How do you release your doors?

[notadriver]

Hi everyone.

On coming to a stand do you do : TBC to Step 3 (or whatever is a full service application on your type of train), Direction switch (or Reverser) to Neutral, DRA on (if appropriate) before you attempt to release the doors at a station?

Would be interested to know if others use a different order or do things differently.

 

[networkrail1]

I take it your talking about DOO drivers.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Observation of Thameslink (now FCC) drivers a few years ago says they bring the train to a stop in step 1 (having slowed right down in 2), operate DRA (if appropriate), pan down/up at Farringdon only and unlock the doors on the correct side. If the signal is likely to stay red for a while the driver would put the brakes in 3, put the master switch in neutral and make a brew. Some stations require the driver to get up and so the Master switch will need to be in Neutral.

This is mostly because the trains are stationary for only a short time, but it is also a way of seeing if some g*t has pulled a pass-comm on the way out.

 

[TDK]

Hi everyone.

On coming to a stand do you do : TBC to Step 3 (or whatever is a full service application on your type of train), Direction switch (or Reverser) to Neutral, DRA on (if appropriate) before you attempt to release the doors at a station?

Would be interested to know if others use a different order or do things differently.

When I worked for Southern, as long as the train was secure and at a stand you could release the doors, only if there was a red at the end of the platform or the previous signalwas at cauthion and no0 starter was visible would a driver be expected to place the brake in full service, DRA and into neutral, the stock I used to drive only had traction interlock and not brake interlock so once to doors were open the train could still roll, however I would presume this has now changed and once the doors are released a full brake application would be initiated automatically by the brake interlock with the doors.

 

[TGV]

Once v=0 on indicator, put in neutral and select which side to release doors. Simples.

 

[mumrar]

You lot all do it a different way to me, but then I'm a guard.

 

[driver9000]

Unless I'm testing the doors when preparing the train I let the Guard take care of the doors.

 

[notadriver]

Once v=0 on indicator, put in neutral and select which side to release doors. Simples.

I didn't think you worked on the railway in an operational capacity TGV?

 

[TGV]

I didn't think you worked on the railway in an operational capacity TGV?

Yes and no. Not in service operations but technical operations if you know what I mean.

 

[O L Leigh]

I tend to release the doors with the brake in Step 1 unless there is a red at the end of the platform, I'm booked waiting time, am early or I have to get out of the chair for any reason.

The brake interlock works with the speed switch, otherwise the brakes would jam on every time you give a release.

O L Leigh

 

[Southern Dvr]

Bring train to a stand at requisite stop mark and hold train in step 1 unless platform starter is on red in which case brake step 3 and dra on and master switch in neutral.

The driving policy says to use no more than power notch 2 if the signal is 1 yellow and you can't take power if the brake is greater than step 2. One way to avoid a SOYSPAD is to out brake into step 2 when signal is 1 yellow. When train doesn't move it draws your attention back to the 1 yellow and stops you accidentally taking too much power!

 

[68000]

I wait till the light comes on then press the open button unless it is the 314 then I just wait for them to open

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Do you absolute need to put the train into neutral at any time in a station, or is there no need if you are going to be there for a minute or two only?

I know drivers down here leave it in forward (I know because the DSD pedal goes off) but then they are at most stations for a minute or two anyway.

Always wondered if it is a driver habit and in training you would be told to put it in neutral irrelevant, or if it is only needed when on a hill/leaving the cab/whatever other reason

 

[Dolive22]

I wait till the light comes on then press the open button unless it is the 314 then I just wait for them to open

There's an argument for building trains such that that's pretty much what the drivers do isn't there? So that when you have stopped and put the brakes on, it lets you (the drievr) open the doors. Obviously you would need an override.

 

[notadriver]

Do you absolute need to put the train into neutral at any time in a station, or is there no need if you are going to be there for a minute or two only?

I know drivers down here leave it in forward (I know because the DSD pedal goes off) but then they are at most stations for a minute or two anyway.

Always wondered if it is a driver habit and in training you would be told to put it in neutral irrelevant, or if it is only needed when on a hill/leaving the cab/whatever other reason

Yes I was asking the question originally because I've been told to put it into neutral and to make sure I do that on any assessment or ride. I guess I will keep doing that because i haven't yet found a really comfortable way of keeping the DSD pressed down for long periods of time.

 

[driver9000]

If I'm running on greens and only pausing at the station, I leave it in forward and leave the brake at step 1 or Initial (this proves the doors break the brake continuity wire when the Guard releases the doors). If I am using the DRA or the starting signal is red, then I put the selector to Neutral and place the brake to emergency (a personal habit rather than instruction).

 

[notadriver]

What about pulling away? On getting two on the bell, I've seen drivers put it straight to notch 4, then give two back on the bell to the guard. Do you do that? I've tried but its so unnatural to do it that way!

 

[jopsuk]

I've noticed on the Underground that the doors can start to move before the train has quite stopped moving on some lines- or at least it seems that way.

 

[driver9000]

What about pulling away? On getting two on the bell, I've seen drivers put it straight to notch 4, then give two back on the bell to the guard. Do you do that? I've tried but its so unnatural to do it that way!

Yes, I always make sure I've got power before belling back, although I generally open up to notch 2 of 7. We don't have interlock lights on our trains. Nothing worse than belling back and then getting nothing from the train!

 

[notadriver]

Yes, I always make sure I've got power before belling back, although I generally open up to notch 2 of 7. We don't have interlock lights on our trains. Nothing worse than belling back and then getting nothing from the train!

Cool, what unit is that? A Sprinter I am assuming.

 

[scotsman]

Yes I was asking the question originally because I've been told to put it into neutral and to make sure I do that on any assessment or ride. I guess I will keep doing that because i haven't yet found a really comfortable way of keeping the DSD pressed down for long periods of time.

Ask some of the East Coast/Virgin guys!

 

[heart-of-wessex]

I've noticed on the Underground that the doors can start to move before the train has quite stopped moving on some lines- or at least it seems that way.

Not just you, I was on a C stock last month and the doors opened just before we stopped. Wasn't at speed, some point under 10mph but it was just over three quarters open open by the time it stopped!

I have seen this before on other C stock trips but don't know if this applies to all types of stock

 

[jopsuk]

I've not paid it huge amounts of attention- I think it might happen on some of the older stock on the deep lines too?

 

[Southern Dvr]

What about pulling away? On getting two on the bell, I've seen drivers put it straight to notch 4, then give two back on the bell to the guard. Do you do that? I've tried but its so unnatural to do it that way!

Our PDP states no more than notch 2 if platform starter or if no starter previous signal is/was 1 yellow. As to when to reply is usually once we get moving because that's when I remember!!!

 

[tubeprune]

Not just you, I was on a C stock last month and the doors opened just before we stopped. Wasn't at speed, some point under 10mph but it was just over three quarters open open by the time it stopped!

I have seen this before on other C stock trips but don't know if this applies to all types of stock

There's nothing to stop the operator opening the doors before the train stops as long as it's in range of the CSDE loop. In fact, it's very useful in speeding up unloading. If you save 2s on every stop on the Undergorund, at the end of a trip with 30 stops you've saved a train path. Remember, "every second counts".

 

[Safety365]

For 171s I wait until the driver has brought the train has come to a complete stop before opening my local door. I step on to the platform to check the train is fully in the platform. (If working a formation of more than 5 coaches, I would be in the appropriate coach for an SDO release). I then release the doors on the correct side. If I have given an SDO release I observe that the BILs for the unreleased coaches have not illuminated.

...This is how I release my doors.

 

[scotsman]

When I actually become a trainee and pass out, I'll have to unlock them with a carriage key before the train departs. When we pull into a station, I will have to do nothing!

 

[At_traction]

Not just you, I was on a C stock last month and the doors opened just before we stopped. Wasn't at speed, some point under 10mph but it was just over three quarters open open by the time it stopped!

Opening the doors before the train has stopped is definitely a sign of a *player* in the cab. Besides being, in a sense, cool (fuhgeddabout the Health & Safety...), it also gives the possibility to alight before, for example, the inevitable and annoying jerk at the moment of breaking and then waiting for the doors to start opening.

High five for Door-masters!
*bows*

 

[Juniper Driver]

Cool, what unit is that? A Sprinter I am assuming.

158's and 159's are the same.

I tend to open up unless it's slippy or I am leaving a terminal station*.

*=Also defensive driving.