Driver testing

So, yesterday was an interesting day.

On Saturday, I became aware that the tramways was intending to have me tested for tram driving on Tuesday, so I started hitting the books, to make sure I knew everything I needed to. Unlike a driver's test, which goes for about 20-30mins, the tram driving test went for about 2 to 3 hours, including the theory portion. It's more an exam than a test.

So, after a couple of hours of driving, hitting the emergency brakes a few times, and driving over huge piles of sand (most from another driver trainee), we headed back to the depot, and my assessor dissapeared for a bit, which meant I had nothing to do but wait. And worry whether I passed or not. Eventually he came out of the office, and formally congratulated me on passing - I am now officially a tram driver!

By the way, I reckon that's something that's amiss in our society. Being laid back and casual is a great thing in general, but when someone gives you a bit of 'old school' recognition - someone whom you respect says congratulations and shakes your hand - it means something.

Ever since I was a kid, this is something that I have wanted to do. I was made fun of for it a lot in school, the grownups (teachers, etc) just didn't get it; at one camp, we were at Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, and I went to the fenceline to have a look at the tram going by. Stupid carers told me I could do that down Clarendon st back home... they really didn't get it. Though I have to say the overhead work caught my attention; there were about 3 or 4 overhead lines over the one track...

A few years back, in 2005 I believe, we heard on the news about some kid who got arrested for 'borrowing' a tram, and going for a drive. He apparently had a uniform and all, and even picked up passengers! The tram was halted when they managed to shut down the overhead power. We couldn't help but laugh at the news report, especially with me being the tram fanatic that I am, and once we'd stopped laughing ourselves stupid, I stated that if I was to ever drive trams, I'd go about it the right way, not least of all to avoid getting arrested =P

When I was getting serious about wanting to drive trams, on occasion I'd do a little bit of shunting at the depot - under instruction and supervision. On occasion, when we were shunting, someone would hand me the tram keys (to put into the appropriate tram), knowing full well I knew how to use them. And it'd always throw me, because I wanted to drive, but I wanted to do the right thing - because if I did anything stupid, it would be the last time I'd get to look at a tram. Once the boss handed me the keys and said "now don't drive off with them..." and I told him, flat out, that I would never do that, because I'd prefer to drive more than once.

Earlier on in this year (2007), I met up with an old friend from my Melbourne days - hadn't seen him in years, and it turned out he has relatives in Bendigo! So we had a good old yarn, and when I mentioned that I was working at the tramways here, he mentioned the story about the kid in Melbourne - and how he thought that it was me who'd stolen the tram! Pissed myself laughing at that, it was the funniest thing I'd heard in a long while.

So yea, basically everyone who's known me for any extended period of time knows that trams is one of my big passions. I've been a tram conductor for a few months, and now I am also a friggin' tram driver! w00t!
More importantly, I really did manage to get there, and do it the right way.