Firefighter looking at career change

[G136GREYHOUND]

I hear what you're saying about the repetitive nature of the tasks involved, I really do. But I still think the benefits on the railways far outweigh the list of negatives people are escaping from (some of which I listed on the previous page).

You mention sitting in a cardboard box all day long. I won't routinely get violently assaulted sat in that cardboard box (not accounting for freak incidents). I get to go home alive at the end of the day. That's a big plus.

I used to sit in a police car, often for 8-10 hours a day. Crappy cars with ****ty bucket seats. I had to wear ill fitted body armour that made my back ache like hell. Imagine sitting in a corset all day that weighs 10Kgs!

Going to repetitive Wayne vs Waynetta type domestics every day. Dealing with endless drunks spinning the same old yarn about the bouncer throwing them out of nightclub. And on and on. I've developed the patience of a Saint.

I will no longer be subject to malicious complaints from those seeking to muddy legal waters or constantly having your integrity questioned for doing your job.

All the drawbacks you listed with regards to shift working happen elsewhere. 999 services are 24/7 too. That impacts on ones personal circumstances just like it does on the railways. Like I mentioned on the previous page, uniform Met response officers now get 8 full weekends off per year. Mid-week days off are nothing new or novel. At least you know for certain yours won't get cancelled for court or spontaneous events etc. I will no longer reach the end of my shift, only for it to be extended by five hours because of prisoners or outstanding calls etc.

People often reach a point where for their own mental sanity need to do something different. For those without certifiable skills or professional qualifications, finding another job that pays similar or better can be very difficult.

No one is saying there are not far crappier jobs than train driving out there. HOWEVER, I am seriously amazed at the starry eyed, dream job attitude that seems prevalent on this forum and I really do feel that a healthy reality check is long overdue.

I'm not being funny, it's a genuine notion

 

[Class2ldn]

No one is saying there are not far crappier jobs than train driving out there. HOWEVER, I am seriously amazed at the starry eyed, dream job attitude that seems prevalent on this forum and I really do feel that a healthy reality check is long overdue.

I'm not being funny, it's a genuine notion

I agree.
I've done six years now and I'm seriously considering looking at something else.
It's tiring, it's hard work and most of all its boring.
Going from firefighter to train driver you will miss the constant chat and laughing about with your colleagues.
Yes you can do that on the railway but only for half hour as most of the breaks now are being cut down.
At my place it's 5 hours you can do in the chair before a break and that break is only half hour.
Even pcv/hgv get 45.
For me it's not a career.
I've got 27 years left oh no hang on 29 now the pension age has been increased.
For me that sums it up.
The railways have been left alone for a long time and now the government is coming after us.
Soon enough it will be the same old job as anything else.
The big problem with the job is the money.
It's too good in the sense that once you get used to that wage you'll find it incredibly difficult to get out if you want.
If I could find a something else paying this money that I wanted to do I'd be off.
I'm not saying I hate the job as some days are better then others but it's definitely not something I can see myself doing until I retire.
I think some people may be disappointed with this job.
If you're doo then don't forget you are on your own. It can be stressful and it's a massive responsibility which people forget.
I've seen a few trainees chuck it in as half way through as they've realised this and didn't want that on their shoulders.
Last train on a Friday night and you're on your own with a broken down train and 400+ people who've been on the booze can be quite challenging.
Some love it but others struggle.
I'm not saying people shouldn't give it a go but it's going down the pan I think. The terms are getting worse, the management are constantly looking for ways to catch you out and so are the public.
By all means give it a go but go in with your eyes wide open and be aware it may not be what you expect.

 

[IKB]

I respect you opinions chaps and I hear what you say.

I had reached the point where I could no longer continue in my previous role. The railways sounded like a good alternative.

The shift work doesn't bother me. The potential for monotony after a few years does, although I have a reasonable boredom threshold.

I may like it, I may not. Like many jobs, until you give it a bash, you won't know!

 

[russmcp]

It depends on what sector you are leaving and what your working life is like. Everything is subjective. I left policing for very good reasons. Some highlights:

- Cancelled rest days with no notice due to 'events', especially in London (doesn't happen on the railways). When the next terrorist atrocity happens in London it will be case of 'no rest days until further notice'. Impossible to plan your life.
-Short notice compulsory overtime - we had no 'timetable' - everything is determined by events when that person rings 999. Late arrests, public disorder. If your shift ends at 10pm and you arrest a shoplifter at 9pm, you'll still be there at 1am. Happens all the time. Very draining.
- Frozen or declining wages. The police have not long come out of a three year pay freeze. They got a measly 1% last autumn. Over the past few years my wages in real terms actually went down (doesn't happen on the railways)
- No extra pay for Sundays. Current proposal is only to recognise two Bank Holidays per year and treat the others as normal rate working.
- Uniformed Met officers on 999 teams now get only EIGHT full weekends off per year.
- High probability (especially in uniform) that you will be working August bank holiday, Christmas and boxing day and new years eve. Only a small % get these off and its a lottery, with constant last minute changes. Impossible to plan.
- Few (if any) employment rights. No right to strike. The Police Federation (not a union) have no teeth, which is why the police lose at every pay/pension negotiation.
- No equivalent of the railways Hidden Regulations. There is notional guide that you should have 11hrs between shifts, but try and stick to that and your life would be made very uncomfortable by your supervisors. It doesn't happen.
-Having to beg and send email after email to get paid overtime you are owed for hours worked (when you'd of rather been at home anyway).
- Ever increasing violence from the public towards officers. Hundreds are assaulted every week up and down the country. Punishments are negligible. I was seriously assaulted a couple of years ago, the offender got a pathetic sentence.
- The constant risk of catching viruses from people you're dealing with - HIV, Hep B, Hep C etc etc. They bite and spit at you on purpose. Searching a man with scabies was not the highlight of my career!
- Constant criticism for things which are outside your control and you have no influence over (ok...I see a parallel with Network Rail there!).
- An oppressive internal culture from senior officers that stamps on criticism and dissent. You do as you're told and if you don't like it, there's the door...
- The pressure of your case load. I have colleagues in CID/child protection that cry at work due to the strains of their jobs. They work overtime unpaid and come in on rest days just to keep on top of their work files.
- Budget cuts that have an impact on services you can provide - the Met have closed 60+ police stations. The buildings are falling apart, the cars are the cheapest they could get. There aren't enough staff to respond to the volume to work (e.g. 999 calls, crime reports) that come in.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

I hear what you're saying about shift work. But so long as someone fully researches the role before they apply, they should have too many surprises, no? Thanks to many on this forum I knew before I applied that I would be doing 3am starts and finishes.

Anyhow, just my two cents worth to show that life isn't rosy elsewhere.

Amen bruv. No job like it for taking over. I went in one Monday morning and spent 2 weeks away from home. Couldn't even tell my other half why. Ok I got paid but I missed out on a stag do which had been planned months ahead.

 

[oxoneil]

As mentioned elsewhere I'm trying to get in to GWR. The negatives outlined above from Greyhound are clearly a perspective from someone already experienced with the driver role but in my circs (aged 49, kids in their 20s both left home) there isn't great scope for inconveniencing anyone else because of a new job with weird hours. When I joined the police at 40 I knew I'd only do 15 years max and if I got this driver job I'm pretty much in the same position.

Anyway, still waiting, still patiently waiting I should say and if it doesn't materialise I'll just stick it out for another 5 years and leave.

 

[theironroad]

I agree.
I've done six years now and I'm seriously considering looking at something else.
It's tiring, it's hard work and most of all its boring.
Going from firefighter to train driver you will miss the constant chat and laughing about with your colleagues.
Yes you can do that on the railway but only for half hour as most of the breaks now are being cut down.
At my place it's 5 hours you can do in the chair before a break and that break is only half hour.
Even pcv/hgv get 45.
For me it's not a career.
I've got 27 years left oh no hang on 29 now the pension age has been increased.
For me that sums it up.
The railways have been left alone for a long time and now the government is coming after us.
Soon enough it will be the same old job as anything else.
The big problem with the job is the money.
It's too good in the sense that once you get used to that wage you'll find it incredibly difficult to get out if you want.
If I could find a something else paying this money that I wanted to do I'd be off.
I'm not saying I hate the job as some days are better then others but it's definitely not something I can see myself doing until I retire.
I think some people may be disappointed with this job.
If you're doo then don't forget you are on your own. It can be stressful and it's a massive responsibility which people forget.
I've seen a few trainees chuck it in as half way through as they've realised this and didn't want that on their shoulders.
Last train on a Friday night and you're on your own with a broken down train and 400+ people who've been on the booze can be quite challenging.
Some love it but others struggle.
I'm not saying people shouldn't give it a go but it's going down the pan I think. The terms are getting worse, the management are constantly looking for ways to catch you out and so are the public.
By all means give it a go but go in with your eyes wide open and be aware it may not be what you expect.

Agree with a lot of that, though luckily im not doo. I can't see me going to full retirement, but its better than many of the alternatives right now for the money. If I had a dream job (I don't) Id probably leave and take the pay cut.

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

I'm seriously NOT trying to put anyone off going for train driving . But I Agee wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed with other drivers in follow on posts to mine . I find myself caught in the age / experience / skill sets/ wages trap. Please don't be put off but please don't think this job is some kind of panacea nirvana to all your present career woes !

 

[Minilad]

I wonder how many people would consider train driving their dream job if it paid £20k a year
I would imagine at lot of people look at the money and think it's an easy job and easy to get into. Then they think I could have a bit of that no problem.
They don't know of how hard it is to get into and the knowledge and skill set required to do the job.
I have had it many times when I tell someone what I do. First reaction is it's just pushing a button and stuff isn't it. Then when money comes up they are shocked and usually ask me if there's any jobs going. Yep because it's that easy you can just walk into it.
I'm sorry if I am wide of the mark about peoples motivation for being a train driver. But thats how I see it

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

That's very true under BR you couldn't give the job away I actually now think I'm a bit underpaid for the anti social hours I have to work, for the one mistake court case potential. For the responsibility I take on and for what I give up to do this job. When you speak to many trainees money is their sole motivation and I don't think that's a good basis to take such a life dictating job on !

I'm really glad other drivers have cone in on this thread my thanks to all and for those potential drivers please don't be put off but please have a realistic head on !

 

[theironroad]

I wonder how many people would consider train driving their dream job if it paid £20k a year
I would imagine at lot of people look at the money and think it's an easy job and easy to get into. Then they think I could have a bit of that no problem.
They don't know of how hard it is to get into and the knowledge and skill set required to do the job.
I have had it many times when I tell someone what I do. First reaction is it's just pushing a button and stuff isn't it. Then when money comes up they are shocked and usually ask me if there's any jobs going. Yep because it's that easy you can just walk into it.
I'm sorry if I am wide of the mark about peoples motivation for being a train driver. But thats how I see it

I reckon that if the job paid 30k (a couple of grand above national average wage) then there would be major recruitment and retention issues, as at that point I think the negatives of the job would outweigh the positives.

 

[red2005]

It's horses for courses obviously but I was a bobby before joining the railway as a guard then onto driving but i can safely say If someone offered me the driving wage to rejoin the police I'd still tell them where to shove it!.

Yes there are some aspects of the job which SOME may find negative such as early starts etc but I personally like the Idea of getting up early, getting the job done and getting my backside home. On the other side I like the lie In the following week on lates, It's all an Individual thing.

Looking at what Greyhound said and being someone that has been out there In the "real world" before joining the railway, trust me the working day he listed Is very much a doddle In comparison to some Industries. Remember there are many reasons we are paid well and It's not just about safety/responsibility we are also paid to cope with the early starts, late finishes, the odd bit of abuse......some railway staff really need to realise that there are jobs out there with the same levels of responsibility if not more and have to put up with those things for A LOT less!.

Yes there are days when you'll go home knackered and think " what an awful day" but over the course of the year the good far outweigh the bad in my eyes. My advice Is go for it!

 

[Romneym335]

I wonder how many people would consider train driving their dream job if it paid £20k a year
I would imagine at lot of people look at the money and think it's an easy job and easy to get into. Then they think I could have a bit of that no problem.
They don't know of how hard it is to get into and the knowledge and skill set required to do the job.
I have had it many times when I tell someone what I do. First reaction is it's just pushing a button and stuff isn't it. Then when money comes up they are shocked and usually ask me if there's any jobs going. Yep because it's that easy you can just walk into it.
I'm sorry if I am wide of the mark about peoples motivation for being a train driver. But thats how I see it

Would you be doing the job if it paid 20k a year?

 

[Minilad]

Would you be doing the job if it paid 20k a year?

I did. And yes, I would.

 

[Bellbell]

I'm a guard toying with the idea of driving in the future.

The shifts etc obviously don't bother me but the potential boredom does, as does the potential for incidents. Anyone who already drives want to comment on either of those? In terms of incidents, of course there is a high profile case right now including a guard, and there was the previous Merseyrail incident as well so it's certainly not the case that you escape those issues by staying out of the front cab but I wonder whether a driver is more likely to have a career-impacting issue like a SPAD compared to a guard having something like a wrong-side release? Any opinions?

I realise this is not related to firefighters in any way and am happy to repost/start a new thread but equally it does carry on from the previous discussions on here so hopefully is ok to stay?

 

[red2005]

I'm a guard toying with the idea of driving in the future.

The shifts etc obviously don't bother me but the potential boredom does, as does the potential for incidents. Anyone who already drives want to comment on either of those? In terms of incidents, of course there is a high profile case right now including a guard, and there was the previous Merseyrail incident as well so it's certainly not the case that you escape those issues by staying out of the front cab but I wonder whether a driver is more likely to have a career-impacting issue like a SPAD compared to a guard having something like a wrong-side release? Any opinions?

I realise this is not related to firefighters in any way and am happy to repost/start a new thread but equally it does carry on from the previous discussions on here so hopefully is ok to stay?

Makes no difference whether you are a guard or driver mate violate the rules/regulations etc you will be up on offer, do your job right and you should be ok. Personally I think you are less likely to have a problem as a driver as you generally only have to worry about yourself, as a guard you have more interaction with the members of the public which are as unpredictable and Idiotic as anything I have ever witnessed elsewhere!

Anyone can make a mistake and luckily on the railway the majority of the hierarchy appreciate that, I wouldn't think along those lines personally mate unless you are an employee who likes to take chances or cut corners.

 

[theironroad]

I'm a guard toying with the idea of driving in the future.

The shifts etc obviously don't bother me but the potential boredom does, as does the potential for incidents. Anyone who already drives want to comment on either of those? In terms of incidents, of course there is a high profile case right now including a guard, and there was the previous Merseyrail incident as well so it's certainly not the case that you escape those issues by staying out of the front cab but I wonder whether a driver is more likely to have a career-impacting issue like a SPAD compared to a guard having something like a wrong-sid bye release? Any opinions?

I realise this is not related to firefighters in any way and am happy to repost/start a new thread but equally it does carry on from the previous discussions on here so hopefully is ok to stay?

Well there are more opportunities to f*** up when up front from spad,overspeed to overruns, collisions etc etc, essentially the buck stops in the front cab and the idea is to keep them to zero, but we are all human and human factors is important. In routine times the job does get very boring and monotonous and the trick is not to let that boredom mean you loose concentration, because when you start to drift away into dreamland is when all those incidents start to creep up on you. Clearly you need to be happy with your own company as well for longish periods.

 

[Saltire]

How are you guys doing? I've just been offered a start with a decent TOC early next year. Bit of a wait but the process was quick, we are all use to waiting for stuff like this aren't we.
I will surely be slightly sad leaving behind nearly 20 years of generally good times but my families future takes priority over everything else.
Atleast my shifts and hours will be a lot shorter an no longer will I be subjected to institutionalised bullying, micromanagement, countless audits by officers who when they were firemen were as much use as a concrete parachute.
No longer will I be breathing in toxic fumes from day to day or making food with the hands that only hours before felt the life drain out of the person they were trying to rescue and expected to just "get on with it".
I've done what I done to the best of my ability and risked my life more times than I remember.
To the others posting here who think train driving is hard and we are looking for an easy life but in for a shock, walk a mile in my shoes!
Best of luck to my brothers and sisters out there, I will always be deep down a part of the freternity.
If in the mean time I can do anything to help any of you, give me a shout.
Clunge out.

Well done mate, a guy at a station near me leaves today for a new career as a driver, I'm well jealous but delighted for him.
You've now got best part of a year to let the powers that be know your feelings and not "cow-tow" to their ways

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

How are you guys doing? I've just been offered a start with a decent TOC early next year. Bit of a wait but the process was quick, we are all use to waiting for stuff like this aren't we.
I will surely be slightly sad leaving behind nearly 20 years of generally good times but my families future takes priority over everything else.
Atleast my shifts and hours will be a lot shorter an no longer will I be subjected to institutionalised bullying, micromanagement, countless audits by officers who when they were firemen were as much use as a concrete parachute.
No longer will I be breathing in toxic fumes from day to day or making food with the hands that only hours before felt the life drain out of the person they were trying to rescue and expected to just "get on with it".
I've done what I done to the best of my ability and risked my life more times than I remember.
To the others posting here who think train driving is hard and we are looking for an easy life but in for a shock, walk a mile in my shoes!
Best of luck to my brothers and sisters out there, I will always be deep down a part of the freternity.
If in the mean time I can do anything to help any of you, give me a shout.
Clunge out.

Having read your above post you've got your head in the clouds, no offence, if you think this job is going to be any different in many facets to what you've left, and whilst you may not be feeling someone's life drain out under your hands - been there done that elsewhere - you stand a very good chance of causing someone's life to drain out of them indirectly at YOUR hands.

Don't forget that in the midst of a normal, draining day, you can suddenly see a teenager step out from a bush, hop into the four foot and stand there looking you straight in the eyes until they vanish beneath your desk and you hear a noise you'll never quite forget, no matter how tightly you are wrapped

Plus if anything goes wrong, then it's YOU in the fire this time and the only one running to your rescue is ASLEF.

It is my understanding that Full time Firefighters work a 4 on, 4 off, 42 hour week shift pattern 0900 hours to 1800 hours and 1800 hours to 0900 hours - baring getting stuck on site of course.

I'll swap you my 35 ( but spread over accumulated hours period ) week with 9 days in work on the bounce that start at 0300 for 3 weeks then changing to starting at 1400 hours for 2 weeks, for the Fire Service shift pattern any day of the week

I'm not saying train driving is all bad of course, nor am I saying for one second that careers such as the Police, Fire, Serive or Army, ( although I have experience directly of only one of them ) are easy in any way shape or forum, but I am trying to illustrate to professionals thinking of a career change that it's not the rosy nirvana many seem to think it is by any means

 

[WCMLaddict]

...

GREYHOUND mate, I'm telling you, find yourself a depot/TOC with better conditions!

It isn't that bad everywhere.
4 day working week, set rest day pattern, occasional Sunday but easy to find cover if you don't want to work. I can't remember being rostered more than 37h a week (balances out over year). Week of earlies, then week of lates. Literally only one or two jobs before 3am, latest finish 2:30 (one or two jobs). Units preped for you. Come to our Northern land...

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

I have to ask you,- if your job is that bad, why not just quit and do something else with your life???

As I have said, I am NOT trying to put anyone off going for a career in train driving, quite the juxtaposition.

I am however, trying to help people have a realistic view of the job, not the starry eyed idealism that seems to prevail on these job threads.

This is a serious job, with serious consequences and people should go into it with realistic fore knowledge of what it entails

I don't dislike ALL of the job, and I find myself trapped by age/skill-set/geography/family first factors even if I wished to find something else. There are factors of EVERY job that you will dislike but people get blinded by pound signs where this job is concerned and don't look at the wider picture pre recruitment

As I've said many times on these forums, go for it.

Just be realistic about a job that entails working very anti-social and lifestyle altering hours, with the responsibility of 1000's of lives in your hands every day.

If a Firefighter gets it wrong, how many people can die as a result ? How many could have died at Wootton Bassett as the result of a train driver not doing his job properly ?

 

[Nosillomr]

Hi, I'm also in a similar position North of the border (Airport Fire Service). I'm not overly concerned about redundancies, I'm just lacking a passion for the job I'm in and also have a massive commute to get to work. In relation to the posts I've read so far, has anyone actually relocated to specifically get a job as a Trainee Driver before they've actually had the job? I'm aware the rules seem to state on most applications that you must live within a 45 commute of location applied for at the time of application? This being the case up North it does limit what companies you can apply for. Any advice folks? New to the forum so any help appreciated. Feel free to message direct with any help/advice. Thanks

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

Hi, I'm also in a similar position North of the border (Airport Fire Service). I'm not overly concerned about redundancies, I'm just lacking a passion for the job I'm in and also have a massive commute to get to work. In relation to the posts I've read so far, has anyone actually relocated to specifically get a job as a Trainee Driver before they've actually had the job? I'm aware the rules seem to state on most applications that you must live within a 45 commute of location applied for at the time of application? This being the case up North it does limit what companies you can apply for. Any advice folks? New to the forum so any help appreciated. Feel free to message direct with any help/advice. Thanks

Most TOCs state an hour, and they WILL insist on you re-locating if, down the line, you have not moved. I know people who live away, lodge for work and go home on rest days, NOT an ideal or long term situation. So think carefully

An hour, is a long way too, stick 30 mins on it to allow for travel cock ups, or time on the front or rear awaiting train in or train home times, add that to a ten hour day and combine it with the fact that you may be 12 hours and a minute between turns and it can become a very, very long day with 30 mins awake in the house to S S & S !

 

[Nosillomr]

Most TOCs state an hour, and they WILL insist on you re-locating if, down the line, you have not moved. I know people who live away, lodge for work and go home on rest days, NOT an ideal or long term situation. So think carefully

An hour, is a long way too, stick 30 mins on it to allow for travel cock ups, or time on the front or rear awaiting train in or train home times, add that to a ten hour day and combine it with the fact that you may be 12 hours and a minute between turns and it can become a very, very long day with 30 mins awake in the house to S S & S !

I'm currently working 12 hour shifts with an almost 2 hour commute each way on top of that! Are you saying it's worth applying even if I don't live within an hour? I assumed my application would be automatically void on them seeing my address but me saying I live within an hour of depot? That make sense?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

At the end of the day, for every positive a job has there are probably 2 or more negatives.
This thread is made up mostly of people who have served their community for a pittance and risked life and limb daily to save lives and protect property 24/7/365.

It's very disrespectful to jump in and assume anyone posting here would be so green behind the ears to assume that being a train driver is pi55 easy, its not like this is a dole line full of just out of highschool wasters who want a high salary.
The vast majority in this threat will comprehend exactly what is expected of them and the only thing stopping them is the tests.
To those who've passed they, demonstrate they have the competencies to function in the role and speaking from personal experience it is not something you can rock up to on the day and blagg especially if you're sitting the above national standards tests.

From every firefighter I've known to make the switch, none have ever looked back and all add that it's the best thing they've ever done.

No offence pal but if I want to find out the realism of the role I'll ask someone who's seen the grass from both sides of the fence.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


You're just gonna have to play it by ear mate. I know a few lads up north who missed the boat about 18 months back and since then haven't had the opportunity cross their way.
If you see any jobs advertised put in for it. Worst comes to worst, apply for the next job you see (even if its miles away), then crack on with the assessment centre. If the moment presents itself, you can always make your decisions based on your personal circumstances at the time.
If you get through the Assessment centre, the results will be valid for a number of years, usually 2 but can be up to 5.
This gives you the option to apply for a job at a later date having refused your first offer. If you do put in for a job at another TOC you'll most likely bypass the initial process going direct to the interview stage (unlike the brigade where you pass all tests with one county, you'd be required to sit all tests with another even if its directly after)... Yeah never got my head round that one... National occupational standard my arse.
It's much better organised but if you are in the position and are you're willing to relocate... There are alot of jobs in the London area...

Appreciate that. I just assumed my application would be automatically void if I said I did live within an hour but my address on the application says differently?

 

[TimmyJ20]

Well after 21 years in the fire service I shall be leaving to join SouthWest Trains as a train driver... it's taken me over four years but it's finally happened. My post will not be filled as staff numbers are being reduced and smaller vehicles being trialled. Really sad to see but glad to be out of it.

 

[djsmith200]

Well after 21 years in the fire service I shall be leaving to join SouthWest Trains as a train driver... it's taken me over four years but it's finally happened. My post will not be filled as staff numbers are being reduced and smaller vehicles being trialled. Really sad to see but glad to be out of it.

congrats mate thats good to hear!! i would be interested in hearing how you find the swap as im looking to do the same (as many others are and have!)

 

[RPM]

Well after 21 years in the fire service I shall be leaving to join SouthWest Trains as a train driver... it's taken me over four years but it's finally happened. My post will not be filled as staff numbers are being reduced and smaller vehicles being trialled. Really sad to see but glad to be out of it.

Congratulations!

 

[922011]

Take the leap and don't look back, there is a massive world outside those engine house doors! it's great and I don't know anyone who's had any regrets...........I certainly didn't!!