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Post by cheekymonkey on Apr 27, 2007 21:36:57 GMT
I've just passed out and I'm getting so much advice, it's great. But what really makes a good train driver?  ;D |
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Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
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Post by Phil on Apr 27, 2007 21:47:43 GMT
Being 'invisible' to the punters. In other words drive smoothly, keep as close to time as possible, make sufficient but not too many announcements (keep 'em informed...) and so on.
This has always been the advice given to all public service drivers, and improves with practice. If they ignore you, you know you've done a good job (even though you'd like to be thanked at times).
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Ben
fotopic... whats that?
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Post by Ben on Apr 28, 2007 0:34:10 GMT
Phil is totally right. From a passengers point of view a driver who is too intrusive with announcements can be annoying, especially if they dont appear to be of significant relevance; but a driver who says nothing, especially at junctions (Rayners  ) can be just as frustrating. Experiance is key. Best driver I ever knew was Len Griffiths on the met. He must have worked almost every stock that LT had owned in its time, and whats more he had a passion for his job. I could always tell if he was driving because his control was superb and smooth. His manor was always polite and friendly and that was clear on his announcements too. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2007 2:14:46 GMT
Ben: Think! This is the District forum, so the right answer has to be "District Dave makes a good driver." Right?  PS - I see there's a 'kiss' smiley, but not a 'kiss up' one... |
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Post by trainopd78 on Apr 28, 2007 13:53:49 GMT
Now for my tuppence worth on this, my biggest pieces of advice are: don't rush around and keep focused. I'm gonna shut up now as i'm sure you've already had enough of my nagging!! ;D ;D ;D |
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prjb
Advisor
LU move customers from A to B, they used to do it via 'C'.
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Post by prjb on Apr 28, 2007 20:43:56 GMT
A good driver always carries out the correct procedures even under pressure, and even if the reason you need to apply the procedure is because you have made a mistake (SPAD etc). As far as I am concerned you get paid for what you know and not what you do, therefore you should be able to apply that knowledge correctly when things go wrong. If you cannot do this then you should probably seek out another role on the railway.
A good driver also remembers that there are 6/7/8 carraiges behind him and not just the cab. I always judged a driver by asking myself 'would I put my wife and son on this train with them driving'? It is all too easy to forget that the punters are your sole responsibility and their safety must always come first. You are human and at some point will suffer from human error, so make sure you always do the right thing.
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Post by cheekymonkey on Apr 29, 2007 23:08:29 GMT
yes, it's hard keeping all that info in your head. I think there should be a half a duty where you are spare and can look at your books! I'm so tired lately, it's hard to find the time. I have to thank the I/O's though, all that training has kicked in and been put to very good use in the last week! It's funny how the concentration just kicks in. Lets hope it stays that way!  Keep the advice coming! |
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Post by District Dave on Apr 30, 2007 7:43:05 GMT
You will find yourself tired - at least for a while! I don't think people realise just how hard they are concentrating.
Soooooooo - get plenty of rest, eat sensibly and - at least for a while - put your social lfe on the back burner.
I agree with prjb (that makes a change - not!) in all his comments - that really sums it up in a nutshell.
And if you have any concerns or uncertainties don't just bottle them up - ask either one of your local, friendly I/O's or 'selected' DMT's at your depot (and if you need guidance which ones to ask, PM me!).
But - above all - for the first few weeks just take your time - don't run yourself into corners for booking on, being in place for your pick ups, those kind of things.
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Post by nexus6 on Apr 30, 2007 14:49:58 GMT
Congrats on passing out as a T/Op! Some good advice there, which I will also take note of when I pass out next month. I agree that we're not really paid to drive up and down the line all day, but to follow correct procedures when things go wrong and consider the safety of ourselves and our customers at all times. I also think timely and relevant PAs are also important. Keep them concise and to the point. Nothing worse than sitting in a tunnel for minutes on end with a silent driver. I make PAs even if I have nothing to tell the customers because I believe it puts some people at ease to hear a reassuring, human voice. I just tell them I am trying to find out what is causing the delay rather than stay silent because I don't know what's going on.
prjb's post is excellent and sums it up for me.
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Post by nexus6 on Apr 30, 2007 14:53:15 GMT
Perhaps this thread should be in a more general forum? It contains some good advice that I think would be of interest to trainee T/Ops like me who may not necessarily look in the District line forum. Just an idea.
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Post by cheekymonkey on May 1, 2007 12:00:57 GMT
suppose I should have posted somewhere general but I think the District is so 'special' I just went here!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2007 12:29:54 GMT
A smooth ride is the ticket!
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Post by rob66 on May 13, 2007 21:45:22 GMT
Having been a driver for many long years - there are good and bad drivers on every line. The bad drivers hardly use the PA, brake heavy into platforms, stop the train in emergency for quickness, couldn't careless attitude about the job and his passengers, always on regular sick leave, book on late to get out the first half of his duty, always putting in for relief to use the toilet at certain stations, runs late, etc, etc. If you can be the opposite to the above - then you are a very good driver.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2007 0:11:20 GMT
brake heavy into platforms I thought that's what Automatic Train Operation did ;D ....And when I'm on a tube train I like fast heavy approaches......much more fun |
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Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
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Post by Phil on May 20, 2007 7:33:26 GMT
brake heavy into platforms I thought that's what Automatic Train Operation did ;D ....And when I'm on a tube train I like fast heavy approaches......much more fun I assume that Rob66 ( since he's on the Cehtral) means stopping on a rising brake - something that's programmed into ATO. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2007 7:42:55 GMT
means stopping on a rising brake - something that's programmed into ATO. See what you mean......the 92's (in my opinion) have got a really nice braking routine, they come in fast and stop very smoothly. This is something you don't get on the Jubilee Line, most drivers at PED stations just slam on the brake when the doors line up. I would be very interested to see how ATO on that line performs. I like the technique on a C stock train where a driver quickly fans the CTBC from 'Off and Release' to 'Maximum' and back again before doing any EP braking - this gets rid of a lot of rheo 'snatch' (hiccuping effect) and is a nicer ride. I think the sign of a good driver is to keep to time but have respect for dwell times in stations. This is an area which causes a lot of problems on the Jubilee Line........ |
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Tom
Administrator
Signalfel?
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Post by Tom on May 20, 2007 8:16:11 GMT
I assume that Rob66 ( since he's on the Cehtral) means stopping on a rising brake - something that's programmed into ATO. What do you mean by stopping on a rising brake? The brake rates for use at station stops are set in the ATO data: 1.15m/s/s in the tunnel and 0.75m/s/s elsewhere. |
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Post by rookie on Jun 29, 2007 16:31:26 GMT
I think a good driver is somebody who can be relaxed and courteous around passengers(p.a. announcements,fielding questions etc),but then be bang on the ball with procedures and safety,especially when things go the way of the pear.
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;D
) can be just as frustrating.
