The secondman is a railway employee who assists the driver of a train. For this reason, the term driver's assistant is also used. In this role, the secondman could learn the duties of the driver and on passing the relevant tests and examinations become a driver himself.
With the ending of steam traction on many railways, the job of firemen was made obsolete. However, there were still many duties to be performed with diesel and electric traction that the drivers could not do by themselves, such as preparation of locomotives, operation of train heating systems, shunting duties, and many others.
Uniform[]
A North Western Railway secondman's uniform consists of a black tie, a white shirt with a blue boilersuit over it and a blue cap.
Trivia[]
- The secondman was first mentioned in The Railway Series book Tramway Engines.
Gallery[]
The Railway Series[]
Main Series[]
Diesel's driver and secondman
Rusty's driver and secondman
Daisy's driver and secondman
Mavis's secondman holding a red flag at The Quarry Tramroad
