Arriva Rail Depot - New Cross Gate or Willesden Junction?

[SuperLionBang]

If you had a choice between the two depots which once would you choose (not taking journey time into consideration)? I am starting my train driver training soon and offered NXG but told I might be able to be based at Willesden Junction instead.

My friends partner used to work at NXG and said he didn't like it and would have preferred Willesden. However, he didn't explain why.

Willesden would be the shorter journey for me as I live in Welwyn Garden City but I am prepared to travel further if i have to.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[dctraindriver]

Most will say nearest depot, including me. Don’t dismiss commuting time as it can take its toll after a while and may even be a factor if you have an operational incident, something you really want to avoid.....

 

[SuperLionBang]

Most will say nearest depot, including me. Don’t dismiss commuting time as it can take its toll after a while and may even be a factor if you have an operational incident, something you really want to avoid.....

Thanks. Yeah that will be a consideration for me but it would be great to hear which depot they would recommend if travel distance wasn't a factor.

 

[bionic]

New Cross Gate do TFL "night tube" duties regularly. I don't believe Willesden Junction have these (yet). Worth considering if you have a preference about nights, especially nights with all night passenger running. Otherwise I think the work is pretty similar at both... intensive suburban DOO.

 

[baz962]

Willesden is less intensive , just I believe. The night driver's are in a dedicated night link , so you won't do night's at either depot , unless you get in night link , which won't be until after you qualify and if a space comes up. Even then it comes down to seniority. I'm a Willesden driver and I would recommend it , especially as you live in Welwyn.

 

[SuperLionBang]

Willesden is less intensive , just I believe. The night driver's are in a dedicated night link , so you won't do night's at either depot , unless you get in night link , which won't be until after you qualify and if a space comes up. Even then it comes down to seniority. I'm a Willesden driver and I would recommend it , especially as you live in Welwyn.

Thanks.

It was mentioned that the trains don't always end up back at the same depot, for example, Willesden Trains could end up at Wembley. Is this correct? If so do you know in advance where you will be finishing so could maybe park your car there at the start of the shift?

 

[martin2345uk]

If your train finishes at a different place the company will get you back to wherever you started as part of your shift.

 

[SuperLionBang]

If your train finishes at a different place the company will get you back to wherever you started as part of your shift.

Excellent. Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

 

[baz962]

Thanks.

It was mentioned that the trains don't always end up back at the same depot, for example, Willesden Trains could end up at Wembley. Is this correct? If so do you know in advance where you will be finishing so could maybe park your car there at the start of the shift?

Wembley c sidings and also stabled at Richmond and Stratford. You always know where you are finishing and will get a taxi back to Willesden. You can park at Wembley and many driver's do. You won't sign Wembley for a minimum six months after qualifying , usually longer.

 

[Stench]

There are drivers are my depother which is Chingford who have come over from wilsden and new cross due to chingfords better conditions. From their experience as a depot they said Wilsden depot is better.my local station is welwyn Garden City.

 

[baz962]

There are drivers are my depother which is Chingford who have come over from wilsden and new cross due to chingfords better conditions. From their experience as a depot they said Wilsden depot is better.my local station is welwyn Garden City.

Chingford are on different pay and t & c's