Staff entering the cab while train is moving

[75A]

Once had four P/W blokes in the Cab of a 73 as went north through Clayton Tunnel @ night picking up Foxhounds, as earlier in the day the local Hunt had visited.
We had a couple of 3 plank types on the back which were used for the corpses. We left these @ Three Bridges and went back 'light' to Brighton Loco.

 

[dk1]

I remember more recently a guard entering the drivers cab so he could put some passengers luggage in the driver's cab so a wheelchair user could line up properly to get off, it was a Northern 156 and the luggage was blocking the doors so the guard just opened the drivers cab let the driver know he was sticking some suitcases in and all was fine. It was actually quite a good solution to the problem.

Used to be a regular occurrence on the East Suffolk in the bad old days prior to 2019. Unbelievable to think we ran 153s on this route to a two hourly frequency.

 

[danbarjon]

Used to be a regular occurrence on the East Suffolk in the bad old days prior to 2019. Unbelievable to think we ran 153s on this route to a two hourly frequency.

I imagine those 153s used to get quite toasty!

 

[dk1]

I imagine those 153s used to get quite toasty!

Oh they were hideous. Didn’t need heaters (not that many did much) in winter as the close body contact kept all passengers warm enough.

 

[danbarjon]

Oh they were hideous. Didn’t need heaters (not that many did much) in winter as the close body contact kept all passengers warm enough.

Glad I've never had to experience a 153!

 

[Travelmonkey]

The 153s to me are like voyagers are good on their own it's just too many people use them. Although definitely wouldn't be getting a coffee on a 153 though. The drivers on the Marston Vale 150s are fueled by Starbucks, but that's a regional run,

 

[Vexed]

When I went up the West Highland Line in May this year a tourist opened the driver's cab door! They quickly shut it again...

 

[Andy Pacer]

When I went up the West Highland Line in May this year a tourist opened the driver's cab door! They quickly shut it again...

Surprised it was able to be opened without a key.

 

[DarloRich]

The drivers on the Marston Vale 150s are fueled by Starbucks,

That must be picked up from Bedford as there is nothing at Bletchley! Must explain why they are grumpy on a back working

 

[PLY2AYS]

I find it bizzare that some TOCs don’t allow others in the cab… provided they sign the route/have a pass etc.

Presumably this doesn’t extend to having a competent person for any limited visibility, inspection of the line or safety system isolation that requires accompaniment in accordance with the rules.

I was always under the impression that it was driver’s discretion… provided you could justify the necessity of course.

 

[MotCO]

Presumably this doesn’t extend to having a competent person for any limited visibility, inspection of the line or safety system isolation that requires accompaniment in accordance with the rules.

I was always under the impression that it was driver’s discretion… provided you could justify the necessity of course.

If there is poor visibility - fog, heavy rain etc - is it better to have four eyes or two?

 

[75A]

Yes, where the Fireman / Secondman etc came into their own.

 

[philthetube]

Going back around 50/55 years ago (so no risk of dropping anyone in it) I was travelling back from Preston to Colne along with 10 others on a trip organised by school, we were chatting to the driver at Preston before departing and he invited us all into the cab for the trip, can't imagine that happening now. Quite cosy in that cab.

 

[azOOOOOma]

I treat entering the cab as by invitation only. If I’m asked, I’ll (obviously) go in and if there’s a long time between stations I’ll see if they need anything by calling them. If they do want anything then I’ll obviously deliver the item, exchange pleasantries and then get out of the cab asap. I don’t want to be a distraction.

 

[43066]

I treat entering the cab as by invitation only. If I’m asked, I’ll (obviously) go in

Biggest thing for me? Please knock first. I’ll say “hello” if you can enter. Please don’t just come barging in when I’m creeping towards a red…

Every other driver on here will relate to that, I’m sure.

 

[azOOOOOma]

I’ll only go in if I’m called, if an announcement is made or if I’m delivering something that has been specifically requested.

I’m not one for popping my head in just for a natter but appreciate that others might. As you say there’s the risk of distraction as we’re nearing a red.

 

[43066]

I’ll only go in if I’m called, if an announcement is made or if I’m delivering something that has been specifically requested.

I’m not one for popping my head in just for a natter but appreciate that others might. As you say there’s the risk of distraction as we’re nearing a red.

Nobody is being called into the cab. There’s nothing wrong with making a quick cuppa, though. That’s the way traincrew get on, as a driver I make my guards and hosts tea regularly.

Are you a customer host or a TM? No disrespect, but you sound very “green”.

 

[azOOOOOma]

Newish TM.

 

[43066]

Newish TM.

They do say, if you survive in this industry for six months, you’ll be here forever. I’m ten years in, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

Welcome to the madness .

 

[LCC106]

To be fair I have called TMs into the cab, but usually if I know they’re behind me and it’s less if a distraction to relay my message in person rather than by using the handset. Most old hands are ok with this while some won’t, newbies are told it’s a definite no but a newbie recently said he didn’t want to distract me when I called him and he popped his head around the door. As a driver travelling pass I would never enter the cab unless I know they’re travelling on greens.

 

[Jimini]

To be fair I have called TMs into the cab, but usually if I know they’re behind me

I'd be concerned if they were in front of you

(Posted firmly in cheek, sorry )

 

[LCC106]

For completeness, immediately behind me rather than all the way back there! Thanks for the giggle though!

 

[Towers]

What are drivers’ thoughts on cab to cab phones ringing at inappropriate moments, i.e. when the brakes are in or if running slowly under yellows etc? Do you just ignore it, have a word with the guard about it later or happy to pick it up anyway?

I’d guess there may be some variation on this depending on TOC professional driving policies, I have to say I’m surprised at how laid back some companies are about cab access, so perhaps some drivers are pretty chilled about phones ringing too!

 

[PLY2AYS]

What are drivers’ thoughts on cab to cab phones ringing at inappropriate moments, i.e. when the brakes are in or if running slowly under yellows etc? Do you just ignore it, have a word with the guard about it later or happy to pick it up anyway?

I’d guess there may be some variation on this depending on TOC professional driving policies, I have to say I’m surprised at how laid back some companies are about cab access, so perhaps some drivers are pretty chilled about phones ringing too!

I don’t really see how this differs from the GSM-R ringing, which usually happens under restrictive aspects.
It can be off putting/catch you by surprise, but as long as you prioritise driving the train first, I don’t see either as a problem… it’s what you’re paid to deal with, unless trivial of course.

 

[LowLevel]

What are drivers’ thoughts on cab to cab phones ringing at inappropriate moments, i.e. when the brakes are in or if running slowly under yellows etc? Do you just ignore it, have a word with the guard about it later or happy to pick it up anyway?

I’d guess there may be some variation on this depending on TOC professional driving policies, I have to say I’m surprised at how laid back some companies are about cab access, so perhaps some drivers are pretty chilled about phones ringing too!

Guards are trained about only calling at an appropriate time but obviously you can't see into the cab and there might be something going on you aren't aware of.

I have some red lines myself - I don't call trainee drivers at all unless it's urgent (though occasionally instructors will ask you to call their trainees to see how they manage a simple but unexpected distraction), I don't call in complicated areas like Stockport - Castlefield or when stations are coming up or signals are clearly restrictive.

If you don't get an answer you try again later or wait for a call back.

Of course the answer is you only answer when you deem it safe to do so and to a degree the same applies to the guard - the amount of times I've had the cab to cab go off when I'm obviously hanging out of a droplight window half away along a platform and had to ignore it is quite surprising

 

[Edsmith]

Sometimes on Southeastern there's a PA announcement asking the guard to contact the driver which presumably means the guard entering the cab?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Oct 2024 ==

To be honest I sometimes wonder how drivers of some of the older DMUs cope when passengers are being loud - whether that be just from lots of people or night time drunk people, shouting kids or anything else. I get the impression the cab doors are not particularly soundproof.

Had an incident on a Thameslink train where a passenger was having an argument with someone on his phone adjacent to the drivers cab and the driver came out at the next station to speak to him about it, the passenger was very apologetic and ended the call immediately.

 

[transportphoto]

Sometimes on Southeastern there's a PA announcement asking the guard to contact the driver which presumably means the guard entering the cab?

No - trains have built in internal phones for this purpose (known as “cab to cab”.)

 

[dk1]

What are drivers’ thoughts on cab to cab phones ringing at inappropriate moments, i.e. when the brakes are in or if running slowly under yellows etc? Do you just ignore it, have a word with the guard about it later or happy to pick it up anyway?

I’d guess there may be some variation on this depending on TOC professional driving policies, I have to say I’m surprised at how laid back some companies are about cab access, so perhaps some drivers are pretty chilled about phones ringing too!

Never bothers me if I’m honest. Much of that can as I’ve said before can be put down to working RETB in the past. We learnt to multi-task and the guard was often keeping us company. Those fresh out of school these days drive in a very sterile environment. Not sure if that’s always a good thing.

 

[Tractor2018]

What are drivers’ thoughts on cab to cab phones ringing at inappropriate moments, i.e. when the brakes are in or if running slowly under yellows etc? Do you just ignore it, have a word with the guard about it later or happy to pick it up anyway?

I’d guess there may be some variation on this depending on TOC professional driving policies, I have to say I’m surprised at how laid back some companies are about cab access, so perhaps some drivers are pretty chilled about phones ringing too!

Easiest explanation for anybody not in the industry or role - drivers are savvy enough to risk assess each circumstance on its own merits.......or otherwise. And are trusted to do so.

 

[Horizon22]

What are drivers’ thoughts on cab to cab phones ringing at inappropriate moments, i.e. when the brakes are in or if running slowly under yellows etc? Do you just ignore it, have a word with the guard about it later or happy to pick it up anyway?

I’d guess there may be some variation on this depending on TOC professional driving policies, I have to say I’m surprised at how laid back some companies are about cab access, so perhaps some drivers are pretty chilled about phones ringing too!

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether you're a guard dialing on the cab-to-cab, or even a signaller/controller using a GSM-R exactly what stage of dispatch a driver is at or what the exact speed the driver is doing, or what colour signal / how far away a signal is for the driver.

I would hope all professional drivers would have strategies on being able to manage distractions and prioritise accordingly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Oct 2024 ==

Sometimes on Southeastern there's a PA announcement asking the guard to contact the driver which presumably means the guard entering the cab?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Oct 2024 ==

No probably the driver wants to talk to the guard via the cab-to-cab phone about something specific to the service (passenger alarm pulled, reason for delay/at a stand, amended stops etc.).