SB Rail OTM driver

[Rhys Wharton]

Evening all
I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the role of an OTM driver? is the trainee process similar to going mainline driver? I know majority of the work will be conducted at night. Would it be a good stepping stone towards TOC/FOC work?
Thanks in advance

 

[theironroad]

I'm sure someone with more facts will come along.

I can't see it doing any harm,but iirc from a conversation a few years back, it doesn't make you a qualified driver so would start as a trainee.

I think otm drivers do a lot more minor maintenance etc than drivers ever do, especially toc drivers these days.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the training and rules knowledge was going to be reduced for some drivers when they only drive in an engineer's possession where normal signalling is often disconnected. Not sure if that is the case or not.

Edit
Just looking at the ad online, seems that does require rules and route knowledge too.
Good luck if you apply.

 

[The One]

OTM drivers have to drive main line too so you have to abide by the same rules and procedures as a freight passenger train driver

 

[BallastMonkey]

OTM drivers are seen as train drivers and have been known to move to FOCs/TOCs. Some OTMs are driven to site for example Tampers while others driven by loco with external companies (e.g.Freightliner)

 

[Rhys Wharton]

Cheers for the info everyone. I think I will apply for it. I have a couple of applications in with a couple of TOCs and due to attend physcometric testing early 19 but don’t see any harm in going for this as well

 

[DarloRich]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the training and rules knowledge was going to be reduced for some drivers when they only drive in an engineer's possession where normal signalling is often disconnected. Not sure if that is the case or not.

how do you get your tamper to site

Evening all
I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the role of an OTM driver? is the trainee process similar to going mainline driver? I know majority of the work will be conducted at night. Would it be a good stepping stone towards TOC/FOC work?
Thanks in advance

I wouldnt tell your putative employers that you see them as a stepping stone to driving a proper train

 

[theironroad]

how do you get your tamper to site



I wouldnt tell your putative employers that you see them as a stepping stone to driving a proper train

Tbh, I'm a bit vague on details on this one. I just remember reading somewhere in a article (an rail industry one, not ruk !)
I think it was an attempt to lower training time and costs.

Obviously there would have to be a way of ferrying the otms to site, maybe in multiple and that would require a fully route knowledge trained driver, but on site there maybe 2 others who can only work in the possession limits.

Again, this is recall , maybe it never happened.

 

[Regan]

As an ex otm driver operator I'm not sure how sb differ from colas who I worked for but I could give you info regarding t&c's.

 

[Rhys Wharton]

As an ex otm driver operator I'm not sure how sb differ from colas who I worked for but I could give you info regarding t&c's.

yes that would be perfect thank you!