Southern Routes and Traction

[SlamDoor]

Hi Guys,

So as many of you know, I am due to start training with Southern soon.

As part of my job I am required to know al of the routes that Southern operate on, including all stops. Does anyone have a link to this information?

Also, what will learning traction involve?

Cheers

 

[Daniel]

http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/network-map/ =/

 

[CarterUSM]

Learning traction will involve you becoming familiar with the operation of the units you will be working on. This will include, location of pass-coms, egress handles, emergency cupboard and emergency brake lever. Notwithstanding, the door control panels, air conditioning/heating, micro circuit breakers and the like. Also, the procedure for locking doors and coaches out of use, how many units may run in multiple in passenger service/empty coaches, maximum speed of unit and emergency uncoupling. This is not a definitive list, but a lot of what you should expect. I'm surprised that you will be expected to learn EVERY route that Southern run over, are you sure about that? I'd expect it to be a depot specific thing as that's a LOT of route miles.

 

[SlamDoor]

Thanks guys,

There is definitely a lot to learn, but I am looking forward to the challenge!

With regards to the routs, I dont know the exact number of routs that I will have to learn, so I may stand corrected on that!

Any more relevant info would be much appreciated!

Thanks

 

[hello]

well what depot are you going to be based at, and what job are you going to be doing

 

[O L Leigh]

Don't sweat it. They will teach you everything you could possibly need to know in order to do your job.

O L Leigh

 

[CarterUSM]

Yes, relax my man, everything will be great, it'll be very interesting and enjoyable also, make the most of the Monday to Friday whilst it lasts too. incidently, where do southern carry out their training?

 

[SlamDoor]

Yes, relax my man, everything will be great, it'll be very interesting and enjoyable also, make the most of the Monday to Friday whilst it lasts too. incidently, where do southern carry out their training?

I will be based at Barnham, (to answer earlier question!), but for the first few weeks I have to go to East Croydon every day.

Shifts are certainly going to be interesting as I have not had to work shifts before, but I can also see benefits to them as well!!

 

[Pumbaa]

Barnham sign West Coastway to Soton and Portsmouth from Brighton, Littlehampton, Bognor and up the Arundel to Horsham. Not sure if they sign on further, but I'd imagine they do all up to Victoria.

 

[westcoaster]

i can confirm barnham drivers do go to vic.

 

[anonymous0101]

Learning traction will involve you becoming familiar with the operation of the units you will be working on. This will include, location of pass-coms, egress handles, emergency cupboard and emergency brake lever. Notwithstanding, the door control panels, air conditioning/heating, micro circuit breakers and the like. Also, the procedure for locking doors and coaches out of use, how many units may run in multiple in passenger service/empty coaches, maximum speed of unit and emergency uncoupling. This is not a definitive list, but a lot of what you should expect. I'm surprised that you will be expected to learn EVERY route that Southern run over, are you sure about that? I'd expect it to be a depot specific thing as that's a LOT of route miles.

Are Southern Conductors required to know how to do emergency uncoupling? I thought the driver did the air conditioning and heating. As for how many units can run in multiple in passenger service or empty again I thought that was down to the driver not the conductor as well? Is it important for a conductor to know the maximum speed of the unit?

 

[CarterUSM]

I do not know exactly what southern conductors are required to know, but when I done my guards training, and my traction training I had to learn all these things. Not only do you need to know the max speed of the unit, but you should also know ALL speed restrictions, emergency, temporary and permanent, for ALL the routes you work over.

 

[francisoldfield]

hi, you said that you are going to Barnham..

Do you mind if I ask when did you apply for the position and also did you work for Southern to start with?

I only ask as from the day I submitted the application to today has been about 19 months and in that time I have only been told that I have been sucessful at application stage... I keep trying to get an idea from Southern about what the time frame is going to be but they say things along the line of we dont really know...

many thanks

 

[TDK]

I do not know exactly what southern conductors are required to know, but when I done my guards training, and my traction training I had to learn all these things. Not only do you need to know the max speed of the unit, but you should also know ALL speed restrictions, emergency, temporary and permanent, for ALL the routes you work over.

As a guard you only need to know the maximum line speed of the line you are on not all speeds, you do not need to learn all ESR or TSR speeds as these are published in either the late notice case or weekly operating notices, I think you are refering to drivers route knowledge that is probably 75% more than a guard needs to know.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Are Southern Conductors required to know how to do emergency uncoupling? I thought the driver did the air conditioning and heating. As for how many units can run in multiple in passenger service or empty again I thought that was down to the driver not the conductor as well? Is it important for a conductor to know the maximum speed of the unit?

It is important if say the timings are for a 100mph unit and you are in a 75mph unit!

 

[anonymous0101]

As a guard you only need to know the maximum line speed of the line you are on not all speeds, you do not need to learn all ESR or TSR speeds as these are published in either the late notice case or weekly operating notices, I think you are refering to drivers route knowledge that is probably 75% more than a guard needs to know.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It is important if say the timings are for a 100mph unit and you are in a 75mph unit!

I suppose so. For a while 75 mph Class 465s were substituted for the usual 100 mph 375s on the Broadstairs to Cannon Street route and it didnt make one bit of difference timingswise

 

[navydavy1968]

I will be based at Barnham

Hi mate, and congrats on the latest news. Can I ask if you've had experience in the rail industry already? Cheers

 

[CarterUSM]

Oh sorry TDK, the late notice case is not for my eyes then? I have to confirm any emergency speed restrictions with my driver as well as station stops before setting off. You're right about my route knowledge now though, it has been reduced from exactly the same as a drivers to that of a mere mortal.

 

[SlamDoor]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the info.

So to answer a couple of questions, I applied for this position in February...so a reasonably long recruitment process, but not as long as 18 months!!

And secondly, I have no previous work experience in the industry! Cant wait to start though!

Received my contract through the post today - makes for interesting reading!

Can anyone who is currently a Southern Conductor send me a quick PM, i have a couple of specific questions that would probably be best dealt with through a PM...cheers

 

[TDK]

I suppose so. For a while 75 mph Class 465s were substituted for the usual 100 mph 375s on the Broadstairs to Cannon Street route and it didnt make one bit of difference timingswise

It would if it was the other way around, a 75mph unit running a 100mph unit timetable.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Oh sorry TDK, the late notice case is not for my eyes then? I have to confirm any emergency speed restrictions with my driver as well as station stops before setting off. You're right about my route knowledge now though, it has been reduced from exactly the same as a drivers to that of a mere mortal.

I wasn't being patronising, correct regarding the late notice case, this is for drivers and all operational train crew, you will certainly need to know about single line working if it was in there, I was referring that a new entrant would not need to "learn" the ESR's orPSR's as they are published and not permanent.It is a shame that the responsibility has been or is being taken away from the guards but unfortunately this is life. I also think that this new fellow needs to just go and do the course and not ask current train crew to PM him, this could lead to missunderstanding in training.

 

[anonymous0101]

Sorry for the misunderstanding but thats what i meant. The class 465 (75 mph max) was running to class 375 (100 mph). As we stopped a lot it didnt seem to make much difference!
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