Train Driver Pleasentries.

[deltic1989]

This is a a two part question.
The first part is aimed at the drivers (Mainline and heritige) that join us on this wonderful forum, please do bear with me if you think this is a very silly question. What I want to ask is, ive seen Bus Drivers waving to each other as they pass, and also lorry drivers from the same firm do the same. Do train drivers wave to each other when they pass? as I say with the speeds involved sometimes it may sound like a silly question but i'm curious.
Secondly for the passengers. When you get off a train and your path to the way out leads you past the drivers cabin do you say thank you to the driver (if the window is open) or give some kind of gesture of thank?
I'm just curious on this one too as most of us would never get off a bus without thanking the driver yet I see lots of people getting off a train and not giving the driver a second look.
Thanks in advance for bearing with me ladies and gents.
all the best.

 

[455/8]

I wave to other Drivers in passing where I can and also get Drivers waving to me and I can say I've had a couple of passengers say thank you to me although it's normally the late night trains.

Alan

 

[driver9000]

Yes, I wave at every train I pass regardless of operator and 99% of the time I get a wave returned even when travelling at high speeds. I've only had a few passengers thank me when they pass the window or I'm getting off too.

 

[BestWestern]

I am not a Driver, but I can confirm from observation that many chaps do indeed give a cheery wave We Guards will also generally wave at one another if we're sat in the back, and indeed if we're stationary and a Driver zooms past sometimes further waving is exchanged! Lots of waving all round

As for gratitude, it's quite common for people to thanks us as they disembark, I shall leave our Driver members to confirm what happens 'up front'!

 

[codenamecuebal]

I would thank them (if i was near the cab) but most of them seem to keep themselves to themselves and i don't want to displease them

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I drove for a short time for Thameslink and my observations were that TLK, MML and XC (when you could actually see them) drivers waved at everyone, but most Southern drivers only waved at Southern drivers (or those who look like Southern drivers*).

*Thameslink and Southern 319s were almost interchangeable with TLK 319s going on South London local services (to Tattenham Corner, etc) and Southern 319s being hired or sent out on TLK duties (they were all maintained at Selhurst at the time).

 

[wessex]

I always wave at other drivers no matter what company they are from and like has been said 99% wave back, I have had a few passengers thank me already in my short time as a newly qualified driver, and I always try to wave back to the young kids at stations/bridges too

 

[ainsworth74]

As a passenger I always try and thank the driver if I walk past them (or wave if the window's shut). Same goes for the guard or any other member of train crew I always try and say thanks. Surely it's just common courtesy?

 

[westcoaster]

I always wave at other drivers no matter what company they are from and like has been said 99% wave back, I have had a few passengers thank me already in my short time as a newly qualified driver, and I always try to wave back to the young kids at stations/bridges too

Glad to hear you qualified Wessex.

I always wave at other drivers, and I would say nearly all drivers wave back, even some FCC guys turn the cab light on in tunnels and at night to wave.

Only received a few passengers thank me. And always wave at the kids and the kids mums to lol

 

[graham43404]

TBH I have never really considered waving at the train driver as unlike buses you don't really get that same contact with the driver.

However at Derby on Sunday evening on the East Midlands HST back from St Pancras to Leeds I did wave at the driver when he walked past at the driver change, it was only right considering when he saw me taking a few photos at St Pancras he asked if I wanted to sit in the drivers seat and he then asked if I wanted a photo taking of me sat there

 

[strange6]

This surprises me. I wouldn't have thought you could have seen that much of an oncoming train's cab from something like a 15X which has very small windows and a big corridor connection frame sticking out at the front AND with the driver being sat well back in the cab too.

 

[N Levers]

As a customer I always thank Bus drivers but I have never thought of thanking a train driver. Strange...

 

[tirphil]

I always wave to other drivers regardless of TOC/FOC and I always wave at the bobbies too. I too wave at any kids who are waving.

A fair few passengers have thanked me and I always reply 'no problem'

 

[strange6]

TBH I have never really considered waving at the train driver as unlike buses you don't really get that same contact with the driver.

However at Derby on Sunday evening on the East Midlands HST back from St Pancras to Leeds I did wave at the driver when he walked past at the driver change, it was only right considering when he saw me taking a few photos at St Pancras he asked if I wanted to sit in the drivers seat and he then asked if I wanted a photo taking of me sat there

It's amazing how many drivers will let you do that. Most take pride in their work and are only too happy to let enthusiasts share a little bit of their experience. Credit it to them is what I say.

 

[Intermodal]

I always thank the guard if I see them on my way out, and if I go past the driver I do the same. The exception was today at Chester where the driver was walking very hurriedly to the exit and I didn't want to disturb him.

 

[deltic1989]

I'm glad to hear that train crew get the tanks they are due as the do a really good job, sometimes in the face of adversity. its also good to know that drivers and guards exchange a wave, as Mike Reid used to say when he did stand up "being nice to each other does'nt cost a copper coin, but it makes the whole world go round"

 

[graham43404]

It's amazing how many drivers will let you do that. Most take pride in their work and are only too happy to let enthusiasts share a little bit of their experience. Credit it to them is what I say.

I was taken aback by it really as I just went to get a few photos of the lead power car and the driver was stood outside it and moved to one side to let me get a good photo (without me asking) and then just asked me. I absolutely jumped at the chance as it was my first ever visit into the cab of a train I love so much. He was such a nice guy and things like that make you feel like being more loyal to a certain company.

 

[valenta]

I probably wouldn't thank the driver, incase it was inconveniant for him to be disturbed. However I would always say "thanks" to a train guard if I came across them (i.e. on a Pacer.)

 

[wessex]

Glad to hear you qualified Wessex.

I always wave at other drivers, and I would say nearly all drivers wave back, even some FCC guys turn the cab light on in tunnels and at night to wave.

Only received a few passengers thank me. And always wave at the kids and the kids mums to lol

Thanks westcoaster and I must admit some of the mums are quite nice too

 

[Flying Snail]

I'm glad to hear that train crew get the tanks they are due

I imagine there are lots of folk wishing they had tanks over the last few days...

 

[Minilad]

I wave at any passing train. I wave at bobbies too if I can see them (some are more visible than others)
I usually wave at kids on bridges and suchlike (and the moms !)
I rarely use the horn when gestured to by videoers though

I have been thanked on occasions. Usually at a terminus as people are walking past

 

[headshot119]

I always thank the guard if I see them as I'm getting off the train, and the driver if I walk past the cab.

 

[Intermodal]

I rarely use the horn when gestured to by videoers though

Why is this, just because you aren't technically meant to?

 

[Minilad]

Why is this, just because you aren't technically meant to?

Yes absolutely

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I always wave at the driver of oncoming trains. 99.9% of the time they wave back (often they actually wave first) and at night I will tend to turn on the lights inside the cab if I see another Chiltern Service coming. Works better on a 165 as the light comes on instantly there, it can take a few seconds to warm up on a 168 and by then the trains have usually passed by each other.

I wonder if I have waved to anybody who posts on these forums, I'd imagine I have. Oh, and I usually give spotters the tonez if they want them. I always wave at kids who wave from bridges or station platforms too. Very rarely get thanked though, but then most of the time I am out of the cab before half of the passengers are at a terminus.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I always thank my Conductor/TM etc as I leave my train If i see them.

I had a TM I know sit by my table opposite me in FC for 15-20 mins on my Pendo a few weeks ago, having a chat with me. (After he had completed his full ticket check etc)

I've sometimes thanked my driver the odd time as well, I had a friendly chat with my 175 driver 2 Wednesdays back at Swansea, which made my 30+ min wait more pleasant.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

I usually thank either the conductor/driver whenever the opportunity is present. If i'm photoing after disembarking then i usually give the driver a quick wave/smile as thanks. IMO it never costs anything to be pleasant to a member of rail staff as you may need their help one day.

 

[Skoodle]

I always like to give a wave to other drivers. I have found that the Southern drivers on our route are usually the ones to wave first, even when they're approaching me on the fast and barely have time to wave back. Thorougly nice chaps and chapettes!

There are a couple of footbridges on our route where you find mothers with their small children, I do give them a wave back if they're waving at me. As long as i'm on greens what harm does it do to make a small child smile!

 

[RPM]

I wonder if I have waved to anybody who posts on these forums, I'd imagine I have.

I'm sure we must have exchanged waves more than once!

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I dont wave at Aylesbury drivers.