Depot driver salary?

[Layaboutlarry]

Hi,

Im wondering if anybody knows the starting salary for a depot driver at EMT as I applied for it back in April but can no longer remember how much the salary was, also was wondering if it would be a trainee salary at first and then slowly rise.

Thanks in advance!

 

[big al]

it never said a salary. But from what I can make out, its trainee salary like other driving roles, but training is only 15wks. Then its around £31k when qualified. Sundays are part of the working week too

 

[Stuart-h]

£31k a year?!?!
Thats a heck of a lot more than what Im on at the moment!
£31k *Drool*

 

[TDK]

£31k a year?!?!
Thats a heck of a lot more than what Im on at the moment!
£31k *Drool*

With Sundays in the working week that is about 12 - 20k less than a mainline driver on basic.

 

[Stuart-h]

I wouldnt care tdk! I'd be happy to have a job at the moment!

 

[TDK]

I wouldnt care tdk! I'd be happy to have a job at the moment!

That is fair enough but when someone goes into depot driving they have a very hard schedule and awkward shifts where the mainline is better paid and also more forgiving on the body. Many people except for one on here would certainly want the extra money and an easier life on mainline than MDD, just bear that in mind when going for a job. Don't bother answering this bev as this is the general consensus and not one based on a minute pecentage of MDD's.

If I was you I would firstly go for mainline and if unsuccesful go for MDD.

 

[Geargrinder]

Having read lots of posts, MDD v Mainline, would I be right in thinking that the MDD role is mostly train prep (fuelling, cleaning, emptying tanks, coupling/uncoupling, rectifying minor faults etc) which in itself would probably not command a huge salary, but the job pays £30+k because there is some train driving to be done which means you have to meet driving standards, pass courses etc ?
Basically cheaper for the TOC to have one MDD, as apposed to a non driving shunter with a fully qualified driver to move trains for him/her.

 

[notadriver]

In fact I remember a conductor/guard who took a sideways step to the MDD role (similar salary after commission) but went back to train conductor after just a year. He wanted a main line driving role.

 

[Dave1987]

Having read lots of posts, MDD v Mainline, would I be right in thinking that the MDD role is mostly train prep (fuelling, cleaning, emptying tanks, coupling/uncoupling, rectifying minor faults etc) which in itself would probably not command a huge salary, but the job pays £30+k because there is some train driving to be done which means you have to meet driving standards, pass courses etc ?
Basically cheaper for the TOC to have one MDD, as apposed to a non driving shunter with a fully qualified driver to move trains for him/her.

To be honest I think TDK has to completely wrong attitude towards Depot Drivers but that is just my opinion. A lot of TOC's see Depot Driving as a stepping stone to mainline. Like on GA you start as a Depot Driver then progress to mainline after a few years. GA Depot Drivers do not do fueling, cleaning, emptying tanks. All our traction on GE are EMUs and the cleaning and tanks emptying is all done by the cleaners. Basically on GA if you dont mess up as a DD ie no SPADs or operating incidents then you should be mainline trained within a few years. But on some TOC's the Depot is called "shed and ferry" and the drivers who do the shunting are drivers who are restricted.

 

[TDK]

To be honest I think TDK has to completely wrong attitude towards Depot Drivers but that is just my opinion. A lot of TOC's see Depot Driving as a stepping stone to mainline. Like on GA you start as a Depot Driver then progress to mainline after a few years. GA Depot Drivers do not do fueling, cleaning, emptying tanks. All our traction on GE are EMUs and the cleaning and tanks emptying is all done by the cleaners. Basically on GA if you dont mess up as a DD ie no SPADs or operating incidents then you should be mainline trained within a few years. But on some TOC's the Depot is called "shed and ferry" and the drivers who do the shunting are drivers who are restricted.

I think you have mis-read my post Dave - Have another read

 

[Dave1987]

I think you have mis-read my post Dave - Have another read

But you said if some is unsuccessful in going for mainline to then go for Depot Driving. My point is that for some TOC you have to be a Depot Driver first.

 

[reapz]

But you said if some is unsuccessful in going for mainline to then go for Depot Driving. My point is that for some TOC you have to be a Depot Driver first.

that is incorrect no toc makes you become a depot driver first

 

[A-driver]

that is incorrect no toc makes you become a depot driver first

Yes they do-it has been like that on great eastern for a while.

 

[Dave1987]

that is incorrect no toc makes you become a depot driver first

I can assure you it is not incorrect.

 

[notadriver]

So the former great eastern and possibly Merseyrail are the TOCs I can think of. Anyone else ? On the other hand there are TOCs that only take on qualified drivers.

 

[Stuart-h]

Having read lots of posts, MDD v Mainline, would I be right in thinking that the MDD role is mostly train prep (fuelling, cleaning, emptying tanks, coupling/uncoupling, rectifying minor faults etc) which in itself would probably not command a huge salary, but the job pays £30+k because there is some train driving to be done which means you have to meet driving standards, pass courses etc ?
Basically cheaper for the TOC to have one MDD, as apposed to a non driving shunter with a fully qualified driver to move trains for him/her.

Whats mdd?

 

[reapz]

Yes they do-it has been like that on great eastern for a while.

So a qualified driver has to go on the depot first?

 

[Dave1987]

So a qualified driver has to go on the depot first?

Great eastern dont normally take on qualified drivers, usually the most senior depot driver at a depot is promoted into a vacant mainline link.

 

[TDK]

But you said if some is unsuccessful in going for mainline to then go for Depot Driving. My point is that for some TOC you have to be a Depot Driver first.

Only one TOC as far as I know Dave and even then I do know of qualifieds to get jobs with this TOC. But as general consensus if someone wants a mainline job go for this first, it would not be productive for someone to go MDD hoping they may get a mainline job if not tried previously surely?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Whats mdd?

Maintenece Depot Driver or Shed driver. This a a train driver who works in the confines of a depot and not on the mainline. The differences are on this forum if you do a search.

 

[Geargrinder]

If you applied for,and got, the depot driver job you might regret it if you saw a mainline trainee job advertised later.

 

[notadriver]

But you won't miss out if you get the main line driver job as some main line driver turns involve shunting trains around the depot the same way a MDD does.

 

[Dave1987]

If you applied for,and got, the depot driver job you might regret it if you saw a mainline trainee job advertised later.

Or you could look at it as getting into the driving grade with fairly certain prospect of being mainline within a few years. If you have the opinion that you would only ever go for a trainee mainline job you are very much narrowing your chances. Many many candidates are happy to get into the railways as a guard or platform staff to get into the driving grade.

 

[Stuart-h]

Only one TOC as far as I know Dave and even then I do know of qualifieds to get jobs with this TOC. But as general consensus if someone wants a mainline job go for this first, it would not be productive for someone to go MDD hoping they may get a mainline job if not tried previously surely?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Maintenece Depot Driver or Shed driver. This a a train driver who works in the confines of a depot and not on the mainline. The differences are on this forum if you do a search.

Cheers TDK

 

[Beveridges]

It's a great role go for it. You don't really have to put up with anything and if the monotonous nature of other jobs puts you off then Depot Driving will suit you more. 31k is a little under paid this job usually commands several thousands more than that with top T & Cs.
I gave up a career in computer programming just to do this and don't regret it at all. I'm with a different TOC Northern they seem one of the better companies with MDDs to work for as they treat it as a separate alternative role to the mainline rather than a stepping stone to mainline like some of the other companies.
I think it's the best role on the railway. There's no reason not to go for it. Depot work is great, it's varied, your away from the general public, the only people you deal with are other pros. Your working outdoors a lot, a good balanced mix of manual work and driving, and there's lots of problem solving. It isn't boring.

 

[TDK]

It's a great role go for it. You don't really have to put up with anything and if the monotonous nature of other jobs puts you off then Depot Driving will suit you more. 31k is a little under paid this job usually commands several thousands more than that with top T & Cs.
I gave up a career in computer programming just to do this and don't regret it at all. I'm with a different TOC Northern they seem one of the better companies with MDDs to work for as they treat it as a separate alternative role to the mainline rather than a stepping stone to mainline like some of the other companies.
I think it's the best role on the railway. There's no reason not to go for it. Depot work is great, it's varied, your away from the general public, the only people you deal with are other pros. Your working outdoors a lot, a good balanced mix of manual work and driving, and there's lots of problem solving. It isn't boring.

Sorry to repeat myself but Mainline is by far a better option it's the best job in the World. We will always differ on this Bev and I respect your views but you are in the minority with this one fella. It is common knowledge that the most sort after role is Mainline Driving you have only just go to look at how many applicants there are. I have done both and in my opinion there is just no comparison.

 

[Stuart-h]

To be honest I'd be quite happy to have any sort of work!

 

[Beveridges]

TDK have you really done both or just shed turns as a mainline driver which is a completely different thing?

Mainline driver best job in the world I don't see how at all, seems too monotonous for me, Maintainence Depot Driving is the top Driving work IMO, why is it that the top link mainline drivers usually have the most ECS/Shunts/Taking units on or off depots, which is as close as *they* can get to MDD. It's the premier form of work and its a privilege to be doing what is "top link work" on a permenant basis.

Look at how many apply. Heaton got 1300 applicants for the last vacancy- it was one vacancy.

 

[Silv1983]

Look at how many apply. Heaton got 1300 applicants for the last vacancy- it was one vacancy.

I think that's indicative of the economy though and not the job. Plus it's a £30k+ job that requires no qualifications: every man and his dog is going to be banging an application in.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-eight-jobs-at-costa-coffee-shop-8501329.html
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

why is it that the top link mainline drivers usually have the most ECS/Shunts/Taking units on or off depots, which is as close as *they* can get to MDD.

Really.... ? I don't think top link mainline drivers consider this a good thing. They cop for these jobs - or at least Man Vic Link 1 drivers do because they sign all the little cut throughs and obscure/disused lines.

It might be different at Blackpool because the "depot" is walking distance, but working units off Newton Heath for example is a lot of faffing about travelling in taxis etc.

 

[Legzr1]

Sorry to repeat myself but Mainline is by far a better option it's the best job in the World. We will always differ on this Bev and I respect your views but you are in the minority with this one fella. It is common knowledge that the most sort after role is Mainline Driving you have only just go to look at how many applicants there are. I have done both and in my opinion there is just no comparison.

And that is an opinion shared by the many, many drivers I know, have known and (I guess) will know in the future.

Tedium is the very word I'd use to describe shunting at 5mph.

Yes, it pays (relatively) well considering there is no need for formal qualifications and probably explains why it attracts so many applicants (when faced with the choice of minimum wage or £30K shunting over the same 200 yds of track day in, day out I'd probably consider it myself!).

I fear there is someone here trying to convince themselves of something.

Doesn't like anyone else is fooled

 

[TDK]

TDK have you really done both or just shed turns as a mainline driver which is a completely different thing?

Mainline driver best job in the world I don't see how at all, seems too monotonous for me, Maintainence Depot Driving is the top Driving work IMO, why is it that the top link mainline drivers usually have the most ECS/Shunts/Taking units on or off depots, which is as close as *they* can get to MDD. It's the premier form of work and its a privilege to be doing what is "top link work" on a permenant basis.

Look at how many apply. Heaton got 1300 applicants for the last vacancy- it was one vacancy.

Bev that is completely the opposite of the real world it is the starter links that have most shed work with the top links who have hardly any and when they do get a shed turn go annual leave! I have done shed work with a few companies, taking uits on and off depots, wash roads, fuel roads etc. etc. I didn't fuel, tank, maintain, de-tank. water or the such like as this is not train driving. My job isn't monotonous it is different every day for me. For you NDD is by far the best job but for the majority out there it is not and this is a fact. If you do not believe me put up a vote and see what comes up first! If it is MDD I will take all back that I have said.