For trainee drivers only

[notadriver]

Just wanted to ask a few questions for those of you out there with your driver instructors.

How many hours driving have you done and would you say you are confident with the route and the braking points at the moment?

What speed have you been told to enter a typical 8 car platform?

It took me a long time to master the brake - i wonder if the trainees of today pick things up quicker and if modern traction enables this?

 

[Johncleesefan]

As a man who has just qualified today ?????? I got 340 hours in total over my routes. Was really confident with shut off points and braking points (will be bricking my first day out solo) about 30mph is into somewhere like bath with the brake in

 

[Memetim]

I've just hit 250 hours, I'm confident with the route in general and braking areas and have had some valuable experience in leaf fall season with how much these can change. I'm just working on making sure I know all the crossovers and their speeds to finalise my route knowledge, particularly the emergency crossovers that I am unlikely to use during my training.

We are told 30mph with the brake in for a standard platform.

Interesting you say that about the brake as I actually have no problems with the older traction, but have found it much harder with the newer traction. I still find it much harder to 'feel' the train as I'm pulling into platforms and have to use a far higher level of concentration than when I'm running about with the older 70's and 80's trains.

Congrats on passing out johncleesefan! ??????

 

[Johncleesefan]

Cheers pal, had my final comps manager ride out today and handshake, stealing trains next week and dropping into the starter link the week after. I prefer tread brakes to disc at this moment in time, it may change over time but I can judge it better. How long you got left?

 

[redbutton]

My training course was nearly all simulator-based before going out for 225 hours driving before getting my key. I had the principles of braking (from the sim, which obviously isn't the same as a real unit but it helps) from hour 1; it just took time to learn the characteristics of the traction. Unfortunately, I didn't do all my hours with a DI from my depot, so I didn't actually learn to drive over my routes.

I was never given a specific target for entering platforms. To me (been passed out about a year) it seems a bit foolish to have a blanket rule when it will be dependent on the unit, location, and conditions. (Downhill in the rain will be different from clear and dry)

My TOC only have us learn core routes to get our key so we can start driving before going out to learn additional routes later, so I think I've been fortunate to be able to develop my driving technique before going out for more route learning.

 

[Johncleesefan]

I agree, talking about normal conditions really, experiencing lra I would be earlier and lighter

 

[red2005]

I agree, talking about normal conditions really, experiencing lra I would be earlier and lighter

careful with that........we were told to just brake earlier and forget about the lighter in tricky conditions......I've been out on my own a year in April and i did my hours In leaf fall (thankfully) and I still use my "leaf fall braking points" to this day.

some told me I'd have different braking points when i had some solo hours under my belt and when the conditions changed but to me that's a recipe for disaster, what i have done Is use the same Initial braking points I was taught In my hours, but experience since has just meant the amount of brake applications within that distance I use has lessened.

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

As a man who has just qualified today �� I got 340 hours in total over my routes. Was really confident with shut off points and braking points (will be bricking my first day out solo) about 30mph is into somewhere like bath with the brake in

Congratulations - and you'll be fine, take it steady, and if in doubt, don't do it !

 

[Johncleesefan]

Cheers pal, I will be taking it very steady on my maiden voyage and in general ?????? expect delays in the west haha. I feel like I cant believe I passed bit also very deserved as I put the work in and took it seriously all along ?????? bring on next week..... Cheers red, managed to do most of my handling in leaf fall so now adjusting the normal places slightly for "normal" running. But id rather be late home then miss a station

 

[red2005]

Cheers pal, I will be taking it very steady on my maiden voyage and in general �� expect delays in the west haha. I feel like I cant believe I passed bit also very deserved as I put the work in and took it seriously all along �� bring on next week..... Cheers red, managed to do most of my handling in leaf fall so now adjusting the normal places slightly for "normal" running. But id rather be late home then miss a station

Ha spot on mate! I am very lucky to have a manager who like yourself would rather have me running slightly with delay than have to do Investigations such as downloads etc because I've failed to call.

Same as me pal I did my hours In leaf fall and have since recommended to my TOC that that should be the case with EVERY course.......I reckon I'd of had a heart attack with a nasty slide on my own having not had one with my Instructor already ha!!!!

Oh and well done by the way

 

[Johncleesefan]

Cheers pal. I'm glad my handling was during leaf fall for the same reasons, my pants literally dropped the first time them lights flickered and it went eerily quiet as we were sliding. My di held my hand and told me what to do haha. Then I got more confident with identifying the signs and reacting to it. The only thing my company books is one day skidpan training greasing up Okehampton with veg oil and shoeing difference between emergency and fanning. Don't get any real experience though

 

[IKB]

As a man who has just qualified today �� I got 340 hours in total over my routes. Was really confident with shut off points and braking points (will be bricking my first day out solo) about 30mph is into somewhere like bath with the brake in

Many congratulations I'm in the classroom but itching to get out there. Unfortunately my instructor hours will in the summer. Sods law! But I can't grumble, just glad to be here.

 

[TDK]

Ha spot on mate! I am very lucky to have a manager who like yourself would rather have me running slightly with delay than have to do Investigations such as downloads etc because I've failed to call.

Same as me pal I did my hours In leaf fall and have since recommended to my TOC that that should be the case with EVERY course.......I reckon I'd of had a heart attack with a nasty slide on my own having not had one with my Instructor already ha!!!!

Oh and well done by the way

Good advice as if it don't slip in 2 bar it's unlikely to slip in 1 bar, depends a bit on traction though as treads will clean the wheels off more so than disc brakes trains. Nothing worse than using light braking to have to use a heavier brake nearer to your stopping point.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Cheers pal. I'm glad my handling was during leaf fall for the same reasons, my pants literally dropped the first time them lights flickered and it went eerily quiet as we were sliding. My di held my hand and told me what to do haha. Then I got more confident with identifying the signs and reacting to it. The only thing my company books is one day skidpan training greasing up Okehampton with veg oil and shoeing difference between emergency and fanning. Don't get any real experience though

Just be careful if its damp I have a good slide today with not a leaf in sight but expected it to be a bit slippy and stopped no problem, some of you are saying 30mph at the platform end with the brake in I would aim for no more than 20mph to start off especially in these damp conditions, nothing worse than the walk of shame.

 

[red2005]

Cheers pal. I'm glad my handling was during leaf fall for the same reasons, my pants literally dropped the first time them lights flickered and it went eerily quiet as we were sliding. My di held my hand and told me what to do haha. Then I got more confident with identifying the signs and reacting to it. The only thing my company books is one day skidpan training greasing up Okehampton with veg oil and shoeing difference between emergency and fanning. Don't get any real experience though

hahahaha you've no Idea how glad I am to hear you say that!......so nice to know I wasn't the only one who nearly needed a change of underwear ha!!

Ooh you're lucky there my TOC apparently used to do the old skidpan training but they've stopped It now! I'd loved to have had a go.....They used to do It on one of our routes which we only use a couple of times a day. I think due to cost and another TOC who use the route regularly who may have had a couple of incidents due to the rail not being put right afterwards brought an end to It but I'm not to sure I could be wrong.

I'm quite lucky really on the other hand as a number of the routes I sign on our network are some of the worst In terms of low adhesion that you will come across ha!............actually I don't think that makes me lucky at all lol!!!

 

[red2005]

Good advice as if it don't slip in 2 bar it's unlikely to slip in 1 bar, depends a bit on traction though as treads will clean the wheels off more so than disc brakes trains. Nothing worse than using light braking to have to use a heavier brake nearer to your stopping point.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Just be careful if its damp I have a good slide today with not a leaf in sight but expected it to be a bit slippy and stopped no problem, some of you are saying 30mph at the platform end with the brake in I would aim for no more than 20mph to start off especially in these damp conditions, nothing worse than the walk of shame.

I'm still wet behind the ears myself obviously but the cautious side of me seconds this! (I'd never try and teach any other driver to suck eggs obviously)

I personally take every situation/condition at their merits, for example on some of our network request stops are still used and the company handbook and the training i received said no more than 15mph when entering the platform.

Well yes that's all well and good In fine conditions but unfortunately we still have conditions where 15mph Is way to fast, especially If you have to contend with short platforms/precision stopping.

My approach Is to not have a set speed In mind as I'd hate to be lulled Into a false sense of security, If the conditions dictate I have to do 5mph Into a platform so be it

 

[Johncleesefan]

Cheers for your advice fellas, as I have been told, now is when I really learn to drive braking is a skill that will be refined and as a newbie I will be extra careful braking as of lra conditions to begin with. Il be too scared to do otherwise

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

I'll be happy to say what I do brake wise, but I haven't as the thread was not asking such a question

 

[red2005]

I'll be happy to say what I do brake wise, but I haven't as the thread was not asking such a question

Didn't realise it had to be.........our bad ,what were we thinking offering some advice????..........my apologies.

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

Didn't realise it had to be.........our bad ,what were we thinking offering some advice????..........my apologies.

Thread is entitled : "For trainee drivers only" so did not wish to add to it unless it was wanted

 

[455driver]

Thread is entitled : "For trainee drivers only" so did not wish to add to it unless it was wanted

Which it obviously isn't with a title like "For trainee drivers only", I mean they are still learning so obviously know more than us dinosaurs!

 

[Johncleesefan]

The dinosaurs at my depot have taught me an awful lot.

 

[redbutton]

The dinosaurs at my depot have taught me an awful lot.

Same here.

 

[notadriver]

Which it obviously isn't with a title like "For trainee drivers only", I mean they are still learning so obviously know more than us dinosaurs!

Yeah apologies for the thread title and purpose. I just wanted to get a measure of what trainee drivers of today are taught and how fast they pick up brake handling on today's modern traction which is easier to drive according to many ?

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

Yeah apologies for the thread title and purpose. I just wanted to get a measure of what trainee drivers of today are taught and how fast they pick up brake handling on today's modern traction which is easier to drive according to many ?

No apologies required, what for ? zero offence given or intended ! Just not sure if you wanted all and sundry leaping in with advice on how they screwed the handbrake down on The Rocket or not or if the post had the caveat that it was a question entirely directed to recently qualified drivers

 

[red2005]

No apologies required, what for ? zero offence given or intended ! Just not sure if you wanted all and sundry leaping in with advice on how they screwed the handbrake down on The Rocket or not or if the post had the caveat that it was a question entirely directed to recently qualified drivers

Dear oh dear!.......how far up yourself actually are you??.......no one leapt In at all It was a case of sharing our experiences so far and how we have handled things as we are new to the grade ourselves.

No one said any advice offered had to be taken!..........In fact It was hardly advice anyway just more what a newly qualified driver has had to put up with so far and what techniques he uses to handle it.

maybe you should come down off your high horse and read back and actually try READING It this time before making out people are interfering In some way. Some of us on here are happy to share their experiences If It will help someone In some way.........Obviously there are still " pull the ladder up Jack and s*d the rest" types still on here......shame I thought they'd gone!

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

Dear oh dear!.......how far up yourself actually are you??.......no one leapt In at all It was a case of sharing our experiences so far and how we have handled things as we are new to the grade ourselves.

No one said any advice offered had to be taken!..........In fact It was hardly advice anyway just more what a newly qualified driver has had to put up with so far and what techniques he uses to handle it.

maybe you should come down off your high horse and read back and actually try READING It this time before making out people are interfering In some way. Some of us on here are happy to share their experiences If It will help someone In some way.........Obviously there are still " pull the ladder up Jack and s*d the rest" types still on here......shame I thought they'd gone!

I would suggest you revisit my posts on this thread and re-read and interpret them as you have utterly misconstrued me and I'm only as far up myself as my butt plug will allow !

 

[red2005]

I would suggest you revisit my posts on this thread and re-read and interpret them as you have utterly misconstrued me and I'm only as far up myself as my butt plug will allow !

I've read enough thank you!

 

[donpoku]

OK here's an interesting question for you.

Which for you was/is harder effort wise; route knowledge or traction control?

And secondly what effective method helped you master/learn them?

 

[ComUtoR]

Which for you was/is harder effort wise; route knowledge or traction control?

After many years of driving I still find route knowledge is the hardest to master. "traction control" is something I do every day and becomes second nature. Routes are dynamic and some you rarely go over so your more reliant on recall. Even on my core routes I am still picking up little idiosyncrasies and adapting braking techniques. There are still shunt moves on my routes that I have never done and I've been driving for over 10 years.

And secondly what effective method helped you master/learn them?

Diligence and professionalism

@notadriver There is an official answer to your question if you wish it

 

[455driver]

And secondly what effective method helped you master/learn them?

I use the force or just guess!