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Locomotive Support Crew

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by petejd13, Dec 29, 2010.

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  1. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Can someone tell me what the medical exam involves, I am fit and in full working order but I do have a slight colour vision impairment which would show up on the standard colour blindness test.
     
    Johnb, Dec 21, 2015
    #21
  2. chessie1

    chessie1 New Member

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    Good job they don't test for memory ss I can't remember if we were tested for colour blindness or not.....

    Pete's right about the rules etc. surrounding the whole support crew environment. After the WCRC debacle the ORR are looking at everything and competencies and certification of support crew is certainly on the agenda.
     
    chessie1, Dec 21, 2015
    #22
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  3. pete d

    pete d New Member

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    as my time was coming to an end, the requirement for competency was becoming more and more stringent. This isn't to put people off but, you have to know what you are doing and you have to be prepared to learn and put the effort in attending working parties before you get anywhere near the mainline.

    Its great fun, but I'm sure Chessie with back me up, its bloody hard work with very long hours with very little sleep. going forward the opportunity and reward of being owners rep on the footplate is going to be less available for people, until they are certified and signed off.
     
    pete d, Dec 21, 2015
    #23
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  4. billbedford

    billbedford Member Friend

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    So you do have to be mad then :D
     
    billbedford, Dec 21, 2015
    #24
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  5. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Bill, you, like me got up at silly o'clock in the morning to stand in the wind under a murky sky to photograph 46233, whatever our involvement in this hobby we all have to be mad.
     
    Johnb, Dec 21, 2015
    #25
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  6. billbedford

    billbedford Member Friend

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    Yes and you got some good results mate looks like me and trev gave up too early but we had a cooked breakfast lined up!
     
    billbedford, Dec 21, 2015
    #26
  7. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Probably not the right thread to bring this up, but a good reason for not using Amtrain for your PTS - it was one of their directors who was a "driver" involved in the SPAD at Stafford.

    http://www.railpro.co.uk/news/train-driver-fined-2000-for-ignoring-safety-procedures

    Would you want this man teaching you track safety?

    Anyway, yes, it is good fun being on support crew for a loco, though as mentioned it is knackering! Nothing quite like spending a few nights sleeping in a sleeping bag in a Mk 1 compartment to understand what exhaustion feels like :confused:
     
    5944, Dec 21, 2015
    #27
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  8. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Is that a good reason for not using Amtrain? Surely it is the quality of the teaching that counts? There's also more than one person works for Amtrain.
    Do you have an axe to grind?
     
    Steve, Dec 21, 2015
    #28
  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    I took my PTS with Amtrain some years ago, friendly but thorough was my impression. Don't forget you also have to have blood tests and medical as well, looking for banned substances, and they don't come cheap, another £100ish if I remember correctly. Oh and my colour blindness was noted in the medical but not of significance for a basic PTS.
     
    RalphW, Dec 21, 2015
    #29
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