Model Railway Forum

This is ROUTE LEARNING Cl 122. https://www.hattons.co.uk/60377/Dapol_4 ... etail.aspx

After all the classroom work I was under the impression drivers learned on the locos/trains they were going to drive.

Yes. Both drivers and guards have to learn the units they use. There won't be a general unit to learn as there are too many differences from one unit to the next. Some are silly but essential things like the position of the cab light switch. One has to feel in the dark to find the right switch!
Route learning is different as the train one travels on does not make a difference. It is what can be seen from the train which is important. Therefore it is possible (But actually quite rare unless there is a very large depot) to have a dedicated route learning train. The majority of route learning is done on ordinary passenger trains.

Back in my day, driver training was on the class of loco used by the depot, a class 33, then the class 73, 71, 08, 09, 47, 56, and 60's there was no general class used through out BR although the 47 was popular....GW use Hydraulic Loco's