Best job

[Petersmith36]

Out of interest what do you think is the best job in the rail industry and why

 

[RJ]

Out of interest what do you think is the best job in the rail industry and why

I'm quite happy with my job - ticket office clerk. I get to use my knowledge to help people and the T&Cs and benefits it comes with makes it more than worth my while. I have no desire at all to do a different role and I can't see that changing for the foreseeable future.

 

[Red1980]

It's all relative I suppose and others will say the same about their role, but I wouldn't change my job as a driver for any other role

 

[alxndr]

It all depends on the person. There are very few things I'd give up being an S&T technician for, but there's also been someone on here in the last few months who hates being on the S&T.
The only other things I'd personally remotely fancy would be S&T tech support, being a Mobile Operations Manager, or in my wildest dreams, RAIB inspector.

 

[Barney07]

Ive just finished working as a Senior Conductor based in Sunderland for the past 12 years which has been amazing, but have now relocated to Devon to start as a Trainee Train Driver on the 6th jan.

 

[Jay_123]

As a network rail employee, and after speaking to a lot of people in general across the years. A lot seem to want to go to S&T. Infact, some of the senior people i work with now say if they had their time they would of chose S&T. As said above though it all depends on the person. Its very rare i come across people wanting to be a signaller(apart from here) but if you read the signallers thread you would think otherwise.

 

[43066]

It's all relative I suppose and others will say the same about their role, but I wouldn't change my job as a driver for any other role

Same for me.

Probably the best combination of pay for time spent at work, not really being public facing etc.

Then again the shifts, the isolation of the job and the concentration required are certainly not for everyone.

 

[M84]

Have a few friends that say Overhead Lines are the best and a couple that think P-Way is the best. All relative I suppose but I think the fair pay wohld make any job sweeter unless the job was completely horrendous.

 

[cossie4i]

Driver for me.
It was my childhood dream to be a Train Driver and I qualified just after my 21st Birthday in 1991.
Absolutely love my job but it’s not for everyone.

 

[EM2]

I started on S&T, and the outdoor work getting cold and wet didn't agree with me, so OHL and P-way would be similar.
Station work was good fun, and you certainly earned your corn, but the shifts take their toll after a while, and that would be the same with a lot of technical roles too (e.g. rolling stock technician).
I couldn't be a driver, partly because of the horrendously early starts, but also the thought of a one-under freaks me out. Having been on duty in Control the only time we had one on our station was enough.
So for me, Operational Planning, being warm and indoors, with fixed hours, suits me down to the ground.

 

[Red1980]

Same for me.

Probably the best combination of pay for time spent at work, not really being public facing etc.

Then again the shifts, the isolation of the job and the concentration required are certainly not for everyone.

Definitely mate. It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done but at the same time the sacrifices we make just to do the job are immense at times.

As you say it's definitely not for everyone.

 

[Grannyjoans]

But at the same time the sacrifices we make just to do the job are immense at times.

Yes I've had to give things a miss that I've wanted to do due to work getting in the way. But the same goes for other operational jobs on the railway with shifts and weekend work and difficulty booking off the days you really want.

I couldn't be a driver, partly because of the horrendously early starts, but also the thought of a one-under freaks me out

In some TOC's it is possible to do permenant lates so the early starts are not always essential. There is usually more drivers wanting to swap for earlies than lates. I've never had any problem getting rid of them in the 3 driving roles I've done so far.
Also a one-under might never happen. What does happen regularly though, is hitting animals and birds, which is quite upsetting. Especially if it's just for the sake of transporting a load of annoying drunks.

 

[TRain87]

MOM role

I've worked with S&T, and P-way, speak to drivers and station staff weekly, been a signaller...and out of all, I can honestly say, I'll never leave this role!

 

[sw1ller]

Director for a TOC. If you’re good, you’ll have an easy life and if you’re bad, the government will take over and you get to relax with your millions and free 1st class travel.

 

[Petersmith36]

What is s&t

 

[jwc04]

Signals and telecommunications...I think

What is s&t