01-06-2012 New month, new post

Hi all

Sorry for the lack of updates recently, been so very busy and then when I finally get a moment I'm too tired to write anything. But I am free today (don't start until 1509 today!) and decided to write up what's been happening lately.

First of all hours continue well, I think I am around the 110 hours mark now so almost half way through. The weather has been ridiculously hot and I have found it hard to get the temperature right in the cab but then I never really liked heat anyway. The only upside is that South West Trains very kindly allow drivers to wear shorts, which is good for me and perhaps not so good for the general public!

Basically, most of my driving has been along the Portsmouth direct line which means that I have a fairly good understanding of the route now, which is nice as although my DI is still in the cab with me, I can drive fairly independently without any prompting. We have also visited the Southampton line recently and an advantage of this is on earlies IKEA is across the road and they do a decent fried breakfast with free hot drink for £1.65!!

I have also had a bit of driving on the Basingstoke mainline which means I have had a bit of train handling at 100mph which is always a novelty.

Also witnessed something a little funny at Southampton central the other morning where we were just about to depart and a passenger was walking up the platform towards our train. Anyway the platform assistant shouted to her that she would have to be quick as were about to depart, without warning she then threw the coffee she had in her hand on the platform and then legged it to our train. Bit of an overreaction!

I have also had the opportunity to drive the diesels again. I like the diesels, there fun to drive an unfortunately my DI doesn't sign then (which isn't much of a problem as neither will I when I qualify) but it still makes a nice change to Desiros.

Anyway, more hours to go and in just over a week I have my advance route learning between Clapham Jct and Woking to do. This will be a good opportunity to see other trainees in my course who I haven't seen for a while and hopefully some good stories that I can add to this blog!

Better go, got to get ready for work (and my weekend off!!!)