Motormen and Conductors
Training

Motorman training

When instructing trainees how to control a tramcar the premier emphasis is on Safety; Safety and wellbeing of  the passengers, tram crew, and others who may be affected by the movement of the tram (any moving vehicle is a potential hazard to life & limb!).

They are therefore instructed in the checks that are necessary before the tram is moved at all and on the brake tests, to be carried out immediately after leaving the depot but before a passenger is allowed onboard. 

 Trainees  are taught the basic wiring of the tram, the use of series/parallel control and the differing types of braking systems found on  the cars at Summerlee (There being no standardisation as would be found in a municipal undertaking). 

They are taught how to control the car at speeds commensurate with track layout and its conditions; how to stop exactly where required and how to shunt up to another car without bumping. Cars should always be controlled in such a manner as demonstrates consideration for safety and the comfort of passengers.

 Trainees are also taught what action to take in various potential emergency situations, from a controller jamming on power notches to derailment, fire, etc., by stopping & securing the car against any further movement, making it electrically safe,  and evacuating passengers when these have been achieved.   

 At a time appropriate  to the progress of the Trainee, a series of tests are carried out by an Examiner, not by the instructor encountered thus far, to decide whether the candidate has reached an acceptable standard. 

 Conductors are taught to assist passengers boarding or alighting, to keep a good lookout for intending passengers and to signal the driver of safety to proceed (bell signal) when appropriate.   Knowledge of the trams wiring is essential as is knowledge of how to safely swing the trolley pole on an open-top car without causing passenger-injury.  

The conductor is expected to know what actions may be required of him/her in event of any emergency, including the sudden illness of the motorman, and be able to bring the car safely to a stand from the rear platform.