Trainee Route Learning

[Scuba2208]

Hi folks

Apologies if this is in the wrong part of the forum. I'm curious with regards to the route learning phase of a trainee train driver program.
When a new trainee goes out on the line, do they learn 1 route and get signed off on it before moving on to another? Is it short journeys or longer ones? What's the average journey length / distance in those early days?

Thanks all...

 

[Atishyou]

Depends on the Toc or Foc I suppose.

Ours has a core route, which you learn and sign and then drive for a bit before moving on to the next one. It's 25-30 miles (there's some diversionary routes for part of it too).

 

[sw1ller]

Depends on TOC/FOC and also location. My TOC location there are 6 core routes ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours and then 4 (soon to be 5) more to learn after you pass out. But just down the road at the same TOC, they only have 3 routes in total.

When route learning the core routes, you go out on the instructors normal jobs so you could be driving routes that you’re not meant to be learning which is a pain. But at least you’re with an instructor. After you pass out you’re expected to learn new routes sat in the 2nd man seat, often with other TOCs. Not the best if I’m honest.

 

[bionic]

Completely depends on TOC and depot as others have stated. Some depots only have one route while others have loads. If you are a trainee you will generally be learning the routes as you drive them with a DI which is far more helpful, in my experience, than sitting on the second man side listening to a random driver talking about football! Down side to learning them with a DI, as has already been mentioned, is DIs generally tend to be in top links so will often drive routes and traction that trainees won't immediately sign. Some TOCs short on DIs will send trainees who've never driven a train before out on roads for months on end which is a complete waste of time for someone who has never put a key on before.
Bottom line is, once you've signed the route you will be held accountable so don't sign it unless you know it inside out.

 

[sw1ller]

Completely depends on TOC and depot as others have stated. Some depots only have one route while others have loads. If you are a trainee you will generally be learning the routes as you drive them with a DI which is far more helpful, in my experience, than sitting on the second man side listening to a random driver talking about football! Down side to learning them with a DI, as has already been mentioned, is DIs generally tend to be in top links so will often drive routes and traction that trainees won't immediately sign. Some TOCs short on DIs will send trainees who've never driven a train before out on roads for months on end which is a complete waste of time for someone who has never put a key on before.
Bottom line is, once you've signed the route you will be held accountable so don't sign it unless you know it inside out.

This!