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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.
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