Well if its not completely gone then it all comes down to if you can pass the hearing test in the booth which will test both ears, there is drivers who wear hearing aids so if this something you have then you'll only know once you're at the medical.
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
12LDA28C
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Oct 2022
- Messages
- 5,058
Effectively, nothing. That's why some drivers wear hearing aids for driving which is perfectly acceptable. However this (and indeed the requirement for glasses) must be registered with the ORR and recorded on the Train Driving Licence.
RossMc
Member
Go along to boots and have a hearing test carried out. They will tell you if you meet the standards.
Off the top of my head you must have no more than a 30db average loss (without hearing aids) over the frequencies of 0.5, 1 & 2. Google will confirm.
nwbirch83@gmai
Member
Brilliant thanks for the responses guys. Puts my mind at ease, I either pass it or I don't.
No idea when it will be so playing the waiting game.
How common are young drivers? I'm 19, been employed by a large TOC for around 3 months now in a customer facing position and I'm quite eager to apply for a driver's position as soon as I can as it's something I've always had my eyes on. I want to get as much experience in my current role that I could use as examples in an interview, but at the same time I'd like to put an application in when I reach the driving age. I know about the types of psychometric tests drivers have to do before they're accepted and I'm somewhat confident that I can do them, meaning the only hurdle that I'd have to go through would be the interviews. Should I apply when a position appears regardless or hold off for a couple years?
DontPlayBoxing
Member
Dont hold off and apply when you are of the age where you can.
If you can pass the psychometrics, then why can't you pass an interview? Just go for it!
Even 'if' you arent successful straight away you will get valuable DMI experience and get to know all the TOC's you apply for.
AverageJoe
On Moderation
Work hard and well with others in your current role, build a good reputation working with the toc and apply when you can.
Keep in mind tho they can be very unsociable hours.
When I was 19 I was a bus driver and quit after a year. I was missing so many weekends and social events with my friends.
I’m still glad I quit as I think enjoying youth and spending time with friends is important.
Now at 41 I have no friends so it’s all good
I work weekends since I'm a part timer so I've gotten a taste of the "unsociable hours" aspect lol, plus I consider myself quite introverted which is why I believe driving is a good fit for me.Work hard and well with others in your current role, build a good reputation working with the toc and apply when you can.
Keep in mind tho they can be very unsociable hours.
When I was 19 I was a bus driver and quit after a year. I was missing so many weekends and social events with my friends.
I’m still glad I quit as I think enjoying youth and spending time with friends is important.
Now at 41 I have no friends so it’s all good
Many of my friends want to go into the railway too, so not seeing them for some time is inevitable (not like we organise many get-togethers currently)
traineemanc07
Member
I've just had my medical amd I presume it will be a standard across the board but with my toc it is 40db loss. Good luck
nwbirch83@gmai
Member
Thank you.
martin2345uk
Established Member
ToonLegend
New Member
I’m 21 years old in 2 weeks and I’m in a bit of a quarter life crisis. I currently work as a network rail s&t apprentice and while the job is good in some respects it seems to be getting progressively worse. I joined network rail in September 2022 in the middle of the strikes, most of which was because of the change to the T&Cs of our maintenance staff at network rail. As a consequence of this, my apprenticeship has been managed dreadfully. Because of modernising maintenance which has been brought in after the RMT agreed to end the strikes,there are no longer teams in maintenance work and this has led to me not being properly trained as I’m with different people every week as well as many training courses being cancelled leading me to become a bit disappointed in this job. I’ve got a year and a half left of my apprenticeship and I’m beginning to think that maybe this job isn’t for me, the increased amount of night shifts due to MM mean that I’m now working mostly nights with less rest days which isn’t good for my health in the long term. (I’m fully aware train drivers work shifts, but i imagine it isn’t as many as I’m working now)
as well as all this, I would prefer to be a train driver anyway, yes the job is difficult I definitely don’t think it’s easy (I work on the railway and I know that the job isn’t easy as the mainstream media make out) but despite that I genuinely believe it’s a job I would like. I originally wanted to do this job anyway, the only reason I didn’t apply for it originally was because I was 18 years old and not old enough to apply back then.
My question is, do you think this career change makes sense and what is life like as a train driver for a company like LNER, northern or Scot rail. I’m aware I’m taking a risk but I would rather do this career change when I’m young than finish the apprenticeship, not enjoy the job then want to leave anyway. Another question is, if I do apply what should I do to prepare? What can I do to give me the best chance of succeeding at getting the job?
as well as all this, I would prefer to be a train driver anyway, yes the job is difficult I definitely don’t think it’s easy (I work on the railway and I know that the job isn’t easy as the mainstream media make out) but despite that I genuinely believe it’s a job I would like. I originally wanted to do this job anyway, the only reason I didn’t apply for it originally was because I was 18 years old and not old enough to apply back then.
My question is, do you think this career change makes sense and what is life like as a train driver for a company like LNER, northern or Scot rail. I’m aware I’m taking a risk but I would rather do this career change when I’m young than finish the apprenticeship, not enjoy the job then want to leave anyway. Another question is, if I do apply what should I do to prepare? What can I do to give me the best chance of succeeding at getting the job?
You’ve got to put your hat in the ring to stand a chance.
But my advice would be finish the apprenticeship. You could apply now and it would take you longer than the year and a half anyway to get to the job offer. The recruitment process is long winded and not easy, you may fail the initial sift or any of the tests. So keeping in the job that you’re in is the wisest choice.
But I’d say definitely go for it.
But my advice would be finish the apprenticeship. You could apply now and it would take you longer than the year and a half anyway to get to the job offer. The recruitment process is long winded and not easy, you may fail the initial sift or any of the tests. So keeping in the job that you’re in is the wisest choice.
But I’d say definitely go for it.
ToonLegend
New Member
Thanks mate I wasn’t aware of how long the process was to actually become a trainee from applying
LNER might be taking in new apprentices at Newcastle soon, they've posted a listing on the internal careers page
sorry4thedelay
Member
Any sign of qualified drivers vacancies up that way?
No idea sorry, if it's posted on the internal careers I'll let you know
Hello everyone,
I have searched a fair bit and can’t seem to any answers to this one.
Can anyone tell me if there are specific dates or months when Trainees are scheduled to start? Or can it be any time of the year?
Thank you,
Tee.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I have searched a fair bit and can’t seem to any answers to this one.
Can anyone tell me if there are specific dates or months when Trainees are scheduled to start? Or can it be any time of the year?
Thank you,
Tee.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Sorry, just to add for driver training and for Southeastern
SE are currently recruiting about 170 drivers a year, so training is ongoing pretty much an all year round conveyor belt.
Thank You
Jordan4321
Member
Hi all, I was just wondering if any one could advise me how safe the current climate for career train drivers is and if the job will still be around in gone 20 years time, I’m currently a signaller and would be interested in the move but am worried about job security regarding the role itself
dk1
Veteran Member
Nothing to worry about. Go for it.
Jordan4321
Member
Cheers pal, if you’re a current driver do you find there’s room to move around route wise or do you stick to a route for a certain amount of years before being able to move routes? And how far ahead do you know the days and time you will be working?
12LDA28C
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Oct 2022
- Messages
- 5,058
It rather depends on where you're employed - it appears you're in Wales so you would probably find it relatively easy to move around, merely having to apply for a vacancy at another TFW depot if you wanted a change of route unless you wanted to move to another employer (Great Western, Avanti etc). Rosters are generally known months in advance but be aware that start and finish times can vary from the roster depending on local and national agreements relating to movement off spare, etc.
Jordan4321
Member
Thank you and That is correct TFW would be my TOC, another role I’ve seen previously advertised is shunter driver positions, do you find these give you a step in to the driver role?as I can imagine being internal to TFW makes it a lot easier to become a driver
dk1
Veteran Member
You know your working days six months to a year before. Everything is very organised and set out and strictly controlled by ASLEF agreements. Routes depend on what link you are in and vary greatly between operators.
12LDA28C
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Oct 2022
- Messages
- 5,058
A shunter/depot driver can give you a step up into a main line driver role but be aware that some TOCs pay shunter drivers considerably less than a full main line driver salary. You might as well apply for a trainee main line driver vacancy straight away.
Jordan4321
Member
Thank you both for the advice, much appreciated
Hi everyone, I have been looking to get into a trainee train driving role for 2 years in a surrounding area to Lincoln.
There never seems to be any job positions advertised and believe me i have all the alerts on!
Does anyone have any advice or know anyone that count help me begin my journey on the railways?
I am a 24 years old and and live just outside of Lincoln.
TIA
There never seems to be any job positions advertised and believe me i have all the alerts on!
Does anyone have any advice or know anyone that count help me begin my journey on the railways?
I am a 24 years old and and live just outside of Lincoln.
TIA
Have a look at an entry level job first. Here's one:
www.tpexpresscareers.co.uk
Also keep an eye on EMR for Station positions. Northern do take on trainees but it depends how far you are from the Doncaster/Sheffield/Hull Depots. EMR and TPE sometimes take on trainees but you'd need to work for them first.
There's also the chance of being a Depot Driver at Nottingham, again depends on your location.
TPE Careers
www.tpexpresscareers.co.uk
Also keep an eye on EMR for Station positions. Northern do take on trainees but it depends how far you are from the Doncaster/Sheffield/Hull Depots. EMR and TPE sometimes take on trainees but you'd need to work for them first.
There's also the chance of being a Depot Driver at Nottingham, again depends on your location.