Train cab rides

[GodAtum]

Obviously the drivers cab is out of bounds to most people due to safety and security concerns but how about the rear cab of a train? Or even a cab in the middle of a stock?

 

[Buttsy]

Cabbed a lot of locos back in the 80s, including 40 012. Also got a few good cab rides into teh down carriage sidings at Oxford & back into the platform (mainly 47s and HSTs - I was never a fan of the 50s)

 

[Harbon 1]

If the front is out of bounds, I see no reason why the back shouldn't be. Although back in the day my dad's friend got a rear cab of a 50 (completely opposite to Buttsy ) while it was running round, and the driver just told him not to touch anything...

 

[tsr]

Obviously the drivers cab is out of bounds to most people due to safety and security concerns but how about the rear cab of a train? Or even a cab in the middle of a stock?

A-Stock... yes, that stock which LU no longer use*. But other than that... the rear cab contains some equipment which could result in either great annoyance or danger (or both) if it is tampered with. Also, the rear cab of some units is the abode of a guard, and thus likely filled with his/her coat and rucksack, paperwork, empty coffee mug and most likely him or her.

By the way, despite how it could sound, please do NOT read this comment as if I'm being patronising. Sorry if it sounds that way!

*Except for private maintenance.

 

[GodAtum]

A-Stock... yes, that stock which LU no longer use*. But other than that... the rear cab contains some equipment which could result in either great annoyance or danger (or both) if it is tampered with. Also, the rear cab of some units is the abode of a guard, and thus likely filled with his/her coat and rucksack, paperwork, empty coffee mug and most likely him or her.

By the way, despite how it could sound, please do NOT read this comment as if I'm being patronising. Sorry if it sounds that way!

*Except for private maintenance.

Ah OK I didnt realise with the number of times the interior doors being left open in the rear cab of 377s! Ive had a few this year!

 

[tsr]

Ah OK I didnt realise with the number of times the interior doors being left open in the rear cab of 377s! Ive had a few this year!

That shouldn't be the case - please tell the guard as they may have forgotten to close it as necessary.

 

[Harbon 1]

I got to sit in the second-man's seat in the rear cab, on a mega-wedged 153 from Nottingham.

 

[GodAtum]

That shouldn't be the case - please tell the guard as they may have forgotten to close it as necessary.

I closed it myself and then then told the guard

I do have a rubbish video of a cab ride (it's late at night so poor quality!) if I'm allowed to post it.

 

[tsr]

...if I'm allowed to post it.

Since it has been shot in the past (obviously!), if it doesn't actually show any confidential details (e.g. paperwork), then I don't see why the mods wouldn't allow it. I think we've already made it quite clear that the privilege of obtaining such a video now is remote, unless you are an authorised person or a relevant media industry professional.

 

[Bedpan]

There are a few on You Tube taken by a young lad who apprers to have gone out on South West Trains for a day, accompanied by what I assume to be have been a traction inspector. or anyway, somebody in charge. He goes from Twickenham to Waterloo and then Waterloo to Basingstoke and back - there may be more that I haven't found yet. So it looks that it is still possible, in theory at least, to arrange a cab ride although whether permission is granted only in special circumstances I do not know.

 

[BestWestern]

Just to clarify, ALL cabs on units (and generally any non-public area of any train) are strictly not for public access, accompanied or otherwise (unless pre-arranged and authorised from above). Any member of crew found allowing the public into a cab can expect a severe b*llocking, possibly ending in a P45. There are various risks including train safety, personal safety, security issues and even sabotage. Any decent TOC will take it seriously, though some staff sadly don't. Their funeral.

 

[oversteer]

You can peer at the desk through the window from the gangway on coupled-up Desiro sets. If the guard hasn't hung his or her coat over the door

 

[Eagle]

No person shall be in or on any train except the parts of it intended for use by that person.

It's an offence, plain and simple.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Just to clarify, ALL cabs on units (and generally any non-public area of any train) are strictly not for public access, accompanied or otherwise (unless pre-arranged and authorised from above). Any member of crew found allowing the public into a cab can expect a severe b*llocking, possibly ending in a P45. There are various risks including train safety, personal safety, security issues and even sabotage. Any decent TOC will take it seriously, though some staff sadly don't. Their funeral.

Exactly .....no chance , keep well out of these areas unless you are a train crew member on Duty , or on way the way to work.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

While the trains idle and at a station, is it forbidden to go into the cab of a train?
A few years ago a driver let me into a cab of a 91 at Kings Cross, here's the video:
[youtube]8AFIw2UF--4[/youtube]

Also on an Ellesmere Port-Helsby train, the guard opened the door of the back cab and let me have a look from the doorway but not actually go in, is that forbidden?

 

[Monty]

Just to clarify, ALL cabs on units (and generally any non-public area of any train) are strictly not for public access, accompanied or otherwise (unless pre-arranged and authorised from above). Any member of crew found allowing the public into a cab can expect a severe b*llocking, possibly ending in a P45. There are various risks including train safety, personal safety, security issues and even sabotage. Any decent TOC will take it seriously, though some staff sadly don't. Their funeral.

Can't really say more than that has not been mentioned here.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Usually it is kids who are invited in to have a quick look when the train reaches its destination or has a long dwell time, quite a few drivers are happy to let them look and sit in the seat, as long as they dont touch anything! It depends on the driver and how the question is asked!! A train arriving in London and a child with parent who asks for them will probably result in the child getting a quick look round, and maybe a photo!

I recently had someone's mother asking if there was anywhere less bright (on a 170) as her son had just had laser eye surgery and was finding the lights too bright and painful. She asked about a Guards van, to which I replied we only have the cabs and the public arent allowed in there...

 

[noddingdonkey]

About 10 years ago I remember a 153 turning up instead of the booked 142 on a rush hour service. It was cosy as you might expect. The Guard locked the back cab door across the left hand side of the cab (as it would be if the unit was coupled in multiple) but allowed the secondman's side to be used by standing passengers. He stayed wedged in by the door.

Suspect this was a very unofficial arrangement.

 

[BestWestern]

While the trains idle and at a station, is it forbidden to go into the cab of a train?

Also on an Ellesmere Port-Helsby train, the guard opened the door of the back cab and let me have a look from the doorway but not actually go in, is that forbidden?

Yep, still rather naughty even on a stationary train! Terribly boring I know, but rules is rules and all that...

Looking into the back cab from the right side of the threshold shouldn't be a problem

 

[Goatboy]

I once did Work Experience with Wessex Trains and got a cab ride in a 150.

 

[Crossover]

Your best bet of getting in a cab is at an event of some sort - I went on a few at Railfest earlier this year.

Preserved lines may also allow it too - I know a few weeks ago I was at the KWVR and the train was waiting over for about an hour at Keighley as there was entertainment on the station - I saw the driver allow a person or two on the footplate (until he had to restoke the fire when he asked them to leave for safety)

 

[9K43]

In the mid 1980's the rule book was amended so that guards could ride in the front cab with the driver.
I have spent many hours in the back cab of a train getting gassed with the fumes off the engine.
When in the front, you are at the mercy of every shot gunner/ stone thrower/ et al.
The cabs are cold with wind blowing through ill fitting windows and doors, with heaters that did not work, and massive speeding fans at your backs at to the front.
Class 60's are the best engines for heating, and the odd forty winks on a ballast train.
Class 37/40/56/31 and 08 were held together with sticky tape and car filler.
On 56 locos the heater worked fine in the summer and not at all in the winter,
Having said that I enjoyed my time on the big iron road.

 

[BestWestern]

In the mid 1980's the rule book was amended so that guards could ride in the front cab with the driver.

The cabs are cold with wind blowing through ill fitting windows and doors, with heaters that did not work, and massive speeding fans at your backs and to the front.

Class 37/40/56/31 and 08 were held together with sticky tape and car filler.
On 56 locos the heater worked fine in the summer and not at all in the winter.

The Rulebook has since been amended so that a Guard will now be strung up if found in the front cab with the Driver! Most of the reasons where it is permitted have been withdrawn, and even if the Rulebook does still allow it you'd want to call control first and get them to 'OK' it over the (recorded) phone!

Front cabs on old units are horrendously draughty, those with end gangways obviously are usually worse.

And the gaffer tape is still hard at work!

 

[causton]

The Rulebook has since been amended so that a Guard will now be strung up if found in the front cab with the Driver! Most of the reasons where it is permitted have been withdrawn, and even if the Rulebook does still allow it you'd want to call control first and get them to 'OK' it over the (recorded) phone!

Front cabs on old units are horrendously draughty, those with end gangways obviously are usually worse.

And the gaffer tape is still hard at work!

I have seen a few reconstructions of events/accidents/whatever on railway videos on the internet and in a few the guard opens the cab door and go in to tell the driver whether they are to stop at a request stop or not - is that inaccurate, against the rules but done frequently or allowed?

 

[34D]

You will find on heavily loaded commuter trains (example class 313 on FCC inner suburban) that commuters often let themselves into the rear (or middle) cabs - by which I mean the standing area at the second mans side and NOT the drivers area which obviously stays locked.

Had a fair few front and back cab rides myself over the years, and my little boy has been in the drivers seat of a couple of trains already.

 

[jopsuk]

I was once invited to have a quick look around the cab of a 395 whilst it was stationary at St Pancras- the driver had the internal cab door open whilst prepping and saw me peering out the front from further back in the carriage.

 

[D365]

I've been in a few cabs myself - but arranged in advance

 

[LexyBoy]

What about using the cab for luggage? On an extremely overcrowded 2-car unit in the summer, laden with passengers going to a festival, the driver came out to say that people should give him their rucksacks and tents to make more space, which he then deposited on the platform on arrival. Popular move as it made room for almost all of those waiting to board! (I'll not mention the TOC in case it's not allowed).

 

[fsmr]

Back in 2002. My wife and two boys 2 and 10
went on the Paris Metro. The eldest was stood looking through the glass door into the drivers cab
At the next station, the driver opened the door and beckoned us in. My wife stayed in the coach but myself and eldest had over 15 minutes ride in the cab, at one point the driver left us while on a platform stop and then came back with a large ham and cheese baguette and can of coke while proceeding to consume it and drive Only in France jeans and designer tee shirt , no uniform

Should have seen the Parisian commuters faces when we hopped out the cab at the Eiffel tower

 

[coupwotcoup]

My son's train broke down at Forest Gate on route to Liverpool Street
about two weeks ago.
Next train full to the rafters so he and a few others were invited into
the driver's cab. As is the norm with anyone under 30, video evidence available.