What do drivers do whilst waiting at a signal?

[KingDaveRa]

Sorry if this seems like a really stupid question, but I've often wondered about this.

The Calvert Binliner passes through my area, and I often see it sitting on the line just north of Aylesbury, waiting at a signal before it can come into town. This evening I drove past it at about 6pm, and when I went back past again 20 minutes later, it was still there. I'm pretty sure the Binliner has been stuck there for an hour or more in the past!

This happens a lot, and I know freight does have to sit and wait for its turn. However, what I've always wondered is what exactly do the drivers get up to in the time they're sitting, idling at a signal? I imagine it must be one of the most boring parts of the job, and probably is not much fun on a very cold train in an old, draughty loco. But by the same token, it's not like you can nod off, as you've presumably got to pay attention! Does anybody (drivers especially) have any insight on this?

(I can't explain the typo in the subject... sorry about that!)

 

[najaB]

But by the same token, it's not like you can nod off, as you've presumably got to pay attention! Does anybody (drivers especially) have any insight on this?

I'm not a driver, but I'll chip in. It's not like a road traffic light where you need to be sitting with your foot on the clutch, waiting with baited breath for the light to turn - those long waits are normally scheduled to allow another train to overtake, or for a junction to be clear.

So the driver will know that they are going to be waiting for a while. So if it's a booked wait they can get up from the control console to stretch their legs. Or maybe read the paper. Have a cuppa if the flask isn't empty yet... They can't wander off down the road for a walk though.

 

[bnm]

https://www.facebook.com/Feet-in-the-window-pictures-255478361246948/?fref=ts

 

[DarloRich]

they read the paper don't they

 

[trainmania100]

At my local yard I see them playing on their phone tablet or reading the newspaper whilst waiting to shunt wagons a few meters whilst they get unloaded , perhaps it's the same at a signal

 

[Bodiddly]

In the not too distant past a red light was an opportunity for the driver to nip to the shop to replenish his carry out that had been drunk or if in decent walking distance, to have a pint!
Nowadays, a good read of the newspaper is as exciting as it gets!

 

[Bevan Price]

I have seen a driver get out of the cab and "water" the lineside vegetation.

 

[najaB]

At my local yard I see them playing on their phone tablet or reading the newspaper whilst waiting to shunt wagons a few meters whilst they get unloaded , perhaps it's the same at a signal

As I understand it, never while in the driving seat - that would be grounds for dismissal.

 

[GB]

Sorry if this seems like a really stupid question, but I've often wondered about this.

The Calvert Binliner passes through my area, and I often see it sitting on the line just north of Aylesbury, waiting at a signal before it can come into town. This evening I drove past it at about 6pm, and when I went back past again 20 minutes later, it was still there. I'm pretty sure the Binliner has been stuck there for an hour or more in the past!

This happens a lot, and I know freight does have to sit and wait for its turn. However, what I've always wondered is what exactly do the drivers get up to in the time they're sitting, idling at a signal? I imagine it must be one of the most boring parts of the job, and probably is not much fun on a very cold train in an old, draughty loco. But by the same token, it's not like you can nod off, as you've presumably got to pay attention! Does anybody (drivers especially) have any insight on this?

(I can't explain the typo in the subject... sorry about that!)

I can't speak for passenger or other freight companies but as far as I am aware, there is nothing written to say what you can or can't do other than not leave the train unattended or that when the signal comes off you should be on the move as quick as reasonably practical so as not to delay anything.

Therefore you could get up to stretch your legs, have a pee, have some dinner/drink, make a phone call, go on your iPad if you have one or if its a booked stop and you know roughly how long you have...take a power nap.

 

[birchesgreen]

I was wondering this myself, whats the longest a driver has had to wait?

 

[furnessvale]

A few years ago I was enjoying a quiet drink in the motel at Echo City Utah (population 76) when a typical US freight pulled up outside.

The entire crew alighted,came into the bar and had a slap up meal. About an hour later they all got back on board and all 5 locos and 12,000 tons departed into the night!

 

[trainmania100]

I was wondering this myself, whats the longest a driver has had to wait?

At my local yard the 6V00 gets in about 6 and departs about 12.15, between those hours they have to pull the wagons a few feet every three wagons unloaded, 16 in total, before running around. Then for the last 4 or so hours I think they go to town or read newspaper

 

[DarloRich]

I was wondering this myself, whats the longest a driver has had to wait?

hours x lots whilst waiting for access to a possession

 

[Steveman]

As I understand it, never while in the driving seat - that would be grounds for dismissal.

You must be joking I've seen that on countless occasions.

 

[najaB]

You must be joking I've seen that on countless occasions.

I guess I got the wrong end of the stick then - I was sure that on the thread about mobile use in the cab several drivers said they would only use a mobile while stopped at a signal and out of the driver's seat to avoid falling foul of company policies about mobile use.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Wouldn't surprise me if freight policies were different, as the job does involve a lot more waiting around than passenger.

 

[KingDaveRa]

Wouldn't surprise me if freight policies were different, as the job does involve a lot more waiting around than passenger.

Sounds reasonable - especially as freight drivers are a lot less visible to passengers/people likely to complain.

 

[RPM]

I guess I got the wrong end of the stick then - I was sure that on the thread about mobile use in the cab several drivers said they would only use a mobile while stopped at a signal and out of the driver's seat to avoid falling foul of company policies about mobile use.

Many different TOCs and FOCs, so therefore many different mobile phone policies. Some ban all mobile use in the cab, others provide company mobiles for operational use. Other companies are relaxed about phone use if the train is stationary. It's a real mixed bag. However using a phone whilst driving a moving train is universally banned, as you might reasonably expect.

 

[axlecounter]

From personal and others' experience:
read the paper, play with mobile phone, take a pee, eat & drink, take a nap (voluntarily: when the departure time is known, accidentally: when you entered service very early), study rules and regulations, go shopping -where and when possible- and last but not least run to the nearest coffee machine...

 

[Gemz91]

Put a carrier bag in your helmet and go to the toilet in it (not a wee though).

Get off your train and spend 20 minutes sunbathing in the cess.

Neither of which I have done but known others to have done so in the past.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Pick nose, scratch bum, watch porn....

 

[Deepgreen]

Many different TOCs and FOCs, so therefore many different mobile phone policies. Some ban all mobile use in the cab, others provide company mobiles for operational use. Other companies are relaxed about phone use if the train is stationary. It's a real mixed bag. However using a phone whilst driving a moving train is universally banned, as you might reasonably expect.

The latter would no doubt see a suitably-liveried class 37 pull alongside and flag you down!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A few years ago I was enjoying a quiet drink in the motel at Echo City Utah (population 76) when a typical US freight pulled up outside.

The entire crew alighted,came into the bar and had a slap up meal. About an hour later they all got back on board and all 5 locos and 12,000 tons departed into the night!

That was presumably not a simple signal stop, but a planned break.

 

[absolutelymilk]

take a nap (voluntarily: when the departure time is known, accidentally: when you entered service very early)

Has anyone on here had an accidental nap/know of times when it happened?

 

[RPM]

The latter would no doubt see a suitably-liveried class 37 pull alongside and flag you down!

Lol. I remember that one well!

 

[ComUtoR]

Has this happened to anyone on here/know of times when it happened?

I know of a couple.

 

[ExRes]

Has this happened to anyone on here/know of times when it happened?

Probably every single driver on this forum has taken a nap when it's sensible to do so, I used to sit at a junction in Kent with the ECS TPO stock for up to 2 hours from around 4am after an 1am book on, what else should you do if you want to remain safe?

 

[Welshman]

Probably every single driver on this forum has taken a nap when it's sensible to do so,

In the old steam days they used to hang a bucket on the signal balance arm and have forty winks.

Now I suppose traincrews no longer carry a bucket..........

 

[furnessvale]

That was presumably not a simple signal stop, but a planned break.

Probably, but my posting was very much tongue in cheek.

 

[Jamesb1974]

Deleted

 

[axlecounter]

Has anyone on here had an accidental nap/know of times when it happened?

Happened to many. A common story between drivers here is: falling asleep after stopping at a signal, then suddenly wake up for whatever reason and, seeing the signal at danger in front triggering an emergency brake (with the fear and panic that comes with that situation)... and only after a few horrible seconds realise that the train was already at a stand and nothing dangerous happened...

I personally often take a nap in the morning when I have some 30-40 minutes to wait before departure. When I'm really really sleepy I may even take a nap in 5-10 minutes stops. Obviously you have to remember to set the alarm clock...