Physical Needs Breaks

[ainsworth74]

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.

Hmm interesting, I always wondered what was in 'the nose' on locos like Deltics. Thanks for sharing!

 

[scotsman]

Hmm interesting, I always wondered what was in 'the nose' on locos like Deltics. Thanks for sharing!

I've peered through from cabs a few times, but never spotted one. I'm assuming it's a wee metal semi-bucket thing, not a fully plumbed piece of ceramic!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I've peered through from cabs a few times, but never spotted one. I'm assuming it's a wee metal semi-bucket thing, not a fully plumbed piece of ceramic!

Close, but a bucket has a base.

 

[WL113]

Drivers can stop at any time they require a physical need break. Unfortunately, due to the separation of the toc/foc facilities, we have seen drivers refused admission to buildings because they work for a company other than that which claims ownership of the facilities. Instead, the drivers are reduced to taking their break wherever they can, this includes signalboxes, at the discretion of the signalman. They have no such predjudices.

 

[Hydro]

Drivers can stop at any time they require a physical need break. Unfortunately, due to the separation of the toc/foc facilities, we have seen drivers refused admission to buildings because they work for a company other than that which claims ownership of the facilities. Instead, the drivers are reduced to taking their break wherever they can, this includes signalboxes, at the discretion of the signalman. They have no such predjudices.

In this vein I should like to commend the blokes at Bradford Interchange who allowed the NR crew to use their facilities after the prehistoric toilet on one of test trains decided to break only after the mornings tea had been drunk.

 

[Scotrail84]

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

47s used to have pot to pish in, in one of the cabs

 

[Zoe]

This is only useful though if the driver is male.

 

[EPB on Tour]

This is only useful though if the driver is male.

A couple of the girlie drivers I have worked with have had rather unique ways of getting round this problem I can assure you !

 

[driver9000]

This is only useful though if the driver is male.

In the days these locomotives were being built, female drivers were unheard of so their needs on the footplate weren't considered. These days where we have female drivers on the network a locomotive being fitted with a urinal wouldn't even be considered...I don't even think locomotives are built with them anymore.

 

[Maxfly]

Receptacle for the golden dew on a 37 can been seen here
http://www.englishelectricpreservation.co.uk/category/image-galleries/d6709-37009-37340/restoration-progress-during-2006

 

[Dolive22]

I would certainly hope drivers would be encouraged to stop rather than be distracted. I expect they are very strongly encouraged to stop nowadays, with the new corporate manslaughter laws.

As to female drivers, I believe there is something called a she-wee, which is essentially cone, collapsible to flat for storage, and disposable. Some forms end in a pouch filled with crystals that swell and absorb miosture. A similar peice of equipment is available for males.

 

[Flywaver]

Well Stansted to Birmingham is a long run and naturally i have a cupflask and another to keep water hot. So ill always need a pee and im fotunate enough relying on the bigger stations and recovery time. Otherwise ill keep fingers crossed for a red light en route...
Used to have to have Urinals on Locos i worked on. MUs are so anti Driver...

 

[ChrisCooper]

Reading this, especially when getting onto female drivers need, reminds me of an episode of "On the Buses" where Blakey decides to recruit women drivers in in the hope they will show the men a thing or two, and in revenge, amongst other things, the men put diuretics in the ladies tea, causing them to require very regular needs breaks and ruining the service. IIRC they give Blakey one too.

 

[Flamingo]

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

Better than a nappy, or a catheter bag!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It's always amusing to give a driver several large cups of tea over a long run, then watch them run back from the cab at Reading

 

[Dolive22]

Better than a nappy, or a catheter bag!

Your concern about a catheter is the bag? I'd be more worried about the external diameter of the catheter itself.

 

[quarella]

Reading this, especially when getting onto female drivers need, reminds me of an episode of "On the Buses" where Blakey decides to recruit women drivers in in the hope they will show the men a thing or two, and in revenge, amongst other things, the men put diuretics in the ladies tea, causing them to require very regular needs breaks and ruining the service. IIRC they give Blakey one too.

Bus drivers' hours permit up to five and a half hours between breaks and toilet facilities are often lacking.

 

[deltic1989]

ok so we have covered in great detail drivers needs in the p*ss department, so how do they cope with the need to erm........how to put this politely,................ take a dump?

 

[Legzr1]

Used Asda carrier bag?

Recycling at it's best

 

[Flamingo]

Go behind a bush with a shovel...

 

[Zoe]

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.

Couldn't the driver request a stop at Doncaster or Retford so they can use the toilet?

 

[Safety365]

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.

Epsoms, Dorkings, Guilfords, Tats and Cats...?

 

[pendolino]

Epsoms, Dorkings, Guilfords, Tats and Cats...?

I was thinking more of 3 x South Londons with 5 mins turnaround time at each end (if you're lucky) = 3 hours driving, pretty much continuously, with no chance of getting to use the loo. Then straight onto something like a Tattenham or Dorking, yes.

 

[Failed Unit]

Couldn't the driver request a stop at Doncaster or Retford so they can use the toilet?

I don't know? I guess the driver could contact control to make the request. Don't know how quickly it could be sorted or if it is better to cross the legs and hope for Newark. Either that or stop at a level crossing and use the crossing keepers (if the still exist)

 

[TEW]

The driver would have to stop the train to contact control in the first place though. In the time spent doing that he could probably have found a toilet and used it.

 

[wintonian]

Epsoms, Dorkings, Guilfords, Tats and Cats...?

Where would you go (no 1or 2) if you were doing the Far North line for example?

and yes there is plenty of countryside, but not a lot of bushes if IIRC.

 

[LE Greys]

You think this is bad? Ever tried a long transit flight in a single-seat aircraft (especially with in-flight refuelling)? It generally involves a gadget called a "relief tube".

 

[SqUaShIe P]

Ah, this thread is too funny. There should be a 'like' button for peoples posts.

I was working a 321 set on day because my hauled set decided to deconfigure. I got into the rear cab and there was a strong smell of urine. I told my driver about it and he explained that some drivers pee into the screen wash bottle/tank thingy (its behind a cupboard door kinda under the desk)

 

[Zoe]

The driver would have to stop the train to contact control in the first place though. In the time spent doing that he could probably have found a toilet and used it.

Are you not allowed to use NRN when on the move then?

 

[Kneedown]

Are you not allowed to use NRN when on the move then?

Yes you are, although i personally would make the stop, do what i had to do, and then phone in. When you gotta go, you gotta go, although, touch wood, i've not had to stop out of course yet.

 

[Failed Unit]

You need bigger signal post to hide behind (if you are male)