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The Hampton Loade signalman enjoying the sunshine while he waits to 'switch in'
Steam loco crew at Bewdley station.
Guard waving his flag and blowing his whistle to authorise the train to leave the station

Running the trains

These roles are essential to the safe running of our passenger services, and being safety-critical they have more stringent health requirements and involve the most training. Operating a train service on time requires people rostered in all of these different roles to work together as a team to get trains from one end of the line to the other efficiently and safely.

Diesel locomotive crew

Most of our diesel locomotives are stabled at the Kidderminster Traction Maintenance Depot (TMD), so drivers and their 'second man' will usually start from there.

Diesel engine crew having a cup of tea at the station

Guard

The guard is responsible for the safety of the train and its passengers, and a train can only leave the station with the permission of the guard. Guards therefore start their turn wherever their coaches or wagons are - usually at Kidderminster or Bridgnorth, although trains may start from Bewdley during special events such as galas.

The guard waving his flag to dispatch a train from Kidderminster station

Platform staff

Platform staff help passengers and visitors to keep safe and enjoy their visit. Uniformed platform staff supervise passengers and work as train dispatchers. 

Platform staff preparing to dispatch a train

Signalling

​Signalmen/Lady signalmen operate the signals and points from a signal box in order to control the movement of trains.

  

The Kidderminster signalman waiting for a train to arrive

Steam locomotive crew

The Driver and Fireman of a locomotive are responsible for the safe operation of their steam engine. They must have the route knowledge to get their train from one end of the line to the other while obeying all signals, and navigating points and crossings at the correct line speed.

A fireman leaning out of the loco waiting for the 'right away' from the guard

Travelling Ticket Inspector (TTI)

Travelling Ticket Inspectors (TTIs) are on board to check and sell tickets, and provide assistance and information to passengers during the journey. As with guards, they start at the station where their train is stabled.

A TTI watching from the carriage window while waiting for their train to depart
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