Myself and my fellow train driver and friend Jacob answer your questions regarding the railways and train driving. Please note that this video was filmed in compliance with all current laws.
At 1:24:07 Jacob suddenly realised what we'd already had our attention drawn to quite a long time beforehand by someone controlling the camera zooming in... A thoroughly enjoyable session from which I learned a lot.
Ben and Jake, Thankyou both for taking the time to answer my questions. Yes, it makes sense that computers can't control trains as well as skilled humans in many circumstances. I hope you both enjoy long and happy careers driving trains! Unfortunately I'm just reaching retirement age, so I won't be applying to be a trainee driver. It is something I wanted to do years ago, but here in Northern Ireland, where we only have 103 miles of track, driving jobs are as rare as hen's teeth.
Loved this Video, learnt some useful info from this. Can’t wait till I get into the railway industry, currently waiting for assessment date for a conductor role. Pretty sure I’ve seen you before at Preston. Hopefully I’ll bump into you again in the future. Thanks for the video gents👍
Hi Ben and Jake, it's "DROGE" here... thanks for the shout out at the end :o) You'd just been taking about acronyms, well "DROGE" is an acronym of sorts; from my first name David and Surname Rogers. :o) A fantastic Q&A, enjoyed every minute, educational with good added banter.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Im starting training soon and it was good to hear your insights. How about "off the rails" for your beer and train talking vids name? I've ripped that off from WSM but it works.
What has happened to your latest cab ride videos from the past year or so? Including Daventry to Ditton etc. Really enjoyed watching them and gutted they're gone!
Very interesting guys … thanks! I live in Melbourne , Australia. Down Under we don’t really have a lot of railways. It is a shame really. I’m not sure how the number of lines is determined but there’s lots of bus routed (boring!) and we Aussies love our cars. As far as becoming a driver, well, I’m pushing 74 so, unless the change the rules about “ageism” I won’t be training anytime soon. Maybe next lifetime. Thanks again!
Great and interesting video guys, thank you. I was hoping that someone would ask if you had toilet facilities available in the cab? and if so when would you have the chance to use them? as a man with some bladder issues I’m always aware when watching these excellent cab-rides that you seem to be in a trapped situation especially if, as you say, you have to keep your foot on a pedal the whole journey. If you could offer some clarity on this it would be appreciated.
It will show on a download and likely contravenes your professional driver policy which states the horn should only be used as per the rule book. Blowing a horn at spotters isn’t friendly to neighbours of the railway, they bought houses and expect reasonable train noise, which tooting at spotters is not. My intercity operator is hot on this and on downloads it is being spotted.
How do freight shifts work? Does the company plan for you to return to a depot near your home with freight, or do you drive back without pulling anything, or do they ever expect you to stay in a hotel overnight and return the next morning?
Another question … Do you liaise with drivers from other countries? E.g. RailCowGirl, Lorirocks etc. Also, are there many female drivers in Britain? Cheers, John
Just wanted to ask, you see when you sign in, do you have to remember the stations that you have to stop at or does the train tell you when your approaching the station that you have to stop at? Because I'm gonna join Thameslink when I'm 19 and I dont know if there will be a instructor with me to tell me what to do and how to use the train? Plus how old do you need to be to become a train driver 🤔.
@@beneliastrains Awww shot, well at least I have 4 years to wait to become a train driver I might as well work as a train station stuff if thats better, and then when I reach 21 years old then I start working for Thameslink as a train driver. Thanks for the info 👍 😀.
Ben, I am through to the psychometric stage of my application with trans pennine express. Can you tell me if is it typical, memory, visual and problem solving tests or is there maths involved? Thank you.
Great to see intelligent younger guys with driving positions. It’s so good you appreciate your job and salary and obviously not the striking generation. As a 24/7 London commuter, the automated DLR ride is like whiplash journey. Same with the Jubilee Line, but the benefit is that the trains run literally 50 metres between each other. Regarding drivers, a train carrying several hundred people with all the various challenges, I cannot see a train being operated without a driver or manager. I’ve done 10’s of thousands of journeys in and out of London. As a passenger, I’ve sadly experienced a high speed suicide at Ponders End level crossing. I was right at the front of the train. It knocked me off my seat, I thought we’d hit a car and it was curtains. The mood was really somber experience, especially seeing lads on the trackside with black bags. You guys are doing an amazing job, thank you. I feel safer knowing there’s guys like you at the helm. Your point of being overtired is so so important in a safety critical role. As a manager in Financial Services, I never ask my staff to work excessive hours or stupid amounts of overtime. It’s not worth the risk and I’ve seen the consequences of f*** ups. Enjoy your Scrumpy Jacks and beers lads - well earned 😉
There is no way Thameslink Core could be done without ATO at the current capacity, the braking is perfect everytime and the doors open straight away upon stop
@@beneliastrains Thanks for the reply, what do the drivers have to be trained on specifically, is it not a case of operating the ATO control buttons on the desk and maintaining vigilance?
@@ewsclass6679 they have to be trained to drive under ETCS and in how the ATO works and what to do if it doesn't work. It's not as simple as just letting them crack on, fortunately.
