How Do Drivers Learn New Traction?

[whhistle]

I know this seems like an obvious question but how do drivers learn new traction?

From what I have picked up, freight drivers can be utilised to teach the TOC drivers. Let's go with the example of the IETs - quite different to HSTs.

Does the freight driver just read the manual, get in the seat and give it a go round some test track? Or does someone from the manufacturer go through with them how do drive? If the latter, does the manufacturer person read through a manual, or what?
Or do the freight/TOC drivers use a simulator first?

 

[DanDaDriver]

I know this seems like an obvious question but how do drivers learn new traction?

From what I have picked up, freight drivers can be utilised to teach the TOC drivers. Let's go with the example of the IETs - quite different to HSTs.

Does the freight driver just read the manual, get in the seat and give it a go round some test track? Or does someone from the manufacturer go through with them how do drive? If the latter, does the manufacturer person read through a manual, or what?
Or do the freight/TOC drivers use a simulator first?

Traction isn’t ‘that’ much about handling as such.

It’s largely faults and failures and equipment layout sort of thing.

Generally the manufacturer would train instructors who would train more drivers in batches.

 

[driver9000]

It's done through a mix of classroom training with an Instructor going through the manuals and PowerPoint or interactive tools tied in with static training done with a locomotive or unit to give hands on experience. If necessary handling will be done to acquire an agreed number of hours before a Driver can be passed to work solo.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Would the reference to freight drivers be more about route knowledge than traction knowledge?

 

[bramling]

I know this seems like an obvious question but how do drivers learn new traction?

From what I have picked up, freight drivers can be utilised to teach the TOC drivers. Let's go with the example of the IETs - quite different to HSTs.

Does the freight driver just read the manual, get in the seat and give it a go round some test track? Or does someone from the manufacturer go through with them how do drive? If the latter, does the manufacturer person read through a manual, or what?
Or do the freight/TOC drivers use a simulator first?

X days in the classroom, going through how the train is designed, locations of key equipment, going over key circuits and what equipment is on them, and how to handle a range of common and less common defects. During this time there would be a proportion of time spent in a depot going over all of the above in practical terms. There is likely to be an assessment at the end of all this, although an alternative is “continuous assessment” - ie the trainer watches how delegates perform throughout the course. By the end of this the individual should know what every button and switch does, and know how to get the train moving in most single-defect situations. Some rare multi-defect scenarios go beyond the training, although if the training has been successful and the individual understands the train (as opposed to just learning the defect flowcharts) they should be able to have a pretty good go at getting it moving.

 

[jon0844]

WD40, a hammer and knowing how to switch the train off and on should fix 95% of faults, no?

 

[bramling]

WD40, a hammer and knowing how to switch the train off and on should fix 95% of faults, no?

Lol! It’s those 5% of faults which could really cause a screw up though. As an example, water ingress in wiring or circuits is one thing which can cause things to happen which really tests whether someone knows a train or not. Or how to safely rescue a unit where the brakes can’t be released for whatever reason.

 

[KingDaveRa]

As an example, water ingress in wiring or circuits is one thing which can cause things to happen which really tests whether someone knows a train or not.

Sounds like a perfect use case for WD40 then

 

[Haywain]

Typically, how long does training on new traction take? And does that time vary for different types of traction, such as different variants of the same class?

 

[Sirgerbil]

Typically, how long does training on new traction take? And does that time vary for different types of traction, such as different variants of the same class?

It varies, my initial traction training for 91’s was 4 weeks classroom/simulator then handling.

My HST course which I’m currently doing is classed as a “conversion” course and is only 1 week long with 20 hours handling after. This is due to similarities between the two types of traction.

When we learn 800s we’ve been told that’ll be 2 weeks classroom/simulator with handling on top.

 

[Haywain]

It varies, my initial traction training for 91’s was 4 weeks classroom/simulator then handling.

My HST course which I’m currently doing is classed as a “conversion” course and is only 1 week long with 20 hours handling after. This is due to similarities between the two types of traction.

When we learn 800s we’ve been told that’ll be 2 weeks classroom/simulator with handling on top.

Thanks, that's useful to know in the light of the current problems at GTR and Northern. Can I expand the question slightly and ask about how long is needed for route learning?

 

[Lockwood]

WD40, a hammer and knowing how to switch the train off and on should fix 95% of faults, no?

The training is on where to hit with the hammer

 

[rebmcr]

Thanks, that's useful to know in the light of the current problems at GTR and Northern.

It's not just the trainee that gets tied up in this process, you also have to take already-trained drivers out of passenger operations to act as instructors.

 

[EE Andy b1]

Thanks, that's useful to know in the light of the current problems at GTR and Northern. Can I expand the question slightly and ask about how long is needed for route learning?

For Route learning each depot will have norms (The amount of time set) in days, for each route that a particular depot or even a particular link will have to learn.
So this can vary greatly for drivers depending on what routes they cover.
For myself recently re-learning Crewe - Holyhead was 15 days and then on top of that was other days for the diversionary routes.
For my depot Manchester Piccadilly, to route learn London Euston was 81 days with no previous knowledge and that's via Stoke, via Crewe, via West Midlands (Bescot & New Street) and Northampton. Then you have any other routes as required.
Hope this helps a little.

 

[Haywain]

It's not just the trainee that gets tied up in this process, you also have to take already-trained drivers out of passenger operations to act as instructors.

I understand that an instructor is needed, but can the instructor be driving a service train while instructing? And presumably more than one driver can be instructed at the same time (for route learning, at least).

For Route learning each depot will have norms (The amount of time set) in days, for each route that a particular depot or even a particular link will have to learn.
So this can vary greatly for drivers depending on what routes they cover.
For myself recently re-learning Crewe - Holyhead was 15 days and then on top of that was other days for the diversionary routes.
For my depot Manchester Piccadilly, to route learn London Euston was 81 days with no previous knowledge and that's via Stoke, via Crewe, via West Midlands (Bescot & New Street) and Northampton. Then you have any other routes as required.
Hope this helps a little.

Thanks, so there will be some variation according to the length and complexity of route and potential diversionary routes. I feel more informed on the subject now.

 

[BeHereNow]

I've used the virtual reality videos before that allow a simulation of the real layout, with full mocked up cab and controls

 

[EE Andy b1]

I understand that an instructor is needed, but can the instructor be driving a service train while instructing? And presumably more than one driver can be instructed at the same time (for route learning, at least).

After the initial classroom and static training the drivers go out with an instructor more often than not on service trains in passenger use. So the driver learning the traction drives whilst under instruction from the instructor driver.
You can have up to four people in the cab but this includes the train driver themself & instructor & 2 trainees. So if your working a train which is the instructors own link work you could have three trainees with him as one will be driving at any one time.
Our TOC normally normal does one to one with just the instructor driver & traction training driver, unless short of instructors and then more time is aloud so each driver gets the required amount of driving on a particular traction.

 

[Haywain]

After the initial classroom and static training the drivers go out with an instructor more often than not on service trains in passenger use. So the driver learning the traction drives whilst under instruction from the instructor driver.
You can have up to four people in the cab but this includes the train driver themself & instructor & 2 trainees. So if your working a train which is the instructors own link work you could have three trainees with him as one will be driving at any one time.
Our TOC normally normal does one to one with just the instructor driver & traction training driver, unless short of instructors and then more time is aloud so each driver gets the required amount of driving on a particular traction.

Once again, a very helpful response. Thank you.