What's in a Train Drivers Bag?
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- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- What do train drivers carry in their back packs and bags? I've got new Rucksack and I am going to show you some of the train driver equipment that I carry, as well as some personal items needed for a life on the Railway.
I talk about items such as radios, torches, tablets and PPE equipment. Don't forget you train drivers lunch!
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The unknown key is called a Southco Key, they’re used on lifts, buses and some UK rolling stock including Turbostars to access some panels
As passenger trainee driver I carry:
Weekly operating notice (won)
Periodical operating notice (pon)
NR3190 - Emergency special working
Rt3185- aws/tpws signal irregularities
Essentials guide for the class 700 that I’m driving
Torch like yours
Route book
High vis vest
Door covers - to prevent wrong side door release (RLU-reduced length unit, FLU-full length unit)
2pairs of glasses
Master key, T key, gang way door key
A few pens and a clipboard
Water and food
Great vid Richard. I drive for a TOC with no electronic device agreement so am still lugging around all the manuals, wons etc. Its a killer! 😩The only other key thing I’d say you missed is tea bags/milk/sugar. Never miss the chance for a brew!!
Ouch, I had to lug all that around certainly don't miss it! Should have mentioned the flask!
I preferred my BR pack and uniform Jeans T shirt reversible bomber jacket yellow on inside.
Plastic carrier bag with Bardic and news paper. Always know a posh driver coz he would have a M&S bag or Debenhams.
The key with a Square, the key that you don't know about is a key that can use a emergency door release, passager window key ect. Mainly used by guards and dispatchers,they are given to drivers just in case if they don't have a guard.
Yeah they’re used on Elecrostars and Turbostars mainly I think. It’s called a Southco key.
A couple of Items that I carry are an adjustable spanner and a leatherman tool. They have a can opener, knife, screwdriver, and pliers.
One personal item is a can of stew, spaghetti…. If caught out on the road, then something warm to eat will make it more bearable. Sometimes that can stays in my bag for months, but it’s there for an emergency.
In North America the company supplies crew packs. They have alcohol wipes, TP, and paper towels. They also have a plastic rubbish bag. Some also have bandages, lens cleaner, and ear plugs.
I have to add spare brake hose gaskets. Sometimes the gaskets get old and leak air. If this happens, then they can be replaced.
One last item is zip ties. They can be handy for many things. I try to keep a few large ones with me.
sandwiches, flask, mug, pee bottle for emergencies, route maps, forms, ipad, floss, hand sanitiser, extra pair of glasses, safety glasses both clear and tinted, power bank, charger cables, dettol wipes, deodorant, torch, immodium, cutlery, 2L water bottle, hard hat, gloves, keys, waterproof trousers.... i like to prepare for every eventuality!
Great video! Though I think there’s an obvious solution here - make bags bigger…you can fit all the PPE and essentials in with more room for sandwiches 🤣
Correct, also make room for the £60,000 plus a year wages
Nice video! Always interesting to see how it is to be a train driver in other countries than my own, Sweden. A lot of the things in the backpack are the same here, except things like communication radio and some of the PPE-stuff, those are kept in the office where we start and ends. Personally in my own bag I also keep a bottle of water, some coffee (and a mug to drink it…) and a couple of candles to keep warm in case of loss of power or engine failure. Here in Sweden it’s also mandatory to have the European traindriver-license and instructions for dangerous goods (RID). Keep safe on the tracks! //Mattias, traindriver at Green Cargo in Sweden
Thanks for giving us this insight, very interesting to watch.
I typed this very question into Google just last night! All the train crews where I work seem to be lugging around these heavy rucksacks, except the old guys who use the British rail issued leather bags and seem to carry far less.
That's true! Those old bags were made to last!
@@DadRail Still got mine, after 44 years. One strap could do with replacing, but it leads a life of leisure now. Has that backpack fell apart yet ? Mine was knackered right out of the placcy bag it came in ! You have to be a bit savvy at editing your kit, else you'll be weighed down good style ! Pity about the full orange malarkey, but understandable, as you're going on somebody else's turf , and they make the rules.
If I wasn't going into private areas, staying more or less on B.R. metals, a high-vis dustcoat was all I'd need.Our kid's at FL intermodal/G&W , and their policy insists you wear your safety specs , even getting out of your car in the car park . Draconian? Yes. Ridiculous? Undubtedly.
No mention of the bulk quantities of limestone dust I must have inhaled in quarries over the years. Leave the window open on a 'too-hot-to-touch' 66 , and if the cab was clean to start with , ( unheard of on DB engines!) , in 2 minutes it would be thick in dust. As for the tablet devices for books, docs and notices, etc., they're a joke, being Android, and the DB software packager is definitely of the bargain basement variety. Cripes, it sometimes even works briefly!! And as for toilet palavers......Buddleia is your friend. But not in January. Don't ask how I know. I'll never see that York-bound passeger again, and he'll never see me, either. I hope.
Trust me if you carried what you should of in the black leather bags they where too heavy to carry ....straps dug in to your fingers and once on loco you tripped over handles several times a day! Manchester Victoria drivers in 80s to 90s use to use a old tesco bag with a cup in it!
@@grahamallen1970 here's a company that sells a modified version of the traditional bag, including shoulder strap and wrap to secure the handles upright.
@@tcc300892 shoulder strap.....on a drivers black leather bag!? Would of got shunted straight out of saltley mess room....a driver with a shoulder strap....what next replacing Billy can with a flask it will never catch on.......
I cut my handles off bolted some steel brackets on end and used a strap....but it still was a drivers bag!
Thanks for an interesting video Richard. I’ve always wondered what people carry about in their bags. (Being a nosey bugger!)
You’ve saved me the embarrassment of going up to a driver and asking him.
Fantastic video I found it very interesting what you carry roung in your bags
This is an awesome insight into what you guys carry. I'm hoping to train as a volunteer diesel driver at my local heritage railway at some point, so your videos (although mostly applicable to mainline work) are fantastic!
Thanks So much, and best of luck with it
I want the job where you stand on the platform and hold the little green circle. When I was in France that was the best looking job ever.
Lets gooo - another dad rail video about being a driver!
Hello Richard, I really love watching your videos, they're interesting and all you've showed here I have in my backpack by myself - and even there are people who will laugh - I always even have toilet paper cause you never know you have some on the toilets in the near, I look forward for further videos, greetings from a german train driver :)
Brilliant Video!
Cup of tea, tea bags and train formation discs is a good one😂
Good video mate!
I drove passenger trains, starting with epbs, 51s, 57s and 63s then 455/456, then progressed to networkers 465/466 when the slam door stock went out. I carried one of those old fashioned black leather bags. BR supplied everything bar underpants as way of uniforms and we had to carry, three big red timetables (to cover our area), traffic notices won, pon, service books for relevant traction units, 26 sections of the rule book, bardic lamp and security cage key, epb key, cab door entry br1 key, t-bar key (for locking and securing doors, toilets) i was a D.O.O.driver for many years, barely left room for sunglasses, sandwiches, water/tea flask. But somehow we managed to squash it all in. I also always carried a huntsman swiss army knife. But i'm here because i had notification of your site advising of an update to drivers rule book, but on trying to access it, i was denied, being told, PRIVATE VIDEO. So why notify and then deny. I retired ten years ago.
After speaking to some people I know they said the key you acquired and do not know what it is for, they said it is for operating the guards panels & platform equipment.
Love how you show us what they are for and then throw them down lol
dad rail you should do a video on where do train drivers have a nice cup of tea and biscuits meeting with there fellow drivers
Hi mate I work with some drivers that drive otms trampers and grinders they normally carry signal post replacement keys to key back signals. not sure if it’s something that’s useful for your area or not but might be handy.
Really informative video. As a driver are there types of anti-hayfever drugs you’re restricted from using? In my job, we can only legally use the older types like loratadine. Loved your mini medicine box! 😀
Cool to see what drivers carry as a guard i carry
L Key
Spare L key
Few other random keys
Same torch as you
ticketer
high vis vest
coat
flags
water bottle
Train/Route Documents
Notepad
Pen
ID/Staff card For barriers etc
The unknown key looked like one we use to turn on and off water taps.
hooray for train drivers everywhere😊
I still carry my rule book around in paper format. I have an digital copy on my phone but i always rather have a backup. Books do not need to be charged. iPhone do not need to be charged. I sticky taped 4 pens to my authority forms lol. The last thing you want is to start the paperwork to get authority to pass a signal at stop/danger and have your pen die.
Another great video!! Do you ever venture through the midlands?
Rulebook, change of clothes (we stay out of town in the US), and -a flask full of hard alcohol- I mean, that's about it.
As a driver who needs specs, we're required to carry a spare pair of glasses. Travel mug, cereal/choc bar is always packed. And food/drink made with boiling water. Instant cappuccinos, porridge sachets, cup noodles. Only the finest gourmet cuisine 😄
I just found your channel and I'm going through some of your old videos, love them, did like and subscribe as ordered. As for your mystery key, I see some people have posted things but as someone who works in the entertainment industry, to me it looks like a drum key used for tightening the head on the drum kit. I'm sure if it mysteriously showed up in your bag it must have something to do with railroading, unless you were spending some time down at the pub and there was a band playing then maybe. but if someone handed it to me, I'd point to the Drum tech and say give him back his key.
Thanks Pat. I eventually found out it’s a panel key for Bombardier units.
@@DadRail the key will also open the flap to give access to the battery switch on a MPV
During 4 years passengering on the WRL --Wairarapa Line-- with it's later versions of BR Mk 2 stock, i did wonder what was in the bags the drivers and train crew carried,, apart from the usual things I could guess. Re the Mk 2,,, they were re-gauged, of course, have excellent lighting, lots of Tables!. power points for every seat, been beautifully reupholstered ( not true moquette, Vicky/Geoff) and are quite comfortable to travel in, over the whole 100 km of that line. The WRL is single tracked once past Upper Hutt station, further 65 km , and sharing with at least 3 x 20+ wagon logging trains each work day ).
Your video approved and appreciated by LeviNZ ( Levin, NZ pop'n 20 000+ )
FYI.. check "Rimutaka Incline"
Thanks I will have a look at it
I imagine I’ll be getting one of those bags when I come over to team GBRF in July…
I recommend a small kettle 😂😂😂 for a tea or coffee or maybe a hot chocolate 😂
My dad is the best UA-camr ever :)
I’m a TOC driver in the UK. I’m mandated to carry spare prescription glasses in case anything untoward happens to my day to day prescription glasses. Apart from the additional PPE you carry I’m more or less carrying the same as you. Having been a paramedic 19 years before this, my backs not the best so I use the industry issued trolly bag. Works ok for me, it’s not like I have too many sidings walks to do.
Having said that I do carry a single use poncho. Got caught short once on a yard walk in torrential rain. I was an absolute drowned rat! Got them off Amazon and go for the clear type, so orange PPE can still be seen.
Love the idea of the single use poncho. Especially good for those surprise summer showers when you don’t have your coat.
@@DadRail exactly, like when I got caught short. My shoes and bag took three days to dry, a thunder and lightning soaking. Paperwork ruined. Had I had one, most of me, including the bag would have been ok.
Do you have like a running board which tells you what service your on and the times of the stops if you do would you mind if you showed a video of it
As a HGV driver, I always carry an empty Pringles can incase I get caught short
also you should carry tea and biscuits for the manager meetings good or bad
I found that same key at the bottom of my bag around 2 weeks ago and thought what on earth is that for 🤣🤣, atleast I'm not the only one.
Good to know, although I’ve had about 20 messages from people telling me what it is :-)
@@DadRail please enlighten me lol
Always wondered this!!
Silly question perhaps but what facilities are in the cab of a typical freight loco? You didnt mention carrying water with you or tea etc is there a tap etc onboard for that?
Also what are the rules regarding using the Ipad while driving? Is it like cars and mobiles where you are only allowed to use it when stopped?
Good to know that so much can be carried on ipad etc instead of on paper. I have a few old traindriver handbooks (steam and early diesel) and it seems like it would be a pain in the arse to have to carry all that homework around with you all the time :P
Another silly question, do you think striking for more money, will push up ticket prices
I am really thinking of leaving my hi viz at home when i am driving. The last time i had to walk the tracks I was searching for bodies. No hi viz means someone else will need to do the dead body walk :P
That key your not sure about is used to remove access panels on Bombardier stock at least, such as to isolate the door air on 170s if you need to manually close a door
Platform waste bins use them as well.
I've just remembered, it's called a Kaba key
Also that square key is pretty standard on Continental railways for all kinds of things: doors, cupboards, bins, soap dispensers etc.
I think I got issued it when I was driving class 375s so that makes sense
What's in my bag? Waaaay too much!
Work issue Tablet.
Various forms (emergency special working tickets, rt3185s etc).
A repurposed washbag with random stuff, device charger, pens, Tempil Stik, eye drops...
A small pack with resistance bands, powerball, one of them hand squeezy things, great for downtime where you may be getting tired. Headtorch.
Shades.
Pack with coffee and sweetener. Another pack with cutlery and napkins, can opener.
A "podger" for getting recalcitrant windscreen wipers to actually start moving.
Multi-tool.
Flask.
Water bottle
Food as required.
Keys.
Wallet with safety crit gubbins.
Packable shopping bag(!)
Yeah, I carry a lot....
you just got a new sub
Thank you
Cracking video but you need to carry more than one charging wire I’ve done myself in trainspotting before power bank is fine but wire is dodgy 😂😂
That's a valid point!
Haha I remember a mad dash into Asda Bournemouth on my way to Swanage to get another wire because mine had broken 🤣
You forgot a flask of tea / coffee and what is the orange key fob for? I used to have a green one which was for the green Rd that monitored my driving on the bus and coach I drived😁👍
That's in its own bag :-) The orange fob is for the tracker in the company vans.
@@DadRail Ahh I see and thanks for the reply. I never thought I would be watching videos like yours I've never been into trains but I've been trying to get on the railway for 10 years now and I'm finally on. I'm hoping to be a driver one day but think it's just out of my reach but am finding your channel very helpful keep up the great videos mate😁👍
Carry my own Temple Stick, just because I’m lazy and don’t want to break the loco seal and have to raise paperwork
Thanks for the information. Are you allowed to carry a second bag with you that can contain just your personal items or must it only be the one ? I would imagine for safety & possibly room in the cab you could only have one but thought I would ask 😁
You can take multiple bags of you want but sometimes it’s not practical. On long shifts i sometimes carry a small canteen to heat up food on the loco hotplate.
@@DadRail that's great to know, thank you for the information I appreciate it ☺️
Do drivers have to stop at the exact place as the stop marker, or can you just stop near it like about 0.5 metres away?
Depends on the station and type of train, but normally there is a bit of tolerance. For example if you have a 4 car train and a 12 car platform you’ve got lots of room to play with, but a 12 car train on the same platform maybe tight
Are you required to carry the TOC issued bags or can you carry your own? Cheers!
We can carry our own, and many people do.
I also take some tools with me. 😀 Greetings from Ukraine ✌🏻
Square key looks like an electrical cabinet key. :)
It does :-) I’m gonna have to check if it fits
i wonder what the guards carry in their grey bags
So is it just sandwiches with a can of soda on the go or can you get a hot drink and/or meal in a loco depot or a crew changing point or what-have-you? I spent most of my working days in 24/7 shifts but could always get a proper meal any time of day or night, that and enormous amounts of free (!) hot coffee. Oh and another question, is there a loo on the loco ?
The loco has a hot plate, and we have bottled water and wet wipes on ours. Most crew rooms will have microwave and kettle ect. In the past large stations had staff canteens but all that has gone now.
Nice video how did you get the 700 master key
Its a secret. ;-) got given to me when exchanging keys on handover.
The mystery key is for bleeding your radiators at home 😉
Hi There Again it is Mr Cannadine T. Boxill-Harris, I have another interesting idea for most of you Class 313, Class 314 and that also is including those interesting Class 315 Fans out there, rather than scrapping most of those Class 313's Class 314's including the Class 315's maybe you guys can convert them and including the refurbishment into those Volvo B10M Engine, Scania N112 Engine, Cummins M11 Engine, Gardner 6LXC Engine, Gardner 6LXB, Engine, Gardner 8LXB Engine, Class 313's, Class 314's and the Class 315's and convert all of them into a 2 Carriages and Three Carriages of the Class 313's, Class 314's and that is including those Class 315's for most of us Class 314's and the Class 315's Diesel Train Fans Pretty Please Are you still going to do this interesting type of Project
for all of us out there Please?😊
hi mate, my dream job is becoming a driver however im getting kinda worried about wether the job will be around in 10-15 years. when do you/ do you think train driving will become automated in the near future, and wether its a good job to get into at this day in age?
I think full automation is still many years away on the mainline at least. The technology does exist for automatic operation, but it is one thing getting it to work on a simple network with only 1 type of train, compared to the mainline with many different types of trains with different handling capabilities. It can be done and is being tested in the uk as we speak, but I think full automation is still many years away. We will see partial automation (Thameslink core) and more semi automatic trains in the next 10 years or so. I think regardless of what happens, on the mainline with stations miles apart you will always need someone on the train, in case of failure train evacuation tree on the line ect. The drivers role will continue evolve as it has done since trains were invented.
I'm sure its safe to say the majority of keys are "universal" to many units/locos?
EP / Master key is pretty standard. Some classes such as the 66/67/69 have a different key.
I presume personal cell phones are not allowed in the cab? I understand they were banned here in the U.S. around 2010 in response to several accidents where crew were on their personal phones. I believe you can only carry one if it is completely powered off. I read that there was an accident in Liverpool last February where a passenger train entered a station three times the correct speed, hitting the buffers and derailing. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. The driver was shown to have sent a WhatsApp message just before it happened. So is there an overall rule on personal phone use or does it depend on the company? Thanks!
Can’t be used in the cab whilst on the move. Most companies will mandate it should be in your bag and switched off. Some companies allow phones to be used when the train is stopped for a prolonged period. During some situations the signaller will ask for a phone number to contact you I.e when taking a line block.
I hate to be that guy, but try to lay off the energy drinks. I used to be like you, had one virtually everyday when you're struggling against fatigue.
However after a few years of this I got a horrendous spell of Kidney stones. As anyone will tell you whose had them, its one of the most painful experiences you can ever have!
So I completely stopped drinking them, and the last 5 years have been stone free!
Please please please learn from my mistakes, I wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy.
As we're talking about medical emergencies. If you're on a freight loco, on your own and you had an episode and went unconscious. What systems are in place to firstly recognise that a driver needs help and how would help actually get to an unconscious driver?
Thought they kept their wallet in there.... I josh, I josh. Someone had to say it 😂
Back in the 90s before cards became a thing :-)
If I’m allowed to ask what is the fob on your big bunch of keys for?
It is for the tracker on company road vehicles so they know who is driving.
@@DadRailwell I did not know that I was expecting you to say it is to access offices and canteens etc.
I like the ipad no more stacks of WONS and PONs
10K 👍
Silver/gold emergency blanket, it comes in a very small packet. ??!
That’s a good idea. When I was driving passenger trains, they use to have them in the emergency cupboard on the train.
what about a working watch?
No longer a requirement, it was removed from the rule book recently, to reflect the fact that many trains and locos have clocks on the TMS system in cab, or on the drivers iPads when used for train running.
Where are the railway denotators if they are not in the drivers bag?
Always in each cab, at least on passenger.
Detonators, TC Clips and red flags can be found in the cab.
Normally in a clear plastic box in the cab, 1 red flag, 2 TC clips and a tube of 6 Dets
do drivers still carry the green red flashlight
yep, green red white. that is part of your standard kit
Hi Raildad Do u carry Track Detonators ?
They are on the locomotives, we do not carry them in our bags
@@DadRail oh ok thank you for your reply I Got Two more question Have You Ever Ran A Train To Devon Or The South West b4 ? And My Final Question Is What The Different Between A 59 And A 66 I Was Told It Had The Same Engine But A Modified Shell Can You Tell me If This Is True
Do you still use what we used to call a No. 1 Key?
BR1 key? Not so much on freight but 100% on passenger
The mystery is solved lol
How long have you worked for GBRf?
I can’t possibly comment on who my employer maybe, but I have worked for my current employer for 3 years 😅
@@DadRail Lol fair play! 😄
Are you chaps allowed to go into a station's cafe and pick up a tea or coffee while at a halt in a station?
btw, non-native English folk I can understand but what was Ethan's excuse for writing 'loose', I wonder?
It depends on circumstances. You can’t leave the train unattended, but If the cafe was next to the cab and you had time then certainly. There often isn’t time as most station stops are only a minute or 2.
I didn’t notice that! I’ll mention it to Ethan, and maybe buy him a dictionary 😂 (and one for me)
Do you have a spare apostrophe in there?
I think I’m all out of apostrophes ;-)
Never a comment on if you have to use the toilet 🚻 right away if you have a upset tummy?
It's called a carabena
U. Need. A. Big. Ppe. CCoat. For. Winter. And. Wen. It is. Raining
I was surprised you don’t carry your diagram with you🤔
All of our diagrams are now electronic. We have an app on the Ipad
Looks like a radiator key 🤷♂️
Doesn’t fit unfortunately
if you wear glasses do you have to wear safety glasses as well
If you were glasses you have to carry a spare pair with you at all times. The Safety glasses are only required when working on certain sites where mandated as PPE.
Rules book
no Cup, TeaBags or Milk???
All in a separate bag, along with my mess tins for the hot plate
something u missed don't drivers carry a first aid pack
No, The locomotives have them in the cabs.
where is one of the most important items THE TEA CAN
I have a separate bag for the flask and cooking pots for the hot plate.