Newbie question

[Oliman]

Hi guys and girls.
Just started with a toc as trainee mainline driver.
I come from an accountancy background so as you can imagine this is all new to me.
I have just done my PTS and visiting a depot on Friday. Also had a run on the sims.
My question is did you guys outside of the train industry pick it up fairly quickly? Also would it be advisable to read and get ahead in the rulebook?
Got my front end turns in just over a week so should be fun.

Thanks

 

[Louby]

Hi guys and girls.
Just started with a toc as trainee mainline driver.
I come from an accountancy background so as you can imagine this is all new to me.
I have just done my PTS and visiting a depot on Friday. Also had a run on the sims.
My question is did you guys outside of the train industry pick it up fairly quickly? Also would it be advisable to read and get ahead in the rulebook?
Got my front end turns in just over a week so should be fun.

Thanks

No, keep to the course, it's structured and all you need, doesn't matter what background you come from, you all learn at the same pace

 

[Bromley boy]

Hi guys and girls.
Just started with a toc as trainee mainline driver.
I come from an accountancy background so as you can imagine this is all new to me.
I have just done my PTS and visiting a depot on Friday. Also had a run on the sims.
My question is did you guys outside of the train industry pick it up fairly quickly? Also would it be advisable to read and get ahead in the rulebook?
Got my front end turns in just over a week so should be fun.

Thanks

I would advise against reading ahead. The course very is structured in the way it is delivered, each stage building on the last, so reading ahead would probably be more of a hinderance than a help.

Like you I came from outside the industry with zero knowledge. I wouldn't say the rules/traction phase is particularly difficult but it isn't intuitive and does need to be "learned". It can be intense in places but generally the pace is pretty sensible and you should have plenty of time for consolidation/revision as you go along.

 

[Shunter_69]

You are doing fine so far so don't get too stressed by it all just yet. There is plenty to learn but as stated above it's structured for a reason.

 

[Economist]

I came in as an external and have managed to all Rules and Traction assessments on the first attempt, currently out with an Instructor building up my driving hours.

As has been said, avoid reading ahead, ideally you should spend time each evening revising the things you have already been taught. Having a good revision sechdule is really important since whilst a lot lf the information you'll learn is fairly straightforward, the volume of it is immense. I'd say 1-2 hours a night should be enough.

 

[Steam]

I came in as an external and have managed to all Rules and Traction assessments on the first attempt, currently out with an Instructor building up my driving hours.

As has been said, avoid reading ahead, ideally you should spend time each evening revising the things you have already been taught. Having a good revision sechdule is really important since whilst a lot lf the information you'll learn is fairly straightforward, the volume of it is immense. I'd say 1-2 hours a night should be enough.

This.

Revision is absolute key to becoming a qualified driver. I've recently qualified as a main line driver for Leeds and I was external and completely new to the Railway. Take each day as it comes and put in the work and you'll be fine.

From PTS onwards the course ramps up and doesn't really let go of you until you pass your Modual 7 exam, but don't let the course phase you out or make you believe that you can't get passed it - you can.

Take it from me, make it easier on yourself and spend at least an hour each night cementing what you had learnt that day but take the weekends off.

 

[Oliman]

Thanks guys for the information. Helped alot. Surprised how much i am learning and remembering. I will be doing the 1-2 hrs revision a night so it gets ingrained in my memory.

 

[DunfordBridge]

Hi guys and girls.
Just started with a toc as trainee mainline driver.
I come from an accountancy background so as you can imagine this is all new to me.
I have just done my PTS and visiting a depot on Friday. Also had a run on the sims.
My question is did you guys outside of the train industry pick it up fairly quickly? Also would it be advisable to read and get ahead in the rulebook?
Got my front end turns in just over a week so should be fun.

Thanks

I am not a professional railway man but if it was me, I would be getting it clear in my mind what is meant by such terms as underbridge, Overbridge, trailing points, facing points and also 'in advance of ' and 'in rear of'. The latter two terms usually used in reference to signals amongst other line features.

Be inclined also to do a bit of route learning, be it cab ride DVDs or as a passenger, maybe a bit of both because the passenger has a different viewpoint to a driver.

Different routes have different characters; I know of one route in Leeds where you are bombarded by Overbridges with signals and speed limits interspersed at different points. Then you can get those Overbridges where someone has plonked a signal behind them which is not always good for sightting.

Give you a good chance on your front end turns to ask your instructor where the signals of difficult sighting are as well as areas of low rail head adhesion.

 

[ComUtoR]

I am not a professional railway man but if it was me, I would be getting it clear in my mind what is meant by such terms as underbridge, Overbridge, trailing points, facing points and also 'in advance of ' and 'in rear of'. The latter two terms usually used in reference to signals amongst other line features.

In the rear and in advance aren't used any more. They were considered out dated and confusing.

I also wouldn't do route learning till its required and you are out with your Instructor. It is just as detrimental at times.

 

[DunfordBridge]

In the rear and in advance aren't used any more. They were considered out dated and confusing.

I take it would just use plain English, saying something like, "The trespasser is between signals Yankee 242 and Yankee 246 on the up line."

I also wouldn't do route learning till its required and you are out with your Instructor. It is just as detrimental at times.

Not quite seeing this one. I would have thought it would be information overload trying to remember the location of signals, speed restrictions, bends and gradients on any stretch of line; something you would absorb by repetition.

I appreciate it is possible to lose your bearings at certain points and confuse certain features with the possibility of relaying the wrong information. Not all routes have plentiful mile markers.

 

[Bromley boy]

Be inclined also to do a bit of route learning, be it cab ride DVDs or as a passenger, maybe a bit of both because the passenger has a different viewpoint to a driver.

Definitely not. I'm sure this is meant to be helpful but I'm afraid it really isn't good advice at all.

You can't do route learning from the passenger saloon. You also certainly can't just rock up and expect cab rides, you need a cab pass in order to be allowed into a cab unless you are qualified driver.

OP, it sounds like you have the right idea. Focus on the course as if comes. Worry about route learning as and when you are out with your DI.

 

[ComUtoR]

Not quite seeing this one. I would have thought it would be information overload trying to remember the location of signals, speed restrictions, bends and gradients on any stretch of line; something you would absorb by repetition.

That's half my point. You are already on the course and learning. Stuffing your head with more information and often stuff that isn't required is detrimental. So avoid it. Ergo. DONT go out route learning. You will absorb it by repetition and with much more context. Again, this is why you do it when under instruction.

Both points you raise go against learning the route.

I appreciate it is possible to lose your bearings at certain points and confuse certain features with the possibility of relaying the wrong information.

You would be surprised how much miss information you get given while casually route learning. Its best to leave it to the professionals. IE. Your Instructor. That way you have consistent and reliable information, in context and as a pace where your learning and development is closely monitored.

Not all routes have plentiful mile markers.

Not used a mile marker for a long while. It's generally not something we drive with (at least at my TOC)

 

[VWCampervanman]

In the rear and in advance aren't used any more. They were considered out dated and confusing.

We where still being taught this a few months ago at the school. I agree though it is confusing .

I was also agree that learn what you are taught as you are taught it, people have come unstuck by sourcing information from other sources that are not correct for your particular TOC.

Trust me, you will have enough to keep your brain 100% active with out trying to get ahead.

 

[Bromley boy]

We where still being taught this a few months ago at the school. I agree though it is confusing .

We were taught the original meanings have now swapped round. Apparently "in rear" of a signal used to mean "beyond it", from the driver's perspective. So if you stopped at a red you would be "in advance" of it - very counter intuitive!

These days "in advance/in rear" works as seen from the driver's perspective so if you stop at a red you will have stopped "in rear" of it, if you stop beyond the signal you are "in advance" of it.

Agreed it's archaic and confusing and I've not heard it used on the radio by signallers in the real world.

 

[Louby]

I am not a professional railway man but if it was me, I would be getting it clear in my mind what is meant by such terms as underbridge, Overbridge, trailing points, facing points and also 'in advance of ' and 'in rear of'. The latter two terms usually used in reference to signals amongst other line features.

Be inclined also to do a bit of route learning, be it cab ride DVDs or as a passenger, maybe a bit of both because the passenger has a different viewpoint to a driver.

Different routes have different characters; I know of one route in Leeds where you are bombarded by Overbridges with signals and speed limits interspersed at different points. Then you can get those Overbridges where someone has plonked a signal behind them which is not always good for sightting.

Give you a good chance on your front end turns to ask your instructor where the signals of difficult sighting are as well as areas of low rail head adhesion.

I'm road learning Leeds now! Bridge .... Bridge...

 

[DunfordBridge]

I'm road learning Leeds now! Bridge .... Bridge...??????

Route that springs to my mind is the line to Methley Junction before you get to Stourton with all the slip roads overhead. Never used to be like that.

 

[DunfordBridge]

You can't do route learning from the passenger saloon. You also certainly can't just rock up and expect cab rides, you need a cab pass in order to be allowed into a cab unless you are qualified driver.

Not the complete picture granted but if you have got time on your hands, it is better than nothing. At least it gets me thinking about the route.