Breathing masks

I saw a T/op wearing one on the Vic about 10 years ago, the line is very dusty, it doesnt look good when a driver enters a station wearing one though.

There are one or two T/ops that wear dust masks on the Vic, can't say I blame them, after 1 1/2 hours of platform duty, you have a very funny taste in your mouth from the 'tunnel air'.
Quite a few of the Sisters drivers have odd/strange accoutrements - large ear defenders being the most common - again I can understand as to why, but whether it looks good to the punters is another question all together.

I have seen a driver on the Vic doing this as well, plus latex gloves, and quite frankly I think they should find another job...

You don't apply for a job when you know what the environment on the Underground is like, and then go and wear a face mask or make complaints about it.

All train drivers wear white gloves in Japan.

I've seen a lot of t/ops wearing gloves on their tbc hands. Chris, it's interesting you mention that, it's the Circle Line I've seen it on the most too! I guess, there is a lot of stop-start so, like a golfing glove, it is for protection!

a driver driving on the central god that will be the day haha i have yet to see a driver actually drive the train in manual lol

None of this is as worrying as the Northern Line driver I saw last year wearing iPod earplugs!

Having suffered, and still do from time to time, from tinnitus myself, I can sympathise with those who feel they need to wear ear defenders, But from my experience unless the DB's are at a dangerous level it's not a good idea to wear them.

Oh well, there's bound to be a clever dick scientist who will invent a mini microchip that can be implanted in our heads to receive the important information regardless of outside interference. ;D

Yup, I did the same and had the same results, yes the headphone types are much better, but as I have said, unless it harmful, you are better off without, as they will only increase the tinnitus.

A lot of drivers wear gloves. I wear them in the winter for C stock because they're so cold and draughty, but some wear them all the time because they don't want to pick up germs. Others wrap something around the TBC to avoid touching it.

I remember standing at Tottenham Hale last March during the peak. In comes a train... driver is wearing a face mask, eye goggles and ear defenders... the look of everyone on the platform? Priceless!

I do think it's a bit bad. If air pollution/noise levels on the tube are that bad, then something should be done, as I can understand drivers having equipment when they drive all day, but what about passengers on long journey who regularly make trips?
And if they're at safe levels, then drivers shouldn't really be allowed to wear stuff which is quickly going to be visible by passengers. It's like that Victoria line train once that ran without a driver - passengers see it and don't like it, whether or not it poses any danger to them.

I noticed in the warmer weather particularly at kings cross the movement of the train creates a fine haze that blows down the platform. One thing that was noted during the testing of the 09s was the amount of dust that had settled on the bodywork upon return to the depot after a brief test run.

The Victoria Line has the highest level of airbourne particles on the whole underground and owing to the faster train speeds is also the noisiest.

The fact the Victoria Line surfaces only at Northumberland Park means dust and dirt really have nowhere to go, the tunnel cleaning train had for some time been notable by it's absence.

Wearing of face masks is deemed unnecessary by LUL, however the colour of your shirt collar not to mention the contents of ones nose after a shift suggests otherwise !

Ear defenders are provided by LUL at all depots, though the Victoria Line had a machine to dispense them ! Some drivers prefer the "road worker" type to official issue though !