If there is one thing that I should say will definitely happen regardless of what train company you get your trainee driver job for, is that you will be tested and tested often.
Today was such a day and our second test was to see what we had learned since our first day and covered everything that I had mentioned. SWT sets high standards from all its trainees which means that out of 50 questions we could not get more than a few wrong.
I'm glad to say that I got 100%, although that was very much in doubt when everyone finished we were all discussing in the mess room the answers to some questions and there was a lively debate!
From tomorrow (technically today as I am writing this with a strong coffee and a 0300 start!) I get to spend a week with an experienced driver at my local depot travelling with him in the front cab to see what he does, and ultimately visualize what I have learnt on paper thus far...
Please note this site is to enable people aspiring to be drivers and to give them an idea of what the training is involved. It is not endorsed by South West Trains and all views are my own and not the companies...
Thursday 26 January 2012
Wednesday 25 January 2012
24/01/2012 - School trip!!
Today we had the opportunity to have a day out in Clapham Yard just to have a look around. Now as someone who has passed through Clapham many times I've seen the depot from the train. Despite this, I really didn't know just how big the place is. Now that were PTS trained we can go for a walk in the yard (safely of course!) and so we were taking on a tour by our trainers.
While we were there we walked alongside a stabled train and it is about then that you really notice just how big a train is!! Stood at track level a class 444 desiro towers over me and I'm tall!
We were shown how hand points are moved and as a personal interest to me we also got to visit the panel operator at Clapham. He is the man who operates some of the mechanical points and position light signals around the depot and a picture of his panel is below.
Another nice surprise in the shed was an old slamdoor train that is stabled at the yard. We even got to climb in and have a look at the cab, see what conditions were like for old hand drivers!!
All in all an interesting day and to end we had a bit of a revision session for tomorrow as we have our next assessment on all the rail knowledge we have accumulated up until now!! Better go and revise and remember what colour the late notice case in the depot and other such things!!
While we were there we walked alongside a stabled train and it is about then that you really notice just how big a train is!! Stood at track level a class 444 desiro towers over me and I'm tall!
We were shown how hand points are moved and as a personal interest to me we also got to visit the panel operator at Clapham. He is the man who operates some of the mechanical points and position light signals around the depot and a picture of his panel is below.
Another nice surprise in the shed was an old slamdoor train that is stabled at the yard. We even got to climb in and have a look at the cab, see what conditions were like for old hand drivers!!
All in all an interesting day and to end we had a bit of a revision session for tomorrow as we have our next assessment on all the rail knowledge we have accumulated up until now!! Better go and revise and remember what colour the late notice case in the depot and other such things!!
the cab of the slamdoor. How things have changed since this train was built!!
The slamdoor sitting in the shed at Clapham yard
The shunters panel at Clapham Yard, the red lights you can see towards the left is a train that is leaving the shed
Monday 23 January 2012
23/01/2012 new week..
Well a lovely half day for me today and a great day it was too!
After meeting with an instructor who can drive we boarded our first train (159009) and headed in the front cab to Waterloo. To get this opportunity with a experienced driver was brilliant. For one thing we finally got a look at our "office" and for another we got to see exactly what is involved in driving a train.
up until now we had heard lots of different terms such as AWS, TPWS the driver vigilance alarm and many others and today we got to see these things in action and also what they do and how the driver responds.
After arriving at Waterloo we boarded the front of a 8 car 455 and headed to Hampton Court and back (somewhere I had never been!!)
All in it was a brilliant experience and I look forward to spending the week doing it from Thursday. Anyway below are a few photos of what I could capture safely (and with permission) and hopefully more will follow next week. Finally, how amazing is the approach to Waterloo?? So many lines and signals to look out for!!
After meeting with an instructor who can drive we boarded our first train (159009) and headed in the front cab to Waterloo. To get this opportunity with a experienced driver was brilliant. For one thing we finally got a look at our "office" and for another we got to see exactly what is involved in driving a train.
up until now we had heard lots of different terms such as AWS, TPWS the driver vigilance alarm and many others and today we got to see these things in action and also what they do and how the driver responds.
After arriving at Waterloo we boarded the front of a 8 car 455 and headed to Hampton Court and back (somewhere I had never been!!)
All in it was a brilliant experience and I look forward to spending the week doing it from Thursday. Anyway below are a few photos of what I could capture safely (and with permission) and hopefully more will follow next week. Finally, how amazing is the approach to Waterloo?? So many lines and signals to look out for!!
our 455 just before we left Waterloo platform 2
the view from the front at platform 2, a train is just arriving into platform 1
same again with signal W3 shown
my first visit to Hampton Court!
The starter signal at Hampton Court showing the route set for the "up Hampton Court line" it can also allow you to use the line to the right which is reversible
A shot of the line showing W206 signal (you can tell I haven't signed the route as I have already forgotten where it is!!?! Answers on a postcard!)
A shot out the side window of New Malden
Friday 20 January 2012
20/01/2012 End of the second week!!
Well after more fun and frivolity I have come to the end of the second week, and have much to look forward to.
This week has seen the end of what is snappily titled Basic Rail and a test is forthcoming (Wednesday!)
Today and yesterday saw me doing my Personal track Safety course (for the third time because of various past jobs). Before anyone can go on the track, you have to undergo two days training. Day one being theory (and you really want to read module G1 of the rule book available on http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Rule_Book/Forms/Live_Documents.aspx?RootFolder=/Rule_Book/Rule%20Book%20Modules&FolderCTID=0x01200060B274261602B94B84F5B3E1E95DE5C8 ) and day two is practical where you show how to lay track circuit clips and detonators (actual explosives that go on the track to warn trains - don't worry it just makes a loud bang!!!)
We learnt how in an emergency you have to 1 and quarter of mile backwards to protect the line!! So on a blistering cold morning (today) I stood with all the other trainees and took turns in placing track circuit clips.
The end result is that we had a test today to gain our Personal Track Safety card and I passed 100% which is always good, and everyone course sailed through with no problems.
So with all PTS done the next week is looking at being good. Monday see's me go up the front of a passenger train to see what happens and after two further days of revision and ANOTHER test of what we have done so far, I spend a week doing front end turns and seeing what the driver does and see and I can't wait. After that week, it looks like we will start driving on the simulator and again I can't wait so you can look forward to that in my blog!
Finally, I was picked out to undergo a random drugs test and apparently the person doing the tests didn't know who I am. So she asks the trainer who said you are looking for the person that looks like the honey monster!! So in this women comes into the mess room where I am sat with all the other new drivers and she says I'm looking for the one who is the "honey monster"??!?!? We all look at each other and then she says "a Francis Oldfield".
Well, that's a nickname I am NOT going to shift. Until Monday... have a great weekend...
This week has seen the end of what is snappily titled Basic Rail and a test is forthcoming (Wednesday!)
Today and yesterday saw me doing my Personal track Safety course (for the third time because of various past jobs). Before anyone can go on the track, you have to undergo two days training. Day one being theory (and you really want to read module G1 of the rule book available on http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Rule_Book/Forms/Live_Documents.aspx?RootFolder=/Rule_Book/Rule%20Book%20Modules&FolderCTID=0x01200060B274261602B94B84F5B3E1E95DE5C8 ) and day two is practical where you show how to lay track circuit clips and detonators (actual explosives that go on the track to warn trains - don't worry it just makes a loud bang!!!)
We learnt how in an emergency you have to 1 and quarter of mile backwards to protect the line!! So on a blistering cold morning (today) I stood with all the other trainees and took turns in placing track circuit clips.
The end result is that we had a test today to gain our Personal Track Safety card and I passed 100% which is always good, and everyone course sailed through with no problems.
So with all PTS done the next week is looking at being good. Monday see's me go up the front of a passenger train to see what happens and after two further days of revision and ANOTHER test of what we have done so far, I spend a week doing front end turns and seeing what the driver does and see and I can't wait. After that week, it looks like we will start driving on the simulator and again I can't wait so you can look forward to that in my blog!
Finally, I was picked out to undergo a random drugs test and apparently the person doing the tests didn't know who I am. So she asks the trainer who said you are looking for the person that looks like the honey monster!! So in this women comes into the mess room where I am sat with all the other new drivers and she says I'm looking for the one who is the "honey monster"??!?!? We all look at each other and then she says "a Francis Oldfield".
Well, that's a nickname I am NOT going to shift. Until Monday... have a great weekend...
Monday 16 January 2012
16/01/2012 Hooray, I'm an apprentice
hi all,
Another week starts in my quest to become a train driver and it has started with the revelation that I am to be an apprentice!
Indeed, the government apparently pays money to my company for them to make me an apprentice, which means at the end of my course not only will I drive train but I will have a shiny NVQ to say that I can drive trains.
This also meant that I had to take a maths and English test today to see how well I could do both. Seeing as how I have GCSE's in both subjects I was skeptical but hey ho!
I did the tests and seemed to do well, but sadly they were only to see how well I learn and in the near future and in the near future I have to sit two exams of 90 minutes each to test me again!?!
But anyway, on more related news we spent the entire day looking at signals and everything a signal does. Apparently it's not as simple as saying Red ones are stop and green ones are go, and we have seen everything from Intermediate Block Signals, to Shunting discs to 4 aspect colour light signals that can flash...
All good fun as you can see, but for now I lets get my thinking cap on as it is pub quiz night at my local, lets see if they ask about track circuit block......
Another week starts in my quest to become a train driver and it has started with the revelation that I am to be an apprentice!
Indeed, the government apparently pays money to my company for them to make me an apprentice, which means at the end of my course not only will I drive train but I will have a shiny NVQ to say that I can drive trains.
This also meant that I had to take a maths and English test today to see how well I could do both. Seeing as how I have GCSE's in both subjects I was skeptical but hey ho!
I did the tests and seemed to do well, but sadly they were only to see how well I learn and in the near future and in the near future I have to sit two exams of 90 minutes each to test me again!?!
But anyway, on more related news we spent the entire day looking at signals and everything a signal does. Apparently it's not as simple as saying Red ones are stop and green ones are go, and we have seen everything from Intermediate Block Signals, to Shunting discs to 4 aspect colour light signals that can flash...
All good fun as you can see, but for now I lets get my thinking cap on as it is pub quiz night at my local, lets see if they ask about track circuit block......
Friday 13 January 2012
13/01/2012 First Week over!!
Good evening. Phew!! First week over. For me, unfortunately (with my guards background) I haven't learnt anything new.It's good thought to go over things again so no complaints for me.
i have also got now a timetable showing me exactly when and what I am doing for the rest of the course, so I now know the exact day I should drive my first train!!
Otherwise the last two days has focused on rosters and diagrams and what they mean and when it say TC or PC, or maybe PASS or TAXI, we now know what it means.
Today has been a basic introduction into signalling. Absolute Block and Track Circuit Block and I could tell by the look on the faces of those new to the industry that this could be difficult. I had to drag up from long term memory some of the more interesting parts of AB signalling (intermediate block signals for example and who controls them!)
Still much to look forward to in the next weeks, I'll update this blog every now again when something interested has happened as doing it everyday will get a bit boring!
Have fun all, I'm off to relax for the weekend (although I bet my finaceé will have other plans!)
i have also got now a timetable showing me exactly when and what I am doing for the rest of the course, so I now know the exact day I should drive my first train!!
Otherwise the last two days has focused on rosters and diagrams and what they mean and when it say TC or PC, or maybe PASS or TAXI, we now know what it means.
Today has been a basic introduction into signalling. Absolute Block and Track Circuit Block and I could tell by the look on the faces of those new to the industry that this could be difficult. I had to drag up from long term memory some of the more interesting parts of AB signalling (intermediate block signals for example and who controls them!)
Still much to look forward to in the next weeks, I'll update this blog every now again when something interested has happened as doing it everyday will get a bit boring!
Have fun all, I'm off to relax for the weekend (although I bet my finaceé will have other plans!)
Wednesday 11 January 2012
11/01/2012
Morning all!
nice easy day today. Just a simple 0800 appointment with my new Driver Manager at the depot. A quick look round, any questions? nope? good, have a good day!
So here I am at 0945 and I have finished already! Fantastic!
On the job training starts tomorrow!!
nice easy day today. Just a simple 0800 appointment with my new Driver Manager at the depot. A quick look round, any questions? nope? good, have a good day!
So here I am at 0945 and I have finished already! Fantastic!
On the job training starts tomorrow!!
Tuesday 10 January 2012
10/01/2012
day three at South West Trains. Nothing more to report really. The morning was spent up at Waterloo uniform store where I was issued with all my uniform. For those interested you get trousers (obviously!) then you are given the choice of whether you want to wear shirt and tie or polo shirts.
As I have been shirt and tie since school, I decided to go for polo shirts. You also get a fleece and a bomber style jacket. You also get a winter anorak. I have also got some shorts on order but still not entirely convinced they are for me!!
The rest of the day was spent with more induction training. This time being taught about how important security was in the rail industry and how important it is to challenge people you don't know. You learn about the basics of customer services and how SWT expect their staff to present themselves.
All in all a more chilled day and I am looking forward to tomorrow as I get my first lie in! Don't have to be at Fratton until 0800 tomorrow!!!
As I have been shirt and tie since school, I decided to go for polo shirts. You also get a fleece and a bomber style jacket. You also get a winter anorak. I have also got some shorts on order but still not entirely convinced they are for me!!
The rest of the day was spent with more induction training. This time being taught about how important security was in the rail industry and how important it is to challenge people you don't know. You learn about the basics of customer services and how SWT expect their staff to present themselves.
All in all a more chilled day and I am looking forward to tomorrow as I get my first lie in! Don't have to be at Fratton until 0800 tomorrow!!!
Monday 9 January 2012
09/01/2012
Hi all
I am back from my first day and it's good to be back! I worked for SWT back in 2006 when I was an RO2 at Eastleigh and went through the induction process then.
To me an induction process is an induction process is an induction process.
I learnt about the company, where we go, why we do it and the awards that the company has for doing it and all in all SWT are a good company.
It was also a day for filling forms until I burst. Every possible thing that I have had to be written down to be filled somewhere. Most importantly I filled in my staff travel application form so i can look forward to that to arrive. Nothing much else to report, I know what sort of extinguisher to use for a fire which is a relief, and I will be getting my uniform tomorrow.
Wednesday see's me visiting my home depot for the first time and Thurs and Fri are the start of my job training and although they didn't say anything I have a feeling that will be PTS (personal track safety).
Right off to the pub quiz tonight (no drinking!!) and then a nice early train to the Waterloo uniform store tomorrow morning!
I am back from my first day and it's good to be back! I worked for SWT back in 2006 when I was an RO2 at Eastleigh and went through the induction process then.
To me an induction process is an induction process is an induction process.
I learnt about the company, where we go, why we do it and the awards that the company has for doing it and all in all SWT are a good company.
It was also a day for filling forms until I burst. Every possible thing that I have had to be written down to be filled somewhere. Most importantly I filled in my staff travel application form so i can look forward to that to arrive. Nothing much else to report, I know what sort of extinguisher to use for a fire which is a relief, and I will be getting my uniform tomorrow.
Wednesday see's me visiting my home depot for the first time and Thurs and Fri are the start of my job training and although they didn't say anything I have a feeling that will be PTS (personal track safety).
Right off to the pub quiz tonight (no drinking!!) and then a nice early train to the Waterloo uniform store tomorrow morning!
Sunday 8 January 2012
08/01/2012
Hi and welcome
You join me sitting the night before my first day at South West Trains.
I have decided to keep this blog to give people wanting to be a train driver an idea of what it is like and what to expect should get through the assessments.
First of all to get to the position I am in today I have had to take and pass assessments and also had to be interviewed. I also passed a strict medical before being given a start date.
Rather than go through the whole process again I would rather point out the websites that helped me.
http://www.traindriver.org/
http://www.traindrivertrainee.com/
are just a few, also the good people at
www.railforums.co.uk
and
www.railchat.co.uk
will always answer any questions that you might have.
Anyway, here I am. i have just been through all the paperwork that I have to take tomorrow and I am raring to go. I was a conductor this time yesterday and worked my final shift and tomorrow I change company to start what is my dream vocation.
I hope that you will come back to this site and will go through the journey with me. I am now embarking on a training course that should last between 12 and 14 months. But it should be worth it as it will provide a career for life.
Wish me luck!
You join me sitting the night before my first day at South West Trains.
I have decided to keep this blog to give people wanting to be a train driver an idea of what it is like and what to expect should get through the assessments.
First of all to get to the position I am in today I have had to take and pass assessments and also had to be interviewed. I also passed a strict medical before being given a start date.
Rather than go through the whole process again I would rather point out the websites that helped me.
http://www.traindriver.org/
http://www.traindrivertrainee.com/
are just a few, also the good people at
www.railforums.co.uk
and
www.railchat.co.uk
will always answer any questions that you might have.
Anyway, here I am. i have just been through all the paperwork that I have to take tomorrow and I am raring to go. I was a conductor this time yesterday and worked my final shift and tomorrow I change company to start what is my dream vocation.
I hope that you will come back to this site and will go through the journey with me. I am now embarking on a training course that should last between 12 and 14 months. But it should be worth it as it will provide a career for life.
Wish me luck!
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