A career as a train driver

[Greeny1]

hi
just wondering is being a train driver a relatively secure job ? i am nearly 50 and being offered a job as a train driver. want to jump to the opportunity but i am afraid that i may leave a current relatively secure job [though not satisfying] and get into into something that is not secure. this is the last situation i want to be at this age. i fully understand that in life nothing is guaranteed please advice guys.

Do you mean trainee, or are you fully qualified?

 

[Arvi]

Sorry
I should have mentioned
It is TRAINEE

 

[Frothy_B]

Hello all. I've had a quick search of the thread and whilst there are a few mentions of the height restriction, they were a decade ago and I just wanted to ask if anyone had any experience or success as a tall driver? Or what TOCs would perhaps be willing to take on a tall driver with a risk assessment?

I'm a long way away from the 33BMI at the moment, so it's kind of a moot point, but I'm around 6'7.5".

The TOCs within an hour of myself would be West Midlands Trains, EMR, Thameslink at Bedford. Freightliner and GBRF also have depots.

My Dad has been a driver for nearly 40 years, but has spent the majority of time on Freight so isn't sure on the situation with TOCs, although he has said I'd be unlikely to get anywhere with a FOC, due to 66's having quite a low and narrow entryway.

Is the idea of becoming a Train Driver dead in the water for me?

 

[daxiedom]

hi
just wondering is being a train driver a relatively secure job ? i am nearly 50 and being offered a job as a train driver. want to jump to the opportunity but i am afraid that i may leave a current relatively secure job [though not satisfying] and get into into something that is not secure. this is the last situation i want to be at this age. i fully understand that in life nothing is guaranteed please advice guys.

Hey that is great news that you are being offered a job. Well done. Where is the job at? Maybe some rail operator jobs are more secure than others?

 

[Arvi]

Hey that is great news that you are being offered a job. Well done. Where is the job at? Maybe some rail operator jobs are more secure than others?

Transport for wales bud.
As I said i don't want to loose what is in hand while chasing a dream job.
I am kind of not sure what to do especially at my age.

Job hunting again is what I am trying to avoid

 

[ElisaHarkness]

Hey!

Does anyone have any examples of rosters for Thameslink?

Also what a duty might look like ☺️

Thank you!

 

[Class2ldn]

On TL the roster is fixed, 4 day week sundays outside.
Mon, Tues Rd then Wednesday Thursday next week and then the 3rd week is Friday, sat, sunday off then back into the 1st week so 5 day long weekend every 3rd week.
The duties vary by depot so you'd need to be a bit more specific about which one.

 

[ElisaHarkness]

On TL the roster is fixed, 4 day week sundays outside.
Mon, Tues Rd then Wednesday Thursday next week and then the 3rd week is Friday, sat, sunday off then back into the 1st week so 5 day long weekend every 3rd week.
The duties vary by depot so you'd need to be a bit more specific about which one.

Sorry hoping for a Brighton example if possible ☺️

Also anyone on a course at the moment, is it Monday - Friday 9-5? Or does that vary too?

 

[Class2ldn]

Brighton do either bedford or Cambridge work, you might do a shunt at the start and a bedford or back or a Cambridge and back or it can be split up to do a couple of trips to Finsbury Park and back.
They sign Preston Park and Brighton down yards so the morning trains tend to come out of there and finish there in the evening.
Not sure what link new drivers go in.

 

[Diesel1985]

Thank you Diesel and Rich for your reply. Just out of curiosity, which TOC trained you?

She's with Thameslink

Send me a message if you want more information about Brighton

Sorry hoping for a Brighton example if possible ☺️

Also anyone on a course at the moment, is it Monday - Friday 9-5? Or does that vary too?

 

[ItchyRsole]

Regarding TL and new drivers having to commit to 12 Sundays a year.

I presume those Sundays are reflected in the pay or am I way off there?

Basically if you like OT then you are basically guaranteed 12 OT shifts is that right?

Must push the salary up a nice bit if they're paid and guaranteed.

On TL the roster is fixed, 4 day week sundays outside.
Mon, Tues Rd then Wednesday Thursday next week and then the 3rd week is Friday, sat, sunday off then back into the 1st week so 5 day long weekend every 3rd week.
The duties vary by depot so you'd need to be a bit more specific about which one.

Helpful thanks.

If for example one wanted to take off the odd Saturday as AL is that something that can be arranged? I heard TL is still a bit in the past with regards to leave booking.

My current company you do it all online. If you want a day off and It's available you just book it off. No need to speak to anyone or wait for an answer. Great system.

 

[Class2ldn]

You can book it off on what ls called westbury leave but there is a limited amount allowed for each shift, varies per depot and depends on numbers in the roster, generally you'll probably have to book a few months in advance for a Saturday realistically.
You have to email rosters to get the day and they will get back to you let you know.
You may be granted it or you may be pending depending on whether there's rest day people etc wanting to work, if you are pending you won't find out until the roster comes out the week before.
In regards to the Sundays the pay is the same basic for everyone (63k) but the Sundays are paid at time and half for them shifts on top of your basic so probably worth a fair bit more a year if you work most of them
You can swap them if you want, as long as they are covered but generally you need to select 2 dates for each quarter you want to commit to or tell them who you've arranged with to do your shift.
The Sunday pay isn't pensionable so isn't included for your basic pay towards it.
Some look at it as guaranteed overtime if you like it, some see it as a nuisance if you don't generally want to do any, suits some, not others.
A 10 hour shift on a Sunday is basically £500 before tax give or take .
As long you do 12 or 12 are covered in some way then the rest can be chucked in with 7 days notice

 

[ItchyRsole]

You can book it off on what ls called westbury leave but there is a limited amount allowed for each shift, varies per depot and depends on numbers in the roster, generally you'll probably have to book a few months in advance for a Saturday realistically.
You have to email rosters to get the day and they will get back to you let you know.
You may be granted it or you may be pending depending on whether there's rest day people etc wanting to work, if you are pending you won't find out until the roster comes out the week before.
In regards to the Sundays the pay is the same basic for everyone (63k) but the Sundays are paid at time and half for them shifts on top of your basic so probably worth a fair bit more a year if you work most of them
You can swap them if you want, as long as they are covered but generally you need to select 2 dates for each quarter you want to commit to or tell them who you've arranged with to do your shift.
The Sunday pay isn't pensionable so isn't included for your basic pay towards it.
Some look at it as guaranteed overtime if you like it, some see it as a nuisance if you don't generally want to do any, suits some, not others.
A 10 hour shift on a Sunday is basically £500 before tax give or take .

Really helpful thanks mate.

Yea as I heard the AL situation is grim. All TOCS really should get up to speed digitally tbh. Many online tools now to help and saves everyone a lot of time and unnecessary hassle.

 

[Sam1991]

Hey everyone, I’m new to this forum stuff. I’m 30 and applied for two TOC Greater anglia and Southeastern Railway. Greater anglia I was told last week I’m through to the next stage assuming I passed application stage but I’m still waiting to hear back… and southeastern I applied last year in October and am still awaiting to hear if I was successful. Are any of you guys in the same boat and still waiting? And how long shall I keep waiting.

Many thanks in advance everyone

I don’t mean how long shall I keep waiting… I’m going to wait because it’s a opportunity of a life time… I mean anyone else in the same boat and how long have you been waiting so far

 

[Darren5742]

Hey everyone, I’m new to this forum stuff. I’m 30 and applied for two TOC Greater anglia and Southeastern Railway. Greater anglia I was told last week I’m through to the next stage assuming I passed application stage but I’m still waiting to hear back… and southeastern I applied last year in October and am still awaiting to hear if I was successful. Are any of you guys in the same boat and still waiting? And how long shall I keep waiting.

Many thanks in advance everyone

Hi, I’ve applied to greater anglia in January. Passed the application and the sjt. Now in a pool of candidates waiting for next stage. Not sure on timelines.

 

[Kauntrilla]

Hey everyone, I’m new to this forum stuff. I’m 30 and applied for two TOC Greater anglia and Southeastern Railway. Greater anglia I was told last week I’m through to the next stage assuming I passed application stage but I’m still waiting to hear back… and southeastern I applied last year in October and am still awaiting to hear if I was successful. Are any of you guys in the same boat and still waiting? And how long shall I keep waiting.

Many thanks in advance everyone

Hi , same here. I applied for mainline driver in January. Now in a pool of candidate for next stage.
The candidates who applied for depot drivers in January have been called for psychometric assessments I believe.

 

[Sam1991]

Hi , same here. I applied for mainline driver in January. Now in a pool of candidate for next stage.
The candidates who applied for depot drivers in January have been called for psychometric assessments I believe.

Yep mine too was mainline driver. Glad to hear it’s not just me. Passed the application and first assessment now just waiting. I will carry on being patient lol what are you doing to prepare yourself for the next stage?

 

[Kauntrilla]

Yep mine too was mainline driver. Glad to hear it’s not just me. Passed the application and first assessment now just waiting. I will carry on being patient lol what are you doing to prepare yourself for the next stage?

I have already passed standard stage 1 and stage 2 assessments. Now waiting for recruitment reply what they accept and what they dont.
How you preparing for next stage?.

 

[Venna1]

Hoping someone could shed some light on eligibility please… I’ve just been offered an apprenticeship operating Tower cranes, however, getting onto the railway is my priority/dream. If I was to take this apprenticeship, would it effect my eligibility to apply for traineeships on the next intake at the end of the year? Just thinking due to funding ect.

 

[on-the-tracks]

Has anyone done a medical recently? What sort of lead time is it to hear your results in regards to the urine sample?

 

[Kauntrilla]

Has anyone done a medical recently? What sort of lead time is it to hear your results in regards to the urine sample?

I recently had a periodical medical(10 years). I provided the sample. She told me it's negative after 5 minutes.

 

[mic1610]

Does anybody know how long does it tale to train DI? And if there is a national standard like for drivers or it depends on TOC?

 

[dk1]

Does anybody know how long does it tale to train DI? And if there is a national standard like for drivers or it depends on TOC?

It was a weeks course but think that’s been extended to two at my TOC for some reason.

 

[Sam1991]

I have already passed standard stage 1 and stage 2 assessments. Now waiting for recruitment reply what they accept and what they dont.
How you preparing for next stage?.

I’ve just been trying to Google free psychometric tests! No such luck I’m also waiting for recruitment to get back to me

Hoping someone could shed some light on eligibility please… I’ve just been offered an apprenticeship operating Tower cranes, however, getting onto the railway is my priority/dream. If I was to take this apprenticeship, would it effect my eligibility to apply for traineeships on the next intake at the end of the year? Just thinking due to funding ect.

I think if you was to apply for an apprenticeship with a TOC it may be a certain time you have to wait before you can do another apprenticeship, but different company so might be different rules. You could apply for a trainee role instead. Also accepting the apprenticeship for crane might mean you are tied in to a few years contract with them before you move on otherwise you might have to pay them back the cost of the apprenticeship

Has anyone done a medical recently? What sort of lead time is it to hear your results in regards to the urine sample?

I do yearly medicals at my coach company, but the medical for train driver is far more thorough and focus allot on eye site by looks of it

 

[Volt]

Do the TFW train driver assessments expire after 3 years? If so, does that mean if you were not successful in gaining a driver position, in the 3 years after the assessment, then you would have to take the assessment again, but you can only do that after 2 assessments, as that is the test limit?

Thanks

 

[Need2]

Do the TFW train driver assessments expire after 3 years? If so, does that mean if you were not successful in gaining a driver position, in the 3 years after the assessment, then you would have to take the assessment again, but you can only do that after 2 assessments, as that is the test limit?

Thanks

I can’t answer for TFW but after 5 years then your results will ‘time out’ with the OPC anyway.
All that means is that you would have to take the tests again when you applied for another driving role and as long as you pass then you can keep taking them for eternity!
Fail 2 times however and that is it forever.

 

[Chiltern006]

these tests, what do they involve? im ever so slightly colourblind (blues and purples are the main problem) would this affect my chances?

also sorry to turn it a bit dark but what do companies provide when drivers hit a person?

 

[dk1]

also sorry to turn it a bit dark but what do companies provide when drivers hit a person?

Support, counselling & no pressure to hurry back into the cab.

 

[Sam1991]

I have already passed standard stage 1 and stage 2 assessments. Now waiting for recruitment reply what they accept and what they dont.
How you preparing for next stage?.

Have you heard anything back yet?

 

[Kauntrilla]

Nothing yet mate.
stratford Bishop mainline have been invited for psychometric stage 1 this week and next week.