Trainee Freight train driver training

[OneExtreme]

Hello all,
Newbie here I was wondering if anyone can shed any light on the training for me as all I know is its split into

Rules & Regulations - driver cab controls, signalling systems & track safety.

Traction knowledge - engine layout, safety systems & fault identification.

train handling - 200 to 300hrs practical driving skills, including night driving.

Route knowledge - route- specific information, such as braking distances, speed restrictions & signal positions.

& that you have a PTS

Firstly does the above sound correct?
I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction of stuff to be learning to give me a head start before I start training? for rules & regs or any info.
How does the training work? & is there tests on a weekly basis?
My main question is what happens if you fail any tests during training?

I know there is a few questions there if you could answer any or post any links to relevant information I would be very grateful, thanks in advance

 

[train_lover]

Hello all,
Newbie here I was wondering if anyone can shed any light on the training for me as all I know is its split into

Rules & Regulations - driver cab controls, signalling systems & track safety.

Traction knowledge - engine layout, safety systems & fault identification.

train handling - 200 to 300hrs practical driving skills, including night driving.

Route knowledge - route- specific information, such as braking distances, speed restrictions & signal positions.

& that you have a PTS

Firstly does the above sound correct?
I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction of stuff to be learning to give me a head start before I start training? for rules & regs or any info.
How does the training work? & is there tests on a weekly basis?
My main question is what happens if you fail any tests during training?

I know there is a few questions there if you could answer any or post any links to relevant information I would be very grateful, thanks in advance

I too am curious. Who have you just started with?

 

[rich200tdi]

Sounds about right. Would be interesting to hear peoples experiences!

 

[outseyuk]

I too am curious. Who have you just started with?

Might want to check his picture

 

[train_lover]

Might want to check his picture

haha he didn't have one earlier

 

[outseyuk]

haha he didn't have one earlier

I did wonder that but wasn't 100% sure! Although it's changed again

 

[train_lover]

I did wonder that but wasn't 100% sure! Although it's changed again

Shall we start taking bets until he puts us out of our misery?

 

[OneExtreme]

Shall we start taking bets until he puts us out of our misery?

Haha come on lads your hijacking my thread here with no answers lol

I can't answer that question I'm on a secret mission here but I can tell you your first guess was right

 

[W230]

Firstly does the above sound correct?

Pretty much spot on.

I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction of stuff to be learning to give me a head start before I start training? for rules & regs or any info.

If I were you I would wait until you start. There will be plenty of reading and learning to do at home. Far easier that your trainer directs you as appropriate as there may be some sections of the rule book you don't need to know and others that your trainers will go into details on. I know it's not the same thing but I wouldn't think students would start learning a degree in their summer pre university for example.

How does the training work? & is there tests on a weekly basis?

I completed my training with a TOC and yes, there were weekly knowledge checks. Started with a PTS assessment at the end of the first week, then the weekly assessments on the rule book onwards from there. There was a final rules written assessment. Then a written traction assessment and a practical traction assessment. Next was a written traction conversion assessment. Then a variety of short courses on route risks with written assessments and maps then finally at the end, another PTS assessment, written rules, and written route assessment for all the routes/diversions I have to sign.

My main question is what happens if you fail any tests during training?

You probably won't. Officially we only get a second attempt at assessments but I don't think anyone actually failed anything on my intake. Some struggle more than others and there is a mass of stuff to learn but you will be helped throughout the course and most get there in the end even if they take a bit longer. There have been some who can't be arsed who have ended up leaving but I only ever heard about one person leaving because they actually couldn't get their head round the stuff. I think they failed PTS and just couldn't understand anything about anything so it was a mutual decision (I don't even know if this is true - it's what I heard so probably isn't ).

Our trainers were really good and appreciated that some of the older candidates might not have been in a classroom scenario for years. They said that one guy knew his stuff inside out but just could not put it down on paper. When asked to explain the topic it became clear he was competent. Some trainees are more academic than others so this is a great leveller and helps everyone to get there in the end.

 

[OneExtreme]

Thanks W230 for the advice & taking the time to reply to my questions.

I think you are right about waiting but I am just dying to get stuck into it!

How many people did you have on your course? & was all your training 9-5 Mon-Fri ?

 

[W230]

I think you are right about waiting but I am just dying to get stuck into it!

Keep that enthusiasm and you will be fine!

How many people did you have on your course? & was all your training 9-5 Mon-Fri ?

There were 8 on my course. All Monday - Friday 9-5. Well we nearly made 4pm one day...

 

[TDK]

Thanks W230 for the advice & taking the time to reply to my questions.

I think you are right about waiting but I am just dying to get stuck into it!

How many people did you have on your course? & was all your training 9-5 Mon-Fri ?

If you try to grasp any of the training before you start it will disadvantage you in 2 ways. Firstly the training course is set out to ensure you understand the whole picture and not have it broken up into small bits and if you do try to learn some the other candidates in your training group and also the trainer may think you are a know it all and that will stick with you for a long time. Be patient and wait until you start or it will come back to bite you.

 

[SkinnyDave]

If you try to grasp any of the training before you start it will disadvantage you in 2 ways. Firstly the training course is set out to ensure you understand the whole picture and not have it broken up into small bits and if you do try to learn some the other candidates in your training group and also the trainer may think you are a know it all and that will stick with you for a long time. Be patient and wait until you start or it will come back to bite you.

Just to add to this, our trainer made a good point re self learning.
We all interpret things differently and if you self learn and then he/she goes over it with you again-it can cause issues when it comes to exam time.
There is plenty of reading when you start trust me