Travelling to work with own TOC

[CertifiedMonk]

Good evening all, I'm due to start as a conductor in the coming future and wondering as a conductor with a door key am I able to sit in the reverse cabs on travelling to and from work? Or am I right in saying you need a cab pass I.e be a driver / route instructor / DTM to sit.

I meant if a 4/8 carriage sitting in the last carriage in the cab by myself , I will have free travel of course but just curious.

Kind regards all!

 

[Val3ntine]

You need a cab pass to travel in driving cabs. So rear/non driving cabs should be fine providing you are in full uniform and fully trained in the cab enviroment (I.e-emergency equipment and emergency stop functions).
Of course double check with your own TOC as they may have their own rules regarding this so maybe wait until you start training and confirm with your trainer.

 

[CC 72100]

TOC-specific - remember that until you pass out and have your licence, you do not hold a safety critical competency. If you were to accidentally hit something, the first question would be "why is someone without a competence accessing secure areas?". Of course that's worst case scenario but when taking a 'risk' you've got to think "what's the worst thing this can lead to if it goes wrong?"

Some TOCs only allow non-safety critical staff (ie. revenue protection) in back cabs with a specific type of cab pass.

This is the sort of thing you need to check with your TOC before doing so. I imagine that the course may have a 'ground rules/introduction' type day at the start which would be the best time to ask.

 

[CertifiedMonk]

Ok thank you guys , yeah was hoping so and yeah iI wouldn't unless in uniform And had confirmed so with my TOC.

 

[CC 72100]

No worries- hope I didn't come across too harsh, it's just I've seen a fair few "Doh!" own goals so have to look at it with my cautious head on!

 

[InterCity:125]

Guards use the back cabs all the time on GWR. I would imagine it differs between TOCs though.

 

[Ih8earlies]

TPE only allow staff (with the correct pass) in cabs whilst on duty. If you haven't booked on shift, then it's a severe no no.

 

[vikingdriver]

Even as a driver I will ask the guard and let them know where I'll be if there are lots of cabs. Just shows a bit of courtesy.

 

[pompeyfan]

Depending on how long the service is, it’s usually polite to give the guard a heads up/ask them once you’ve got your licence. If you’re not trained I’d suggest being in a cab is possibly against the rules for reasons others have mentioned.

 

[Tractor37]

Northern it is now a no no until your booked on duty.

 

[NoOnesFool]

Definitely wait until you begin your work/training and check with your employers. It's not worth the risk by following advice on an annonymous forum, especially as there are so many safety protocols entailed with the railway.

 

[DarloRich]

Definitely wait until you begin your work/training and check with your employers. It's not worth the risk by following advice on an annonymous forum, especially as there are so many safety protocols entailed with the railway.

is the correct answer!

 

[theironroad]

I wouldn't travel to work in the back cab if I've not signed on unless it was really the only place I could get on the train and was in uniform.

 

[Intermodal]

As a layman, riding in the back cab when not on duty seems the equivalent of answering the phone before your shift starts to me!

 

[Bromley boy]

TPE only allow staff (with the correct pass) in cabs whilst on duty. If you haven't booked on shift, then it's a severe no no.

Northern it is now a no no until your booked on duty.

I’m surprised by this (and it shows how things can vary depending on where you work).

I regularly travel to and from work in the back/middle cab, and if required to pass “on the cushions” during a shift.

I will generally cab to cab the driver and let him know I’m there in case he needs any assistance as a professional courtesy.

Definitely wait until you begin your work/training and check with your employers. It's not worth the risk by following advice on an annonymous forum, especially as there are so many safety protocols entailed with the railway.

Very much agreed.

 

[6Gman]

I might be missing something, but why not travel in the passenger accommodation?

 

[Val3ntine]

I might be missing something, but why not travel in the passenger accommodation?

I might be missing something, but why not travel in the passenger accommodation?

Packed service, if in uniform you are required usually to give up your seat “if seated”. Plus if you are standing its most likely full and standing why not go in a back cab because u can and allows one extra paying passenger to be able to board potentially. Most train crew just go to a cab anyway to avoid having to go through all that ordeal even if the train is empty that could change.
If travelling pass during your shift you are on duty, you are within your right to have a quiet area by yourself away from the public, you might want to read up on something like perhaps you are about to do some sort of degraded working later and want to refresh yourself on it

 

[Bromley boy]

I might be missing something, but why not travel in the passenger accommodation?

Basically to avoid passengers (the exception being guarded services where I will always sit/stand with the passengers, even in the sweatiest carriage, to avoid risking an encounter with a guard )

Seriously, even if the train isn’t busy, it’s nice to get a bit of peace and quiet/privacy. I also feel a right plum sitting there in full TOC regalia during disruption when people are tutting and looking at their watches around me.

 

[Val3ntine]

Basically to avoid passengers (the exception being guarded services where I will always sit/stand with the passengers, even in the sweatiest carriage, to avoid risking an encounter with a guard )

Seriously, even if the train isn’t busy, it’s nice to get a bit of peace and quiet/privacy. I also feel a right plum sitting there in full TOC regalia during disruption when people are tutting and looking at their watches around me.

100% this too. Nothing worse than being an easy verbal punch bag when the train is stationary at a red signal for half an hour. My lanyard comes right off pronto. Just a pity cant take my top off too ;(

 

[Bromley boy]

100% this too. Nothing worse than being an easy verbal punch bag when the train is stationary at a red signal for half an hour. My lanyard comes right off pronto. Just a pity cant take my top off too ;(

Lean a few magic tricks, buy a toy rabbit and you could fool them into thinking you’re a magician?!

 

[Val3ntine]

Lean a few magic tricks, buy a toy rabbit and you could fool them into thinking you’re a magician?!

Ha, if I learn any tricks it will be how to make the logo disappear!
I wear a polo, I once had to convince a very angry man that I work in the cleaning department. He took a long hard look @ my massive bright orange bag though :/

 

[bb21]

to avoid risking an encounter with a guard )

Why, what have you done to them?

The correct solution is surely to come up to the train with two cups of tea.

 

[tiptoptaff]

The vestibule between the cab and saloon on a 150 was a pretty popular choice for staff at my former TOC. I often ended up in the back cab if it was being worked by a guard I knew. (Being an apprentice with placement across the business, I came to know a lot of them!!)

 

[pompeyfan]

I know of guards being in the back cab of other TOCs services with permission of the guard working. The crew in question were competent in the stock, not that management wouldn’t still take issue with it.