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Journey - Greater Anglia Trainee Driver
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Update!
This past week we had a depot induction at Cambridge on Monday, health and safety rules of the site, walking routes, fire procedure, different rooms of the building and was introduced to a few driver managers and union reps etc.
Then Tuesday - Friday we were all on front end turns which is basically sitting at the front of the train in the cab with the driver following him/her on their diagram. Could ask questions etc obviously told beforehand to refrain from distracting the driver when approaching a red signal or a platform etc but it depended on the driver to be honest. You kind of got a feel for how they liked to drive and would even ask me questions too. (we were assigned different drivers on a couple of days.)
We also had a task book given to us by the teachers in the classroom the week before to fill out throughout our training and one section was the cab experience so I answered these questions in the book as I went along too.
Was really interesting to see how it looks up front with the view straight ahead but also good to see some of the things we have learned in theory to see acted out in a real life situation. (AWS, TPWS (not activated), signal sequencing, talking to control/signaller and seeing some signage.)
Routes I went along were:
Cambridge to Cambridge North return.
Cambridge to Liverpool Street return.
Cambridge to Kings Lynn return.
Cambridge to Stansted Airport return.
We missed Cambridge to Hertford East due to the signals failing at Liverpool Street on Tuesday so a load of trains were cancelled.
Top speed was 85mph in a 90. Speed really feels less than it actually is in a train.
Was in Class 317 and 379 trains. 4, 8 and 12 car formations. Saw some coupling and uncoupling whilst in and out of the train too.
Now back to the classroom Monday for Module 2!
This past week we had a depot induction at Cambridge on Monday, health and safety rules of the site, walking routes, fire procedure, different rooms of the building and was introduced to a few driver managers and union reps etc.
Then Tuesday - Friday we were all on front end turns which is basically sitting at the front of the train in the cab with the driver following him/her on their diagram. Could ask questions etc obviously told beforehand to refrain from distracting the driver when approaching a red signal or a platform etc but it depended on the driver to be honest. You kind of got a feel for how they liked to drive and would even ask me questions too. (we were assigned different drivers on a couple of days.)
We also had a task book given to us by the teachers in the classroom the week before to fill out throughout our training and one section was the cab experience so I answered these questions in the book as I went along too.
Was really interesting to see how it looks up front with the view straight ahead but also good to see some of the things we have learned in theory to see acted out in a real life situation. (AWS, TPWS (not activated), signal sequencing, talking to control/signaller and seeing some signage.)
Routes I went along were:
Cambridge to Cambridge North return.
Cambridge to Liverpool Street return.
Cambridge to Kings Lynn return.
Cambridge to Stansted Airport return.
We missed Cambridge to Hertford East due to the signals failing at Liverpool Street on Tuesday so a load of trains were cancelled.
Top speed was 85mph in a 90. Speed really feels less than it actually is in a train.
Was in Class 317 and 379 trains. 4, 8 and 12 car formations. Saw some coupling and uncoupling whilst in and out of the train too.
Now back to the classroom Monday for Module 2!
Update!
This week we were learning about AWS and TPWS in a lot more depth. How it works, the equipment on the train/track and times where you would temporarily or permanently isolate the systems etc.
We also did absolute block signalling, temporary block working, neutral sections and the DRA.
Thursday we were at Southend Vic again shunting trains around the depot, great fun.
Then Friday we started to look at passing signals at danger with authority and the sixteen reasons for this, yes sixteen, that we have to memorise.
We were told that we would be learning about wrong road driving next week I think, then we have our first sort of ‘big’ assessment on Thursday about everything so far I believe.
Really enjoying the experience.
This week we were learning about AWS and TPWS in a lot more depth. How it works, the equipment on the train/track and times where you would temporarily or permanently isolate the systems etc.
We also did absolute block signalling, temporary block working, neutral sections and the DRA.
Thursday we were at Southend Vic again shunting trains around the depot, great fun.
Then Friday we started to look at passing signals at danger with authority and the sixteen reasons for this, yes sixteen, that we have to memorise.
We were told that we would be learning about wrong road driving next week I think, then we have our first sort of ‘big’ assessment on Thursday about everything so far I believe.
Really enjoying the experience.
16 wow. Should look at my rule book more. Was 15 reasons 8 years ago.
You don't really have to know them all. Just a few when passed out.
Most drivers have one reason. Signaller tells you to pass it at danger. I get instructions from them what to do, repeat back and go.
Still scary today passing signals at danger.
You don't really have to know them all. Just a few when passed out.
Most drivers have one reason. Signaller tells you to pass it at danger. I get instructions from them what to do, repeat back and go.
Still scary today passing signals at danger.
Thanks for the reminder lol.
This week we did single line working, bit more temporary block working - when you can enter the block without a ticket etc and some wrong direction movements.
The rest was going over all the last 2 weeks really then we had our first assessment in module 2 rules on Thursday.
Had to memorise:
- 16 reasons you may be asked to pass a signal at danger.
- 10 reasons you may be asked to make a wrong direction movement.
- 7 times when you should use the DRA.
Sounds mental but it’s surprising how much sinks in when you keep going over the way they teach you.
I passed with 99%.
We have another assessment next week to look forward to!
This week we did single line working, bit more temporary block working - when you can enter the block without a ticket etc and some wrong direction movements.
The rest was going over all the last 2 weeks really then we had our first assessment in module 2 rules on Thursday.
Had to memorise:
- 16 reasons you may be asked to pass a signal at danger.
- 10 reasons you may be asked to make a wrong direction movement.
- 7 times when you should use the DRA.
Sounds mental but it’s surprising how much sinks in when you keep going over the way they teach you.
I passed with 99%.
We have another assessment next week to look forward to!
BallastMonkey
Member
- Joined
- 15 Dec 2017
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- 131
Well done!
What will next weeks assessment be on?
What will next weeks assessment be on?
Thanks!
Thanks!
I’m not 100% but I think it will be on everything we’ve covered and what we will cover early next week, possibly speed restrictions etc, will let you know.
Indeed, FEW AS GOOD works well.
Thanks!Great work mate.
Are the exams multi choice ?
We haven’t had any multiple choice yet, all written answers and light drawings.
Yeah, we define this speed just as at ‘caution’ which means at a speed ready to stop short etc
BallastMonkey
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- 15 Dec 2017
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- 131
Surely the bigger exams like the final rule exam with 400 questions is multiple choice, right? Maybe any current qualified drivers can confirm
BallastMonkey
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- Joined
- 15 Dec 2017
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- 131
What's module 2 on?
The rules we are doing currently, we have one more week next week.
Tenthghost
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- 13 May 2015
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“16 reasons you may be asked to pass a signal at danger.”
Gonna be honest this made me chuckle as when I did my rules they were anal with the questions papers around questions like this. And the reality is 10/10 if your ever unsure or need instructing your going to speak to signaller to confirm anything out of course.
Gonna be honest this made me chuckle as when I did my rules they were anal with the questions papers around questions like this. And the reality is 10/10 if your ever unsure or need instructing your going to speak to signaller to confirm anything out of course.
100%. Annoyingly for exams these things need to be memorised then you can not worry so much.
Tenthghost
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- 13 May 2015
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I know mate I only recently got my license, tbh the way the rules is done is more, to test your commitment to the job and you can retain information. But your final paper will be around 120 questions, written answers.
Annoyingly for exams these things need to be memorised then you can not worry so much.
Congrats.
Yeah I have heard that to be honest. 120 that’s not bad, thanks for the info.
Tenthghost
Member
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- 13 May 2015
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It is but that what it is required.
Dieseldriver
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- 9 Apr 2012
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- 1,020
Signallers aren't there to instruct you on your roles and responsibilities during degraded working though. They aren't your supervisor or superior and with the greatest of respect to Signallers, they can make errors the same as you as a Driver can.
I can honestly tell you that I have, on several occasions, been given incorrect information/instructions from a Signaller (aswell as from many other grades).
That's a fair point and true.
We've been told though with degraded working theres usually a handsignaller/Pilotman there to give you all of the info you need via the tickets/verbal, maybe this is what we were meaning.
Dieseldriver
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- 9 Apr 2012
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They will dictate the ticket to you and in theory will give you instructions relating to crossings, speeds, which signals to disobey etc. However, I have had Pilotmen give me incorrect information or ask me to do things which contradict the rule book. The point I'm making is when you're out there you are on your own. The rules knowledge is incredibly important and if you look at major incidents which have occurred, generally it involves someone disregarding the rule book.
Yes I agree it's still good practice to re-read the rules and etc keep the knowledge up there for when you need it. It just seems on a day to day basis where not much happens, all this stuff we have to memorise for assessments isn't really used. That last bit is true too.
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