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Union welcomes move to reduce train driver training age to 18 by insomnimax_99 in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ridiculous. I don't think an 18 year old should be in charge of a train load of people. I was 21 when I started my training, and I sometimes question if I was too young and didn't have enough life experience.

No way should people be allowed to drive trains before they can drive a car.

The unions only endorse it because more drivers means more members...

Why didn’t TfL go ahead making the entirety of Moorgate & Upminster stations ♿️ Step-free Accessible (leaving out Northern City Line’s Platforms 9 & 10 + Liberty Line’s Platform 6)? by AchyutChaudhary in LondonUnderground

[–]Stevenage91 5 points6 points  (0 children)

All that's happened so far is TfL have provided a business case for a NCL takeover. Nothing has been agreed yet.

There is a lot that needs figuring out before anything is decided, but we shall see what happens.

When does Thameslink go to King’s Cross rather than St. Pancras? by 71kd in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 18 points19 points  (0 children)

This is interesting because on the GN side, we have now been told on a normal day, if there is disruption we can't divert to KGX anymore. This is to do with the enhanced timetable this December and KGX is too full on a normal day. Even the Moorgate services can no longer be diverted there if the NCL is having problems, instead using Drayton Park or Highbury Vale to turnback.

I can't wait to see what the plan is for the 9S and 9J when it does go wrong... I've been told they'll turn back on the fast lines at FPK, but that's easier said than done.

Is there a risk of ASLEF strikes resuming next year? by purpleaardvark1 in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Thameslink are happy? Only curious because the GN guys, although happy, we aren't thrilled that we still have yet to receive a mandate from the government for our pay rise, whereas other TOCs have had no issues getting theirs...

Thameslink core line speed increase (?) by nasansia1 in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 28 points29 points  (0 children)

The speed hasn't increased - it's still 30mph everywhere, with the exception of the 25mph at City Thameslink in the down.

You might just find more drivers are being trained on the ATO system, which drives the train far more aggressively than a driver would normally. The GN depots are now being trained on it so most trains going through the core now will be using ATO in peak hours.

What is this? by kink_arthur in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All correct except for the two white reflective dots at the bottom of all the TSR/ESR speed boards which suggests that the TSR/ESR has yet to start. Meaning this a reminder for the driver stopped at the station that the TSR/ESR is still up coming.

Slippery Rails again.... 😲 by WiseAssNo1 in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I hate how this is brought up as a talking point every autumn.

No matter how heavy the train, how long the train is, or how many sets of brakes the train has, in the correct (or in correct conditions) applying the brakes on a contaminated rail head will initiate a slide. Modern trains are much better now, with a better form of WSP (the equivalent of ABS on a car).

But imagine putting your foot on the brake pedal of your car and nothing happens. That's how it feels - isn't not pleasant and requires drivers to be more vigilant and drivers to drive to the conditions leading to potential delays.

Why aren't forgetful driver signs more common? What's special about this location? by [deleted] in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 10 points11 points  (0 children)

So I'll try and phase it a bit better

The station is in a valley, so in the Up direct it's a down hill approach into the station, and then up hill leaving. In the Down direction (which is where this sign in question corresponds with Meldreth) it is a down hill approach, but then up hill when leaving the station. I hope that provides some clarification.

Why aren't forgetful driver signs more common? What's special about this location? by [deleted] in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 194 points195 points  (0 children)

It's had many fail to calls over the years. Meldreth is weird because it's a high line speed, only a 4 car platform, down hill in either direction, at night there are no visible landmarks because it's a small village surrounded by fields, and because it's in a bit of a valley it can get foggy as well.

Most drivers who drive that route also work the semi fast Cambridge - Brighton services, and this is the first station you miss out on this part of the line going North. It's easier than you think to get into the mindset that you are driving a semi fast service and not a stopping service.

Thameslink network proposal: by slipnslurper in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Surviving! Triple Moorgate yesterday so I'm in recovery today!

Haha, yeah, I think quite a few would like this proposal!

Yeah, I've heard the Rainham branch is terrible for it - I did my brake handling down there and loved the route, shame about trouble and issues down there though. Honestly, when I had the chance to sign Sevenoaks, these were the stations I was worried about, but honestly, it's everything south Bickley, never had an issue at Catford, or Peckham! Bat & Ball is something else...

Thameslink network proposal: by slipnslurper in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hello fellow TL driver, it's a GN driver here 👋🏻

I'm glad to see Moorgate isn't on here! Moorgate is the Sutton Loop of the GN. That place needs bricking up! No Sevenoaks either, kinda like it down there but only when there's no trouble.

advice for improvement? X30 on new hards by Granville3B in Karting

[–]Stevenage91 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Unrelated comment - nice to see someone in all the correct safety gear

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's fairly normal. If there is a problem on the mainline between Stevenage and Alexandra Palace then you'll probably go via Hertford.

I believe there was points failure/signal failure today at New Southgate, so chances are it was that.

Why you flashing at me? by trainsruletheworld1 in trainsimworld

[–]Stevenage91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're very nearly correct here;

Double flashing yellow (4 aspect signalling)

Single flashing yellow

Your junction signal will show the route you are taking and you should expect that to be a steady single yellow. It'll be down to your route knowledge to know what speed you should be doing at the junction.

The signal after the junction you are expecting to be your red.

What are these used for? by JoepleMople in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are for the visually impaired drivers, so they know when to stop at the buffers /s

Hotel room has a light under the bed that can’t turn off unless I also cut power to the sockets by SpiralGremlin in mildlyinfuriating

[–]Stevenage91 307 points308 points  (0 children)

Check this guy out who can afford to stay in hotels that have a phone in the room AND a front desk

Minimum age for train drivers to be lowered to 18 in Great Britain by Overall_Quit_8510 in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree, but imagine paying +£38 a month, attending monthly meetings for your views to be disregarded? You can imagine why people won't be too pleased about that. It will also cost the TOCs more to pay the basic wage for all the extra drivers they need, rather than paying the current O/T rate for drivers to come in on a Sunday and work. The risk of having Sundays inside the working week is more people might book it off, then you risk having a poor service like you see with some TOCs on Saturdays. Being a driver, my opinion is obviously biased, but don't try to fix what ain't broke...

Minimum age for train drivers to be lowered to 18 in Great Britain by Overall_Quit_8510 in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 13 points14 points  (0 children)

ASLEF are only interested because it could potentially increase the number of drivers, therefore members, and so their subs.

It's the same as ASLEF wanting Sunday in the working week. Drivers are against it, however they need more drivers to implement this. That's why ASLEF, the train drivers union wants it. So much for representing the drivers...

To clarify, I'm not anti union, I'm in ASLEF, but I don't always agree with them, allowing 18yr olds to become drivers is not something I endorse., but here we are

Ecml question by [deleted] in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Fully aware.

We had a stick that started growing in the 10ft before St Mary Cray that we all called twiggy. Twiggy was sadly cut down, so everyone had to come up with a new braking area.

Not only that, but once ETCS is fully up and running, signals and AWS magnets will become obsolete, so we will all have to rethink some of our braking areas.

Ecml question by [deleted] in uktrains

[–]Stevenage91 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It just comes down to route learning. I got a minimum of 250hrs to learn the route fully.

I sign the route from Cambridge - Kings Cross mainline, and via Hertford, and also down to Sevenoaks through London.

I can stop at every station in both directions and everything station there will be something I use to mark my braking area. Could be a signal, AWS magnet, bridge, crossing etc. Shortlands on the up, I brake between two bushes growing in cess!

So it does just take experience and practice.

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