Train Driver Pleasentries.

[Domeyhead]

I travel daily on FGW Thames Valley locals. If there is a delay most drivers are very good at coming on to the PA and telling passengers what's occurring. WHen they do I always make a point of thanking them if I walk past the cab, at journeys end espeically if they sounded as frustrated as the passengers!

 

[Rugd1022]

Nine times out of ten I'll give a wave to another driver passing on the opposite road, most do wave back. I don't do it if I'm approaching a red 'un though, or if it's obvious that the other driver is also approaching one. Sometimes, especially working at night, we don't see another soul for hours on end, so a friendly wave from a fellow driver keeps your spirits up.

It would be nice if my 'passengers' thanked me for a job well done, but so far sand, stone and cement have sadly not learnt how to speak English...

 

[strange6]

Nine times out of ten I'll give a wave to another driver passing on the opposite road, most do wave back. I don't do it if I'm approaching a red 'un though, or if it's obvious that the other driver is also approaching one.

Now that is interesting. As far as I know, the only way you could tell if your opposite number heading towards you was under caution would be to visually judge the speed that he's going at based on route knowledge. In those circumstances I assume a wave wouldn't be given by most drivers for fear of distracting him/her?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Now that is interesting. As far as I know, the only way you could tell if your opposite number heading towards you was under caution would be to visually judge the speed that he's going at based on route knowledge. In those circumstances I assume a wave wouldn't be given by most drivers for fear of distracting him/her?

The easiest way to tell if somebody is under caution is if you have just seen another train in front of them.

 

[strange6]

The easiest way to tell if somebody is under caution is if you have just seen another train in front of them.

Yes, there is that too! And if at night, by any relections I suppose. Quite easy with the LED's I imagine

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Another thing I quite like to do is raise a glass (well, a mug of tea) at passengers on adjacent lines. Happens very regularly on the stretch out of Marylebone when the Chiltern line runs parallel with the Metropolitan & Jubilee lines for a few miles between West Hampstead and Neasden/Harrow. If you are running in the peak then there is usually a packed underground train doing the same speed alongside you and you can see passengers on the tube looking into the driving cab. If any make eye contact I tend to give a nod and a wink. It always gets a smile.

 

[Barrett M95]

Believe it or not, TGV drivers wave at each other quite often too - even at closing speeds of ~600kph! Although with the steep rake of the windscreen you have to lean right over the drivers desk and press your hand against the glass before it can be seen by the other driver.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Where do TGV trains do 600kph?

 

[Rugd1022]

Now that is interesting. As far as I know, the only way you could tell if your opposite number heading towards you was under caution would be to visually judge the speed that he's going at based on route knowledge. In those circumstances I assume a wave wouldn't be given by most drivers for fear of distracting him/her?

Plus the added fact that by the very nature of us passing each other on the same routes day in day out, I have (wait for it)..... the same route knowledge!! There are certain signals where we always get stopped, especially so being freight drivers (junctions, loops etc). Sometimes, the 'back' of a signal is just as handy as a marker as the 'front' of one is. And yes you're right, the oncoming driver doesn't need the distraction

 

[Barrett M95]

Where do TGV trains do 600kph?

"Closing speed" - 2 x 300 = 600km/h.

 

[TheManWho]

Believe it or not, TGV drivers wave at each other quite often too - even at closing speeds of ~600kph! Although with the steep rake of the windscreen you have to lean right over the drivers desk and press your hand against the glass before it can be seen by the other driver.

Even on the Docklands we wave at each other, whether we're working from the front of the train or from the doors- as we work in "teams" of 28, it's normally the same bunch of people on at the same time so "personalised" waves have developed over the years.

I can remember one trainee who asked me "why do you all wave at each other? Should I wave back if waved at?"

Other TOC drivers don't often wave back at me, but a lot of the DBS drivers do

 

[66526]

I didn't know LU drivers sign other lines? Or do you run battery loco's?

Yep, tootle around in my little yellow trains at the moment

 

[es373]

Haha brilliant! Dont LU plan on updating the old battery locos yet?

 

[Kneedown]

I always wave at other Drivers irrespective of TOC. We are all "Locomen".
The only time i don't is in the dark when switching on the cab light would ruin my night vision.

 

[Hydro]

I normally give a wave if I'm in the cab, or wave to the bobby if he's about from the coach. If I see another yellow train, then normally some kind of repetitive back and forth closed fist gesture is made. Just out of professional courtesy, you understand.

 

[boing_uk]

It would be nice if my 'passengers' thanked me for a job well done, but so far sand, stone and cement have sadly not learnt how to speak English...

Although even now, I should think the level of conversation would be more intelligent than many of the pax who CAN speak English...