Females in Freight?

[danchil]

Hi all, considering a potential change to freight.

I currently work in railway operations so the industry isn’t new to me, just the driving and the fact it’s a FOC. But just wanted to reach out to get some insight into the freight world and if it’s compatible for me. Please feel free to message or let me know if I can pm you thanks

 

[Elecman]

There are several female freight drivers on Facebook and X you can always ask them

 

[danchil]

Thanks very much, I’ll have a nosey on x

 

[NSEWonderer]

Bessie Matthews is a pretty well known female freight Driver. Very knowledgeable

 

[ExRes]

@danchil Go onto Linkedin and check out Beccy Penfold, she's currently Team Leader / Driver with DC Railfreight and was formerly a Driver with Freightliner

 

[Unobrow]

Hi all, considering a potential change to freight.

I currently work in railway operations so the industry isn’t new to me, just the driving and the fact it’s a FOC. But just wanted to reach out to get some insight into the freight world and if it’s compatible for me. Please feel free to message or let me know if I can pm you thanks

Booking on times can be very challenging at times with 0000-0400 common. Depending on company, you might end up with a lot of weekend working on T3 possesions (which can be incredibly easy/boring depending on your take, or rather busy with plenty of back and forth moves of a wagon length or two at 3/5mph) or nights. Locos “can“ be noisy and freezing cold, or sweltering hot. On the flip side we spend a lot of time working one way and pass the other. It’s also much more easy going on freight with the added bonus of not having to deal with the general kno…..erm, public lol. We aren’t generally worked as hard as passenger services and the possibility of a relentless two and froing in a 9hr shift for example, and you can end up with a big route card giving plenty of variation to stop the monotony and boredom setting in.

Horses for courses though. Plenty are quite happy running the same route at 125mph day in and day out, others enjoy a few routes of constant stop/start to stop them switching off. It depends on your personal preferences work wise, but I really enjoy freight and can’t really see me wanting to change over. I’m not female, but that’s a bit of an insight into the job.

 

[danchil]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate this.

 

[Error404]

When you ask "compatible for me", what does that mean - What is important to you?

 

[jp4712]

On X or BlueSky, look for Heather Waugh, already-mentioned Bessie Matthews, Steph (@S26PHY on X) or Amy Elizabeth (Flying Vixen) who are quite active on social media as FOC drivers. I'm sure they'd be willing to share their experiences with you.

 

[nom de guerre]

On X or BlueSky, look for Heather Waugh, already-mentioned Bessie Matthews, Steph (@S26PHY on X) or Amy Elizabeth (Flying Vixen) who are quite active on social media as FOC drivers. I'm sure they'd be willing to share their experiences with you.

Helen (GBRf) on Insta, too