#LifeOfADepotDriver
I'm not very good at this kind of thing but hopefully this thread will give you some idea of how we run things on Etches Park. We work mostly night shifts starting from 1700 and the latest shift starting at 2200. Our route knowledge consists of the depot and

The station limits, Although we don’t actually sign platform 1 or 2 at Derby as we are not passed out to do a shunt that will allow us to get into those platforms. Once the trains have detrained in the station and station staff have ensured no one is on board

The train will depart north towards Chad curve. We then change ends and make our way towards 4shed via Platform 7 or the F&I line. We then stop at the stop board next to 4shed. (This is where we relieve the mainline driver if they have brought the unit from the station)

We have 4 fuel roads. Fuel 1&2 are used for 222’s and fuel 3&4 are used for 15x’s and HST’s (although 222’s can also be used on 3&4). Once we have stabled on the fuel roads the trains are fuelled and tanked (Waste tanks emptied). HST's & 15x's are also inspected on the fuel roads

Once a unit is handed back to us on the fuel line. We load up on it and wait for the DP to walk around it, place the protection on and pull the signal off. We then drop the unit down through the wash. The unit will either end up in one of the sheds or on a stabling road.

Once the trains are stabled, The cleaners will ensure the passenger areas and cabs are clean and ready for service. Bombardier staff will prep 222’s for service and we Prep the HST’s and 15x’s.

Day shifts – On day shifts we have two morning drivers who start at 4am & 6am, Then one afternoon driver who starts at 1400. Day shifts are never the same unlike night shifts which tend to be similar. On morning shifts we tend to take a couple of units up to the station where

the mainline driver will then take them forward. Once the morning supervisor and shunters arrive at 7am. We normally get the bombardier shed moves done. We fill the north sheds with 222’s that either need maintenance or are booked in for exams.

After that it varies every day. I had a week of 4am shifts last week. Monday was really busy, I had the pleasure of splitting up one of the ex LNER HST sets and putting coaches in the south sheds for maintenance work. Tuesday wasn't as busy but we had a few 15x moves to do.

This included propelling half a 156 from one shed to another. That was actually the first time I’ve done that in my two years on the depot. The rest of the week was pretty quiet with very little needing done after the morning shed moves apart from

moving a couple of the 180’s / 170’s round ready for the teams who were coming down to train on the units and take them out for a mainline run. Personally, I prefer the day shifts because of the variety, HST shunting is good fun either using the power car or the jocko!

On a side note. We also have a good amount of traction knowledge at the moment with the current transition of traction. I currently sign 222’s / 180’s / HST’s / 08 / 153’s / 156’s / 158’s / I’m currently awaiting the dates for my 170 course!

Hopefully, you found this thread interesting. I’ve tried to get as much detail in but it’s hard with the limited characters! Either way, thank you for reading this thread and If anyone has any questions I can try and answer them for you!

@therealRitchP Thanks (I Guess) for asking me to do this. Also thank you to @HiPa_IC125_ who has managed to catch me "working" once or twice!