As the trainee guard I am more or less the guards assistant, as well as learning how to be a train guard. I have now been training since July 1999 and although I can't qualify till I am 18 (I am 17 at the moment) I intend to carry on as a trainee till I can qualify.
The day normally starts off quite early depending on what train I am rostered to work on but the normal time to arrive is about an hour and half to two hours before departure time. When I get to the carriage set at either Boston Lodge or Porthmadog station I meet my supervising guard and he instructs me on what to do. Normally the first thing I do is to unlock the guards van door and check the handbrake is on. Then I go to unlock the inward opening doors, plus the required other doors and check any other outward opening doors are locked. Also the doors between the corridor connections are opened. The next thing I do is to check that the carriages are safe to run. To do this I make an examination of all the connections between the carriages. These include vacuum brake pipes, couplings, electrical jumpers and the corridor connections. Also what must be done is to check the correct emergency equipment is in the guards van, i.e. first aid kit etc.
Once I am happy the train is safe to run I go about cleaning out the carriages. This is the least glamorous part of guarding but is very important to give a good impression of the railway. Normally this is just sweeping the floor, picking up any rubbish and if time clean the windows.
By the time this is done the Control Office should have opened and we test the portable telephone. Each guards van carries one of these in case of a breakdown, which can be plugged in at various points on the line to inform Control of the circumstances. Being caught with a phone that doesn't work is being caught with your trousers down! Whilst I test the phone I ask control if there is anything we need to know, i.e. any extra carriages or reservations. I must then go and collect the set bag, which contains things like red & green flags a set of tools and a Bardic lamp. I also must get the ticket machine and float.
By the time this has all been done the loco should now be ready and the guard and myself introduce ourselves to the loco crew. We then inform them of any shunting to be done and the assist as required. If any extra carriages are added I examine them to check they are safe and clean, and after that we are nearly ready to depart. I then take the handbrake off and carry out a brake test by pulling the setter down in the van and watching the pressure gauge.
Once the passengers are on, the doors shut and locked as required the station bell rings and we check the starter signal is clear, and with an exchange of hand signals we're off. On the way out of the station we must keep a good look out in case of emergency like people trying to get on or off. After we have got going I go up the train to check tickets. By the time I have done this we should have arrived at Minffordd, our first station stop. At stations I get off to shout out the station name. The first few times I did this I felt silly, but I am now use to it. I also help passengers on and off the train. Once we have the token there is another exchange of hand signals and off up the line we go. The same process is repeated at all the other stations and once on the move I go to check or sell any other tickets, deal with passengers and turn the lights on at the tunnels and some bridges. I also have to wave at the loco crew in certain locations to let them know all is well.
On a normal day I would go up to Bleanau Ffestiniog and back to Porthmadog, then do another round trip. When we get back to Porthmadog after the second trip there is still much to do. We must go and put the handbrake on, lock all the doors and put the carriage batteries on to charge. Then I cash up the money I have taken during the day and pay it into the safe, as well as put the ticket machine and set bag back in the locker. After all this has been done it is time to go back to the hostel or wherever you're staying and just chill out.
I hope that gives an insight on what it is like to be a trainee guard. The thing to remember is that you are always under the supervision of the guard and this can feel intimidating at times but the reward is when you finally qualify and you are on your own.
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