Apologies if this is a thread already. But I’m wondering what drivers do in real life when they finish up for the night. Do they shut the train down completely and let the morning shift start up? Or do they leave the train running so the cleaners can clean the train,then let them shut the train off once cleaned? Thanks in advance!
Depends where you are leaving the train. In the Uk if it’s being stabled in a station then the guard or station staff will lock it up and make sure everyone is off. Cleaners can then access it when they need to with their own keys. If it’s a diesel train then it will automatically shut down without a drivers key after a period of time. Normally between 10-30 minutes. Interior lights can be powered by batteries or from a shore supply in the station if needed. There are separate batteries for the starter motor so even if you drain the batteries with the lights, there’s always a full battery ready to start the engine. If it’s electric then obviously it’s always connected to power. If the train is due to go to the depot, the driver will drive it or there are usually drivers with the specific job of taking trains to and from the depot to the station. There if it’s diesel it will be shut down. If they need power they have the batteries again plus depot staff can easily start it up or plug it into a shore supply. If it’s electric then obviously it’s still gonna have power. The cleaners at the depot can then access it whenever they need to. Very often there isn’t much time before the train is due back in service again. I have no idea about other countries as I know with some large North American diesels they will rarely be shut down.
There is also winter service for weather like we have now. Trains will be kept under power so they don't freeze.
Yes that’s true. If that’s not possible, water tanks for boilers and toilets will be drained so they do not freeze and will get refilled in the morning.
