Just a short video to announce an upcoming Question and Answer video. Post your questions below and I'll be answering the best ones in a few days time. Cheers!
Thank you Ben, i am enjoying your nice clear videos from my arm chair over here in Australia.. It brings back memories of my two trips over to the UK using your wonderful rail services there 👍 Au nsw
Hi Ben, thank you for the fascinating videos. When you are back able to make cab ride videos may I cast a vote for some more with commentary. One question, what is your favourite route you are passed to drive, and which route would you like to be passed for?
Hi Ben. Great idea to do this. I know drivers have to know a route inside out to be able to drive it, but how many different routes would your average driver be expected to know? All the best for the season!
I'm familiar with drivers hours rules for lorry drivers. What are the equivalent rules for train drivers and the kind of shift patterns you are likely to follow? Many thanks, Ben
As a wagon driver I have a lot of driving time and working time restrictions to adhere to. I assume train drivers have even stricter rules to follow so my question is what are your working restrictions?
How comphensive was your medical for becoming a train driver? When you are judging your stopping distance, is it similar to judging when to apply the brake in a car?
How much pressure do you feel or get from the company to catch up with knock-on delays to services - by being quicker to change ends/set up/shut down cab, jogging from mess room to platforms etc.
Hi Ben, thanks for your videos, I've enjoyed watching them. If you do another Q&A, please would you explain an "adverse change of aspect"; Do they happen, how often, why they're bad for drivers, what drivers do if they see one, do they get reported, is it ever forgiveable, etc? Thanks.
hello, do you learn how to sign the route or do you have a diagram while driving? I say it above all because of the speed limits, when you should reduce, etc.
Question(s) When completing the brake test at start of journey is that done with full service? And do you use 1/2 power when departing from station and continue to step up or is it two movements from half to full power immediately? Thanks
Hi Ben, as it's been a couple of years since this video, my question is, has the reasons that stopped cab ride videos abated, allowing you to record more cab rides, or is it still in limbo
I’ve always wondered why the train driver was moved from the right side of the cab to the left side, just the opposite of North American trains? It seems an inverse of which side of the road cars drive on. Also why don’t British trains have headlights for nighttime operation? In videos I only see the little white lanterns on the running boards.
How does the training to be a train driver take place? I've applied to be a trainee train driver with a few train operating companies such as Thameslink, Southern and GWR.
What is the difference between a "junction" versus a "crossover" versus what I heard is a "ladder junction"? Also, are you going to do any more commentaries on your videos?
It's a bit of a shock to discover that you are so young! Someone else has asked you what you did before you became a Train Driver - I guess you must have been at school :) How long do you think it will be before Train Drivers become superfluous and trains become self-driving? Self driving road vehicles have been a reality for some time now, even though they haven't been too successful. Trains however, since they are already self-steering, could be adapted to computer control more easily.
Ben HI John (Bournemouth) supposing a local freight train driver taking a train out of Say Southampton container depot and its going to Manchester. Does the driver take it the whole route. Or like passenger trains do they change crews.
You don't even need a car licence. Driving trains is not comparable to driving cars on the roads. My friend was a fully fledged Class 156 driver for Northern Rail, back in the early 90s, and didn't even have a provisional drivers licence. Things may have changed 30 years later of course!
Why aren't train driver jobs ever offered to the public that have no experience with training provided? I'm sure I'm one of many people who would do the job for half the money train drivers get. Also how does having a degree help someone drive a train???
Hi Ben, I wanted to ask your permission to feature some of your 'cabview' footage in a presentation. I would be extremely grateful if you could email me about it - My email is listed in my channel's 'about' tab. Many thanks, Damian.