Cab Rides, and some talk about licences & cameras

I thought it was more in the region of £300 per hour?

so is it possible to get cab rides and how would u go about getting one then phil

Phil is correct. A cab ride would need to be properly authorised and cab permits issued. Any request would be judged on it's merits and a ride just for personal enjoyment would not be authorised. In addition a Duty Manager (Trains) would also be in attendance to ensure that operational safety is maintained at all times.
I have legitimate reasons for being in the cab and still need a can permit as well as sufficient justification to the Train Operator when requesting access. Funny you should mention this subject, as I noticed yesterday that my permit has expired, I need it for next week so I am hoping the Operational standards boys can renew mine a bit on the sharpish!
Finally, I know what your going to say - in another thread I mentioned that I have arranged cab rides for my son. This is an exceptional circumstance which has been authorised in advance by line management, the Instructor Operator, and the Duty Manager (Trains) on shift that day. We do allow cab rides of this sort from time to time but as I said this is exceptional. I maintain my operational license and am fully trained on the stock that we have used.

a Driver have ask me! i have say jes - and i travel on the Cab from Shoreditch to Whitechapel

www.shoreditch.de.vu and go to Cab Ride - the Fotos are Stills from the Videocamera!

and 2004 a Driver have me seen with the Camera and Ask me for a Cab Ride on the Waterloo and City Line from Bank to Waterloo!

i self have fear to ask a Driver (angry drivers are not good), but the Drivers have ask me!

i show you a picture from the cab ride of a 1992 W&C Tube Stock!

Do you have the videos online somewhere?

I think you can get free webspace for videos at www.youtube.com (the "tube" in the name refers to a television cathode ray tube (I presume) not the London Underground).

Chris

Over the years I have done a lot of photography, filming and video from the front of trains. It is obvious that several members of this forum have from time-to time had the opportunity to ride up front. From the comments made, this is often a once-in-a-lifetime chance and because of this pressure the results can be variable.
May I therefore offer a few words of advice that may be useful if you ever find yourself in this situation.
The techniques that you use when filming from a train cab are completely different depending on whether you are using a video or a still camera.
Most people try to find something to lean against to steady themselves for fear of shaking a camera with the slower shutter speeds that they will be using. This is wrong. Leaning against something will introduce movement into the picture as the train shakes around.
The best technique is to stand with your legs apart, your left foot facing forward and your right foot at right angles to it facing the side of the train. Bend your knees slightly. With a little practice (an empty carriage travelling between Angel and Kings Cross is an excellent place to practice) you will be able to 'ride' with the movement of the train. This is a little like getting 'sea-legs' and is the body's way of always trying to stay upright. What you want from still photography is the scenery outside to stay still despite the movement of the train. If you have the facility, it also helps to bracket your exposures and take several of the same shots.
For video, the technique is the complete opposite. If the camera is completely steady it looks artificial. You need to see the movement of the train for realism. Your best bet here is to lean against something solid or to fix/clamp the camera down if possible and if permitted. You will also find that wide angle and long focal length shots introduce different amounts of movement. If you have an adjustable lens try it out in a car or on the top deck of a bus to see what I mean and to learn the techniques.
One word of warning. If you feel nauseous, stop looking through the viewfinder. Your inner ear helps to keep your body in balance. If your eyes are sending a different message to the brain about movement than your body is feeling, the brain concludes that you have taken poisoned and tries to expel any potentially dangerous substances. You may wish to note that this is the same reason why drunks who are staggering around throw-up - I knew that you would want to know that.

I am no longer operational, but do maintain my license. I work in a department that deals with upgrade work. I am currently working on 09ts, 'S' stock, and refurb 'D' Stock.

Just the minimum amount of hours possible to retain it!

Sam

Ah - so you can drive/signal should the need arise, but don't do "regular" duties as it were?

I suppose it's a good idea for managers to do that - they get a feel for how their policies and changes affect the "front-line" staff.

Brilliant Sir! And hats off to you! I am extremely impressed at your ability to switch disciplines as outlined, and also satisfy 'The Powers That Be'.

I regret that although I have driven/ridden everything from a Camel to a Transit Van, my own railway driving experiences have been on diesel and steam (firing & driving). My sons 9 and 15 have had the pleasure of driving both diesel and steam traction this year, in the space of two hours!

I also learned to fly over some years and have done several cross-channel flights without passing my test. The dreaded exams (9) and health requirements put me off. Then there was the thought of having re-checks every year or so by an examiner, frequent medicals, etc. Fail to fly for so long and it then meant being checked out again by an Instructor examiner otherwise you lost your licence...sound familiar? Despite countless landings, over 50+ flying hours I still hate landing as I loathe the sensation on any aircraft when the 'wing in ground effect' kicks in. I have flown in mist, nil-vis rain, and at night and amazingly survived to vow 'never again'. My sons however have NO FEAR, and love the hardest, fastest, scariest rollercoasters on this planet. They have even taken photos on rolercoasters, stills and movie, so perhaps they both might be good at train cab pix?

I wish I could get my son as interested. As I have said elsewhere on the forum whenever he has had a cab ride he just wants to know when he can get off! Oh well.

I wish it was, he just thinks it's all rather ordinary to ride in the cab rather than in the saloon. Its a case of, "Don't all little boys ride with the driver"? ;D

I know! Thats my point, he just doesn't get the significance. He is only three though, so maybe in time.