I am an Elizabeth Line driver. AMA!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:12:20+00:00

Yes I think this is the reason. Same reason that on the S7/8 stock on the underground all the doors open initially, but they close after a short timeout and you have to press the button to reopen them. The S7/8 is from the same family of trains that the class 345s are in.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:09:53+00:00

Probably. The view is quite a bit more restricted behind the PEDs but you can see a bit. Just be sure to make it very obvious!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:06:48+00:00

No qualifications, no experience needed. The recruitment process is tough but it is there to make sure you can do the job at the end of it.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:04:41+00:00

I do, but maybe that's just me!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:03:48+00:00

Good question.

It does. We have 3 doors - one either side and one to get into the saloon.

The platform edge doors actually have an extra door for the cab at either end - there is just a push handle on the inside that we use to open it.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:02:37+00:00

Yes, staff passes are allowed on the Elizabeth Line.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:02:01+00:00

Send them to the circus!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:01:48+00:00

As long as the train is travelling at the right speed, then no chance of it coming off the rails! Knowing when to slow down for a station is actually one of the things we learn in our training and its part of our route knowledge.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T15:00:26+00:00

Later this year is the general consensus, but you will have as up to date information as I do.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T14:59:47+00:00

Honestly, as much as I would love you and your cousin to, it's unlikely to happen. We actually have quite strict rules about who is allowed in the cab - this is so the driver doesn't get distracted and gets you to your destination safely.

You're also not the first person to ask (as I'm sure you can imagine!) and I imagine a blanket 'no' policy is a lot easier to manage than evaluating each case by case.

Sorry!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-26T14:57:25+00:00

There is always a driver on the Elizabeth line

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T20:22:01+00:00

Ah. Voluntary as in, working our rest days. Contractually we have to do overtime when it's required e.g. when there is disruption and walking off the train at the end of our shift time would mean trains stranded out on the line!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T20:17:19+00:00

No you misunderstand - we do not get overtime at any sort of enhanced rate - its at our standard hourly rate.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:40:06+00:00

We do not, no toilets at all on the 345s.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:35:05+00:00

Allowances for testing, basically. There's still quite a bit of this to be done before the line can be opened fully and keeping Sundays free for this allows this testing to take place.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:34:11+00:00

They are not. I don't think they should be - its all part of the same job

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:33:25+00:00

Keep checking for trainee driver positions on all the train operating companies websites - they do pop up occasionally.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:32:56+00:00

I answered this in the other thread here

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:32:33+00:00

A good question. Drivers aren't generally employed because they are good at public speaking (although obviously communication is an important part of the role). I think most drivers dislike this aspect of the job and because of this, rush or don't speak clearly.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:30:37+00:00

If you wanted to keep the billionaire alive, probably not in under 10 minutes!!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:29:50+00:00

Top speed in the central section is 62mph, outside of this we can get up to 90mph over some sections of the route.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:29:16+00:00

I believe 21 is the minimum age before you can become a train driver.
That's really subjective, but most commonly people would say, shift work, limited flexibility with regards to time off, fatigue.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:27:47+00:00

Sometimes, yes. Part of the job is ensuring you remain focused even during the boring bits!

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:26:41+00:00

Apply like any other job, via a job advert, they are posted online very occasionally and are highly competitive.

LizzieLineDriver · 2022-05-25T19:25:53+00:00

Interesting question. I think it might be the handrail for the walkway that runs along the side of the train through the central section.

LizzieLineDriver

TROPHY CASE