Train Driver VLOG 009 - The day I went the wrong way. Taking the wrong signal

[@Quasihamster]

In many old engines in Germany, the power "lever" looked just like a steering wheel :)

[@MegaSnow121]

As a former light rail operator, I know the “walk of shame!” Did that twice - and can laugh at it now. Like you, I fessed up immediately, and did not get in trouble. The driver is responsible just like you said. Thank you for sharing your “walk of shame.”

[@david345878]

Yes, do a video on route signalling!😁

[@davey.f.demarco3858]

1600 subscribers and now 22,600 5 years later. Really enjoy your videos. Thanks for uploading them 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ThumperKJFK]

Never never assume, when in doubt, challenge the decision given. :) Great video and story. Thank you Dad Rail. from across the big pond in NYC.

[@DadRail]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@DadRail]

Sorry about the quality of the titles and overlays, I am currently experimenting with some new settings to get my render times down!

[@OlanKenny]

Dad Rail KZbin isn't your job we don't expect expert professional level editing 😂

[@DadRail]

Thank you, I know that but I like to take pride in what I do, and always try and get better. trouble is at the moment these videos are taking about 12 hours to render out and I have a half decent computer! just a case of tweaking things to get it right.

[@patrickspeaight9154]

Thank you, your voice was marvelous , embarrassment behind d the voice. Well done and thank you. The mirroring of the airline industry is very important, few of us passengers know this, in spite,of our railways being the safest in the world. Thank you

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Happened to me twice in mid 70's when I was a trainee engineman in Melbourne Australia. First time the driver and I were running light engine to a goods yard to pick up our train, We had to divert off the main line but the signalman had us set for straight ahead. The driver asked me what we should do and I suggested we stop at the Home Signal and ask the signalman. Apparently the signalman at previous station had informed this signalman that we were a suburban passenger train. The second time was running the the Southern Aurora which ,,at the time , was one of Australia's prestige trains. This section of track, as we were travelling through the Melbourne suburbs was dual gauge (standard and broad) and the signal showed "S" for standard and "V" (Victoria) for broad gauge. As we approached the home signal it was displaying a "V" instead of an "S" so I yelled to my driver "redlight" and the driver made an emergency stop. I then got down off the loco to speak with the signalman .(No radios in those days).I advised him that we were Standard Gauge not Broad gauge. He then placed the signal to danger and we had to wait about 3 minutes for the signal to run down so we could get the correct signal.

[@koppadasao]

I like your "walk of shame" line. lol

[@thelastpilot4582]

I like all your driving and signaling talks as I drive train simulators for a hobby. Keep up the good work.

[@thelastpilot4582]

TS2020 & TSW2020I I use TSW the most.

[@brianburns7211]

I’ve been misrouted before. On my company’s lines we have speed signaling. In this case both routes get a clear signal. This line is signaled in both directions, but this was a freight train. The conductor had to walk back a mile to ride the rear car. He protected the movement until my head end was past the signal which would allow us to take the correct route.

[@brianknowles7130]

Many years ago in my youth .lol, I got sent with 2 drivers from Stratford Dpt. [ N. London] to Basingstoke to haul a failed 37 back to Stratford. Only one of the two drivers ' signed the road'. On the way back, we had six [ 6 ] wrong direction signals as the signalmen thought we were some other train. Had it not been for the driver ' signing the road', no telling where we would have ended up ..lol

[@Benji_transport_vids]

now you are one of my fav youtubers! Great job on this channel - keep up the goodwork!

[@OlanKenny]

20p can't even buy you a freddo anymore

[@OlanKenny]

Also yes make lots of terminology explanation videos please. I'm hoping to get into working on the railways in a few years. Currently live 30+ miles from the nearest depot and I don't drive 😂

[@DC4444]

I've not heard of trains taking the wrong route in New Zealand, but our rail network is nowhere near as complex as the UK's.

[@AnubhabKundu]

An Indian Locomotive class WAP 1, WAP 3, WAP 4, WAM 4, WAG5, WAG 7 - all have the steering wheel like structure in both cabs. These are called master controllers here. They have 2 operations - Traction and Braking (often dynamic brakes). These have 32 taps and about 25 taps are needed to operate a broad gauge express train at anywhere around the 70 mph mark. WAP = Wide gauge (1676 mm broad gaue is also called broad gauge), AC electric, Passenger traffic locomotive. WAG = Wide gauge (1676 mm broad gaue is also called broad gauge), AC electric, Goods traffic locomotive. WAM = Wide gauge (1676 mm broad gaue is also called broad gauge), AC electric, Mixed traffic locomotive. Kolkata trams do have the steering wheel like brake valves.

[@grenfellroad8394]

Could you possibly do a video about the dangers of foot crossings and of trespassing? I know Network Rail are starting to do them, but I’ve had so many near misses it drives me nuts. People don’t seem to understand the dangers of the railway. As kids we were taught the green cross code, and the dangers of roads, yet very little is ever heard about the dangers of railways. Rucksacks on backs standing on the white line of the platform, train doors not being like lift doors etc. Great videos anyway. Cheers, Tim, driver.

[@highpath4776]

this really is a thomas the tank engine story, As to trains with steering wheels, there was the littlehampton fun fair track where wheels were fitted in a steering postition to model swans, cars and and railway locomotives - not connected to the wheels but as a three year old you play, as a thirty year old you realise they can stand in for steam inlet valves and so on !! whoo-whoo !

[@jay-xo9dx]

That isn't the sign for an AWS gap for a terminus station or depot, the sign for a AWS gap in a terminus is a circle shaped sign with the red X through it. The Dimond sign with a red X through is for Simbids in the wrong direction.

[@billyboy8820]

I was on a Eurostar going to Disney Paris and we were sent the wrong way towards Paris instead of Disney Paris, we were going full speed when the train braked, the smell from the brakes was very strong, it took about 90 minutes to get us to the opposite track, to go to our correct destination, the driver had to do the walk of shame.

[@briane5706]

How is the driver at fault when the signallers are responsible for signals and points?

[@danwoodhouse9290]

not as bad as that northern line driver who drove the train out of Camden Town backwards once

[@starsteve1]

Brilliant video, can’t wait for the next video. I’d love to see a video regarding signals. Keep up the good work.

[@DadRail]

Thanks Steve, Surely you know all about signals :-)

[@codysayle]

The sign is a CSR (Cab Secure Radio) board, displaying that the CSR area code is 30

[@1mach28914u1]

Interesting , I drive intercity passenger trains in Sydney / NSW / Australia . It always feels like we are getting punished for making a mistake. But I will say telling the true , if you make a mistake goes a long way at helping you.

[@markgr1nyer]

Whoops. Im just starting my career on the railways. First day is 04/08 as a conductor, hoping to be a driver within 10 years. Excited is an understatement. Glad to hear you werent dragged over the coals for it. As for the sign, CSR channel change? Either that or GSMR. We dont have them on the steam railway i work at. Keep these videos comimg

[@DadRail]

Thanks for your comment. Best of luck with your railway career, if you have any questions along the way feel free to drop me a message on my Facebook page facebook.com/dadrail. Good guess with the sign by the way

[@bloomcomputing]

Diamond board with 30 on indicates the next radio 'frequency' to choose

[@DadRail]

Thats correct, however the change is or was automatic as CSR that the board refers to has been replaced with the new GSM-R system

[@andrewwilson6240]

Interesting that TT was the fictitious signalling area used. It did in fact exist, referring to the old Trent PSB in Derbyshire, which controlled some of the Midland Mainline in the area. The real coincidence is that as a regular rail commuter in the area, it is my only experience of a mis directed train. The train came to an abrupt stop approaching sheet stores junction (Derby avoiding line diverging), and the driver did that walk. I would Hardly call it with shame though. Reversed to clear to TC and allow the correct route to be set, and returned to the Derby end of the train. Arriving at Derby a few minutes late, but departing on time. The guard even explained what happened en-route. It appears that the signaller had looped a freight train ahead, and left the route avoiding Derby for it. I would say that was a very good day for that driver!

[@uwlodar]

I would love to see a video on route indication

[@DadRail]

I think I will end up doing one in the near future

[@johnh10000]

Oh yes a vid on sigs would be grand

[@rogerrabbit6185]

Do all passenger trains carry a guard? Would it not be better if opening of the doors could be carried out by the guard. There could be an interlock that prevents door opening by the guard until the brakes are locked on by the driver. Could there be a sensor fitted to the Engine that prevents door opening on the wrong side. I love your Vlogs, so interesting and informative.

[@DadRail]

It is on certain TOCs, I think SWR have a system where the guards open the doors. Problem is most companies don't want guards now. They want it to be driver only operated, because it is obviously safer to run a train with 1000 passengers on board with only 1 member of staff instead of 2

[@sz541]

With previous company i have driven for i have also gone wrong way with a 1600 t 550 m cargo train...but our signals don't show witch direction route is set to and on specific junction station the signal is same in both direction (drive slowly and aspect clear because of the switches that follow). Well i have stopped in about 150 m. at first the signalman called as are you stupid what are you stopping for i have a lot of trains behind you, and i was just like ammm these train is for Croatia not for Austria. and he was like o shit shit shit. After about 3 min he suggested me to go backwards but it is forbidden because i cant see what is happening on the end of my train. So the signalman drove with his bicycle to the end of my train to get me safely back. Then we got our stories straight and they asked me to not write a report if absolutely necessary. Next sift when i have been driving the same train the entering signal showed proper to stop and on the platform before the junction signal there was a signaler with a crate of beer waiting for me... i have drunk the beer of duty. But if i would report him he would face a disciplinary actions and probably a fine of at least 500 €.

[@dickonsavage8799]

sz541

[@JamesA1984]

I would have said it’s a 30mph limit board for trams but other suggestions seem more likely. btw well done for getting in the company employee newspaper :)

[@DadRail]

Thank you!

[@callum646]

So you're back! Really enjoy your content! :)

[@DadRail]

Thank you :-)

[@TheSlummydog]

Shouldn’t the signaller have seen that you were going the wrong way from the beginning of the mistake?

[@StuAnderson90]

i think its a radio code so a bleep in the cab from the radio to the next radio channel on the route.

[@TravelJackJourneys158]

I enjoy watching your video

[@DadRail]

Thanks Jack

[@patrickspeaight9154]

Route indicators, yes, please

[@bsian03]

Sign is a CSR (Cab Secure Radio) area code (in this case code 30). Now obsolete as replaced by GSM(C)-R

[@C455]

Was it the Catford loop that was closed?

[@Biggles2498]

Dad Rail how do you know when backtracking the train from the aft Cab as to when the rear of the train is clear of the rail junction in question prior to recommencing enroute again. Question Mark, my keyboard failed as I write this.

[@DadRail]

That will be down to your judgement and discretion. When you have been driving a while you get pretty good at judging distances.

[@timdaugherty5921]

I cant get over how different the "railroad" is in the UK

[@juicerail]

Another great video. And yes, please do a video on route indications. But keep the lingo accurate! Route indicators (aka theatre boxes) and junction indicators (aka feathers) are now separate things in the rule book! ;-) Explanation of splitting distant signals would be fun too. Keep it up!

[@Ron_TTE]

Are you not allowed to walk down the train along the track because I use to be an LNWR driver with a class 350 most of the time and they told me to get out my cab and walk down along the train

[@DadRail]

Where its safe to do so that would be fine, unless you get a line block and traction current isolation (3rd rail area)

[@garyashdown8622]

Just catching up on your old videos this happened to me a few years ago on a thameslink London Bridge to rainham service wasn’t you was it

[@DadRail]

Not me bud, never worked for TL

[@routemaster3877]

it must be London bridge station as its mainline and has just had work done to it. im assuming you were diverted off the Briton mainline as there were works last weekend

[@DadRail]

I would love to say that you are right but unfortunately I cant comment on that. Unfortunately youtube doesn't pay the bills so I have to be careful what information I put out there. :-)

[@routemaster3877]

completely understand

[@ThomasFrench2002]

I like the video thanks for telling us that story

[@thelastpilot4582]

What happened to your channel ??? I used to watch every episode and really miss it.

[@royhorrocks8702]

You said you should have stopped at the signal to query the route it showed for you. But, as you were travelling at 45mph could you see the signal early enough to stop the train before the signal?

[@DadRail]

The sighting is pretty good in that location so I’m pretty sure I would have been able to stop

[@flipper751]

Great video well explained. I would like to see a route signal video please

[@DadRail]

Thank you, I think I'm defiantly going to make the signalling videos

[@davidslade4899]

Great video thanks

[@DadRail]

No problem, glad you enjoyed it

[@Bobrogers99]

Having watched videos of trains hurtling through junctions at relatively high speed, I have marveled that the operator is trusting that the points are all set correctly. I have wondered if a mistake or breakdown in the system could send a train off into Limbo, never to be heard from again. ;-) I know that nowadays you are kept informed of the route and settings electronically, and I see here that the operator is the system's fail-safe. You learned that the signalers aren't always right, and if you aren't paying attention you could end up someplace you didn't want to go. The blame would be with the signaler, and your only fault would be (as happened here) that you didn't question his actions.

[@geekmoto1363]

its a radio channel change possibly related to the radio token block system

[@DadRail]

Your thinking along the right lines

[@geekmoto1363]

NRN based on the info i can find

[@shaneycook1054]

I think it's a advanced warning for a 30 mile limit

[@SOSOwner]

It's not a Morpeth Board, silly.

[@lucatrifan2797]

That's ten times better than a SPAD

[@DadRail]

very true, There was no risk to the safety of trains or passengers at any time, where as a SPAD has the potential for sever consequences

[@JACKRAINSBURY]

I was literally going to do a channel like this from the station staff point of view. I may still do 🤔

[@DadRail]

Go for it, I use to be station staff there are defiantly some tales to tell. Just remember to make sure that you are on the right side of your companies social media policy. Don't want to be risking your job because you said the wrong thing.

[@JACKRAINSBURY]

Dad Rail aha ohh there certainly are! 😂 I also think people don't necessarily understand the role we play. Especially at single staffed stations like mine. Its like a second home.

[@szabados1980]

Please go ahead. Everyone seems to think that railways are all about noisy, greasy, stenchy engines. 😃 I can't wait to see how different types of interlocking work, how movements are prioritised, how signallers communicate... what principles are identical and different from the ones I am familiar with.

[@paulcartwright5836]

I'm sure there's an AWS gap just north of Durham

[@danmelbourne7597]

Surely this was the signalling fault

[@ulysees08]

Good vid Mr Evans👍

[@drewnos]

What is the AWS? Please make a video about it.

[@harryscorah2091]

“Tango Lima.. ..oops”

[@DadRail]

got me :-)

[@NickJay]

@@DadRail How many bridges in the name did you say? lol Detective Jay at your service. lol.

[@C455]

The sign means there is a 30mph limit coming up.

[@crazysharkgaming8947]

Quick questions. Do you recommend others to possibly take up a job on the railway? And what GCSE requirements are there if any? I would like to know this as i'm interested in taking a job on the railways

[@DadRail]

The railway is a great place to work and I would recommend it to anybody. The great thing about the railway is that you will sit practical assessments to see if you are suitable for a position, rather then looking at your exam results. That said good results will always go in your favour, they tend to like drivers to have a minimum of a C grade in English, Maths & Science. If you want to progress onto management and further then A levels and a degree will set you on a good footing

[@Biggles2498]

Believe it or not if you are good at locating and memorising phone numbers in Old Telephone Directories and working out simple Electrical Circuits eg location of resistors or capacitors or where they should be will help you substantially in helping you pass The Train Driver Aptitude Tests.

[@tituslim4648]

Please make a video about wrong direction movements

[@DadRail]

I going to make a whole series on rules and regs so it will cover WDMs

[@davidcowie2462]

Thank you. I thought there must be a reason.

[@SOSOwner]

Is that CSR Area 30?

[@NullaNulla]

I wouldn't blame you rather the faulty signaller. Not like you deliberately took a wrong turn. Please do make that signalling video.

[@dereksmallsuk]

That’s an “End” of AWS gap mate.

[@DadRail]

AWS with a cross means AWS isn’t provided from that point on therefore it is the commencement of an AWS Gap.

[@Trevor_Austin]

Putting your hand up when you have cocked up and not being punished is the way to improve safety. Safety is only achieved when hazards are minimised. We need vocal people to identify these hazards and their pre-cursors and the people who know the most are those in the middle of the cock-up. The moment the “safety stick” is used to punish those unfortunate enough to get caught up in an incident, your entire information gathering system is closed down (NHS, Councils, Civil Service and MSM take note). Nobody will say a thing just in case they are punished. Worse, any evidence “goes missing.” Such an organisation will then blindly blunder into the next trap that everyone knew was there but were afraid to identify.

[@PottersVideos2]

I think it might have also been Blackfriars

[@DadRail]

I can neither confirm or deny that :-)

[@hmjmh7]

Potter you were jailed again for police obsession

[@codysayle]

TEB105, Eastbourne home signal?

[@DadRail]

Yes. Filmed from the road bridge.

[@mehitabel1290]

And people think driving a train is just about pressing the Go button........... And then the Stop button.

[@ewsclass6679]

Please do a signalling and bi-directional signalling video

[@DadRail]

will take me a while to get it sorted but i will do.

[@ElectricMotive]

The sign is for the CSR or GSMR Radio Area code 30

[@daniellittle7846]

Coasting board comming up in 300 yards

[@bulwinkle]

Surely the signallers should carry part of the responsibility for your error, after all they cleared the route.

[@DadRail]

Its taken jointly. Signaller for setting in, driver for taking it

[@iknowyoureright8564]

Signallers fault, usually the drivers radio in......sometimes if we are lucky, the driver doesn’t take the route and instead gets out and uses SPT and gives us a heads up of wrong route, so we can get the route cancelled, it has to time out (interlocking safety measure to prevent a SPAD) and new route set, operations control none the wiser so signaller Doesn’t get a bollocking. 😉 far worse things than wrong routing, at least safety of the interlocking is still there, although the passengers/control might not be happy if it causes a delay. I couldn’t possibly say where I signal from. :-)

[@DadRail]

Ive had it a few times where I have noticed and stopped, Ive called up the box and said something along the lines of "I am going to be stopped here for a few minutes, just wanted to check if you needed to replace the signal to danger" normally they get the hint and nothing need be said any further!

[@ulysees08]

Ha ha like that Dad Rail😂

[@richardsweeney5785]

Please do a vid about signaling

[@DadRail]

I will be doing one in the future

[@ABCDEF-yf4yu]

I thought trains going the wrong way is due to the position of the points being selected by the signalman as to which line the train should go.

[@DadRail]

Indeed, but as the driver I should have noticed that the points were not set correctly. This is indicated by the route indicator on the signal

[@TheRepublicOfFrankie]

🛤🚞my dad works at a level crossing.

[@aldo4319]

Older style CSR 2 digit area code, later ones are prefixed CSR, NRN identified by 3 digit code also now prefixed, I am a retired driver so I suppose I have cheated a bit

[@DadRail]

I didn't know that NRN was 3 digits, but then again I never used NRN ! This sign is also prefixed I just cropped it down a bit :-)

[@D2999-o4q]

could you do a vid on apprenticeships with gwr

[@DadRail]

Sorry, I don't know anything about GWR Apprenticeships so no I'm not able to do a video about them.

[@arthuuu_]

Guess: Station: Blackfriars, Operator: SE/ TL, reason for maintenance: ATO implementation?

[@yeahman70]

I think London bridge

[@arthuuu_]

@@yeahman70 could be

[@wessexlad55]

Very interesting video as usual Richard. My first drivers job was at Bournemouth working for SWT. I seemed to be getting wrongly routed a lot so I started to keep a record. In 18 months I was wrongly routed 12 times, about once every six weeks. Thankfully, all duly noted in time and not taken. As always, incidents are seldom straight forward, there always seems to be another aspect that combines and the error occurs. In your case, you had the new signalling to contend with. As a matter of interest, were you issued with a yellow peril or a booklet on the resignalling?

[@sameyers2670]

Is that 30 sign some kind of speed limit?

[@C455]

Yes!

[@szabados1980]

Can the direction of travel be reversed on bi-directional lines when there is a train on the line? It sounds weird to me. It should be reversible only when the line is unoccupied, e.g. there is no train travelling on it. By the way, I routed a train or two in the wrong direction when I was a signaller as well. Most of the time they could be put back in place at the next signal and no-one noticed anything. But in this particular case it was different. The blo*** idi*** (driver) should have stopped and complained he should not have been signalled to proceed at a maximum of 40 km/h (any route other than straight ahead) but at line speed (straight ahead). It was a diversion situation so there was no next option. Instead of stopping right there he chose to pull the train into the next station and stop it right on the through track. Which meant he was in the way of following trains. He said he realised he was routed in the wrong way but it was the signallers' fault. The managers agreed he would be demoted to the engine shed and I had to do a few more night shifts the next month. I don't think he ever drove again.

[@harveyquinn5494]

Yes because you could enter bi directional line and then exit the same way you entered. Often see this at Ipswich. Also a train can be on bi directional line another can come onto it if it gets a shunt light. IE to couple two units or locomotives together.

[@davidcowie2462]

Instead of walking through the train, could you not walk along the track?

[@DadRail]

Safety first at all times, There were lines both sides of my trains and they were both open to traffic. I would need a block to stop all trains on those lines not to mention the traction current in the 3rd rail. It was easier and safer to walk through the train.

[@trainsatspeed9040]

If you're reading this comment, guaranteed you watched that pepper pig scene after this, don't lie.

[@manixman6884]

thx

[@matthewpeter]

I took a wrong route in my first year. Ooops

[@DadRail]

Easy done!

[@PottersVideos2]

I think it was London Bridge station

[@ianmcmanus5088]

surly that was signalman error not yours

[@DadRail]

Signallers fault for giving me the route and my fault for accepting it.

[@Sussex_Rail_Enthusiast847]

CSR radio area number

[@DadRail]

could be NRN :-)

[@daniellittle7846]

southern_railway _photography this is britain

[@grenfellroad8394]

Both CSR and NRN are obsolete tho 😂

[@stephendalby1903]

You should take this video down immediately. I may or may not be a train driver, I may or may not work for the same TOC as you, I may or may not know pretty much which location you’re talking about... If I can work all that out, then so can your DM. Be warned...

[@davidhoughton9626]

so basicly it was your fault for not cheacking if it was right or not.

[@DadRail]

Yes, that's right.

[@ulysees08]

Walk of shame😂

[@stephand4017]

2:54

[@tonyfrancis6122]

CSR Radio Area 30

[@PottersVideos2]

4:40 Best not publicly announce the fact then!

[@Tyw7]

Peppa pig link dead

[@stanleywilliams637]

boring