Any Northern Darlington drivers on here?

[hannabal3000]

Hi all.
Just trying to source as much info as possible really.

My other half are from my the north east and we will at some point relocate up that way. Right now I am a driver for southeastern and wanted to know how often the qualified driver roles come available either internally or externally.
Darlington would be the best Depot for us as it would be a 30 minute commute but I have opened my options for other northern depots too.
What is an average monthly take home/4 weekly?
What do the core routes consist of?
Any news when the old stock is looking at being replaced?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Driver068]

Since about March 2016, Darlington depot have taken on about 12 new drivers from a mixture of internals, externals and qualified from freight and passanger, with them all currently at different stages of their training. Its unknown why theres such a large intake compared to Carlisle and Newcastle depots respectfully possibly down to new timetables being introduce with the new franchise awarded in April 2016. If/when they will require more drivers for Darlington who knows. Newcastle have recruited 3 new drivers, all internal but theres talk more is to follow so Newcastle might be your best bet. But if you look on the company website there is a open vacancy for qualified drivers for various locations. Maybe contacting HR is worth a shot.
The wage is approx £47k at the top end but has slightly changed due to the recent pay rise this year, not sure the amount exactly.

Core route for Darlington is Bishop Auckland to Saltburn. You also cover Whitby, Newcastle up the Coast via Hartlepool and main line to Newcastle via Durham.

Pacers are due to be replaced 2018 with them fully replaced and out of service by the end of 2019. The North East are NOT getting new rolling stock as all the talk is centered around 158s for the Northern Connect route and 156 majority of other routes, possibly 150s for the Whitby line.This is however all talk as it changes every week.

I hope this info helps and if you have any more questions ill be happy to help.

 

[Sam Slade]

Nick82, previously the forum quizmaster, now guru of all things above York.

Did you ever get the driving gig, or will you be avoiding questions as usual?

P.S. Judging by your grammar in the above post, if you pass the sift, we be fu*ked :P

 

[hannabal3000]

Since about March 2016, Darlington depot have taken on about 12 new drivers from a mixture of internals, externals and qualified from freight and passanger, with them all currently at different stages of their training. Its unknown why theres such a large intake compared to Carlisle and Newcastle depots respectfully possibly down to new timetables being introduce with the new franchise awarded in April 2016. If/when they will require more drivers for Darlington who knows. Newcastle have recruited 3 new drivers, all internal but theres talk more is to follow so Newcastle might be your best bet. But if you look on the company website there is a open vacancy for qualified drivers for various locations. Maybe contacting HR is worth a shot.
The wage is approx £47k at the top end but has slightly changed due to the recent pay rise this year, not sure the amount exactly.

Core route for Darlington is Bishop Auckland to Saltburn. You also cover Whitby, Newcastle up the Coast via Hartlepool and main line to Newcastle via Durham.

Pacers are due to be replaced 2018 with them fully replaced and out of service by the end of 2019. The North East are NOT getting new rolling stock as all the talk is centered around 158s for the Northern Connect route and 156 majority of other routes, possibly 150s for the Whitby line.This is however all talk as it changes every week.

I hope this info helps and if you have any more questions ill be happy to help.

That was all really helpful thanks.
Do you know the routes for york, newcastle, leeds and skipton, plus whether harrogate is a driver depot? I got my information off Wikipedia which is probably wrong.
Any idea on the new pay deal that was accepted?
I spoke to HR this week and that's why I thought I would get more info from the forum. I emailed a specific contact with a cover letter and my cv, so we shall see what happens in the near future.
Darlington would be ideal, but it's looking unlikely with that amount of new starters, so yeah Newcastle or york are next on the hitlist.

Thanks again you mountain of North East information!

 

[WCMLaddict]

York has got a long internal transfer list usually, so you might need to cross that one off.

 

[The Lad]

I believe Harrogate has drivers but they only go York-Leeds . . .

 

[dugster70]

I believe Harrogate has drivers but they only go York-Leeds . . .

Harrogate is a satellite depot of Leeds and as correctly stated they only drive Leeds York via Harrogate. A very desirable place to be due to route and shift patterns and the Harrogate way of life. However if the odd vacancy does arise once a blue moon this is offered to the senior link 1 driver at Leeds who normally accepts, even if they live nowhere near. I think there will be more vacancies in the future due to franchise expansion but these will be taken up by qualified drivers

 

[hannabal3000]

Harrogate is a satellite depot of Leeds and as correctly stated they only drive Leeds York via Harrogate. A very desirable place to be due to route and shift patterns and the Harrogate way of life. However if the odd vacancy does arise once a blue moon this is offered to the senior link 1 driver at Leeds who normally accepts, even if they live nowhere near. I think there will be more vacancies in the future due to franchise expansion but these will be taken up by qualified drivers

So are you saying the franchise is expanding in the future and will be Recruiting more qualified drivers company wide? Or that due to franchise needs, they are expanding the harrogate Depot and will require more drivers at that Depot specifically?

Thanks

 

[dugster70]

So are you saying the franchise is expanding in the future and will be Recruiting more qualified drivers company wide? Or that due to franchise needs, they are expanding the harrogate Depot and will require more drivers at that Depot specifically?

Thanks

Harrogate will need more drivers but unfortunately they will be sourced from Arriva Rail North Leeds drivers I'm afraid, it's a tough depot to get into

 

[The Lad]

Harrogate must be a candidate for shortest route knowledge of a depot, in Northernland anyway.

 

[hannabal3000]

Okay so I can pretty much say York, Darlington and Harrogate are a write off. I best keep my options open for Newcastle or Leeds then.
Harrogate seems like a beauty of a Depot to work out of if that's the only route you need to know.

 

[The Lad]

York is platform 8, although approached via either main from the north, Leeds offers a little more variety.