Life as a trainee Cityrail Driver

Kent_B · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:02 pm

8050 · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:20 pm

exVKG · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 6:11 pm

G'day All,

Well, did our RISI today, (Rail Industry Safety Induction for the uninitiated!) Smile

All went well, actually couldn't believe how easy it was! Tomorrow, they tell us, we should be getting into the meat of it... after we get our uniforms sorted anyways.

Really looking forward to getting into the good stuff. We keep hearing about it from other trainees who are further ahead than us and I can't wait!

Thats about it for today, sorry not too much news or interesting stuff. Will keep you all posted!

Cheers,
Al

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Unfinished busines from previous posts...

Smelly pens? Lucky enough not to have seen those yet!

Buff that calls 8050 Veg? Not that I'm aware of, but I was there when she took the photo! She doesn't like these kind of forums apparently Surprised

exVKG · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:09 am

G'day All!

Been a while since I've had time to post - we've all been pretty busy. It's amazing how time flies when you're having fun Very Happy

Lets review what we've done so far. The 4th week has just been completed.

Week 1 - Generic Induction (Core Values, Just Culture, Respect & Dignity, etc)

Week 2 - RISI, Program Overview, Uniform Allocation, Basic Electrical Safety, Handling Critical Incidents & Safeworking 1

Week 3 - Communications Procedures & Protocols, Non-Technical Skills, Flemington Maintenance Centre Visit

Week 4 - Intro to Drivers Cab, Intro to Timetables & Rosters, Driving Fundamentals 1, Visit to TCAC (Train Crewing Assignment Centre), Visit to RMC (Rail Management Centre), Visit to Eveleigh Maintenance Centre, Field trip in Guards Compartment

The uniform allocation was an experience! We all got picked up by the supplier & taken to their warehouse, where we tried on different sizes. It all turned up about a week later - well, most of it turned up for most people! I was one of the lucky ones and got everything I wanted & in the right sizes too, which was a bonus! Smile

Very impressed by the generosity of the uniform allocation - 4 trousers (or shorts), 10 shirts (mix of long & short sleeve), 2 pairs boots, 8 pairs socks, wide brim hat, cap, jumper, vest, anorak, blazer, wet weather gear, and of course reflective vests - with a handy carry pouch. Also a nice backpack. Managed to just carry it all home on the train. Most of the shirts & pants can be tumble dried, which is very important to me Very Happy

Electrical safety was fairly basic (to me anyway), I'm sure we'll go into that in more detail later on. Handling Critical Incidents was quite interesting, in terms of what is provided and how you'll be looked after in the event of a Critical Incident. It's evident that things have changed quite a bit over the years, and what they've got now is pretty good, imo.

Safeworking 1 was also interesting. I think there are 5 levels of Safeworking, and we'll do them all eventually. Level 1 covered things like organising train protection, protection of adjacent running lines, etc. We also touched on Controlled Signal Blocking (CSB), and how to arrange it. Thats basically a verbal arrangement with the signaller that he/she has set xyz signals back to Stop, in whatever direction is appropriate.

Week 3 was a short week, as we had an RDO. Communications was a doddle, especially with my background. I was very happy to see adherence to the the International Phonetic Alphabet (as opposed to the bastardised version those Yanks use!), and also sensible standard phrases that are fairly common & well understood. I was actually quite impressed with the way the radio system (Metronet) has been set up, it's quite intelligent. Closed channel, so your conversation with the other party is a 'private' conversation. One button push to start talking to the signaller for whatever area you are in (The train radio will automatically change from signal box to signal box based on transponders in the four foot.) With a few different keystrokes you can place a call to Train Control, Mechanical, Supervisors, etc. Emergency button (for emergencies. "No, really?", "yep"). That's also quite intelligent - hit the emergency button and your call will be answered by either the signaller or train control, dropping any other call they might have been on. Trains in the same area have "Emergency in progress" flash up on their screens automatically, & then they have to slow down to restricted speed. The radios also have the capability to send & receive short text messages (Driver can only send pre-set messages, ie: "Waiting at Signal", whereas signaller & train control can free-type messages). Signallers and train control can also broadcast messages to all trains in their area, either text or voice. All up, very impressive both in its simplicity, and its capabilities.

In Week 3 we also did Non-Technical Skills 1 - this is basically the stuff that turns a competant driver into a professional driver. Covers a whole range of things, stuff that basically means you're thinking about the task, not doing it in a robot-like fashion. To cap off the week we visited Flemington Maintenance Centre, got inducted into the site, had a good look around, and climbed in & out of a few different sets.

And now we come to Week 4. Intro to Drivers Cab was actually a mini field trip! We divided up into groups of three, and along with an instructor we went and rode in the cab for a few hours. Most of us had already had cab-rides, so we were fairly familiar with the experience, however having the instructor along made a difference, as he was able to point out interesting signal configurations, etc. My group went out to Richmond, back to Central, then up (down!) to Hornsby via the North Shore. I had never been to Richmond by train, so it was a good experience. Very scenic, especially over the golf courses, and technically interesting, particularly with the single line running.

Timetables & rosters - well, luckily this was just an intro! Let me just say it's fairly complex, understandably, and we'll move on from there Very Happy

TCAC & RMC - that was very very interesting. Well, to qualify that, RMC was interesting... TCAC is just where drivers & guards sign on & off, and so on. RMC... Wow. Built in 2002, the main feature is the board. I forgot to measure it, but it's huge. It displays all the railway lines and has the position of every train, updated in real time. There are 6 controllers, split up geographically, and they monitor every train in their section and plot their movements on a chart. Also in the same room is the security control, and the public information staff, who keep the websites up to date & keep the media informed. I'd spoken to the security guys heaps of times in my old job, so it was good to see how they interact with the train controllers. It makes a lot of sense having them in the same room. Despite the apparent high stress of train control (they have a high turnover) it's certainly a position that I could see myself in, in some time in the future.

The visit to Eveleigh Maintenance Centre was quite brief, it was more just to show us how to get there (we'll probably be learning air systems there), and also give us the site induction.

We finished off the week with a ridealong in the Guards Compartment. We were shown exactly what the guard does, and how he/she does it! It also gave us an insight into the Driver/Guard relationship.

So, after four weeks, am I still happy with my career change? Yes, definately so. The pace of learning seems a little slow at times, and the commuting is starting to wear a bit thin (I travel from Newcastle - 5 hours per day travelling), but overall I'm very happy. We've got a good group of people in our class, the instructors are very good, and I'm having lots of fun. Eventually, they'll even let me drive a train!

That about wraps up this post. Feel free to ask questions. I'll try and post at least once a week from here on in.

Ciao,

Al

rumbleman · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 12:34 pm

That sucks, 5 hours return.

My each way travel time at most is 15 minutes maximum between here and Port Waratah, usually closer to 10 or so if I'm on at Kooragang.

Enjoying the railway culture mate? Realised that a lot of blokes aren't too accepting of buffs? The more challenging one is to pick out the closet gunzels Cool

exVKG · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 1:19 pm

Yeah, enjoying the culture, what I've seen so far anyway. Been getting a few cab rides to & from work and all the drivers have been very helpful. Only come across one that was fairly disgruntled at the organisation, and even then he was quite happy to chat & tell me stuff.

I'm actually not that big a buff! Laughing

There is one in our class that is the total buff, but I'm not even close to that standard! I do like trains, always loved travelling on them, both the technical & physical aspects - and always played around with model railways & the like - but you won't find me writing down numbers or photographing every train that goes by!

Once I'm fully trained I'll be living every boys dream... driving trains & being a fireman! Very Happy

Al

rumbleman · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 1:36 pm

I can second that too mate, when they teach me to drive anyway that is.

greenkayaker · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 1:50 pm

madmac01 · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:05 am

BFCYU · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:40 pm

Interesting to read ex VKG. Cool

Somethings have changed over the last 30 odd years.
( can see my other stuff in other posts & threads)
Years ago, they had to be at least a fully qualified diesel or steam driver
to get a job on the sparks (driver)--but probably now for the better Rolling Eyes

One thing I would probably differ though;
is about the travelling time.

Ex VKG:
Wouldn't be better to just pull up a swag (cheap accommodation)
not far from your training college, and get there & back more refreshed.
(Training College)
And go back to Newcastle Friday nights etc.

Only a small point though.
You may differ of course
and I realise the free employee fare (Syd-Newc)
but also the cost factor in "putting up a swag".

Are you thinking of relocating to the "Big smoke @ Sydney"
when you are fully qualified and on the tracks as a Sydney driver.
(Or when you can a transfer later onto Newcastle)

Years ago on the diesels after a, "all night long sitter"
(or long hours) the last thing i wouldn't contemplate is
connecting, waiting and getting a long journey home.
All i thought about was a hot shower, feed and the pillow.

Another 2 & half to 3 hours to get home after "sign off";
would probably kill me.

Any way.
Only a thought.

Good Diary Memories!! Idea

Look forward to the next. Smile

4458; Feb 1961 (same D.O.B.'s)
and we are both still alive
(sort of !!)

Botany Freight Corp Yes Utopia.

exVKG · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:45 pm

G'day again all!

Well, despite my threat to try & post regularly, it didn't work out. Whether thats the commuting, or plain laziness, I don't know yet! Smile

Anyways, lets pick up where we left off, and launch into week 5.

Week 5 commenced with learning about Bell Signals. About all I knew coming into this session was the signal for rightaway (ok to leave the platform - 1 long bell), and crew member leaving/returning to the compartment (2 long bells). Turns out there are 15 more I have to learn! Luckily there are some easy ways to remember them all, so that made the learning that much quicker. Why do we need bell signals, when there is an intercom available I hear you ask? Well, it's a quick & easy method of communication, particularly if English is your guards second language! Rolling Eyes

On day 2 of week 5 we visited Mortdale Maintenance Centre for a look around & site induction. Of particular interest was a signal on the departure road which is a multi-spad signal, primarily due to the signal being on the right of the road (due to track clearances). The situation has been improved a little now, with a dolly co-acting signal now placed on the left.

The balance of week 5 was spent on Safeworking 2 - which was all about signals & signs, whistles & headlights. This was quite interesting on a personal level - I've always had a minor interest in signals & interlockings, so it was great to see it all come together finally. It's also mildly amusing that we still need to learn about semaphore signals, Laughing

but I'm led to believe that there may still be some around in the state somewhere Very Happy

Week 6 was a full week of In-Cab Observation (no driving). Usually this is done one-on-one with a driver trainer, but due to a shortage of them we had to go three-on-one. We spent the week on different roads, ending up having covered most of the metro network. This was an opportunity to put into practice the bell signals, and signal recognition, and the like. We also learnt and practiced the procedures for cutting in & out, and continuity tests (ask if you want to more). Overall the week was a lot of fun, really our first experience at spending so much time up the front. We were also 'on-roster', so we had to work the same roster as our driver trainer. A bit of an introduction into shiftwork, for those of our class that hadn't experienced it before.

Onto week 7 (the week just gone) , & we're really starting to get into the heavy stuff. Day 1 we were de-briefed for the in-cab observation, and revised bell signals. On day 2 we learnt all about fire & emergency evacuation procedures. We went down to Belmore for this. Our trainer for this day was a firefighter from the NSW Fire Brigades, who did a very good job at scaring the class about the hazards of fire & smoke! Very Happy

As I've been a volunteer firefighter for 15 years I pretty much knew everything he taught us anyway, but it never hurts to revise this stuff.

Day 3 has to have been my favourite day yet! Simulators at Petersham. And they're paying me to do this! Laughing

We were introduced to the Reality Centre which has a 'generic train cab' (open - ie; just the chair & console, configured as a Millenium on the day we were there) and about a 160 degree view on a huge screen. It's all very nicely set up, with plenty of space for people to sit and observe, with a control desk up the back where the trainer and modify the simulations on the fly, introducing different conditions & so on. In adjacent rooms there were 2 other simulators, a T set, and a generic silver set (configurable as S, K, C, V). These other 2 simulators actually had the whole cab, and a much smaller screen. Despite all the consoles being fixed, it was realistic enough that after sitting there for a few minutes I was starting to lean into corners! Lots of fun had by all. As this was our first session on simulators it was a bit of a 'free drive', we weren't exposed to any particular scenario, however I was lucky enough to drive the new Epping to Chatswood line. Very Happy

The last two days of week 7 have been on air systems, and all of next week will also be on air systems. So far we've covered the Westcode B6 Brake Stand, which is on all silver sets. We've also learnt the difference between brake pipe air and main reservoir air. Not to mention safety systems such as deadman and vigilance. And the different types of braking - auto, electro-pneumatic (EP), and electric (regen). We pretty much covered most of the theory (I think), and next week we get some practical exposure on the different sets. This is where we start to sort out the men from the boys (and the women from the girls Smile

). So far so good for me, I haven't had any real difficulties with the theory on this subject, hopefully that'll flow through to the practical as well.

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Unfinished business from previous posts:

Yes, the commuting is starting to get me down a little! But maybe I've just had a bit of an off week as well. My brother (who you'll remember is in the same class as me) is planning to move to Woy Woy, which would knock two hours per day off the commute, and if he goes ahead with that then I'll bunk at his place during the week. That will definately improve things. Can't rush it though, I'll just have to wait and see how things pan out. There's a lot that ties me down to Newcastle Very Happy

Cheers for now,

Al

BFCYU · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:11 pm

Looking Good exVKG !! Smile

Not sure how it works now in Cityrail-RailCorp.
but after 12 months to two years
they used to let people transfer from one depot to another
or a vacancy occured.

Some employees to used to have depot or station "Swaps"

You never know; after you settle into the job (6-12 months)
if you left your name down on a bulletin board in Newcastle Station,
sign on room, someone might like to swap to Sydney.

(sometimes you may be lucky Wink

)

4458; Feb 1961 (same D.O.B.'s)
and we are both still alive
(sort of !!)

Botany Freight Corp Yes Utopia.