Recent content by S-Car-Go

A2Jon picked my brain over coffee before he had his interview. He'll be swotting up on rules & traction I would imagine. I was recruited 7 years ago to BLY. Not as up-to-date but still happy to answer questions/DMs :smile:

It is possible to be signalled through a junction where the exit signal is at red. The preceding aspect would be single yellow of course. If the junction is on a straight, it's easy to observe the red. On a curve where the red is not visible, there is a risk of passing the pointwork and then...

It's true that freight drivers could potentially have a 12 hour shift. That'll be their maximum ceiling limit per day, they'll get paid for 12. Most of their shifts will be shorter than that but it factors in delays and operational issues. With WMR/LNWR, the maximum potential hours I can do per...

Paying it forward now you're a BLY man

Many thanks for all your input and suggestions. The morning went well, I think! It was all over so quickly. It didn't take the format of a traditional presentation and FAQs, but more of a speed networking event. Small groups of students rotated between stations to meet multiple professionals...

I've been in the railways for over 20 years, a driver for 6. Along with other former students of my old school, this month I've been invited back to talk to year 12 6th formers about careers and "loving your work". What sort of questions do you think I'll get? If you are currently in full time...

In my experience (bearing in mind 6 years ago), I also had to take a pay cut when I joined. Apprentice/trainee salary was fixed approx for the first 34 weeks at 28k. Then increased to year 1 salary of 46k. A year after that, a 5k raise to year 2 salary, and a year after that another 5k raise to...

Weirdly, I do see a correlation between train driving and musical aptitude. When I was a teen, I played electronic organs, rock/jazz, vintage Hammonds etc to a high standard. You had to use all 4 limbs to play them, dual manuals + bass pedals and expression pedal. When I drive trains, I have a...

So TOCs do vary. Some do trainee wage until you pass some exams. Then a bit more when you pass your handling & route learning, then full salary when you are out on your own and productive 12-18 months after starting. LNR/WMR do trainee wage for a set number of weeks (somewhere around the 32-36...

It's in their interest after all for you to be able to come to work easily and reliably, and not going home everyday completely run down

There's no maths test as such. Apprenticeship modules in English, Maths, and ICT come later in training. If you have GCSE certificates in these subjects with A-C grades, you are exempt from the corresponding modules.

Hi, If you're interested in trainee senior conductor positions, LNWR is currently advertising, https://wmtrains.pinpointhq.com/ Conductors for: Bletchley, Crewe, Northampton, Worcester. Closing 8th Oct. It's my turn to give back. 6 years ago, someone posted that Bletchley depot was advertising...

Hi, If you're interested in trainee driver positions, LNWR is currently advertising, https://wmtrains.pinpointhq.com/ Drivers for: Bletchley, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Worcester. Closing 24th Oct. It's my turn to give back. 6 years ago, someone posted that Bletchley depot was advertising for...

If you pass the final interview and medical, the TOC is not making the decision lightly to choose you. Driver recruitment is expensive and they do help you through the training with the expectation you study and put in the effort as well. Since you have LGV & electrician roles, you would have...

Well done on getting to this stage. I've done 2 DMIs for different TOCs. 1 asked what I knew about the company, rolling stock fleet, routes, etc. The other didn't ask me any of that. Both asked situational questions, similar to the MMI. Do a search of the forums (with the top right icon) and...