Trainee Driver course questions?

[keegans]

-Driver Instructor based on the other side of the hills. As others have said, don't read too far ahead on things, it is better to learn them at the pace the course is designed to run at. You will need to do at least some revision each evening, always better to recap on stuff you have covered that day. Don't go overboard though, if you are having to spend hours and hours each night revising then that would sound alarm bells to me. An hour or so on average per evening/day should be sufficient to recap on the day's subjects, and that should be your aim throughout the classroom based training as well as during your practical handling - you will have to keep your rules and traction knowledge simmering while with your minder you crack on with developing driving skills and learning your core routes.

Hi again, I was thinking a rough hour revision each night to recap. I see so whilst out with my driving instructor keep on revising the rules and traction. Thanks for the advice. I will keep that in mind.

Paul
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Keegans, where are you supposed to be based? Which depot?

As far as I remember, if your home depot is over 90 minutes away (by Northern Rail train) from training place, you will be placed in a hotel during class room based part of training.

I live in Brigg near Scunthorpe but my Depot will be Hull. I think it's FTPE from Scunthorpe to Doncaster and then either Northern or East Coast Doncaster to Leeds but the whole journey will prob take around 90mins.

Still thinking the best/quickest/cheapest way to get to Leeds each day for 9:00am start.

Thanks Paul

 

[Llama]

Hi again, I was thinking a rough hour revision each night to recap. I see so whilst out with my driving instructor keep on revising the rules and traction. Thanks for the advice. I will keep that in mind.

Paul

You will be able to put your rules and traction knowledge to use during your practical handling, if you are lucky you may be involved in some degraded working etc but it never usually works out like that. During practical handling if your instructor or minder are any good they will help consolidate your knowledge of rules and traction by giving you scenarios etc.

Another piece of advice I think all trainees should remember is: ask questions. The only daft question is the question that isn't asked. A quiet trainee who doesn't ask questions is always a worry.

And above all, enjoy it, the trainers at Leeds are pretty good by all accounts and will look after you. You have lots to look forward to.

 

[keegans]

You will be able to put your rules and traction knowledge to use during your practical handling, if you are lucky you may be involved in some degraded working etc but it never usually works out like that. During practical handling if your instructor or minder are any good they will help consolidate your knowledge of rules and traction by giving you scenarios etc.

Another piece of advice I think all trainees should remember is: ask questions. The only daft question is the question that isn't asked. A quiet trainee who doesn't ask questions is always a worry.

And above all, enjoy it, the trainers at Leeds are pretty good by all accounts and will look after you. You have lots to look forward to.

That's true, I hope I get an instructor that will try to give me as many different scenarios as possible to consolidate my training. Cheers mate exciting times ahead.

Paul
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I have seen that you will go on a simulator at what point do you do this as it sound pretty cool. What's peoples take on simulator games?

Paul

 

[Llama]

The simulator is usually done in week 15, this is part of a module in the training course that prepares you for driving trains on the main line under instruction. You will be expected to react appropriately to scenarios, degraded working, hazards and perform communications exercises. It will probably be done at the East Coast simulator in Leeds, Northern don't have a simulator.

Personally I view simulators as purely a method of assessing rules & traction knowledge and communications skills, they are absolutely nothing like moving a train as far as driving goes.

 

[keegans]

The simulator is usually done in week 15, this is part of a module in the training course that prepares you for driving trains on the main line under instruction. You will be expected to react appropriately to scenarios, degraded working, hazards and perform communications exercises. It will probably be done at the East Coast simulator in Leeds, Northern don't have a simulator.

Personally I view simulators as purely a method of assessing rules & traction knowledge and communications skills, they are absolutely nothing like moving a train as far as driving goes.

Yeah Iv seen some clips of the simulator being used best to get different scenarios there for practice and testing etc. I was told it interveiw I will get set annual leave. Purely for planning purposes and a rough idea how many days and what dates do you get.

Thanks

 

[Llama]

You will be working to differing terms and conditions to us on the west so I am not sure of trainee pro ratas on the east, so I don't want to give any misinformation, but one weeks annual leave is built into the course, usually around week 18-20. That week's leave is only taken providing you pass the module five assessment that is due in about week 16, otherwise the 'annual leave' week is spent retraining.

 

[keegans]

You will be working to differing terms and conditions to us on the west so I am not sure of trainee pro ratas on the east, so I don't want to give any misinformation, but one weeks annual leave is built into the course, usually around week 18-20. That week's leave is only taken providing you pass the module five assessment that is due in about week 16, otherwise the 'annual leave' week is spent retraining.

That's great. Let's hope I get the week off

Thanks Paul
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Just a quick Update, got my contract through and got everything signed and sending it all today. Do Northern staff get free parking at Northern managed stations e.g Thorne North? Anyone on the April driver intake at Leeds?

Getting excited/nervous now