Learning to drive a tram - its easy! NOT!

[allypally]

Very interesting read - remember running into you as a conductor either last year or the year before!

Can you put yourself forward as a driver whenever you feel you are ready, or do you they advertise for an intake when they feel they need one/spot some suitable bods?

And it's a funny observation, having handled trains of a couple of hundred tonnes, I was for some silly reason expecting trams to just stop on the sixpence as required - I didn't realise it took so much work to bring one to a stand in the correct manner!

Seems like an extremely comprehensive course as well - I wasn't quite sure what happened on that score with trams and such, but in many ways it appears to be only slightly less comprehensive than a full train driver's course (at least on a preserved line) - bearing in mind it's condensed into a week to start with rather than doing it in drips and drabs like many places seem to do over a year or so.

Having had the joys of qualifying as a signalman and guard which I won't bore you with here, it's been really nice to read something a little more different that you don't hear of so often (at least on here) - Crich is an excellent place to visit and it's good to hear something of behind the scenes - it's always appeared to be extremely professionally run, the staff are immaculate etc.

And congratulations on passing the first stage! Sure you'll be fine, you seem to have got the hang of it!

[oldrocker]

I've often thought that when I retire (November if I can afford it) I'd like to volunteer to drive trolley buses at the Black Country Museum.

If they'd have me that is.

[dkightley]

DRIVING EXPERIENCE DAY1 - Sat 4th June

Having booked my eight training day...including three weekday days for which I've had to take holiday from work.....I arrived bright and early this morning so to catch the two drivers on duty so I could discuss who I would go with.

As there were plans I didn't know about, the decision was taken out of my hands....and I was paired with a driver on Southampton 45 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltrems/2 ... otostream/ ), which also had a trainee conductor paired withthe qualified conductor......so our tram had a crew of four!

As I expected, I was a little rusty on the first couple of trips, but soon settled into a reasonably comfortable routine, with me driving all bar two of the trips before lunch. Despite needing a few prompts, I feel I faired quite well, and gave everyone a nice and smooth ride. One big difference I did notice was that with a full load of passengers (weighing something between 4 and 5 tons!) there's quite a difference in the performance when compared with an empty tram!! The tram takes longer to get up to any one speed.....and takes longer to slow down - even when you're going up a gradient! Consequently, it was somewhat interesting gauging the "throw off" points when approaching points and slow speed areas.

Over lunch time, things started to get a little varied! First my driver and the conductors were taken off for their lunch.....and the Duty Inspector (as driver) and I (as conductor) did a single trip. Then when we got back, I was sent on lunch while the rest of my crew did a single run without me. When I returned from lunch, my driver went to have his turn at having a short driving training session on Leeds 180 ( http://trams.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Le ... nsport_180 ). The conductor on 45 stood in as driver...and as a qualified conducter was needed to supervise the trainee conductor, I moved back onto the back platform to supervise her.

We did one run in this configuration, then another conductor became available...so I returned to the front platform while he took over supervising the trainee conductor....and we did two runs with me driving, with the morning's conductor acting as the supervising driver! Then the conductor had to leave us to help out with some more training...so I was back on the back platform supervising the trainee for the next run. And to finish the day off, my original driver became available again and we finished the day off in the original crew configuration!! All this to the amusement of all concerned as to how we're able to act as a team to keep a tram service running...and to the amazement of some of the visiting public who had noticed some of the crew "musical chairs"!

Summing the day up, I think I'm making good progress and gaining the required confidence needed to drive safely. And its now off to bed...I'm driving again tomorrow!

[dkightley]

I've been rather quiet on this thread for some time....but I'm still trying to get driving experience in - in between organising and running events.

Having had my fifteen seconds of being interviewed on the telly earlier in the year, I'm now a radio star....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0 ... 6_08_2011/

Start at around 1:10:00......

[Kromaatikse]

Since you've qualified as a conductor already, you'll have learned some important things by osmosis even before starting training. One of those things is the usual rates of acceleration and deceleration, which are of course much lower than a car driver would be used to. That's probably what allows the training to be so condensed.

Here in Helsinki we still have trams in service - and indeed the tram network is being extended at the moment, especially since some routes are no longer blocked by railway lines to the recently closed ports. So tram awareness is greater than in Britain, but there are still many tourists to watch out for. I still occasionally see and hear the emergency brake (a magnetic track brake) being used, never mind the warning bell. Once or twice a year some fool manages to get his car sandwiched between two trams... of course these are modern trams, probably heavier than vintage ones but with better brakes.

[bigvern]

Off at a slight tangent, but on the subject of pedestrian safety, I've noticed many newer trams no longer seem to be fitted with lifeguards at the front to prevent unfortunate pedestrians going under the wheels if they get knocked down. None of the recent UK tram systems (Croydon/Sheffield/Manchester) cars are so fitted and the mockups of the new Blackpool Flexity trams don't appear to have any form of lifeguard fitted. Wonder why this is, maybe the DfT deemed that in reality the lifeguard is only going to save the person in fairly narrow set of circumstances?

[dkightley]

Its been a while since I last posted my progress........but progress there has been!!

I'm pleased to announce that yesterday I took my tram driving test ...for the second time .

My first test was after five weeks of crammed driving experience, and was just before the busiest part of the event season. With all the pressures, I let myself down by allowing my nerves get the better of me...and I made stupid mistakes!!

So, I waited for the busy season to pass, had a couple of practise days and was assessed by one of the senior driving instructors before being put forward for a second test, which was yesterday. And I passed!

Later in the day, I was given the opportunity to have a solo run when one of the drivers wanted a tea break. Boy, the platform feels big and empty when you're on your own!!! And a trick was missed.....I had about 15 passengers when I left, and none when I got back (they all got off at the stop near the exit!).....and nobody noticed. So they missed the opportunity to pull my leg over the passenger jumping ship cos' my driving was so bad!!

[stephenholmes]

Congratulations Doug
I'm please for you after all the many hours you have devoted to the tramway museum
Kind regards and Best wishes Stephen

[rufuskins]

Congratulations Doug and I couldn't resist this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0odXnKhK ... detailpage

Alec

[johny]

Well done, Doug!

Must pay a visit and have a trip behind you.

John

[gswindale]

Indeed - congratulations Doug.

Must pay a visit sometime (it's a bit far though for a day trip!). I think I've been when I was very small but cannot remember it!

[Retro]

Many congratulations Doug on your success.
Kind regards James.

[Acorncomputer]

Well done Doug

[martinhodgson]

Well done Doug - an excellent reward for the effort you put in!

[partyspiritz]

Magic Doug I will have to sneek a Photo



Regards


John