I'm joining the dark side!

[bookworm_020]

YAHOOOO!!!!

From the "If you can't beat them, join them" files

I've just been informed that I have been recommened to become a train driver!:D After 15+ years of being at the mercy of them, I get to take some more control of my train trip.:D:D:D:D

The fact that I get a seat and never have to sit next to an overweight nutter eating curry who has never used deoderant in their life is a plus, not to mention fulfilling the dream of every 5 year old boy has about what they want to do when they grow up.

And they pay me for riding the train, instead of asking me to hand over money!!!:D

[baggygreen]

Congrats!

Lord knows you'll be better off at the front rather than in the rear!

[SteamWake]

Congrats !

Good luck on your carrrier !

Keep your eyes open for those foamers now :up:

[Task Force]

:up: Im glad you got the job you want. So what kind of train is it.:D

[TarJak]

Congrats! CityRail or CountryLink? or another state of being entirely?

[August]

That is so cool!

[bookworm_020]

Congrats! CityRail or CountryLink? or another state of being entirely?

Cityrail Surburban network, just the electrics, no long distances trips.

At least I'll always get a window seat!:lol:

[kurtz]

GZ:D Now we'll find out how the train driver gets to work, or do you park it by your house in the evening?

[joea]

GZ:D Now we'll find out how the train driver gets to work, or do you park it by your house in the evening?

Yup, just like the airliner pilots, an Airbus-380 in the driveway. :rotfl:

Congrats mate an awesome job! Well as long as you don't have to deal with the passengers yourself.

[Raptor1]

So, you're gonne be a train driver, eh?

http://www.freewebs.com/crazyal1/evil%20train.jpg

[Konovalov]

Congrats Bookworm. :rock: Just remember however that you are driving a train and not a submarine or U-boat. ;)

On a slightly related topic I have read much about how the train network back in Sydney is a total disaster right now. Overloaded capacity, loads of delays and all kinds of problems. Is this the case? :hmm: It's only been about 6 years since I moved from home in Manly, Sydney to London, UK. If it is true how did the whole train and public transport network go tits-up so quickly? :-?

EDIT: The below quote and linked article is an example of what I mean about problems with the public transport system in Sydney. This article (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/23-billion-black-hole/2008/10/22/1224351351108.html) in the SMH came out today by chance.


THE long-delayed $2.3 billion Epping to Chatswood Rail Line has been hit by another critical problem: noise levels in the carriages so deafening that transport chiefs fear commuters will not want to use the service.

The problem surfaced when the first train was run through the 12.5-kilometre tunnel about six months ago but has still not been solved, despite an intended February opening.

The Herald has been told that noise levels during the 15-minute journey hit 90 decibels, the equivalent of a Boeing 737 coming in to land.

[JHuschke]

So..we're joining Darth Vader..but what about Darth Sidious?

[Jimbuna]

Congrats....now we know who to blame for all the delays :lol:

[Oberon]

CAUTION, IMAGE WITH SWEARING

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http://www.funnyphotos.net.au/userimages/user756_1171114895.JPG


Congrats mate anyway and good luck. I was going to go into the railways, I looked forward to it most of my childhood, always wanted to be a train driver. However, fate kicked me in the balls by making me red/green colour blind, so now I'm a waiter... :damn:

[baggygreen]

Congrats Bookworm. :rock: Just remember however that you are driving a train and not a submarine or U-boat. ;)

On a slightly related topic I have read much about how the train network back in Sydney is a total disaster right now. Overloaded capacity, loads of delays and all kinds of problems. Is this the case? :hmm: It's only been about 6 years since I moved from home in Manly, Sydney to London, UK. If it is true how did the whole train and public transport network go tits-up so quickly? :-?

EDIT: The below quote and linked article is an example of what I mean about problems with the public transport system in Sydney. This article (http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/23-billion-black-hole/2008/10/22/1224351351108.html) in the SMH came out today by chance.


THE long-delayed $2.3 billion Epping to Chatswood Rail Line has been hit by another critical problem: noise levels in the carriages so deafening that transport chiefs fear commuters will not want to use the service.

The problem surfaced when the first train was run through the 12.5-kilometre tunnel about six months ago but has still not been solved, despite an intended February opening.

The Herald has been told that noise levels during the 15-minute journey hit 90 decibels, the equivalent of a Boeing 737 coming in to land.
Those poor bastards in NSW have got Morris Iemma to thank, the Premier who did the impossible and made NSW's rail network worse!:lol:

In all seriousness though, as soon as the Olympic visitors had left, the public transport system up there started going downhill at a quicker and quicker rate.

[bookworm_020]

Raptor1 - I wish they would fit my train like that, but I'll guess I'll just have to dream it instead!

Oberon - Sorry to here about your colour blindness, I do suffer from it as well, but at only a minor level, so I passed the eye test! You should have seen the doctors face when she saw I ticked colour blindness, heart operation and asthma!:huh: Don't worry;) all in the past and none have any effect of me now!

Konovalov - Most of it's true, the peak hours are bad. The fact that fuel has gone up in price so much has ment that the number of people catching public transport has increased faster than planned. The fact that much need work to increase the capacity of the network has been put off or canceled, and replaced by pie in the sky plans that never happen has ment that it just get worse.

I'm not suprised that the Chatswood - Epping line is suffering problems, like the fact that it can't take the newer trains due to it being too steep for them!:damn:

Baggygreen - The problems with the rail network are more than Iemma's fault, the fact that no real work in improving the network has been done for over 30 years shows that it is the fault of many a government to do anything. Now because of the inaction, it's going to cost alot more to do less!:stare:

[TarJak]

Congrats! CityRail or CountryLink? or another state of being entirely?
Cityrail Surburban network, just the electrics, no long distances trips.

At least I'll always get a window seat!:lol:Cool. I'll stay in my car now and not convert back to the rail commute.:rotfl:

[Sailor Steve]

Congratulations! Just remember, my dad's quote about airliners also applies to trains: "They design these things so if something goes wrong your end hits first!"

[Reece]

Good one Bookworm, atleast they phased out the Red Hens!:up:

[bookworm_020]

Congratulations! Just remember, my dad's quote about airliners also applies to trains: "They design these things so if something goes wrong your end hits first!"
To quote the Simpsons "At least we will take a lot of inocennt people with us":D

Cool. I'll stay in my car now and not convert back to the rail commute

Can my wife have your seat??? IT's a fight to get any after the obease slob takes up three seats and the guy who thinks his block and tackle needs extra cooling, so he spreads the legs to block a seat either side!

[baggygreen]

Can my wife have your seat??? IT's a fight to get any after the obease slob takes up three seats and the guy who thinks his block and tackle needs extra cooling, so he spreads the legs to block a seat either side! I had similar to that a year or so ago, the sitting down wasn't an issue but the women opposite were unimpressed. I asked him if he was overcompensating by a lot or just by a good deal. with a snarl he threatened to "cut me up". I pointed out to him the number of other blokes in the carriage wearing the same sports tracksuit as me, and he reluctantly closed his legs.

[Hylander_1314]

Congratulations! Just remember, my dad's quote about airliners also applies to trains: "They design these things so if something goes wrong your end hits first!"

Same thing for snubnose buses, and cabover trucks, like I used to drive. I hated them, and told the supervisor the reason was that in any collision, me and the windshield are the first ones there.

[Geno_Mariner]

Congrats! CityRail or CountryLink? or another state of being entirely?
Cityrail Surburban network, just the electrics, no long distances trips.

At least I'll always get a window seat!:lol:

My step-dad hates Electrics, lol. But congrats on finally getting the train driver job :up:

@Oberon: haha, love that pic :rotfl: tis a shame you can't drive trains :dead:

totally unrelated: I love the new CityRail trains (y'know those Tangara ones... if I remember that name right XD), so much better! And with the station stop being visually displayed, even better! (I'm deaf and always get a hard time listening to announcers and understand what the feck they're sayin' lol). And I had a laugh when the announcer (aboard the train while I was heading back from Central) pronounced Thirroul as "Thi-roul" then when she went to announce the stops again, she finally prounced it properly as "Thri-oul" (if I wrote that right based on how it's actually mentioned, I could be wrong). :sunny:

[bookworm_020]

totally unrelated: I love the new CityRail trains (y'know those Tangara ones... if I remember that name right XD), so much better! And with the station stop being visually displayed, even better! (I'm deaf and always get a hard time listening to announcers and understand what the feck they're sayin' lol). And I had a laugh when the announcer (aboard the train while I was heading back from Central) pronounced Thirroul as "Thi-roul" then when she went to announce the stops again, she finally prounced it properly as "Thri-oul" (if I wrote that right based on how it's actually mentioned, I could be wrong). :sunny:
I think the train your talking about is the Millennium train (or it's intercity brother, the Oscar)
http://cityrail.com.au/aboutus/trains/m_control.jsp

http://cityrail.com.au/aboutus/trains/h_control.jsp

Be greatful that you had an announcer that could speak english and a train where the speakers worked!:roll: I couldn't get a guard's job of the fact that I spoke english too well and had no heavy accent:D

[Oberon]

Aye, well I never really went for the job, primarily because colour blindness is hereditary (apparently) and my father has it too, he DID go for the job, had a place all lined up, passed all the examinations perfectly and then failed on the medical. He was completely gutted, so as soon as I found out that I was R/G colour blind too, I figured that my chances were pretty slim to non-existant. Ah well. I content that side of me with BVE and Microsoft Train Sim. I'm glad that you're getting in, I don't know if you guys have Unions down there, but it might be something you want to consider, I know some companies can sometimes try to bend the rules in their favour and it helps to have a bit of muscle to stop them taking advantage of you.

Anyway, heres something for a laugh, true London Underground train announcements:


"To the gentleman wearing the long grey coat trying to get on the second carriage, what part of 'Stand clear of the doors!' don't you understand?"

At Camden town station (on a crowded Saturday afternoon): "Please let the passengers off the train first. Please let the passengers off the train first. Please let the passengers off the train first. Let the passengers off the train FIRST! Oh go on then, stuff yourselves in like Sardines, see if I care, I'm going home."

"Ladies & Gentleman, upon departing the train may I remind you to take your rubbish with you. Despite the fact that you are in something that is metal, fairly round, filthy and smells, this is a tube train for public transport and not a bin on wheels."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great time. I felt sadly let down by the fact that none of you sent me a card! I drive you to work and home each day and not even a card. The bad news is that there is a point's failure somewhere between Stratford and East Ham, which means that we probably won't reach our destination. We may have to stop and return. I won't reverse back up the line - simply get out walk up the platform and go back to where we started. In the mean time if you get bored you can simply talk to the man in front or beside you or opposite you. Let me start you off: 'Hi, my name's Gary how do you do?'."

"Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller suffering from elbow and backside syndrome, not knowing his elbow from his backside. I'll let you know any further information as soon as I'm given any."

"Please mind the closing doors..." The doors close... The doors reopen. "Passengers are reminded that the big red slidey things on the side of the train are called the doors. Let's try it again. Please stand clear of the doors." The doors close... "Thank you."

"I am sorry about the delay, apparently some nutter has just wandered into the tunnel at Euston. We don't know when we'll be moving again, but these people tend to come out pretty quickly... usually in bits."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologise for the delay to your service. I know you're all dying to get home, unless, of course, you happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross over to the Westbound and go in the opposite direction".

"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the delay, but there is a security alert at Victoria station and we are therefore stuck here for the foreseeable future, so let's take our minds off it and pass some time together. All together now.... 'Ten green bottles, hanging on a wall.....'."

"We are now travelling through Baker Street, as you can see Baker Street is closed. It would have been nice if they had actually told me, so I could tell you earlier, but no, they don't think about things like that".

"Beggars are operating on this train, please do NOT encourage these professional beggars, if you have any spare change, please give it to a registered charity, failing that, give it to me."

During an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line, the driver announced in a West Indian drawl: "Step right this way for the sauna, ladies and gentlemen... unfortunately towels are not provided."

"Please allow the doors to close! Try not to confuse this with 'Please hold the doors open'. The two are distinct and separate instructions."

"Please note that the beeping noise coming from the doors means that the doors are about to close. It does not mean throw yourself or your bags into the doors."

"May I remind all passengers that there is strictly no smoking allowed on any part of the Underground. However, if you are smoking a joint, it's only fair that you pass it round the rest of the carriage."

[bookworm_020]

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I going to try that when I'm in a situation that I can get away with it!:rock:

"Police randomly patrol this train, I saw them last month, so they're not due back for another two or three months!":D

[bookworm_020]

Just an update! I start my new job on the 12th of January! I have 9 months of training before I'm let loose by myself on the unsuspecting public!;)

[Hylander_1314]

Best thing is to just let you loose. No better training than the real thing! The training centers try to cover everything, but truth is stranger than fiction.

[bookworm_020]

The nine months training includes both simulator and real train experience. So I'll be on the rails within a couple of months! Don't worry too much, the trains I be driving first are ones without passangers during quiet times of the day.

[Jimbuna]

Get plenty of practice on the Hornby before you start :p

Good Luck :up:

[Wolfehunter]

bookworm goodluck dude.:up:

Don't mind the stupid dudes committing suicide jumping into them trains. Its not your fault should you ever experience that.

I've never driven a train or metro but I've witnessed plenty of people jump in stations to their deaths. Can get messy. Their is always one station that has a reputation that seams to draw these weirdos out. :nope:

[bookworm_020]

Get plenty of practice on the Hornby before you start :p

My Dad's N Gauge and my nephew's Thomas the tank engine will get a work out!:yep: At least they run to timetable order!;)

Don't mind the stupid dudes committing suicide jumping into them trains. Its not your fault should you ever experience that.

Then numbers have gone down on people commiting suicide that way, most deaths are people falling by accident due to crowding. I know of drivers who have coped with it, and others who haven't. I just hope it doesn't happen to me!:yep:

But if a politician falls on the tracks I won't be stopping!;) It will help grease the wheels!:smug:

[baggygreen]

Particularly an ex premier and a couple of former ministers??:p

[bookworm_020]

Particularly an ex premier and a couple of former ministers??:p

Can I have both ex premiers???;)