Right so I'm interested in becoming a train driver and have read a lot of the info that is on here. One question I cannot find an answer to is whether it's good to mention experience of train driving on computer sims? I feel good experience of trains from driving on there, is it to mention this or will it go against me. Many thanks
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Sim driving
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Cherry_Picker
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Do you mean Railworks or a proper simulator? I mean, I can get a car around the Nurburgring in eight minutes on my Playstation, but I dont think it would land me a job with the Honda touring car team. It's a thing to mention in passing at most imo.
**edit**
To clarify my point, a successful applicant is going to be taught how to drive a train anyway. The TOC arent going to let you miss a few weeks training because you took a 165 into Paddington on your laptop without losing time or missing a stop, so "experience" on that front isn't an advantage at all. I would even argue making a big deal out of this thing (or at least basing an entire application on it) is counter productive, as you might be seen as being somebody who thinks they know it all and those type of folk tend to get avoided like the plague when it comes to giving out jobs.
**edit**
To clarify my point, a successful applicant is going to be taught how to drive a train anyway. The TOC arent going to let you miss a few weeks training because you took a 165 into Paddington on your laptop without losing time or missing a stop, so "experience" on that front isn't an advantage at all. I would even argue making a big deal out of this thing (or at least basing an entire application on it) is counter productive, as you might be seen as being somebody who thinks they know it all and those type of folk tend to get avoided like the plague when it comes to giving out jobs.
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Harbon 1
Member
I suppose all it would help with is having to skip the part where they tell you which lever does what 
It's slight experience, but they act very differently to the real world, which is a shame
It's slight experience, but they act very differently to the real world, which is a shame
notadriver
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I was showing people a real simulator. They all struggled to get to grips with the controls and acknowledging warning sounds. One even told me he had driven a train before and still struggled. Would an experienced person who plays railway games have done any better?
I don't see why not, a home based simulator is good enough to provide a very basic knowledge of control and warning systems. However, the home based simulator can only give a tiny fraction of what is required in the real world and its arguable whether it is worth mentioning as part of an application.
Let's not forget, Scotrail used Train Simulator 2012 as a very basic form of training on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line last year and also commissioned a more professional version of the original Railworks to again provide basic training on what was to be the Airport Rail Link.
We use simulators as part of driver development days for practicing out of course situations that are very rarely (if ever) encountered during the normal working week, such as single line or temporary block working. They're very good for that sort of thing. But that's about as far as their usefulness goes, 'driving' a sim is very little like the real thing.
I think it would be best not to mention it - after all, when being interviewed for a trainee driver position, one area you are not expected to have experience in is train driving. I would stick to emphasising the transferable skills that the interviewer will be looking for - safety critical working, dealing with emergency situations, working alone, shift work etc.
I think it would be best not to mention it - after all, when being interviewed for a trainee driver position, one area you are not expected to have experience in is train driving. I would stick to emphasising the transferable skills that the interviewer will be looking for - safety critical working, dealing with emergency situations, working alone, shift work etc.
I suspect you are right. I also suspect that saying you have experience "driving trains" on what is effectively a game will get you laughed out of any potential interviews/jobs.
Yup if you get through then start your training with a completely clear mind of you no nothing. They will teach you from the basics all the way through to the more complex stuff!
No I wouldn't say that. I would say that they would shy away from someone who says they have driven trains on their computer at home so can def drive them for real. like another post said just because you have driven the nurberghring into 8 mins on the playstation doesn't mean you can do it in real life!
notadriver
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You have the skill to tell real train drivers you know how easy their job is as you've done it on a simulator game. (The other bus/coach drivers i work with tell me that all the time)
Haha although the 379 drivers I had a chat with at Stansted airport mentioned how someone 'a little worse for wear' had thrown up and he had to clean up what was coming under the cab door! Not sure that's simulated, neither is the drivers job of having to chuck them off! Haha
londonarnold
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The TOC will invite you to do a written assessment, I did another at OOC in September, they will find out your aptitude, skills an weaknesses etc from the test, mine was an hour long - the tests I did with BR in 1986 were much more extensive
I would put it down in your CV, 'Hobbies and Interests', Computers, Railway, Computer based Train Simulation, but much more important to have interests away from the job, Sports, gym, reading, Music, Clubs and societies away from Trains etc....
When I joined BR the first thing they told us was "If any of you are train sports we don't want you" so few of us 16 year olds in a panic, then a more senior gentleman informed us that "Anyone who is anyone on the Railway is a Trainspotter"....
Turned out to be true, it's hard unsocial work with a high staff turnover, if you are fit and capable they should employ you - keep trying - apply to loads of TOCs, not just as a driver get in at any level, even carriage cleaning, then work/charm your way into training for more skilled stuff.
Ben
I would put it down in your CV, 'Hobbies and Interests', Computers, Railway, Computer based Train Simulation, but much more important to have interests away from the job, Sports, gym, reading, Music, Clubs and societies away from Trains etc....
When I joined BR the first thing they told us was "If any of you are train sports we don't want you" so few of us 16 year olds in a panic, then a more senior gentleman informed us that "Anyone who is anyone on the Railway is a Trainspotter"....
Turned out to be true, it's hard unsocial work with a high staff turnover, if you are fit and capable they should employ you - keep trying - apply to loads of TOCs, not just as a driver get in at any level, even carriage cleaning, then work/charm your way into training for more skilled stuff.
Ben
Lanc688
Member
Hi mate.....I do admire the enthusiasm, however as someone who likes to stand proudly in front of his B707 at airshows, I can assure you that those persons who claim to have 2000 hours of Flight Sim 2000 on the aircraft that I have spent years learning to operate.....earns them a very special name !
I wouldn't....that's all....in the nicest possible way!
Good luck in your quest !
Regards
Lanc
You fly the 707? Nice! Fancy swapping it for the king air I currently occupy?
Train simulator games are a virtual model railway.
A heck of a lot of us that work in the industry are enthusiasts; for example, I drive half the length of the country to drive steam locos pretty regularly. Some of my managers are out photting anything unusual, if they get the chance. Some of my colleagues are also heavily involved in diesel preservation.
Train simulators have their place; mainly in the accurate 3d representation of closed routes. As for driving, they are about as relevant as a Hornby trainset. If you want to quote hobbies during a train driving interview, think in terms of those that show you can get out of bed in the morning, learn skills or take on responsibility.
Lanc688
Member
King Air.....Hah, Iv'e got 3000 hours on that Flight Sim (Sorry ....humour).
No......I'm only a humble FE (2nd Officer whatever you want to call it), but I tell you...it's still a little unnerving when those who claim to have 'nailed' it already on the Flight sim give you their sales pitch.
I do have a train set though....I wonder if that will help !
Best Regards
Lanc
notadriver
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So are you actually qualified to fly the aircraft like the First Officer is Lanc?
King Air.....Hah, Iv'e got 3000 hours on that Flight Sim (Sorry ....humour).
No......I'm only a humble FE (2nd Officer whatever you want to call it), but I tell you...it's still a little unnerving when those who claim to have 'nailed' it already on the Flight sim give you their sales pitch.
I do have a train set though....I wonder if that will help !
Best Regards
Lanc
We've probably met at Fairford then! Very cool. I'm assuming you're RAF to still be on those beasts? Presumably the E3? Or are you one of the lucky ones operating a private one?
Haha I know what you mean! You've just started training with a TOC haven't you?
Don't know how you work on preserved railway as well mate. I used to be involved in a heritage railway before becoming a driver but gave it up due to a conflict of interest and not wanting to drive trains for a hobby as well as a job!
I used to enjoy playing with the train sims and used to be quite good at Brighton main line. I now work for real railway and one day went back to having ago, all i could think was, that point is not there, that junction is all wrong, wrong speed limit, that signals wrong.
So, dont mention it, it wont get you anywhere.
Once you have joined and are qualified in what you do, you will meet people in the mess room, some hate trains, for many its just a job, and you will also meet some 'chuffer nuts'.
But sitting at the drivers table in the mess room and saying, I like to drive trains on the my computer will only get you a clear table.
SJ
So, dont mention it, it wont get you anywhere.
Once you have joined and are qualified in what you do, you will meet people in the mess room, some hate trains, for many its just a job, and you will also meet some 'chuffer nuts'.
But sitting at the drivers table in the mess room and saying, I like to drive trains on the my computer will only get you a clear table.
SJ
ert47
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sarahj:1296690 said:I used to enjoy playing with the train sims and used to be quite good at Brighton main line. I now work for real railway and one day went back to having ago, all i could think was, that point is not there, that junction is all wrong, wrong speed limit, that signals wrong.
So, dont mention it, it wont get you anywhere.
Once you have joined and are qualified in what you do, you will meet people in the mess room, some hate trains, for many its just a job, and you will also meet some 'chuffer nuts'.
But sitting at the drivers table in the mess room and saying, I like to drive trains on the my computer will only get you a clear table.
SJ
I was about to say the only thing that a train sim could help with is learning line speeds and stuff, but I guess that depends on how accurate the modelling is..
notadriver
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There are proper route learning DVDs for that which are up to date and accurate.
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