Any pointers? I'd love to try driving without the HUD, so what kind of methods do drivers employ to learn/memorise so much information besides going over the route many many times?
Well, we pay attention to surroundings. So we’ll look at a speed limit sign and look at the surroundings and know to be ready for that as you come around a corner or whatever the surrounding is. We also take notes while being trained by other operators. If you play/drive a route for long enough, you memorize EVERYTHING.
Thanks so much for that. Will have to virtually sit in the second man's seat a bit with a notepad! Edited: typo
Route maps, cab rides and driving it many times over while being conducted by other drivers until we are ready to be tested on it
I think it just comes down to repetition, driving the same route over and over, learning where the speed changes are, stations as well as landmarks etc.. once you get used to it it’ll become second nature. For example you could know you need to start to slow for the next station once you pass the bridge just after the signal.
So I can only speak for the tube, but that is done in part with repeated driving over each section. The line is broken down into parts and you have to drive each part maybe five or six times each way (I forget the exact amount) and have that signed off in a book by an instructor. You also then discuss the possible moves at certain locations with the instructor, go over them numerous times verbally and if at all possible get a train that isn’t in service and go out when it’s quiet to do those moves practically. Usually it’ll be sidings and crossovers that are used during disruption that aren’t used in normal traffic hours so you won’t use them every day. Thirdly there are annual training refreshers to ensure everyone can still do their job to the required standard which will often go over things like speed limits and such. And lastly we get a route information book which is used as a reference incase any of those unusual reversing moves come up and it’s been ages since our last refresher. You always know it’ll be 11 and a half months since you last did a refresher when suddenly you have to use a siding you’ve never used before haha!
