EMU Exploits, Connex edition.

tomohawk · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:08 pm

Well, inspired by KRviator's exciting recounting of his experience on the Hunter Heavies, I've decided to do similar for the life of a Connex trainee driver. There have been a few questions around regarding what the training is like, so perhaps this will be of use to someone.

As a heads up, I am far from reliable when it comes to staying up to date with these kind of things, so if I seem to have dropped off the face of the planet, I've either forgotten or been fired. Probably the latter. Either way, PM me and I'll make an update.

I'll start with yesterday, being Monday. It's the second week of stage 3, and stage three involves riding around in the cab with an On Job Trainer for two weeks, consolidating knowledge of signals and safeworking. Unfortunately, week two hit me like a tonne of bricks as I'm not a morning person. It's my first week of day shift, and I had to sign on at FSS at 0346, and then get a taxi with the OJT to Burnley Sidings (BLS). Ouch.

We were told we had the train in 2-road on the wood (i.e. baulks end of the siding), and this turned out to be an X'Trapolis. As a stage 3 trainee I wasn't too involved with the prep, as my OJT didn't want to teach that until I was in stage 6, where we learn preps in the classroom. Other OJTs have other methods, however. So we walk around the train, inspecting the undercarriage c0cks (yay, RP profanity filter) and testing everything within all four driving cabs. The prep takes roughly an hour, and then we get the yellow on the dwarf and are on our way empty cars to FSS.

Upon arriving at FSS, we hand the train over to the driver who is taking it out, and we pick up a 3-car Comeng from platform 1 to run out to Epping. Along the way, my OJT is quizzing me on questions from our coursework to get an idea of where I'm at. Fortunately, I appear to be doing very well... snaps to me! The highlight of the trip being the w4nker at Bell running ALONG THE RUNNING LINE to attempt to catch our train! Needless to say, we closed the doors and left prior to his boarding. Upon arrival at Epping, we attached to another 3-car unit, and travelled in to FSS with the driver of the 3-car train.

Upon arriving at FSS, we went to pick up our train to Blackburn (BBN). The PIDs told us it would be coming off platform 7, so we dutifully waited for it there. And then appears a Siemens train... to which both myself and my OJT think "DOES NOT COMPUTE!" As much as I would like to take a Siemens out to BBN, management would not be overly impressed. We call up Metrol and notify them of the situation. Apparently it is destined to be a Frankston (FKN) train, however is now full of BBN passengers. Oh well. Our X'Trapolis rocks up to platform 6, and we have an uneventful trip out to BBN and back.

We get back to FSS at 0930, and we head home.

------

Today (Tuesday)

Signed on over the phone at 0406, and enjoyed being paid while having a shower at home. Arrived at Flemington Racecourse (RCE) at 0500, and we prepped a Comeng for service out of 2-road. We ran it into FSS, then took a Lilydale train out, then ran it back express BBN-BOX-SHL-GFE-RMD. Went for tucker and available duty (nothing was assigned to us in the end), and ran another train to stable out at the Racecourse. Signed off at 1050 and went home.

Via the City Loop.

Any opinions expressed in the above post are my own, and my own only, given without endorsement nor support of my employer, unless otherwise advised.

mjja · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:16 pm

Interesting that you mainly get to run empty moves - is that just for trainees or do all drivers do that?

I guess it takes different skills to do lots of prepping vs doing actual runs.

Happy Gunzelling and remember, "Go by rail!"

Michael Angelico
President, Smart Passengers Inc
(My opinions are my own unless specifically stated.)

2001 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:16 pm

Good reading. Looking forward to hearing more.

....Must keep an eye out for any EMU with an . . . L . . . plate dangling on the front Cool

2001

Member Falls Creek 2018 Olympics Committee.

tomohawk · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:24 pm

madmac01 · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:33 am

madmac01 · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:37 am

tomohawk · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:16 am

cityloop · Beginner Joined: Oct 26, 2008 Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008

Nice one tomohawk its interesting to get an insight into what your doing once you actually get into the training program keep up the posts great to read!

tomohawk · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:44 pm

It's 13:33 and I just got home from work.

Signed on at FSS just before 0600, and sat in the Standby room waiting for a shift. We were assigned to run a Frankston (FKN) train instead of another driver for whatever reason. This was a simple stopping all stations to FKN, then return all stations to Moorabbin, express to Caulfield, Caulfield to South Yarra, then all to FSS via the loop. Was a fairly uneventful trip, with isolated patches of stereotypical FKN rain. OJT quizzed me on the 2-position signalling at FKN, and the repeater signal visible on the unelectrified Stony Point line from the platform. We also had a discussion about the rediculous signal aspects given to terminating trains at FKN, that being a medium speed (40km/h) given to trains going into the back platform (a 25km/h limit), and a low speed caution (15km/h) given for trains going into platform 2 (Running line, so 95km/h speed limit).

Then returned to FSS for available time, and tucker. I had a vietnamese sausage roll with extra chilli from the bakery on the concourse, and it was good, thank you for asking. During the available time in the standby room, there was a local divisional meeting of the Union.

At 1150 we then relieved a driver on platform 1 and ran a service out to Epping via the loop. Running brake tests revealed that this particular unit had a great air brake, but a lousy Rheostatic and Electropneumatic brake. This was revealed by overshooting the platform at Collingwood, however as all passenger doors were on the platform this was no issue. We were held at Keon Park for 10 minutes awaiting an oncoming train to cross, allowing us entry into the ATC single track section. At Lalor, the signaller at Epping took us onto the back platform and gave us a clear medium speed aspect to proceed through the single line section to Epping, which further delayed us, as we had to proceed at 40km/h until the next fixed signal, which was showing a reduce to medium anyway, as if we needed another kick to the groin-related area.

Upon changing ends at EPP, it was discovered that the now-leading cab had the same dodgy braking profile as the now-trailing cab, and the EP would sort of.... forget.... to apply until after the Rheo had switched out, causing a jolt as it stopped, even with proper pre-release of the brakes.

After the up run, I signed off and went home.

Via the City Loop.

Any opinions expressed in the above post are my own, and my own only, given without endorsement nor support of my employer, unless otherwise advised.

dog_spike_jnr · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:17 pm

tomohawk just a tip it might be an idea to keep to your self when you get a win time wise from work as this may not come across the right way if it gets back to your ojt and i dont think it would to hard to work out if it gets back to him and management no more finishing early just a tip as when it happens it is great and you dont want to stuff it up for yourself.

OR anyone else that has a win

tomohawk · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:28 pm

Point taken.

Anyone with any questions about anything related, just ask, too.

Via the City Loop.

Any opinions expressed in the above post are my own, and my own only, given without endorsement nor support of my employer, unless otherwise advised.

prometheus_au · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:03 pm

tomohawk · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:22 am

Signed on at the depot at 0413 this morning, only to be told that the dock at Melbourne Yard was going to be run in by a standby driver, so I got to sit in the standby room until 0620 when we ran a Cranbourne stopper, returning express Dandenong, Noble Park, Springvale, Clayton.

It was the peak-hour crush at its best, the highlight was the wheel-chair passenger who got himself on and off the train without the ramp... good on him!

Then had tucker, and enjoyed another pork roll. OJT and I went through my checklists and completed them, so I'm now competent in all of the stage 3 manual.

Last run with a Heidelberg - Victoria Park shunt, running all to Clifton Hill, express Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, then empty to Victoria Park. Travelled back in to the depot, and signed off.

Via the City Loop.

Any opinions expressed in the above post are my own, and my own only, given without endorsement nor support of my employer, unless otherwise advised.

madmac01 · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:23 pm

tomohawk · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 11:46 am

Today:

Had a different OJT for the day as mine took a day's leave. Signed on at 0545, relieved a driver and ran an X'Trapolis to Belgrave, express RMD-CAM, then back all stations direct to FSS... score 1 to Tom for not going through the loop yet today!

Relieved a Comeng at FSS and ran empty to shunt out at Melbourne Yard (MYD). Travelled back into FSS with another driver from North Melbourne (NME).

Had tucker break (which involved playing pool in the social club room, and being given a jar of pickled onions as a "Premature congratulations for passing your exam!"... Don't ask, it's a long story Razz

)

Relieved a driver and ran a Sydenham (SYD) return service, and had 3 wheelchairs to do.... two of which were the same bloke, as we carried him from Ginifer to St Albans, and then back on the return run!

Then went home. And now I'm typing this, and eating pickled onions...

Via the City Loop.

Any opinions expressed in the above post are my own, and my own only, given without endorsement nor support of my employer, unless otherwise advised.