Physical Needs Breaks

[Zoe]

If a train is on a long non-stop run and the driver needs to go to the toilet, can the train be stopped at a station for this? In the case of an MU it wouldn't need to be at a station as they could stop the train and use one of the toilets on the train but this wouldn't be an option for a loco hauled train.

 

[Failed Unit]

Interesting question now East Coast are going to run non-stop from Newcastle -. London in 2h40. I guess the driver will be relieving at Newcastle on not drinking much water. I think they would be in lots of trouble making an emergency stop at Newark! Saying that most people can do 3hours.

 

[Kingfisher200262]

Most Chinese freight locomotives are equipped with a small airline type vacuum toilet in a small vestibule behind the driving cab, but of course the gauge is bigger, there's more space and, in general journey distances are greater than in the UK.

This must be a real issue at times, and I'm sure terms and conditions must allow for extraordinary stops for such reasons.

 

[Matt Taylor]

I think that crews would be expected to organise themselves around this, I doubt any driver or TM would want to have to account for the delay minutes that would accrue.

 

[TDK]

If a train is on a long non-stop run and the driver needs to go to the toilet, can the train be stopped at a station for this? In the case of an MU it wouldn't need to be at a station as they could stop the train and use one of the toilets on the train but this wouldn't be an option for a loco hauled train.

Yes, I used to do a 4 hour run from Wrexham to London and if I needed a pee I would stop the train at the nearest possible location - I have had kidney stones before and that is the most pain I have ever had and don't intend getting it again
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I think that crews would be expected to organise themselves around this, I doubt any driver or TM would want to have to account for the delay minutes that would accrue.

I have accounted for delay minutes before for a pee or whatever and never had any come backs - management wouldn't dare try

 

[driver9000]

The Physical needs break or PNB is the meal break on a drivers diagram although other companies may show it differently. On long duties an additional 'needs break' is included in the diagram in addition to the PNB although I'm quite fortunate that my trains carry a toilet around with them. If for whatever reason it wasn't available I wouldn't hesitate to stop the train to answer natures call.

If I know I'm going to be in the seat for any length of time without realistic access to the toilet, I always use it before I take charge of a train. Many locomotives built during BR days had a urinal located within the equipment room.

 

[Dr.iver]

If a train is on a long non-stop run and the driver needs to go to the toilet, can the train be stopped at a station for this? In the case of an MU it wouldn't need to be at a station as they could stop the train and use one of the toilets on the train but this wouldn't be an option for a loco hauled train.

Its called an emergency PNB and the only time you would be questioned is if you took them consistently ie every day

 

[RPM]

If you need a pee, you need a pee. There's no way you could get into trouble for that. Management would prefer you to cause a couple of minutes delay than continue driving with the continual distraction of desparately needing to urinate.
To put it another way, if you missed a station or had some similar incident and you cited needing the toilet as a contributing factor the very first thing you would be asked is why the hell you didn't stop and have one!

 

[GearJammer]

Can't you just pull into a siding, get out, and pee against the first wagon or coach your pulling? :P

 

[Hydro]

Judging by the amount of 500ml bottles I've seen in the cess with "suspect" liquid sitting in the bottom 2 inches, then I suspect there has been some ingenuity shown somewhere

 

[scotsman]

If I know I'm going to be in the seat for any length of time without realistic access to the toilet, I always use it before I take charge of a train. Many locomotives built during BR days had a urinal located within the equipment room.

Really? Which ones? Any pictures? (if that doesn't sound slightly odd!)

 

[pendolino]

If a train is on a long non-stop run and the driver needs to go to the toilet, can the train be stopped at a station for this? In the case of an MU it wouldn't need to be at a station as they could stop the train and use one of the toilets on the train but this wouldn't be an option for a loco hauled train.

It's not just non-stop runs - there are some turns at my TOC where you could be doing around 4 hours with no time to nip to the loo when changing ends, this on something like a 455 or 456 with no toilet.

 

[strange6]

The Physical needs break or PNB is the meal break on a drivers diagram although other companies may show it differently. On long duties an additional 'needs break' is included in the diagram in addition to the PNB although I'm quite fortunate that my trains carry a toilet around with them. If for whatever reason it wasn't available I wouldn't hesitate to stop the train to answer natures call.

If I know I'm going to be in the seat for any length of time without realistic access to the toilet, I always use it before I take charge of a train. Many locomotives built during BR days had a urinal located within the equipment room.

Can you not carry a wide bored bottle around with you and just pee into that when stopped at a minor station? The cab is blacked out from the passengers anyway?

 

[Flamingo]

I have seen a memo warning drivers to stop using the engine sump of HST's as a toilet...

 

[pendolino]

Can you not carry a wide bored bottle around with you and just pee into that when stopped at a minor station? The cab is blacked out from the passengers anyway?

Why should a driver have to do that? Not exactly dignified is it?

 

[driver9000]

Really? Which ones? Any pictures? (if that doesn't sound slightly odd!)

I don't have any photos I'm afraid but classes 37,44-46,47 and 81-85 among others had them....they are shown on the loco layouts in the traction manuals too. The urinal was usually in the 'clean air' end of the locomotive.

 

[strange6]

Why should a driver have to do that? Not exactly dignified is it?

LOL Here we have people taking me seriously again hahahaha

 

[Hydro]

LOL Here we have people taking me seriously again hahahaha

I refer you to this:

Judging by the amount of 500ml bottles I've seen in the cess with "suspect" liquid sitting in the bottom 2 inches, then I suspect there has been some ingenuity shown somewhere

 

[strange6]

I refer you to this:

Probably just old orange juice or lemon tea

 

[Hydro]

Probably just old orange juice or lemon tea

I can assure you it was ****. There can't have been that many drivers fond of lemon tea in Oasis bottles, and the PWay certainly just aren't that civilised.

 

[driver9000]

Plenty of Tomato plants growing next to railway lines too. Products of the....er.....other need.

 

[strange6]

Plenty of Tomato plants growing next to railway lines too. Products of the....er.....other need.

Well, sh*t happens!

 

[Tufty]

Really? Which ones? Any pictures? (if that doesn't sound slightly odd!)

I think some of the English Electric loco's had loo's in the front nose. Not sure, but one of them may be the Deltics??I hope somebody can confirm.

 

[Failed Unit]

I can imagine that York - London is tough if you are non- stop as Retford and Doncaster you can't stop near a platform if you wanted to.

 

[MCR247]

Its funny because before this thread I'd never thought about it before...

 

[Maxfly]

There is a pic of a urinal inside a 37 somewhere, one that is being restored. I think it is the English Electric preservation society/group or something?!?!

I know some drivers literally **** into the wind, door open and drain the vein

 

[Fred26]

I've known drivers to fill a bottle. They do what they need to do, I suppose...

 

[Kneedown]

I can assure you it was ****.

Very distinctive taste then?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I think some of the English Electric loco's had loo's in the front nose. Not sure, but one of them may be the Deltics??I hope somebody can confirm.

Yes. You could step down from either cab in a Deltic into 'the nose' where there was a fully flushing toilet, washbasin, jacuzzi, kitchen hob, fridge, prepping surface and reclining armchair on carpeted floor.

Okay. Most of that is untrue. But there was a simple toilet.

 

[Hydro]

Very distinctive taste then?

Very sweet, concurrent with the consumption of railwaymans tea. Had a nose of dried wheat about it, and a certain hint of diesel. Matured for about two years in a southerly facing cess; definite hint of briney air there too. I would say...Freightliner driver, origin Southampton.