Recent content by Redahead

I worked within BR - not as traincrew or anything similar - for a few years in the 1990's at the start of my working life. However, for the 13 years prior to getting in as a trainee driver a couple of years ago (at the first attempt in my late thirties) I had a completely unrelated profession...

In addition to in house services already mentioned by others, the TOCs at which I have worked all have used third party providers of 24/7 support services, including counselling, available both by phone and online. This is paid for by the employer but is free (and can be anonymous) at the point...

Crikey! One rule for us, one rule for them.... No wonder some people get het up about staff travel, when people are so willing to try it on - with no little success, it seems! I'd expect to be stuck on if I didn't have the correct PRIV ticket for my journey to work, the same as I would expect...

I love working in the rail industry. However, the prevalence of attitudes like this is a real downer for me. I am professional, and occasionally I make mistakes. I understand that customers get annoyed with staff and TOCs. This ultra-defensive "the customer is always wrong - we're the...

"Releasing the doors on modern multiple units (including BR era) should cause the brake pressure to rise to full service and will not be released again until all doors are closed." Not on 455, 456 or 377s. No traction power can be taken, but no brake application occurs simply because a release...

Southern Railway

"And those two people have never worked in the railway previously and gone straight for driver. So without having any experience of other safety critical roles such as Conductor/Guard they judge that grades position as being of little relevance to driving." This is getting boring. I am a...

You're dead right - and what many fail to realise is that while being an internal applicant may allow one direct access to the tests and interviews without the tedious pre-qualifier of an application form, the ultimate standard required is no lower, and the competition just as fierce from very...

One other point very much worth considering, which is, clearly, only my humble opinion, is that many of those who choose to take non-driving grades with a view to becoming a driver through the internal route, quickly become their own worst enemy when the hoped-for opportunity doesn't come along...

Thank you - that's much appreciated R

Could any SWT drivers give an indication of the work content of Waterloo and of Strawberry Hill? How are the links structured? Is it all intensive suburban, or do you get longer distances in the mix as well? Thanks in advance R

As a fairly recent external applicant from an entirely different industry (doing office work), my view is completely opposite to that of "ghost" and the answer is most definitely Yes - external applicants have every chance of succeeding. In response to a 2009 campaign, I applied, prepared...