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A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
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nolypops83
Member
Sure, I get that but I think for most of the tests you can't be specific enough for this to be of an advantage. The group bourdon is just dots, you don't know the sequence on the day, so that's of no real help. For the WAFV no one can say when the box will flash grey, for the ATAVT you don't know what photos will be shown or what will be on them. You still need to have the skills to pass.
I think the only one that can apply to is possible the TEA-OCC where the advice is to ignore everything and just circle the matching symbols. That might give people and advantage BUT you've still got to be able to do two things at once in part three which not everyone can do.
Ducatichick
Member
You’re very welcome and congrats for passing so many of the assessments at SE.
I think there is a page on the OPC website which clarifies which TOC requires an enhanced pass mark, might be useful to you for any future applications having aplready having most of the national level pass. I’ll see if I can find it.
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Just pulled this from the OPC website. It’s dated 2020 but I’d have thought it is still current if they haven’t updated it.
Please don’t panic as there are lots of ex serving police officers within southeastern , as long as your committed to learning and are prepared to put the time in , you’ll be absolutely fine
D3WY
Member
Well after 5 years of application, Thursday I passed my medical with flying colours and got a offer the same day, I'm starting my new career as a trainee driver with southern on Jan 13th. I can't wait! Wondering if anyone else on here is joining the same course on 13th Jan? I will be based out of Barnham
Ducatichick
Member
Wahaaay well done. Huge congratulations
Well done. I hope to be in the same position as yourself one day
MUFCLAD555
Member
Out of curiosity do you often meet a lot of drivers who used to work construction. Currently a crane operator and genuinely love the job but becoming tired working away, I want to go to the same place to work each day and know i'll be sleeping in my own bed that night. Feel like my experience operating cranes means im fairly well versed in the importance of safety and a move into train driving does appeal to me.
No. Everything you need will be taught to you / provided when you actually start on your course. Trying to read around might actually be detrimental to your training.
Hi all,
Wondering if anyone has abit of insight to the southeastern training process.
So I’m starting as a trainee driver in the new year and wondered how long each section of training is, more so the classroom based, from my understanding it’s 50 days (10 weeks) rules, and around 3 weeks traction. I anticipated traction to be longer,
Is there a reason it’s not long? Easy to learn? Or just more based in practical learning at depot.
I’m super excited just nervous and trying to work out how long the “no leave” part is due to personal reasons,
Should mid/end July be past this stage?
Thanks in advance
Wondering if anyone has abit of insight to the southeastern training process.
So I’m starting as a trainee driver in the new year and wondered how long each section of training is, more so the classroom based, from my understanding it’s 50 days (10 weeks) rules, and around 3 weeks traction. I anticipated traction to be longer,
Is there a reason it’s not long? Easy to learn? Or just more based in practical learning at depot.
I’m super excited just nervous and trying to work out how long the “no leave” part is due to personal reasons,
Should mid/end July be past this stage?
Thanks in advance
Unobrow
Member
Was the full process not explained as part of your acceptance of employment? I can’t speak for Southeastern, just my own experience from my own FOC. Our rules course was 16 weeks (residential in our case), and the traction was two weeks, but that was base only and not the other traction we use which is a conversion course once qualified. You’ll probably learn your base traction, which will include things like prep, fault finding and rectification and the layout of breakers and isolation equipment. Quite probably do a basic low speed handling at a depot to get a feel of things before going onto your handling hours at your local or chosen depot.Hi all,
Wondering if anyone has abit of insight to the southeastern training process.
So I’m starting as a trainee driver in the new year and wondered how long each section of training is, more so the classroom based, from my understanding it’s 50 days (10 weeks) rules, and around 3 weeks traction. I anticipated traction to be longer,
Is there a reason it’s not long? Easy to learn? Or just more based in practical learning at depot.
I’m super excited just nervous and trying to work out how long the “no leave” part is due to personal reasons,
Should mid/end July be past this stage?
Thanks in advance
The rules course is very intensive hence the no leave rule, and the basic traction course highly important too. You should have had some kind of timetable explaining all this, maybe contact your HR for more details on the schedule. There could well be some leave built into the end of the course after all that to give you a break, as we had.
Congratulations by the way on making it
DylanBob1966
Member
Hi there
I was wondering if someone could provide me with some high level info on the career of a train driver.
By way of background, I am 41, a graduate, work full time and my salary is £75k. I've been doing office work for a long time and looking for a complete change. I am willing to reduce my salary by quite a bit to achieve that. I wondered if someone could provide some info for me on being a train driver?
How does one become a train driver?! How much training is required?
Have I left it too late!? Would I already need to be in the transport industry?
What is the general average starting salary? Does this increase by much and over how long a period? (I am in Bristol)
If anyone knows of any links on what the job is like, then please do send them my way.
Thank you in advance.
I was wondering if someone could provide me with some high level info on the career of a train driver.
By way of background, I am 41, a graduate, work full time and my salary is £75k. I've been doing office work for a long time and looking for a complete change. I am willing to reduce my salary by quite a bit to achieve that. I wondered if someone could provide some info for me on being a train driver?
How does one become a train driver?! How much training is required?
Have I left it too late!? Would I already need to be in the transport industry?
What is the general average starting salary? Does this increase by much and over how long a period? (I am in Bristol)
If anyone knows of any links on what the job is like, then please do send them my way.
Thank you in advance.
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Unobrow
Member
You’re not too old, I was older when I made it to the hot seat. You don’t need to be in the industry either, it’s your suitability that counts.
You might want to start here for the info you require.
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HiHi all,
Wondering if anyone has abit of insight to the southeastern training process.
So I’m starting as a trainee driver in the new year and wondered how long each section of training is, more so the classroom based, from my understanding it’s 50 days (10 weeks) rules, and around 3 weeks traction. I anticipated traction to be longer,
Is there a reason it’s not long? Easy to learn? Or just more based in practical learning at depot.
I’m super excited just nervous and trying to work out how long the “no leave” part is due to personal reasons,
Should mid/end July be past this stage?
Thanks in advance
I’m on the course that starts end of Jan. I was told that you couldn’t have any leave in the first 3 months at my DMI.. So I’ve gone on that as in July I have a weeks holiday booked for my partners birthday
Hi!
thanks for the reply, I thought it was something like that! I’m sure they said “no holiday booked at the start of the year do you?” Thanks for letting me know as I need time off in July also!
Let me know if they are okay with it!
Thanks
AverageJoe
On Moderation
If your job is a 9-5 with no weekends and you don’t hate it I would think twice if I were you.
On the trains you will likely earn less and work a lot of weekends with awkward shift patterns.
The main pull for people to become a driver is the wage and you already more than match it.
As others have said there is a wealth of info on this forum on what the job is like and how to get into the industry. Becoming a driver is a very competitive process and the psychometric tests are designed to weed out those not suitable for the job (there is much debate on whether this happens in practice but that's another story.....)
As a few have alluded you are already earning a salary which equates to a competitive drivers salary so I find it quite refreshing to hear that you are looking to become a driver because you're motivation isn't purely financial (which for many it is - also another debate!).
The question you need to ask yourself is why do you want to become a driver. As others have stated working shifts is a big change if you've never done them before. Some people hate it and railway shifts can be pretty extreme (think starts as early as 3am at some depots. My latest finish is 1.30am but I believe others finish later). I've worked full nights in previous jobs and find that more tiring personally. For me I love working shifts and could never go back to 9-5 but not everyone thinks like that.
The best thing for me and many others is the second you finish work you don't have to think about it until you're next at work. This could be a big plus for you as I'd imagine for 75k you're probably working many hours more than you're getting paid for.
The role of train driving is also something you'd have to think quite closely about. It's definitely not for everyone and it's a big deal to leave behind a well paid job only to end up in a similar paying job you might not enjoy. For many it could seem quite boring as you spend a lot of time not really doing very much (both in the cab and outside it!). A massive part of being a driver is the ability to remain focused 100% of the time and you need to think if you'd be able to do that. I personally love the job and so do most in the industry but I get the feeling if the salary wasn't so good then it wouldn't get half the interest it does.
Speaking of salary you have to go onto a training wage initially. The amount varies but it's generally in the region of 30k for about the first year. There will be increases after that again which depend on the TOC but most have you up to somewhere near full money after the first year or thereabouts. That's a big drop for someone earning 75k and you'd need to factor in if you can afford it.
Feel free to DM me any questions you may have as I know my points above might generate a fair few.......
DylanBob1966
Member
Thanks very much Owen and others for the helpful replies. What an amazingly helpful thread.
If i'm being honest, the main motivation is to find a job where I don't have to do stuff like presentations, but that pays me a similar-ish wage. Taking the lower wage for a year is obviously a huge risk and something I need to consider when I've got a mortgage to pay off! I also need to consider if the shift work will impact how much time I have with my 3 young kids.
That said, the job appeals to me. I think I could manage the shift work (although I've not done it so who knows until I've tried), I guess what I might struggle with is what I presume are long hours of isolation. I like my own company, but I worry how long the time might take to pass!
Really stupid question so I apologise in advance, but if I am Bristol based am I essentially going to have to look for job vacancies at Great Western Railway?
Thanks again everyone.
If i'm being honest, the main motivation is to find a job where I don't have to do stuff like presentations, but that pays me a similar-ish wage. Taking the lower wage for a year is obviously a huge risk and something I need to consider when I've got a mortgage to pay off! I also need to consider if the shift work will impact how much time I have with my 3 young kids.
That said, the job appeals to me. I think I could manage the shift work (although I've not done it so who knows until I've tried), I guess what I might struggle with is what I presume are long hours of isolation. I like my own company, but I worry how long the time might take to pass!
Really stupid question so I apologise in advance, but if I am Bristol based am I essentially going to have to look for job vacancies at Great Western Railway?
Thanks again everyone.
AverageJoe
On Moderation
Again not trying to put you off but seriously consider the shift work and check the thread on here about work life balance.
I can from shift work, I’d been a bus driver before but this is totally different. You can be working any hours of the day in the pitch black with little communication with others and at times the only lights you will see for a while is the signals, passing trains and platform lights. It can be boring and a challenge to stay awake in those circumstances.
I don’t have kids but it will have some impact on family life as sometimes even when you are home you can be so tired that the day just feels wasted.
Again not saying don’t do it but I would recommend to do some research on the shift work.
I have a friend who was in a similar position to you, he’s now a train driver and hates it and is desperately trying to get back to his old career.
It’s the shifts that he hates although I did tell him this but he thought he would be fine with it.
DylanBob1966
Member
Thanks Joe - no point sugar coating it as it is important I get this decision right!
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Am I right in saying that all I can really do is wait to see if a Train Operator near me advertises for a Trainee Train Driver? Then I apply via CV/Cover letter, do tests etc, they then train me up to be come a Qualified Train Driver?
There isn't another route? ie I can become a Qualified Train Driver (I presume an apprenticeship or night school or something) myself then apply for jobs?
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Am I right in saying that all I can really do is wait to see if a Train Operator near me advertises for a Trainee Train Driver? Then I apply via CV/Cover letter, do tests etc, they then train me up to be come a Qualified Train Driver?
There isn't another route? ie I can become a Qualified Train Driver (I presume an apprenticeship or night school or something) myself then apply for jobs?
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One of the best things about being a driver is you have none of the nonsense of meetings, presentations etc. I don't even have email (but that'll change soon I'm sure). Things will vary from one TOC to another but I hardly ever see my manager either (this would be a different story if I messed up though).
The shift work will undoubtedly affect how much you see your kids (and will in turn put a bit of pressure on your relationship as at times your other half will have to take up the slack). I have 3 kids and I see plenty of them but I do have to miss the odd family event and school performance etc. Then again there are times when I'm off during the week when I can do the school run etc so there are positives and negatives.
The isolation aspect is a big consideration and you're right to be thinking about it at this stage. This isn't a job for a people person as you do have to be comfortable in your own company for extended periods. The amount will vary from one TOC to another - intercity work tends to be longer spells in the cab. I generally do anywhere between 1 and 4hrs in the cab (more often the former than the latter) but might have a 5min turnaround and back out for another 2 or 3hrs. In that time you'll probably speak to the guard at some stage (if you have one!), possibly the signaller, station staff or even passengers so it's not like you're cooped up in a cell........
If you're serious about applying you need to set up vacancy alerts for any local TOC to you. GWR is definitely one for the west but I'm sure there'll be others (Crosscountry possibly?) When a vacancy does come out you need to apply straightaway as they often get taken down early as the demand is so high!
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Unobrow
Member
That’s pretty much it, yes. There‘s also freight to consider too, but the shifts are less “fixed” than passenger work, but can also offer more variation.
At the top of this page it says Railway jobs and careers.
Click that, scroll down and there’ll be various threads of advertised train driving jobs around the country.
You’ll have to live within 45-60 mins of a depot to apply for them.
zonefrost998
New Member
Good Morning, I'm new to this website but I just have a question as someone's who's unfortunately too young to become a train driver will the job get much more competitive in the future (next 5-10 years) moreover is it worth moving to a place with many more TOCs such has London ?
It's always beneficial to be within distance of many TOCs/FOCs for recruitment purposes as it gives you more scope. As for it getting more competitive I don't think so. It's already a hugely competitive industry and that's not just the trainee stage that's also on qualified positions to!
DylanBob1966
Member
Cheers
Anyone know what freight companies have bases in Bristol? So far I have GBRF.
Thanks