Avanti West Coast - Holyhead

[Monty293]

Hi All,

I’ve heard rumours at our TOC that AWC might be thinking of having qualified drivers based at Holyhead to run the additional services which they have promised in the new franchise.

I work down South as a qualified driver and always fancied moving up to North Wales, how likely is this to happen. Does anyone on here currently work for AWC and have some inside knowledge about this happening and if it does when might it happen.

I’m aware that AWC drivers working out of Holyhead are currently taxied to Holyhead from Liverpool etc.. so how viable would it be to have drivers based out of Holyhead or would it cost too much.

Don't train managers and catering staff already work out of Holyhead so surely they must have a mess room or a building to themselves that would be able to accommodate a few extra lockers for the required drivers, so shouldn’t cost that much to set up.

How many drivers would you think AWC would require in Holyhead if this did go ahead? I’m guessing TFW drivers in Holyhead already would have a very good chance of getting these positions. Holyhead is also commuting distance from Llandudno Junction so many drivers there might be looking for a change.

Anyway any information anybody has on this I would be very grateful!

All the best!

 

[Irishmanc353]

Hi All,

I’ve heard rumours at our TOC that AWC might be thinking of having qualified drivers based at Holyhead to run the additional services which they have promised in the new franchise.

I work down South as a qualified driver and always fancied moving up to North Wales, how likely is this to happen. Does anyone on here currently work for AWC and have some inside knowledge about this happening and if it does when might it happen.

I’m aware that AWC drivers working out of Holyhead are currently taxied to Holyhead from Liverpool etc.. so how viable would it be to have drivers based out of Holyhead or would it cost too much.

Don't train managers and catering staff already work out of Holyhead so surely they must have a mess room or a building to themselves that would be able to accommodate a few extra lockers for the required drivers, so shouldn’t cost that much to set up.

How many drivers would you think AWC would require in Holyhead if this did go ahead? I’m guessing TFW drivers in Holyhead already would have a very good chance of getting these positions. Holyhead is also commuting distance from Llandudno Junction so many drivers there might be looking for a change.

Anyway any information anybody has on this I would be very grateful!

All the best!

Trying to get into the rail industry from Retailing (supermarkets) myself, I too would love to know about this, as I use the TfW SailRail from where I live in Manchester when going home to my family in Ireland via Chester & Holyhead - I’ve even emailed TfW with my CV on spec to see if anything comes up

 

[TeaTrain]

I worked at Holyhead Depo as guard for atw. I can say that there is a mess room for the HHD drivers and staff. For TFW on one side and now Avanti on the other. I had seen virgin drivers camping out in our TV room through the night as well.

The guards etc already work with TFW to get thereAvantix machines etc so there is already a partnership and co habitation of sorts between the two companies. I imagine a few extra lockers as you say wouldn't be a problem. There is plenty of room. There is only 3 usable platforms after all.

The drivers I worked alongside would not move to another toc. I think if you are considering a move to Holyhead you should visit the place before hand. I grew up there and spent half my life. Both growing up and moving back before moving away again. It is very rural. Not much to do. And the community is very close knit.

Some drivers do want to move to LLJ because it's such an easy depot. But most HHD drivers were ready to retire which is why they did a big recruitment drive. Both depots tend to take guards and other staff from the depot to fill positions where possible because it's easier. And honestly the quality of outside applicants is quite low in the area. That's not me being rude. It's just HHD has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe and you will see that around town.

While the job is of course great I would urge you to think about living a bit further out! Valley is only a short drive away and it's lovely.

If you have any other questions I can try answer them about the depot.

 

[SlimJim1694]

I worked at Holyhead Depo as guard for atw. I can say that there is a mess room for the HHD drivers and staff. For TFW on one side and now Avanti on the other. I had seen virgin drivers camping out in our TV room through the night as well.

The guards etc already work with TFW to get thereAvantix machines etc so there is already a partnership and co habitation of sorts between the two companies. I imagine a few extra lockers as you say wouldn't be a problem. There is plenty of room. There is only 3 usable platforms after all.

The drivers I worked alongside would not move to another toc. I think if you are considering a move to Holyhead you should visit the place before hand. I grew up there and spent half my life. Both growing up and moving back before moving away again. It is very rural. Not much to do. And the community is very close knit.

Some drivers do want to move to LLJ because it's such an easy depot. But most HHD drivers were ready to retire which is why they did a big recruitment drive. Both depots tend to take guards and other staff from the depot to fill positions where possible because it's easier. And honestly the quality of outside applicants is quite low in the area. That's not me being rude. It's just HHD has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe and you will see that around town.

While the job is of course great I would urge you to think about living a bit further out! Valley is only a short drive away and it's lovely.

If you have any other questions I can try answer them about the depot.

This is a very interesting post and something I'd heard about certain depots around the country. Is the reality of living in some of these areas as an "outsider" as cushy as the idea of working out of these depots might be? I'm currently trying to shortlist some places to move to for myself and this highlights why you really need to do your homework first.

 

[TeaTrain]

I was an 'outsider' despite having stressed I grew up there and have lived most of my life there! I was called the professor lol because even before I got to the depot they had heard I worked in the most prestigious gallery in London and thought I would be ultra posh. They were extremely wrong ha ha and it did take a while before I was 'one of the crew'

There is a lot of banter and silly playground drama. But I think that is just the railway to be honest.

Cushy? Truthfully even on a guards wage I was very very cushy in the area. There was nothing to do so I ended up buying a ps5 and enjoying it most nights.

Most drivers in tfw do not live in HHD. They also consider it to be a bit rundown and buy somewhere in the nice areas. Valley, Trearddur Bay, Along the coast somewhere etc. Working on the railway in one of these depots WILL afford you a very nice lifestyle. But it comes at the cost of perhaps convenience. The nearest airport will be a few hours drive or journey.

I know one driver who clocks up how many times he goes abroad. Its something silly I remember. He bought his daughter a house. A guard for Avanti has lived in HHD his whole life. He used to run the corner shop when I was at school. Turns out he is the biggest property owner/ landlord in the wider area. He owns a stupid amount of properties. When I asked him if he felt like retiring he said no. He uses the money to live on while building a property portfolio for his retirement. Not to mention his railway pension.

It really depends on you and what you want tbh.

 

[craigybagel]

Hi All,

I’ve heard rumours at our TOC that AWC might be thinking of having qualified drivers based at Holyhead to run the additional services which they have promised in the new franchise.

I work down South as a qualified driver and always fancied moving up to North Wales, how likely is this to happen. Does anyone on here currently work for AWC and have some inside knowledge about this happening and if it does when might it happen.

I’m aware that AWC drivers working out of Holyhead are currently taxied to Holyhead from Liverpool etc.. so how viable would it be to have drivers based out of Holyhead or would it cost too much.

Don't train managers and catering staff already work out of Holyhead so surely they must have a mess room or a building to themselves that would be able to accommodate a few extra lockers for the required drivers, so shouldn’t cost that much to set up.

How many drivers would you think AWC would require in Holyhead if this did go ahead? I’m guessing TFW drivers in Holyhead already would have a very good chance of getting these positions. Holyhead is also commuting distance from Llandudno Junction so many drivers there might be looking for a change.

Anyway any information anybody has on this I would be very grateful!

All the best!

It's been rumoured for years, as has a depot at Crewe. They spend a fortune taxiing drivers in from Manchester and Liverpool (although at least one of the drivers at those depots actually lives in Holyhead!). I know as part of the new franchise they confirmed a depot was finally going to open at Crewe - I'm sure I saw a reference to Holyhead as well but I can't find the source now.

Although TeaTrain worked at Holyhead depot and I never did - personally I have my doubts at the suggestion that TfW drivers won't wish to transfer over. I've heard many a soul day they won't do a particular thing and then change their mind when they do the maths - and the undeniable fact is TfW are one of the lowest paying franchises and AWC one of the highest! Also, if the drivers depot is anything like the TMs, there will be an awful lot of jobs where you travel pass up or down the coast to Chester/Crewe, which may help to ease the pain caused by AWCs far worse T&C's.

At the moment HHD TMs go all the way to Euston - if the drivers depot does happen it will be interesting to see if the drivers do the same or only work as far as Crewe.

Since you're so keen to work in North Wales, have you considered applying for TfW? I know I just said the pay is low compared to other TOCs but as TeaTrain pointed out, it would go a lot further there. Not a car route card and variety of stock to work at Holyhead too.

 

[craigybagel]

Trying to get into the rail industry from Retailing (supermarkets) myself, I too would love to know about this, as I use the TfW SailRail from where I live in Manchester when going home to my family in Ireland via Chester & Holyhead - I’ve even emailed TfW with my CV on spec to see if anything comes up

Sign up for notifications and apply for anything that suits you as a way in. If you're really interested in Holyhead keep an eye out for jobs with Avanti - they have on train catering staff based there and it's a good way in to the industry. They love people with customer service backgrounds and Irish accents!

 

[Irishmanc353]

Sign up for notifications and apply for anything that suits you as a way in. If you're really interested in Holyhead keep an eye out for jobs with Avanti - they have on train catering staff based there and it's a good way in to the industry. They love people with customer service backgrounds and Irish accents!

Thank you very much for this info - although I’m not a train buff and not familiar with the railway lingo that some people post on here, it’s great that there’s always someone on hand to explain it to a newbie like me

 

[TeaTrain]

Craigybagel does have a good point about the pay ha ha! I guess they may choose to move over for the dosh!

 

[C J Snarzell]

I actually went for a Train Manager vacancy with Virgin Trains based at Holyhead last year. It was a part time role (job share) with another TM.

I went to the assessment day in Crewe and I was one of ten for the vacancy. The other people were all local, from Holyhead itself and Bangor & Conwy. Sadly I lost out to one of the others.

As the other forum members have stated - the TMs for Avanti West Coast (formerly Virgin) are extremely well paid as are other roles. Even the CSA's are taking home a fair wedge each month. One of the other candidates I spoke to confirmed Holyhead is plagued with high unemployment and a lack of decent jobs (this has already been mentioned by another forum member).

Finally, not that it makes a difference anyway, but I got the impression that any rail jobs in this part of the world are extremely sought after because locals are limited to TfW and AWC. From scouring the vacancy boards for months last year, there is very rarely stuff in North Wales - the nearest slots are the likes of Wrexham, Shrewsbury or Chester.

I also suspect the TM vacancy I went for last year only came about as a result of an opening following the dismissal of a TM around August time which caused alot of backlash with other rail staff.

CJ

 

[Monty293]

Morning,

Thank you all for your reply’s to my thread, I thought this thread was buried for good when I hadn’t heard a reply for a while.

The move to North Wales has always been in the back of mine mind. Been to North West Wales several times on holiday and know the area quite well.

Your right maybe try and get my foot in the door with TFW first but my thinking was didn’t want to try TFW and then within a few months an opportunity arose with AWC.

I’ve heard Trearddur Bay is lovely but quite an affluent area with high house prices, which might be out of my range.

I suppose anywhere within the usual 1hr of Holyhead is a possibility, Bangor, Caernarfon etc.. just love the beaches in North Wales!

Well thanks again to you all for the info and if anyone does have an ear to the ground and hears anything about AWC drivers going to Holyhead then please keep the thread update.

All the best!

 

[TeaTrain]

You can always look at aberffraw, Rhosniegr, Valley and the surrounding areas for a coastal property. Being an island there are plenty of properties and the housing market does not move that quick. You are at an advantage there to choose.

Trearddur is expensive but there are properties available if you want to be within walking distance of the beach. Personally I prefer the quieter beaches that mostly locals head too. Summer in Trearddur is like a mini Spanish resort lol. So many people go there for holidays.

While I admit to painting a very bleak look for the area I simply meant it depends what you are looking for and what makes you happy. I stand by HHD itself being poo but there is so much natural beauty around its hard not to love the place either. I still do. I lived in Valley and you could easily walk to penrhos beach and forest.

I didn't drive tho and that's the biggest problem. You NEED to be able to drive. The bus services are every hour and even then they may not turn up.

Needles to say I drive now for when I go back to visit family!

 

[krus_aragon]

The nearest airport will be a few hours drive or journey.

Unless you only want to fly to Cardiff!

 

[TeaTrain]

Yes! You could use that one ha ha. I meant an international airport sorry! Our union rep at atw used it instead of taking the 1st class Cardiff train wherever he could though! Seems pretty handy!

 

[Irishmanc353]

You can always look at aberffraw, Rhosniegr, Valley and the surrounding areas for a coastal property. Being an island there are plenty of properties and the housing market does not move that quick. You are at an advantage there to choose.

Trearddur is expensive but there are properties available if you want to be within walking distance of the beach. Personally I prefer the quieter beaches that mostly locals head too. Summer in Trearddur is like a mini Spanish resort lol. So many people go there for holidays.

While I admit to painting a very bleak look for the area I simply meant it depends what you are looking for and what makes you happy. I stand by HHD itself being poo but there is so much natural beauty around its hard not to love the place either. I still do. I lived in Valley and you could easily walk to penrhos beach and forest.

I didn't drive tho and that's the biggest problem. You NEED to be able to drive. The bus services are every hour and even then they may not turn up.

Needles to say I drive now for when I go back to visit family!

Aside from getting to rent council properties in North Wales, I should imagine that I’d have to get trains from Manchester via Chester, as I’d rely on public transport if I was based in North Wales and I still have family in Ireland, so am somewhat familiar with the line from getting the SailRail via Holyhead on the Ferries to Dublin, which I do quite often - I do agree that North Wales is stunning even late at night, both summer and winter - and being Irish, I do have a lot of time and respect for the wonderful Welsh people

 

[Irishmanc353]

Sign up for notifications and apply for anything that suits you as a way in. If you're really interested in Holyhead keep an eye out for jobs with Avanti - they have on train catering staff based there and it's a good way in to the industry. They love people with customer service backgrounds and Irish accents!

Thank you for this info - I’ve just applied last night to Avanti for an onboard catering position on trains similar to what I was doing in the supermarkets so fingers crossed - I’m interested in TfW as well and any other TOC’s recruiting around Manchester