Great coupling

[ess]

I often take a train into Paddington which before opening the doors annoyingly goes through a routine of stopping, creep forward, stop, creep forward a bit more.. BANG.. stop, engine noise, wait... DING doors open (grrr going to be late) etc. There's usually an announcement ahead of all that so at least you know what's going on.

Today -- perfect -- train glides into the platform, no stopping, slowly nudges against the other train and couples immediately. DING doors open. Excellent!

 

[GadgetMan]

Classed as a collision, very naughty.

 

[ess]

Must have been mistaken. Might have been yesterday. Personally I think the train should stop, let passengers off and THEN couple to the other train.
A train packed full of standees on a BANG or CRUNCH day is not good

 

[Crossover]

Yeah, as I understand it they are meant to come in and stop short then proceed to couple from there. The engine noise you speak of is likely to be the 'pull test' to ensure the trains are fully mechanically coupled

 

[ExRes]

Personally I can never understand why there often seems to be a rush to save a few seconds which can just as easily end in tears, why not do it the simple way

Set on platform waits with doors shut, incoming set stops short, releases doors, passengers alight, doors shut, couple up, test coupling, open doors

No tears, no problems and no complaints if the passengers are told what's happening, I saw it happening at St Pancras for 10 years quite efficiently with the traincrew and platform staff working together and I never witnessed any injuries or the need for any staff to face disciplinary action

 

[455driver]

Personally I can never understand why there often seems to be a rush to save a few seconds which can just as easily end in tears, why not do it the simple way

Set on platform waits with doors shut, incoming set stops short, releases doors, passengers alight, doors shut, couple up, test coupling, open doors

No tears, no problems and no complaints if the passengers are told what's happening, I saw it happening at St Pancras for 10 years quite efficiently with the traincrew and platform staff working together and I never witnessed any injuries or the need for any staff to face disciplinary action

Yeah maybe in your world, but here in the real world if we try and do it that way when we try to close the doors to couple up some wan idiot will think the train is going and force the doors open. That is why we do it the way we do, because of the stupid passengers who eff the job up for everyone else!

 

[bunnahabhain]

Yeah maybe in your world, but here in the real world if we try and do it that way when we try to close the doors to couple up some wan idiot will think the train is going and force the doors open. That is why we do it the way we do, because of the stupid passengers who eff the job up for everyone else!

Quoted for truth.

 

[ExRes]

Yeah maybe in your world, but here in the real world if we try and do it that way when we try to close the doors to couple up some wan idiot will think the train is going and force the doors open. That is why we do it the way we do, because of the stupid passengers who eff the job up for everyone else!

I'm assuming you've had a bad day at the office today, my world was the world of driving 170s and 222s from St Pancras for 10 years so I'm not some platform dreamer who thinks he knows better than the professionals, when I coupled up units I was in charge and I did what I wanted, not what the platform staff wanted, not what the train manager wanted and certainly not what the passengers wanted, you're more than entitled to do it how you want to of course

 

[tsr]

Yeah maybe in your world, but here in the real world if we try and do it that way when we try to close the doors to couple up some wan idiot will think the train is going and force the doors open. That is why we do it the way we do, because of the stupid passengers who eff the job up for everyone else!

I have quite considerable experience of how passengers behave around units coupling at stations, both in service and immediately before or after passenger service. I can safely say that I have witnessed a great deal of attachments and yet can only think of a tiny handful of situations were passengers have forced the doors of a train open in the process, even though said doors were released before and after the attachment. A decent proportion of those were probably when the services had plenty of time to couple up, but were delayed, and therefore the doors closed for the first time after the booked departure time.

Decent CIS announcements/screens do help, as do proactive manual onboard announcements. I find there is rarely a machine substitute for the latter. I guess you would agree on at least that point!

 

[Rich McLean]

Coupling of 165/166

Drivers must approach with caution, and stop. Announcement to passengers about the coupling procedure, then procedure forward at 2-5mph. Once coupled, breaks on, then carry out a pull test. Once finished, breaks back on and open doors. (not full procedure for those that drive them, just the main bits)

What happened above (ie not stopping before coupling) is not meant to happen.

Doors won't be opened before trains are coupled, same procedure for all stations. Main reason is to prevent delay. If you open unit doors just for the rear unit before coupling, chance are platform is announced, and pax all cram into the front unit, leaving no time to couple, and an empty rear unit, thus causing delay to the next service out of Pad.

You may say Paddington has more dwell time, well that may be so, but not so if running late.

 

[O L Leigh]

Today -- perfect -- train glides into the platform, no stopping, slowly nudges against the other train and couples immediately. DING doors open. Excellent!

Oh dear. Someone is going to be in for tea and biscuits.

As annoying as the usual procedure may be from your perspective, this is precisely what professional driving policies require the traincrew to do. It ensures that the trains go together properly and the chances of them separating down the line is reduced. Just off the top of my head I can think of two situations where following the correct procedure has saved my blushes.

**EDIT**

Frankly I'm not worried about passengers interfering with the coupling procedure. If they want to rush up and jam themselves in the doors I won't be lying down on the platform to get between them and the train. As long as the coupling procedure is followed and the units couple correctly and securely someone else can wear the delay minutes. It's a procedure that must be followed correctly to ensure safety, especially on units with gangways.

O L Leigh

 

[tsr]

Doors won't be opened before trains are coupled, same procedure for all stations.

At FGW stations, maybe so, but I can assure you that this does not apply at some other locations. So there are a couple of ways of doing this.

 

[455driver]

At FGW stations, maybe so, but I can assure you that this does not apply at some other locations. So there are a couple of ways of doing this.

Its the same at SWT and FGW, attach first then release doors.

Maybe your passengers are a bit more sensible than the great South London commuters we have to deal with?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Its the same at SWT and FGW, attach first then release doors.

Maybe your passengers are a bit more sensible than the great South London commuters we have to deal with?

SWTs don't do a pull-away test (afaik) with the 444s and 450s as the computer shuts a cab down as soon as it detects another unit has coupled to it.

Do any other classes of unit built since around 2000 shut the cabs down as soon as they detect another unit has coupled to it?

 

[driver9000]

Yeah maybe in your world, but here in the real world if we try and do it that way when we try to close the doors to couple up some wan idiot will think the train is going and force the doors open. That is why we do it the way we do, because of the stupid passengers who eff the job up for everyone else!

In the countless times I've attached or detached units I have never had a passenger force the doors because they couldn't wait the 2 minutes it takes to carry out the procedure. My company would view what the OP describes as a collision because the working instructions and rulebook require you to stop before attaching. If FGW and SWT attach before releasing the doors then fine as long as the train stops before drawing onto the other unit, it must be a southern thing because where I work we release doors then shut them again before attaching as does just about everywhere else I've seen trains attach.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

SWTs don't do a pull-away test (afaik) with the 444s and 450s as the computer shuts a cab down as soon as it detects another unit has coupled to it.

Do any other classes of unit built since around 2000 shut the cabs down as soon as they detect another unit has coupled to it?

185s and 350s shut the desk down. Must be a Desiro thing. On a 180 the tail lights go out as an indication that the units are electrically coupled.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Coupling of 165/166

Drivers must approach with caution, and stop. Announcement to passengers about the coupling procedure, then procedure forward at 2-5mph. Once coupled, breaks on, then carry out a pull test. Once finished, breaks back on and open doors. (not full procedure for those that drive them, just the main bits) .

5mph?! I don't want to be on your train when you're coupling! 2mph should be the maximum as 5mph would be a rather hard thump!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

With 444/450 the instruction is that the doors must be closed on the set that you're attaching to, however through experience I have found that it makes little difference whether they're closed or open when the attachment is made.

The only time we do stop offload & then re-close the doors is with a 455, but then again, at Waterloo or the location where we're going to attach generally doesn't advertise the platform until the attachment is complete & the checks made to ensure everything is OK and the platform staff advise the raft.

Anyone who jumps on prior to the attachment, you always get one or two muppets who think they can do what they like, get removed prior to attachment taking place for safety reasons.

 

[Emyr]

Would it help to turn off the interior lights during coupling, so it doesn't look like a train that's about to be missed?

Also, on units that support it, set the LEDs that surround the door control buttons to flash red in an unusual manner (i.e. not the same as doors opening/closing)

 

[dysonsphere]

Oh dear. Someone is going to be in for tea and biscuits.

As annoying as the usual procedure may be from your perspective, this is precisely what professional driving policies require the traincrew to do. It ensures that the trains go together properly and the chances of them separating down the line is reduced. Just off the top of my head I can think of two situations where following the correct procedure has saved my blushes.

**EDIT**

Frankly I'm not worried about passengers interfering with the coupling procedure. If they want to rush up and jam themselves in the doors I won't be lying down on the platform to get between them and the train. As long as the coupling procedure is followed and the units couple correctly and securely someone else can wear the delay minutes. It's a procedure that must be followed correctly to ensure safety, especially on units with gangways.

O L Leigh

Er no tea and biccies even, would be a shame for what appears to be slight braking error causing no damage or injuries which would never have come to light apart from the post here.

 

[Rich McLean]

In the countless times I've attached or detached units I have never had a passenger force the doors because they couldn't wait the 2 minutes it takes to carry out the procedure. My company would view what the OP describes as a collision because the working instructions and rulebook require you to stop before attaching. If FGW and SWT attach before releasing the doors then fine as long as the train stops before drawing onto the other unit, it must be a southern thing because where I work we release doors then shut them again before attaching as does just about everywhere else I've seen trains attach.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


185s and 350s shut the desk down. Must be a Desiro thing. On a 180 the tail lights go out as an indication that the units are electrically coupled.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


5mph?! I don't want to be on your train when you're coupling! 2mph should be the maximum as 5mph would be a rather hard thump!

2mph, but a margin for error

 

[najaB]

...train glides into the platform, no stopping, slowly nudges against the other train and couples immediately. DING doors open. Excellent!

Isn't there a requirement to stop and look to make sure that the couplers aren't obstructed by debris, etc?

 

[LCC106]

Absolutely najaB!

 

[O L Leigh]

Er no tea and biccies even, would be a shame for what appears to be slight braking error causing no damage or injuries which would never have come to light apart from the post here.

I agree that it would be a shame if tea and biscuits was the outcome, but it doesn't change the fact that the driver made a bit of a Horlicks of it.

Were the couplers checked before attaching? Was there a pull-away test? Was it even a braking error? Nope. It would appear that the driver simply drove straight onto the other unit and pressed the couple button without any checks whatsoever.

O L Leigh

 

[Crossover]

Regarding the leaving the doors shut on a unit in the platform, I was at Leeds a few weeks ago awaiting a TPE service home and it is at a time where a 185 comes ECS from York via Castleford and gets dropped onto platform 16. The doors stayed shut until the second unit had come in on top and coupled. What was quite amusing in that case was the driver took "stopping short" to a whole new errrr...length - stopping at least 40m short of the parked up unit!

 

[TheJRB]

At FGW stations, maybe so, but I can assure you that this does not apply at some other locations. So there are a couple of ways of doing this.

Its the same at SWT and FGW, attach first then release doors.

Maybe your passengers are a bit more sensible than the great South London commuters we have to deal with?

Yeah definitely at Ashford when the two trains come in, both open doors first before coupling (apart from on weekends when the rear portion of one of the Charing Cross trains every hour comes in empty stock). Even the front portion of the 09:43 to St Pancras on weekdays which comes in empty opens its doors first which is useful for getting a good seat!

Talking of coupling, I do love it when you see Networkers coupling up; the pull away test makes the whole train shake loudly!

 

[142094]

Isn't there a requirement to stop and look to make sure that the couplers aren't obstructed by debris, etc?

Plus make sure they are properly aligned. Not good if they aren't...

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Yeah definitely at Ashford when the two trains come in, both open doors first before coupling (apart from on weekends when the rear portion of one of the Charing Cross trains every hour comes in empty stock). Even the front portion of the 09:43 to St Pancras on weekdays which comes in empty opens its doors first which is useful for getting a good seat!

Talking of coupling, I do love it when you see Networkers coupling up; the pull away test makes the whole train shake loudly!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o56OmuWYaSY

And it looks like it used to be quite loud when the done that (before they got new traction motors)

 

[thelongestroad]

FGW have really introduced a policy of coupling before releasing the doors in the central region. Assuming everyone does it properly, the guard will announce on arrival that the train will couple up to another in the platform and advice that the doors will not open til this has been done. The driver will then give the 3-3-1 buzzer code indicating that the coupling has been completed and the doors may be opened.

Again, assuming everyone does it properly, it does save a few minutes.

 

[LowLevel]

I tell the driver when I'm going to open the doors and they work it out based on that. Sometimes I let the passengers out first and sometimes I don't, it depends how tight the turnaround is. Letting them out first is my normal preference as there's loads of time to do the split/join. On the couple of occasions where it's about 2 or 3 minutes I keep them on until it's done. It's all about teamwork but the important point is that the driver operates the train under the direction of the guard - station duties and how they're complete are up to the guard.

I once had a plank of a driver who I can only assume was only used to coupling empty stock. I was the dispatcher and he refused to couple two trains unless I detrained them first. I decided far easier than detraining two intercity services would be to ring control and drop him in it as he was also rather rude. Funnily enough after a short phone conversation occurred he got on with it.

 

[Southern313]

Southern's policy is very much stop, release doors, safety announcement, close doors and bang them together. Any other way and definitely tea and biscuit time! Question for SWT crews, is detachment done prior to door release like attachments?

 

[rebmcr]

Regarding the leaving the doors shut on a unit in the platform, I was at Leeds a few weeks ago awaiting a TPE service home and it is at a time where a 185 comes ECS from York via Castleford and gets dropped onto platform 16. The doors stayed shut until the second unit had come in on top and coupled. What was quite amusing in that case was the driver took "stopping short" to a whole new errrr...length - stopping at least 40m short of the parked up unit!

I believe Leeds has platform starter signals halfway along, it may have been that the driver was waiting for one of those to have its shunt aspect cleared by the signaller before continuing.