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!
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!
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?
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
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.
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?
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.
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
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
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?
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.
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.
![★ 4K 🇦🇹 Vienna - Linz - 🇩🇪 Passau (D), Austria - Germany cab ride [03.2021]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ryljxrT37qw/mqdefault.jpg)
![★ 4K 🇦🇹 Vienna - Linz - 🇩🇪 Passau (D), Austria - Germany cab ride [03.2021]](/img/tr.png)
Great to put a face to the name, and fantastic videos. All the best for Xmas 2020, Ben.
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!
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, just found your vids and slowly working through them, railways in my blood. I was wondering what camera your using on long video's. Thanks
Hi Ben. Do you always drive the same route or are the schedules varied? Thank you.
Hi Ben, when will you and Don C (who I think works for the same toc) be able to upload some be cab ride vids on the national network?
Hello Ben, what's the best way to learn a route (in your opinion/experience)?
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
Didnt realise you were so young as a train driver. Wish id done the same when I was your age when I had the chance.
What is your favourite route to drive and why?
What did you do before becoming a train driver, and do you have any tips for trainee drivers going through their training?
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.
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?
What toc do you drive for? and also what is your most driven unit?
Hello.
Do trains still have the Dead Man's Handle with all the electronic gadgetry of the modern world?
Thanks Phil
The new Thameslink Class 700 trains don't, and neither do the Bombarier Electrostar class 377 trains. Some underground trains do though I think.
I'd really like to know what year it was when sounding the horn was discontinued, when entering and leaving tunnels? Thanks👍
Is the WSP annoying in horrible weather, and could you also explain about WSP and low railhead adhesion if possible.
How does the PIS work? Do you have to press a button to trigger the next announcement or is it all automated somehow?
What are the positives/negatives to driving commuter services and also to driving express services
How does one focus for long periods of time on the rails? My dream was to become a train driver but I can't due to medication I am taking
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.
Do you have a favourite line / train that you like to use in the UK?
What is your opinion on hyperloop and high speed 2? Do you think their good investments or not?
Does your route knowledge have to be impeccable? Could you name every junction, station, and bridge on the route?
I think so.
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
Are the glasses okay to practice this profession?
How many numbers should be at most?
What’s the recruitment process like? How do you revise for the tests
I'd be interested to know your feelings on the development of gsm-r
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
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?
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.
What do you need to study to become a train driver?
I like the buses and trains and more transport
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.
How easy was it to get get into the job what qualifications do you need?
I’m interested in this for my son thanks
Hi Ben, you’re a pelican.
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.
Do you have to have any specific licence to apply for the job ie provisional/full driving license
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!
hi ben plis diver class 67 good viedo
Dog, Don Coffey has moved in on your action, even has one of you going from EDR to CAR, what's up with THAT ...?
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???
Does being a train driver get you all the ladies on a night out? 😜
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.