I've seen quite a few drivers who put their head out of the cab window and look back when in station platforms recently. When on just arriving, it seems this could be so you can check the whole train is definitely in the platform, but isn't that the Guard's job anyway? While stood in the platform, I'm kind of wondering what they are looking at really... just people getting on and off the train. Is it a sort of 'Hurry up!' signal to the guard when running late? Is it just good fun - or good practice for some reason? Some of the stations where I've seen it DO have platform staff, so I guess it could be to communicate with them, but I've only observed this once. It seems to happen too often to be because they think they have a dodgy unit and are keeping a close eye (though with Northern, I guess you never know!).
As a useful example, at Manchester Pic, waiting for a train via Manchester Airport, a 150 was in the platform where I was expecting a 323 and 'Front Train' on the boards. It was the front train, but the EMU still could be arriving and departing in front of it. Helpfully the driver was sat in the cab with his head out the window, so I said
"Are you going to Alderley Edge?"
"We certainly are!"
"Oh dear, missing a 323!?"
"I know, terrible isn't it!"
And then there he was again when I got off at Mauldeth Road and smiled back at me.
I'm talking trains with guards here, not DOO where it could be required to look back or whatever else to safely dispatch.
Any thoughts? Why might you want to do it?
While Alderley Edge is in subject, I must say that it's an awful station. Trains using different routes with different stopping patterns arriving at random times and mostly without destination blinds fitted and no staff for most of the day nor live info. Asking the Driver or Guard is pretty well the only way to determine if your train is calling at Chelford or Goostrey or going via Stockport or Manchester Airport if its one specific that you require!
As a useful example, at Manchester Pic, waiting for a train via Manchester Airport, a 150 was in the platform where I was expecting a 323 and 'Front Train' on the boards. It was the front train, but the EMU still could be arriving and departing in front of it. Helpfully the driver was sat in the cab with his head out the window, so I said
"Are you going to Alderley Edge?"
"We certainly are!"
"Oh dear, missing a 323!?"
"I know, terrible isn't it!"
And then there he was again when I got off at Mauldeth Road and smiled back at me.
I'm talking trains with guards here, not DOO where it could be required to look back or whatever else to safely dispatch.
Any thoughts? Why might you want to do it?
While Alderley Edge is in subject, I must say that it's an awful station. Trains using different routes with different stopping patterns arriving at random times and mostly without destination blinds fitted and no staff for most of the day nor live info. Asking the Driver or Guard is pretty well the only way to determine if your train is calling at Chelford or Goostrey or going via Stockport or Manchester Airport if its one specific that you require!
)
People on the platform probably think I'm mental, but it's so much easier to stop at a mirror in a 455 with your head out the window than it is to stop at the relevant car marks.
