Train Planner Job Application

[tom17]

Hi everyone,

I have recently applied for a Trainee Train Planner position with my local TOC and I was wondering if anyone would be able to answer a few questions for me;

1) What is the starting salary for a trainee train planner?
2) How long does training last?
3) What is the average salary upon completion of training?

I realise the information I have given is incredibly vague but an average expected value would be great.

Thanks, Tom.

 

[Clip]

Tom,

Welcome, to be honest I would imagine that the pay for such a post would vary greatly from TOC to TOC due to the nature and difference of routes with each TOC.

 

[Mix107]

I was looking at some of these posts a year or so ok as I have an interest and experience in bus scheduling. But money wasn't enough for me by quite a mile. Seems London TOCS pay around 16-21k as a trainee, where as some of the Northern TOCS it can be as low as 14k. I imagine it's a really interesting job if you can afford the low start point.

 

[m2ka]

1) What is the starting salary for a trainee train planner?

The TOC I used to work for paid around £19K for a TRAINEE TRAIN PLANNER where you rotate around the different departments until an actual vacancy arises - the different departments inc Short Term Timetabling, Rosters, Diagrams, Long Term Timtables.

2) How long does training last?

Once an actual vacancy opens in a particular team the pay would increase to around £21K for another year - further training.

3) What is the average salary upon completion of training?

A fully trained Train Planner can expect to get paid around £25K.


Hope that is some use to you, just remember that each TOC will be different but very importantly all TOCs use the same software to develop train plans.

Good luck with any applications.


Edit: probably should've mentioned this was a London based TOC

 

[Southern]

This is an area I have some interest in but lack the relevant experience for employment. How do you go about getting experience for this type of position?

Many Thanks
Southern

 

[142094]

Start in an opening position and go from there, most likely some sort of station staff or onboard role. Build up your competencies and knowledge about the company and industry in general, and work from there.

 

[Taffy Cross]

Hi all,

I looked at jobs in the UK back in 2011 when I was visiting my family and was appalled at the salaries timetablers got paid. By comparison here in Sydney a top senior timetabler gets over $100,000 pa which equates to over £67,000. About the only buck against the trend is the drivers in the UK seem to get more than here. As for trainee train planners they start somewhere in the high $50ks and the training is between 6 months and 9 months depending on the aptitude of the individual.

Bye for now,

Stephen.

 

[trentside]

Well, I'm told that getting a job in the planning department at most TOCs/FOCs is a case of waiting to fill dead man's shoes - as once they're in, they're not out until it's in a box. It seems to be a popular job for cranks as well, from what I'm told!

I must admit, it's a role I've considered applying for before!

 

[The Planner]

Apply for one of the jobs at NR, there are plenty of them....

 

[306024]

I'm appalled at the salaries too, and have been for many years

Even the ones that leave in a box come back to haunt you. Yes staff turnover in the TOCs does tend to be low in the planning world, because it is an interesting job. Actually pay can't be too bad either otherwise this wouldn't be the case.

As for cranks, some of the best planners I've worked with have no particular interest outside the job, they just enjoy the logistical challenges the work throws up. A railway interest does no harm of course, but not all cranks can transfer their enthusiasm into detailed operational planning.