Career change to rail industry

[Mark8par]

Evening all, I am looking to change my career path from a self employed carpenter and work for a rail company and need a little advice, I am 52 years young.

There looks to be many different roles but I like the idea of a train driver and it would appear this is a popular choice, I appreciate to achieve this it may be better for me to take up another role first and then look to do this internally.

I have a few questions if someone would be kind enough to direct me.

Am I too old for this, are rail companies interested in employees my age?
What roles would you recommend for this career path?
Are there only certain stations that are the base for drivers or staff as I am 45 mins to 1hr 15 from Manchester and I know the importance of 45 min travel time.

I am sure other questions will come from replies but thanks for any help

Mark

 

[greeny14888]

Evening all, I am looking to change my career path from a self employed carpenter and work for a rail company and need a little advice, I am 52 years young.

There looks to be many different roles but I like the idea of a train driver and it would appear this is a popular choice, I appreciate to achieve this it may be better for me to take up another role first and then look to do this internally.

I have a few questions if someone would be kind enough to direct me.

Am I too old for this, are rail companies interested in employees my age?
What roles would you recommend for this career path?
Are there only certain stations that are the base for drivers or staff as I am 45 mins to 1hr 15 from Manchester and I know the importance of 45 min travel time.

I am sure other questions will come from replies but thanks for any help

Mark

Hi Mark,

Absolutely not too old, plenty of candidates make it through to various roles including driving in their 50s.

The role of guard/conductor/train-manager is a good role to get into for an intro to the railway, however if your application is strong enough no reason why you can't go straight driving. It is, as you said, a highly competitive role so your application would need to be equally competitive. (I did 18 months as a guard before I successfully applied for driver and feel that time was invaluable in prepping myself for the recruitment process, you also have a wealth of support and knowledge from drivers at your base that you just don't have much access to off the streets. It was also the most satisfying job i have had so was not the end of the world if i didnt make it as a driver and stayed as a guard.)

Most operators have multiple crew bases (some much more than others) so always best to research each company and see which ones are within your location, especially if you are looking to join in a different role with the hope of moving to driver. It is usually very strict on the 45 min travel time, most applicants outside of this get sifted out within a day or so.

Also, consider maintenance depots aswell, lots of great roles as fitters, depot drivers etc

 

[Mark8par]

Hi Mark,

Absolutely not too old, plenty of candidates make it through to various roles including driving in their 50s.

The role of guard/conductor/train-manager is a good role to get into for an intro to the railway, however if your application is strong enough no reason why you can't go straight driving. It is, as you said, a highly competitive role so your application would need to be equally competitive. (I did 18 months as a guard before I successfully applied for driver and feel that time was invaluable in prepping myself for the recruitment process, you also have a wealth of support and knowledge from drivers at your base that you just don't have much access to off the streets. It was also the most satisfying job i have had so was not the end of the world if i didnt make it as a driver and stayed as a guard.)

Most operators have multiple crew bases (some much more than others) so always best to research each company and see which ones are within your location, especially if you are looking to join in a different role with the hope of moving to driver. It is usually very strict on the 45 min travel time, most applicants outside of this get sifted out within a day or so.

Also, consider maintenance depots aswell, lots of great roles as fitters, depot drivers etc

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's really appreciated. I have no issues at all taking on a guard or any other roll that helped prepare me for a driver roll. I am just not sure how to start the process.

Thanks again for replying it's really appreciated.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Are there only certain stations that are the base for drivers or staff as I am 45 mins to 1hr 15 from Manchester and I know the importance of 45 min travel time.

Northern's Blackburn depot might be a closer option for you.

 

[Mark8par]

Northern's Blackburn depot might be a closer option for you.

that would work but I was not sure if only certain depots were for drivers/gurards/conductors. Can you be one of those roles and located a blackburn?

 

[greeny14888]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's really appreciated. I have no issues at all taking on a guard or any other roll that helped prepare me for a driver roll. I am just not sure how to start the process.

Thanks again for replying it's really appreciated.

No problem,

First thing you should go onto the careers page of each operator in your area and sign up to job alerts, as a back up for regular checks with your preferred operator(s). When a suitable vacancy comes up read the job spec carefully and take your time to articulate your application to match your skills with the job requirements. Don't trust the closing dates though, as soon as you're happy with your application, fire away, they close early very commonly.

Wouldn't hurt to spend your time while you wait trawling through the many threads on these forums, there's lots to see.

 

[Mark8par]

No problem,

First thing you should go onto the careers page of each operator in your area and sign up to job alerts, as a back up for regular checks with your preferred operator(s). When a suitable vacancy comes up read the job spec carefully and take your time to articulate your application to match your skills with the job requirements. Don't trust the closing dates though, as soon as you're happy with your application, fire away, they close early very commonly.

Wouldn't hurt to spend your time while you wait trawling through the many threads on these forums, there's lots to see.

What you say makes absolute sense, thank you, need to get busy.

Thanks Mark

 

[greeny14888]

Different Driver Depot, Route and Traction cards

One of the most common questions asked on this forum is what do train crew at a particular depot sign. Given we have an excellent thread listing every depot for every TOC in the country, and we have staff representing most if not all TOCs as well, I've been attempting to collate a list of every...

www.railforums.co.uk

That's a good thread for driver depots by operator

 

[Plodster]

I was 52 when I joined my TOC as a driver and have one or two friends of a similar age who have also joined as drivers.
All of us were ‘street to seat’ so no prior railway experience.

My class of 8 at training school was 1 ex guard and 7 of us new to the railway from a range of backgrounds.

Give it a shot. Research the driver role and company you intend to apply to.

Read the Railway Jobs and Careers thread and take a look at the Assessment & Medicals thread. Loads of useful information.

My view for what it’s worth is apply for any driving job you can within range of home. (45-60minutes depending on the company).
Applying for other railway roles can greatly assist but isn’t a guarantee unfortunately and could burn time. Some roles might require you to remain in them for a set period of time etc.

Research train driver non technical skills and compare these skills to your current / previous roles. You will need to evidence certain skills / behaviours in your application, assessments and interviews.

Think safety and customer service too.

Register for job alerts on the Train Operating Company web sites within range - as @Cheshire Scot said above Northern for you maybe.

The above is just my view based on my experiences.

In short age isn’t an issue.

Good luck.

 

[Mark8par]

I was 52 when I joined my TOC as a driver and have one or two friends of a similar age who have also joined as drivers.
All of us were ‘street to seat’ so no prior railway experience.

My class of 8 at training school was 1 ex guard and 7 of us new to the railway from a range of backgrounds.

Give it a shot. Research the driver role and company you intend to apply to.

Read the Railway Jobs and Careers thread and take a look at the Assessment & Medicals thread. Loads of useful information.

My view for what it’s worth is apply for any driving job you can within range of home. (45-60minutes depending on the company).
Applying for other railway roles can greatly assist but isn’t a guarantee unfortunately and could burn time. Some roles might require you to remain in them for a set period of time etc.

Research train driver non technical skills and compare these skills to your current / previous roles. You will need to evidence certain skills / behaviours in your application, assessments and interviews.

Think safety and customer service too.

Register for job alerts on the Train Operating Company web sites within range - as @Cheshire Scot said above Northern for you maybe.

The above is just my view based on my experiences.

In short age isn’t an issue.

Good luck.

Superb, thanks for the tips

 

[Unobrow]

Evening all, I am looking to change my career path from a self employed carpenter and work for a rail company and need a little advice, I am 52 years young.

There looks to be many different roles but I like the idea of a train driver and it would appear this is a popular choice, I appreciate to achieve this it may be better for me to take up another role first and then look to do this internally.

I have a few questions if someone would be kind enough to direct me.

Am I too old for this, are rail companies interested in employees my age?
What roles would you recommend for this career path?
Are there only certain stations that are the base for drivers or staff as I am 45 mins to 1hr 15 from Manchester and I know the importance of 45 min travel time.

I am sure other questions will come from replies but thanks for any help

Mark

I was around the same age when I went street to seat. A lorry driver before, the job suits me as it’s what I’m used to doing (long periods on your own and staying awake lol). I love it. As a lifelong enthusiast I don’t know why I didn’t go knocking on doors from school, but there you go.

Northern Blackburn have advertised for trainees in the past so there’s no reason why you couldn’t apply for them or even Manchester as I’m sure you should be able to make it in 45min? The traffic situation is something you’d have to take into account if you made it. I’m 50min from my depot, but it can double at the wrong time of day for me, which I allow for.

Saying all that, research the role and understand exactly whats expected and everything it can involve. That might make it less appealing, or more so, but at least you’ll know what you’re walking into if you take it further. Good luck.

 

[SWR_DRIVER]

I started as a guard before becoming a driver. I very much enjoyed being a guard and am very much enjoying driving!

One important thing to consider though... Even with internal recruitment, there's no guarantee you will get a driver's job, as you still have to pass the same physcometrics tests and interviews as those applying externally. So if you did join the railway as a guard or other role, with the expectation of going driving in the future, would you be happy working on the railway if the driving career never came to fruition?

 

[Big_Red_Bus]

Afternoon all (first post), strange coincidence reading this! Went down to Birmingham on the train from Lime St yesterday to see some family and was well impressed with the experience. Whilst standing at New Street, I got that feeling that I wanted to be part of the Rail Industry in some form or another. Funnily enough, I'm a self-employed Joiner/Carpenter too....I'm 41 though, sorry Mark

Been having a gander this morning at Northern and Network Rail websites. Not much in terms of vacancies in Liverpool, closest being Manchester and Crewe. I don't even know where to start!

 

[AverageJoe]

I think we need to put a limit on this, we won’t have anyone build our doors and staircases if this carries on

 

[DarloRich]

I have employed people of all ages. The important things are the person, the skills and the experiences, not the number.

PS: there are many more jobs in the "railway industry" than train driver. Don't limit your choices or chances to just one option.

 

[muz379]

Evening all, I am looking to change my career path from a self employed carpenter and work for a rail company and need a little advice, I am 52 years young.

There looks to be many different roles but I like the idea of a train driver and it would appear this is a popular choice, I appreciate to achieve this it may be better for me to take up another role first and then look to do this internally.

I have a few questions if someone would be kind enough to direct me.

Am I too old for this, are rail companies interested in employees my age?
What roles would you recommend for this career path?
Are there only certain stations that are the base for drivers or staff as I am 45 mins to 1hr 15 from Manchester and I know the importance of 45 min travel time.

I am sure other questions will come from replies but thanks for any help

Mark

Your profile says rossendale which is a big area , as well as a traincrew depot at Blackburn for Northern which has both Drivers and Conductors based there , there are also Traincrew depots for Avanti & TPE Drivers & Conductors/Train Managers in preston which might also not be too far from you .

Equally , It seems you have centred your research on TOC's and in particular the driving role .Depending on what in particular attracts you to the drivers role It might also be worth considering looking at Network rail who also employ lots of people around that area in either maintenance roles or as Signallers .

Your age certainly would not be a bar though .

 

[Ducatist4]

If you see a vacancy advertised or they start a recruitment campaign you need to get your application in as soon as you can. Waiting till tomorrow will usually be too late as recruitment campaigns are usually massively over subscribed and they usually close them well before the advertised date.

 

[Big_Red_Bus]

I think we need to put a limit on this, we won’t have anyone build our doors and staircases if this carries on

Hahaha - I installed a set of stairs a week back, I'd like to think it was one of my last!

Interesting thread. One of things I nooticed are the amount of TOC's. There were a couple of Network Rail staff milling around, Avanti, LNW, TFW, Northern. Am I getting my nacronyms right here?

Truth be told, I looked into this a year back. There were vacancies for trainee drivers on Northern. I started my application but got a bit concerned about being deaf in my right ear (since birth and doesn't affect me personally) but thought they'd be looking for perfect specimens so canned it.

Here we are again, still willing and still none the wiser.

 

[AverageJoe]

Hahaha - I installed a set of stairs a week back, I'd like to think it was one of my last!

Interesting thread. One of things I nooticed are the amount of TOC's. There were a couple of Network Rail staff milling around, Avanti, LNW, TFW, Northern. Am I getting my nacronyms right here?

Truth be told, I looked into this a year back. There were vacancies for trainee drivers on Northern. I started my application but got a bit concerned about being deaf in my right ear (since birth and doesn't affect me personally) but thought they'd be looking for perfect specimens so canned it.

Here we are again, still willing and still none the wiser.

I’m not entirely sure of the hearing requirements but I must admit if I could earn even close to the money of a train driver using a skill that allowed me to dictate my own work schedule I would take it all day long.

Again that’s just me, but I have no trade skills and if I was in your position (and I’m making a guess here) earning 40k+ working the hours you choose.
I’d stick with it.

Enthusiast will tell you the job is amazing (which I wish I was one) and others will talk about the money, but time is the most valuable thing out there and I’ve noticed that since being in this job. So it’s worth thinking about.

 

[Horizon22]

Interesting thread. One of things I nooticed are the amount of TOC's. There were a couple of Network Rail staff milling around, Avanti, LNW, TFW, Northern. Am I getting my nacronyms right here?

Yes that's correct. Network Rail are the infrastructure owner (think signals/signallers, track, some big stations etc.) and the TOCs are all the individual operators. This is of course due to be shaken up with the Labour government's plan to bring in a "Great British Railways" type body but nobody is sure how thing will work in practice.

Truth be told, I looked into this a year back. There were vacancies for trainee drivers on Northern. I started my application but got a bit concerned about being deaf in my right ear (since birth and doesn't affect me personally) but thought they'd be looking for perfect specimens so canned it.

I'm not going to lie or sugarcoat it, but this might be a major issue at a company medical for a train driver. Unfortunately the medical is often the last stage of the process.

 

[Big_Red_Bus]

I’m not entirely sure of the hearing requirements but I must admit if I could earn even close to the money of a train driver using a skill that allowed me to dictate my own work schedule I would take it all day long.

Again that’s just me, but I have no trade skills and if I was in your position (and I’m making a guess here) earning 40k+ working the hours you choose.
I’d stick with it.

Enthusiast will tell you the job is amazing (which I wish I was one) and others will talk about the money, but time is the most valuable thing out there and I’ve noticed that since being in this job. So it’s worth thinking about.

Tbh, Joe. I've gotten to a point where I don't enjoy it anymore - at all. Been self-employed for 15yrs now and I don't feel any better off for it. When I first started in the trades it was fun, you could have a laugh and as long as you knew what you were doing, nobody got on your case. It's not like that now and I would assume that the same could be said for many industries. It's sporadic and intense at the same time. I feel like the youth of today get a bum deal from employers and bet most would sub-contract their work if they could and it seems to be rubbing off on the general work environment. Everything needs doing yesterday! Don't get me started on paid leave/bereavement/sickness etc. I've got kids and somewhere to live but my career has given me itchy feet for a while - trains are a big interest of mine (class 89-91 phwoarrr) much to the amusement of my mates. Would be nice to be involved in the grand scheme and get paid for it, that's my thinking anyway.

Yes that's correct. Network Rail are the infrastructure owner (think signals/signallers, track, some big stations etc.) and the TOCs are all the individual operators. This is of course due to be shaken up with the Labour government's plan to bring in a "Great British Railways" type body but nobody is sure how thing will work in practice.



I'm not going to lie or sugarcoat it, but this might be a major issue at a company medical for a train driver. Unfortunately the medical is often the last stage of the process.

I totally agree, when I left school I wanted to be a Commando - got told straight up no because of my deaf ear. If you can't get in the Royal Marines, you're definitely not going to be able to be a Train Driver!!!

Thanks for the replies guys and sorry for derailing your thread, Mark.