Driving for GWR in the South West

[tiptoptaff]

If qualified drivers go to Exeter do they need to start in the branch link too or is it just for internal PQA drivers?

There's no such thing as "PQA links" at GWR. In fact quite common for PQA drivers do go up a link or two in their first PQA year

 

[theironroad]

Thanks Irish rail.

 

[craigybagel]

There's no such thing as "PQA links" at GWR. In fact quite common for PQA drivers do go up a link or two in their first PQA year

Thanks. They're pretty rare at my own TOC too (in fact, there's only one depot that has a starter link at the moment, but qualifieds moving there skip it and go straight into a main link). Exeter has always appealed to me both as a place to live and a depot to work at but I'm not sure I like the idea of being stuck on the triangle of Doom for a few years!

 

[theironroad]

What is the triangle?

I'll take a stab at Exmouth/Paignton/Barnstaple

??

 

[Efini92]

Yeah I've seen that on here but don't know if that's true for sure. My TOC is 4 hours and XC is 5. Each depot will vary as well on how often you will be spare so some will be more effected by it than others. There is less reason for someone at GWR to move though compared to a TOC paying low 50K.

Xc 5 hour movement on spare? The copy of DRI I have for them says an hour movement +or-

 

[hello]

Xc 5 hour movement on spare? The copy of DRI I have for them says an hour movement +or-

Clearly a very old DRI book you have there!!!!!!! Only restriction for spare movement on xc is you must book off 11hrs after your booked spare time, aslong as you don’t break hidden of course

 

[Daydr3am3r]

If qualified drivers go to Exeter do they need to start in the branch link too or is it just for internal PQA drivers?

Yep in the branch link with us trainees

 

[tiptoptaff]

What is the triangle?

I'll take a stab at Exmouth/Paignton/Barnstaple

??

Yep!

I believe it's changed recently, since the 800 work came in, but the Exeter link structure used to be, roughly Branch link (Exmouth, Paignton, Barnstaple) Central Link (Branches+Plymouth and Bristol) then either in to East Link (Branches, Plymouth, Bristol (including Parkway), Westbury and Cardiff or West (Branches, Bristol TM and Penzance) Link.

I'm lead to believe, however, that central link no longer exists. I also understand there are some changes to what's signed after the 800s, I think it's West link that go to Reading, but having not resourced the deopt in a year, I couldn't say for sure.