I've been a Depot Driver for the last 5 years. I gotta say, it's the best job I've ever had. The money - for what we do - in my opinion is fantastic around the £37k mark. Better than that, depending on your lifestyle choices/family commitments, is the amount of time off we get. Our roster is a dream to work to, 10 days off every month and maximum 9 hour turns of which much is spent unproductive due to the nature of the workload, max 6 day week followed by 3-4 rest days.
If you have young kids then this is the job for you. The neighbours probably think I don't work as my car is nearly always outside as most of my shifts are nightshifts!
I can drive 7 types of traction including Electric diesel stock.
At my depot we carry out heavy maintenance as well as respraying of units meaning the days are a hive of activity and there is always shunt moves to carry out. Always something different to keep you occupied, cant say the same as nights as the work is pretty monotonous, stock comes in, gets de-tanked, washed, birthed. Unless something needs to go on the pit like for having missing shoe gear or dodgy wsp fault etc.
Mainline earn more obviously but in all honestly apart from that and taking into consideration the amount of pressure they're under to not make any mistakes its often assumed due to the gap in pay that Mainline is the preferable option but that's not always the case when you take into consideration what's listed above in my job.
Being based at a depot you often get first hand experience of different projects and testing of stock. You get to see all types of trains coming and going for one reason or another so if trains is your thing then its a great job for that.
Not all depots are the same obviously and the type of work and stock that frequents each depot varies greatly.
With that said I'm actually sitting my Mainline Driver assessment this Friday. After 5 years of learning my craft as a Depot Driver I'm keen to go on and enjoy the next stage of my career but to anyone considering a job as a depot driver I'd highly recommend it. In terms of getting used to the cab environment and learning about everything from Train Preparation to Fault finding it should provide useful to anyone wishing to progress to Mainline.
I'm not a train enthusiast by any means but when you take a look around 'outside' as its termed on the railway, look at the state of the country and how difficult it is to get a decent job and earn a living the you see just how fantastic the role of a depot driver, or shunter even, or a fitter to an extent really is.
Some of the blokes I work with nearing retirement, you'd think they're hard done by and they're being made to turn up every day and clock on, lol. Take a reality check - most jobs on the railway are secure and can lead to better things.
Best of luck with whatever you choose to have a go at
They, the drivers, can only hope it goes to ballot for sure.
