Maximum height of a train driver?

[Class86Fan]

What's the maximum permitted height for a train driver?

 

[reapz]

What's the maximum permitted height for a train driver?

this is not 1970 they cant take height into account

 

[driver9000]

I've got 6ft 4in in my head and anything above requires a risk assessment due to cab ergonomics (they aren't the biggest if places).

EDIT - A quick search returns a document stating it is up to the TOCs to determine their own height restrictions. http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Other_Or...odes of Practice (ACOP)/ATOCACOP005 Iss 1.pdf

 

[Vicpaul]

My mates 6'8 NA dhas never had any height related issues regarding work?

 

[Harlesden]

Can't imagine there is any actual restriction. However an exceptionally tall person might not like the idea of being confined in a restricted space for several hours at a time and so would not seek advancement to driver in the first place.

 

[bronzeonion]

There must also be a minimum height obviously for climbing in and out from track level or other controls in the cab?

 

[Geargrinder]

A lot of the older units - class 153, 156 etc look like they might be tight for legroom. The newer stuff seems roomier. I guess the tocs will have their own standards, TPE is the only TOC I have seen quoting heights (between 5'4" and 6'4) and their 185's seem to have reasonable large looking cabs. But the only real test would be to get in whatever it was that you would be driving.

 

[TOCDriver]

I've got 6ft 4in in my head and anything above requires a risk assessment due to cab ergonomics (they aren't the biggest if places).

EDIT - A quick search returns a document stating it is up to the TOCs to determine their own height restrictions. http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Other_Or...odes of Practice (ACOP)/ATOCACOP005 Iss 1.pdf

Correct. It depends entirely on the cab architecture and fittings and thus the particular class of train to which the person will operate. Most modern classes have designs that more or less anybody medically fit can operate, irrespective of size and weight. Big daddy himself could have fitted comfortably in a 390 cab and worked it safely

 

[CatfordCat]

I don't think it's specifically illegal under equalities legislation to discriminate on grounds of height...

Having said that, London Transport (for bus conductors and drivers) used not to accept people under 5 ft or over 6 ft tall. I've not seen any such restriction on driver job adverts recently - although some bus operators say that if you're under X height / over Y height then being accepted is subject to an in-cab assessment.

I'd have thought that train operators would take a similar line.

 

[JB25]

Pretty sure when I applied for Southern they stated a height preference of 5'7" - 6'7"

 

[Pumbaa]

TPE is the only TOC I have seen quoting heights (between 5'4" and 6'4) and their 185's seem to have reasonable large looking cabs. But the only real test would be to get in whatever it was that you would be driving.

Another TOC operating Desiros is apparently mulling a max height following feedback from drivers. Apparently the angle/setup of the narrow DSD plate on Desiros makes it difficult to remain comfy for any considerable length of time if you are on the tall side of things.

 

[455driver]

Another TOC operating Desiros is apparently mulling a max height following feedback from drivers. Apparently the angle/setup of the narrow DSD plate on Desiros makes it difficult to remain comfy for any considerable length of time if you are on the tall side of things.

They are not that good if you are on the short side or normal height either!

The pedal is in the middle so you end up with your leg twisted at a funny angle and it does half make your knee hurt after a while, the thing is if you change legs that one starts aching before the other one has recovered so you end up with both legs slowly getting worse.
If the pedal was to one side and you could keep one leg straight on it all the time it would be much better.

 

[TDK]

this is not 1970 they cant take height into account

They certainly can for cab ergonomics
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What's the maximum permitted height for a train driver?

6'6" any taller a risk assessment needs to be done on cab ergonomics for the said individual.
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Pretty sure when I applied for Southern they stated a height preference of 5'7" - 6'7"

It is 5'2 to 6'6

 

[Geargrinder]

So a 6'6" tall person would fit in most train drivers seats then ? Is the issue over that height - lack of legroom, or just the overall physical size of someone that tall ?

 

[TDK]

So a 6'6" tall person would fit in most train drivers seats then ? Is the issue over that height - lack of legroom, or just the overall physical size of someone that tall ?

On the railway and in all industries risk assessments are carried out on everything. The cab ergonomics risk assessment takes into account accessing the cab, egress from cab, leg room, the effects that being over/under the suggested height, having a BMI of over 33 will have on an individual, keeping the dsd pedal comfortably applied, reaching the AWS button the list is huge. Once this it carried out then a company based report will be issued in regards to the traction the driver will drive. I have done a risk assessment on little people under 5'2" the suggested minimum height and the results on my risk assesment on this person entitled him to get the role as a trainee driver, however with the amount of applicants now I doubt that a manager would take the trouble to carry this out and pick someone who fits the criteria.

If someone wanted to complain the railway would throw H & S at them so it then does not becoma a diversity issue.
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Big daddy himself could have fitted comfortably in a 390 cab and worked it safely

But would Big Daddy be able to egress the cab in an emergency

 

[W230]

There must also be a minimum height obviously for climbing in and out from track level or other controls in the cab?

Not sure if it's true but have been told that there is someone at one commuter TOC who carries a small step ladder to help alleviate the getting on/off units problem.

 

[TDK]

Not sure if it's true but have been told that there is someone at one commuter TOC who carries a small step ladder to help alleviate the getting on/off units problem.

I doubt if that is true to be honest