Driver Training for Ice and Snow

[matacaster]

Is anything specific relating to Ice and Snow included in driver training?
How does it affect driving and stopping distances?

 

[ComUtoR]

Is anything specific relating to Ice and Snow included in driver training?

Brake test rules.

How does it affect driving and stopping distances?

I drive 3rd rail. It's a nightmare tbh.

 

[Dieseldriver]

In a nutshell, frequent special running brake tests to heat up components and ensure the brakes aren't being adversely affected.
Signals becoming difficult to read due to a build up of snow.
Blizzards creating poor visibility.
Being aware of warning horns becoming clogged up by snow (I personally test the two tone horn every few minutes in the snow).
In ice conditions being aware of the potential for poor railhead conditions.
Icing of conductor rails causing traction problems for third rail stock.

 

[sw1ller]

Depends where you are. Where I am, and I’m speaking from last years experience, nothing needs doing other than the brake test. I was getting as much grip during stopping as I would do in the rain.

I don’t work with DC though, or even AC for that matter. I with along side them both but my trains never affected.

It’s the air system that gets the problems. Unfortunately, the air air system is pretty major on a train, brakes, doors, horns, wipers, suspension.... etc. Air = moisture. Moisture in these systems = failure. This can happen within 5 minutes. That’s why the driver is quite useful in these temperatures.

 

[driver9000]

No physical training but there are specific rules for driving in snow which include travelling 10mph below permitted speed when above 50mph and not exceeding 100mph coupled with performing regular running full service brake tests reducing speed by at least 10mph in each brake application. Driving in snow and ice can be very similar to driving in leaf fall with slippy rails but we need to be aware of snow building up or drifting and report it to the Signaller. When the snow reaches 8 inches deep train running is suspended.

We also need to test the horns regularly to ensure they don't become frozen which on the trains I drive has become less of a problem since heaters were fitted to them.

 

[choochoochoo]

If you drive 387s then you have to put the train into 'ice mode'

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

No physical training but there are specific rules for driving in snow which include travelling 10mph below permitted speed when above 50mph and not exceeding 100mph coupled with performing regular running full service brake tests reducing speed by at least 10mph in each brake application. Driving in snow and ice can be very similar to driving in leaf fall with slippy rails but we need to be aware of snow building up or drifting and report it to the Signaller. When the snow reaches 8 inches deep train running is suspended.

We also need to test the horns regularly to ensure they don't become frozen which on the trains I drive has become less of a problem since heaters were fitted to them.

That’s very interesting, is that set of rules a national rule book requirement or is it for a specific TOC?

 

[driver9000]

That’s very interesting, is that set of rules a national rule book requirement or is it for a specific TOC?

It was all in the national rule book for years but now TW1 simply tells you to perform running brake tests and follow company instructions. My company tends to retain old national rules like this.

The depth of snow when train running stops is a national rule.

 

[westcoaster]

On the class 700's we have to activate snow brake mode, all it does is turns of the rheo brake and adds more air preasure through the friction brake.

 

[Eccles1983]

10mph below but not less than 50 only applies to disc brakes.

Tread brakes are line speed.

We do a full service brake test every 3-5 mins in falling or disturbing snow. - this is to simply check that the airline to the brakes hasn't frozen.

 

[driver9000]

10mph below but not less than 50 only applies to disc brakes.

Tread brakes are line speed.

We do a full service brake test every 3-5 mins in falling or disturbing snow. - this is to simply check that the airline to the brakes hasn't frozen.

It's that long since I drove treads that I completely forgot to mention that!

 

[Ken H]

is there anything special about taking over a train in the snow? any special checks?

 

[ComUtoR]

is there anything special about taking over a train in the snow? any special checks?

Line light is the first thing I check We also have a winter kit and although not required its handy to check. Other than that our preparation from Berth procedure never changes.

 

[SWTCommuter]

BR training film about braking in snow

 

[philthetube]

is there anything special about taking over a train in the snow? any special checks?

The whistle