Ten minutes with ScotRail driver Allanna Murphy
Allanna Murphy, ScotRail driver
It’s nearly 14 years now. I started when I was 19, working the barriers at Paisley. I then moved up to become a ticket examiner, which I also trained to new starters. I like people and had been happy doing that the most of my career, but I always wanted to be a driver.
About two years ago, I realised I’d picked up a number of useful skills, so I applied. It was quite an intense process. There was a lot of information to learn and different tasks to navigate before going out with my driving instructor. But then, all of a sudden, I was out there, getting on with it.
I was nervous when I started on the practical side. I was overwhelmed by all the routes I’d be working, wondering if I'd ever learn it all. I had three different driving instructors, who taught in different ways. I had to adapt my learning skills and find a method that would work for us all. This was built on a trust and revision outside of work.
Being out myself and facing situations for the first time had its own challenges. But taking one task at a time and using all the knowledge I've learnt since starting helped me to get to grips with every situation.
Driving is a fast-paced job, and situations can change very quickly. It’s my responsibility to step up and meet demands, while following rules and procedures. It’s all about remaining situationally aware and being able to react, while keeping calm and professional.
I find that, at weekends, people like to try to hang on to the side of train. Obviously, drivers can’t move the train when they do.
My station work has made me aware of how to approach people to encourage them to move so that everyone can move. I work closely with the on-board staff, so if something is happening in the coaches behind me, or there’s something I need to be aware of, we can work together to resolve it. Again, it’s about trust and cooperation.
I made sure I spoke to older, more experienced drivers. They all love the job, and they love passing on their experience and expertise. They would tell me about the different types of traction they worked on. So, I got a lot of information as well as the passion. Enthusiasm is infectious, and that’s what I’ve picked up, too.
Yes. We run trains that don't stop at every station, and I can be running through many of them at 90 mph. Some people seem to think it's funny to stick their arm out like they’re stopping a bus. It gives me the absolute fear when I see that. Obviously, I sound the horn and I’m ready to put the brakes on. But I know in my own mind that if I put a brake on a train at 90 mph and they’re still standing there, I’m not going to be able to stop.
Most people stand back, but there was incident where a family was at a station. I was pulling in and one of the older children decided to walk right to the edge of the platform. His feet were actually over the edge. I was sounding the horn and the family was laughing.
Then the boy leaned forward, then jumped back. I realised I needed to do something to help raise awareness, so I suggested running a ‘Behind the yellow line’ campaign to make passengers aware that when the trains coming into the station or passing through the station that they’ve got to stand behind the yellow line on the platform. ScotRail took this up and started putting messages out on social media.
Keep going. I wanted to be a driver for 12 years, but I was always too scared to apply. What if they say no? But that's the worst thing that could happen. This is the most challenging yet rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I think more about safety, I think more positively about everything, and I’ve learnt many new skills. So don’t give up and have faith in yourself.
Think in alphabetical order when weighing up safety and time. ‘S’ comes before ‘t’, safety comes before time, always. Even if my train is late, if it’s not safe, I won’t do it.
Regularly read the Rule Book and any safety briefings. This helps me make sure I’m keeping up my competence and understanding.
I use risk-triggered commentary and implement advice from the ScotRail safety campaigns, such as calling out my next station stop about a mile ahead. That way, you’ll cut your chances of missing the stop. The same goes for caution aspects; calling it helps avoid a SPAD at the red.
Talk to your colleagues as they always have a great story to tell and great advice to give. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. If you need to know, ask.
