Anyone on here a Train Driver

[Gravity Aided]

Probably do a whole forum about trains. Used to belong to a railroad club. Besides building a layout, we would sit around and look at slides of trains and home movies of trains. Soda, crackers, sausage, and various crab dips. Lots of talented miniaturists, electricians, and photographers involved.

 

[Archie_tect]

What, at first, appears to be a simple job, proves to be a minefield of signals, signs and warnings.... running at 100+ mph trusting that the track ahead is clear relying on the warnings and signals you have to look out for all the time because you can't swerve out of the way of something n the way!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Yes, I read a news article in the last few days (forget which paper it was) about a train that somehow managed to get partway up an escalator! Was that in London somewhere?

 

[BrumJim]

Chicago.
We would have heard much more about it if it had been in the UK.

 

[Paulus]

Only in America---http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/27/cctv-footage-shows-moment-train-driver-fell-asleep-and-crashed-into-escalator-4680000/

 

[ianrauk]

Talking of Train stuff.
My Grandfather worked on one station all his life - Gyspy Hill.
He started out as a luggage porter and ended up as the last station master.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Only in America---http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/27/cctv-footage-shows-moment-train-driver-fell-asleep-and-crashed-into-escalator-4680000/

Or Argentina
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...rain-drivers-sleeping-and-reading-a-book.html
or Scotland
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8528842.stm

Most trains should have an alerter system which makes the driver respond every 90 seconds when the train is in motion, or the unit sets the brakes.

 

[Soltydog]

Most trains should have an alerter system which makes the driver respond every 90 seconds when the train is in motion, or the unit sets the brakes.

All the modern trains have such a system, Vigilance, if there's been no activity of the brake or throttle it sounds every 60 secs & needs a response.
Some of the older rolling stock from the 80s doesnt have this

 

[Spinney]

If you're interested in how safety procedures developed, this is a good read - probably quite out of date now, but covers a lot of the early stuff (including one disaster less than a mile from where I'm sitting now). Must find my copy and have another read!
Unsurprisingly, many of the early accidents could be put down to the triumph of monetary greed over concern for life and limb.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Danger-L-T-Rolt/dp/0715383620

 

[Gravity Aided]

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/GG1/prr4876-crash.shtml

This was quite the piece of mayhem, right before President Eisenhower's Inauguration.