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Thameslink rates of pay.

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332 > 444

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Why is GN easier ?

Doesn't seem that way during training. NCL at one end and working of SL at the other. Tons of Level Crossings. Different signaller contact times.

The signal sections from Hitchin to Peterborough are quite large also and yes plenty of level crossings!

387, you know the Moorgate line has it's own rules down there we need a mini course on that too. Remember when it was FCC, they had harmonised T&Cs hence the same pay.
 
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westcoaster

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The signal sections from Hitchin to Peterborough are quite large also and yes plenty of level crossings!

387, you know the Moorgate line has it's own rules down there we need a mini course on that too. Remember when it was FCC, they had harmonised T&Cs hence the same pay.

Ever since I've been on the TL route, it's always been said that the GN side is easier to learn and work than the TL side.
On the route side the GN is pretty straight forward end to end running. Pretty much a 4 track railway in its length, with one North south loop and a long branch up into the fens (and a stubbed branch to moorgate). Depots at Hornsey. Drivers workings tend to be short trips, change ends and go again. Somewhere in the region of 2 hours max driving end to end.

On the TL route you've got Bedford to London 4 tracked, through the core and down to brighton ( diversion routes via crystal palace, Norbury, Clapham Junction. Redhill and lewes). The Sutton loop both ways, with diversions via crystal palace, Norbury and West croydon.
Sevenoaks via Catford and Swanley ( diversions via Kent house, birkbeck and orpington).
Also diversionary routes into St Pancras high level, London Bridge low level and London Victoria. And the south London lines via north Dulwich. Depots at cauldwell, selhurst and lovers walk. Drivers workings cn be long we have a job where you go Bedford to Bedford via Sutton it's non stop in the chair driving for 4hr30. A regular loop is 3hr20 or so.

Also worth noting there was a major pay gap between TL and gn when FCC was formed, it was in the region of TL being paid 7K more.
 

Bromley boy

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Ever since I've been on the TL route, it's always been said that the GN side is easier to learn and work than the TL side.
On the route side the GN is pretty straight forward end to end running. Pretty much a 4 track railway in its length, with one North south loop and a long branch up into the fens (and a stubbed branch to moorgate). Depots at Hornsey. Drivers workings tend to be short trips, change ends and go again. Somewhere in the region of 2 hours max driving end to end.

On the TL route you've got Bedford to London 4 tracked, through the core and down to brighton ( diversion routes via crystal palace, Norbury, Clapham Junction. Redhill and lewes). The Sutton loop both ways, with diversions via crystal palace, Norbury and West croydon.
Sevenoaks via Catford and Swanley ( diversions via Kent house, birkbeck and orpington).
Also diversionary routes into St Pancras high level, London Bridge low level and London Victoria. And the south London lines via north Dulwich. Depots at cauldwell, selhurst and lovers walk. Drivers workings cn be long we have a job where you go Bedford to Bedford via Sutton it's non stop in the chair driving for 4hr30. A regular loop is 3hr20 or so.

TL must have some of the most varied work of any TOC in the UK. I had some experience of it out with my DI operating services from Sevenoakes. You have the rural railway via Eynsford, the crawl round urban Catford Loop, the Core and then flying up the Midland Mainline, all in one journey.

I'd imagine most drivers moving from other TOCs see the variety as a positive thing?

I've also heard it said that the intention is for all TL drivers to sign all routes - is there any truth in this? I know historically Brighton men didn't sign Sevenoakes, for example.

Bedford to Bedford via Sutton must be pretty hard on the bladder. Is there time to jump out at Sutton to take a leak? Quite a few of the services seem to be timetabled to sit there for a few minutes.
 
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donpoku

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If TL is more varied and slightly demanding I'll choose that any day as you may find your week goes quick, don't you think so?

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk
 

whoosh

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I've also heard it said that the intention is for all TL drivers to sign all routes - is there any truth in this?


No, the opposite. Traincrew depots are being moved/opened up at the ends of routes, and drivers will work those routes only. For example St Albans depot will just do Wimbledon/Sutton loop.
 

Bromley boy

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No, the opposite. Traincrew depots are being moved/opened up at the ends of routes, and drivers will work those routes only. For example St Albans depot will just do Wimbledon/Sutton loop.

Interesting. It all seems to be pretty up in the air according to different sources, but that would make sense I guess. From a variety perspective that may be bad news for TL drivers.

I assume certain depots (Brighton, Bridges, Bedford?) will retain core routes and potentially the most variety of work? I can see that somewhere like Orpington which is out on a limb could end up only doing journeys that start and finish at Sevenoakes.
 

On_track

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Hi, can anybody in the know tell me if any drivers are based at the GTR depot at Three Bridges? (and if so, are they Thameslink drivers). if drivers are based there, roughly how many are there (and how does this compare size wise to others Thameslink depots).

How easy is it for a qualified driver from another TOC to get a job with GTR based at Three Bridges?. Is it a case of trying to get into another depot first ?(if so, which would be the easier depot to get into) and then stick my name down on an internal depot transfer list?
 

332 > 444

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Can I ask what that works out for you monthly please?

Erm, haven't done a full months work yet but that will be in our next pay added with the 1h45 overtime added in to our pay for travelling tother training school. Looking on an online calculator I think it's take home £1638 excluding overtime.
 

Class2ldn

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Hi, can anybody in the know tell me if any drivers are based at the GTR depot at Three Bridges? (and if so, are they Thameslink drivers). if drivers are based there, roughly how many are there (and how does this compare size wise to others Thameslink depots).

How easy is it for a qualified driver from another TOC to get a job with GTR based at Three Bridges?. Is it a case of trying to get into another depot first ?(if so, which would be the easier depot to get into) and then stick my name down on an internal depot transfer list?

There's been a drivers depot there since last November.
Currently about 30 drivers, but with the trainees it's actually over subscribed by about 20 so not sure what will happen with all the trainees. Going to be about 60-80 drivers in total.

The only way you'll get a job from outside is if they advertise on the website and for three bridges I think tbh you won't have a chance for a few years.
All the depots will be full.
Any chance of qualified driver's coming to TL is probably quite slim for the next couple of years
 
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djsmith200

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Erm, haven't done a full months work yet but that will be in our next pay added with the 1h45 overtime added in to our pay for travelling tother training school. Looking on an online calculator I think it's take home £1638 excluding overtime.

nice one mate appreciate that!!
 

baz962

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Erm, haven't done a full months work yet but that will be in our next pay added with the 1h45 overtime added in to our pay for travelling tother training school. Looking on an online calculator I think it's take home £1638 excluding overtime.

Should be more mate im on 24700 in my current job and my flat is about 1660 take home go to a site called listen to taxman
 

On_track

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There's been a drivers depot there since last November.
Currently about 30 drivers, but with the trainees it's actually over subscribed by about 20 so not sure what will happen with all the trainees. Going to be about 60-80 drivers in total.

The only way you'll get a job from outside is if they advertise on the website and for three bridges I think tbh you won't have a chance for a few years.
All the depots will be full.
Any chance of qualified driver's coming to TL is probably quite slim for the next couple of years

Thanks Class2ldn!. I'm just looking into the possibilities longer term at the moment as I am a fairly new driver (only qualified 18 months) so happy to stay at my current TOC for at least the next 2-3 years. However, Three Bridges is very local to where I currently live so hopefully some opportunities will come up there in the next few years. I also hear a rumour that there are plans to have a depot at Horsham at some point in the future as well, so if true then that would be good for me as well. Cheers!
 

Class2ldn

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Yes Horsham is opening but it will only be fairly small and will have less chance of getting into then three bridges
 

whoosh

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My understanding is the current Southern depot at Horsham will be reduced in size, but a Thameslink depot opening, so roughly the same amounť of drivers overall as there is now.
 
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