Greater Anglia - Trainee Depot Driver

[Mystiq7]

I am close to being offered a Trainee Depot Driver position with Greater Anglia, but I’m unsure whether I should accept the role. My background is in tech sales, where I have worked for the past 16 years, so this would be my first job within the rail industry.

I’m hoping to hear from people who have experience in this type of role—whether with Greater Anglia or another TOC—or from anyone who has worked for GA in a different capacity and can share insights about the company. I would really appreciate an honest view of what the job is like day-to-day: the highs, the lows, and anything you think someone new to the industry should be aware of.

If it helps, I believe the role would be based out of either the Ilford depot or the Liverpool Street depot.

Any guidance or perspectives would be greatly appreciated as I make this decision.

 

[Teddyward]

Depot driver was the best job I ever did. If you don’t mind earlies, late, nights, cold, wet, snow you will be in the elements quite a bit.
There are no depot drivers at Liverpool Street.
Also if you want mainline at Ilford depot progression is the only way now. Just be aware it is a progressional role and you will eventually go mainline when it’s your turn.
Job will entail slow movements in the yard, coupling, uncoupling, train preparation and re-marshalling. Ilford depot drivers do not go outside the confines of the yard at all.

 

[Mystiq7]

Depot driver was the best job I ever did. If you don’t mind earlies, late, nights, cold, wet, snow you will be in the elements quite a bit.
There are no depot drivers at Liverpool Street.
Also if you want mainline at Ilford depot progression is the only way now. Just be aware it is a progressional role and you will eventually go mainline when it’s your turn.
Job will entail slow movements in the yard, coupling, uncoupling, train preparation and re-marshalling. Ilford depot drivers do not go outside the confines of the yard at all.

Thanks for your insight — everything you’ve shared sounds really positive. Working shifts isn’t an issue for me; in fact, I actually prefer it. I’m looking to move away from the standard 9–5 routine because shift work would give me much more flexibility to manage my personal commitments.

How long were you a depot driver before progressing to mainline? Do mainline vacancies come up regularly enough to make progression realistic, or are they more of a “once in a blue moon” opportunity?

What’s it like working out of the Ilford depot on a day-to-day basis?

One of my main concerns is the drop in salary/commission compared to tech sales. How good are the opportunities for overtime and Sunday shifts to boost earnings as a depot driver?

 

[Brick79]

I've heard there can be a lot of down time/sitting around during the shifts from someone who was working there up to recently.I believe you join a queue to be offered places in mainline courses so you'd be starting at the back, they run courses half often but still I'd imagine you'd have to wait a couple of years although you could try your luck applying for others tocs/focs if you wanted to whilst waiting

 

[Teddyward]

Thanks for your insight….

I did 3 years. I would say average is 3-5 years but this may change with only depot drivers going mainline now. Hard to say. There has been a lot of recruitment over last couple of years. I don’t work at Ilford myself just have a basic understanding of what goes on there, i work at another eastern depot. Rest day rates and Sunday rates are currently very good. X1.7 and x1.75 respectively. I’m not sure how easy it is to pick up extra at Ilford at the moment. I know it’s dried up a bit where I am as we have a lot of new drivers swelling the ranks. I took quite a big drop to go in the depot. It was worth it in the end if you can manage it.

 

[Mystiq7]

I did 3 years. I would say average is 3-5 years but this may change with only depot drivers going mainline now. Hard to say. There has been a lot of recruitment over last couple of years. I don’t work at Ilford myself just have a basic understanding of what goes on there, i work at another eastern depot. Rest day rates and Sunday rates are currently very good. X1.7 and x1.75 respectively. I’m not sure how easy it is to pick up extra at Ilford at the moment. I know it’s dried up a bit where I am as we have a lot of new drivers swelling the ranks. I took quite a big drop to go in the depot. It was worth it in the end if you can manage it.

That’s great to hear — it really does sound like a fantastic role, and you’ve given me a lot to think about.

From someone who has spent three years in this position, what advice would you give to a novice like myself who’s just starting out in this career?

 

[Teddyward]

That’s great to hear — it really does sound like a fantastic role, and you’ve given me a lot to think about.

From someone who has spent three years in this position, what advice would you give to a novice like myself who’s just starting out in this career?

If you take the position give your academy training full effort and then listen well to your instructor when posted to depot. It’s a very rules and procedures based job. Also try and be as well rested as possible when the shifts start.

 

[maximusprime]

Morning all. I’ve scoured through the posts but can’t find an answer on this.. I’ve applied for a depot driver post with GA and I’m trying to understand the pay.

Do you get paid any enhancements on top of your salary for the shift work / BH’s etc? Or is the salary the total pay regardless of the shifts worked?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Teddyward]

Is this for Norwich or Great Eastern? I can tell you for GE but I'm afraid I don't know the exact details for Norwich. Regardless, Sundays and BH are extra for all......at the moment.

 

[maximusprime]

It’s for Norwich but happy to hear from a similar position thank you. I’m coming from a company (non railway) that pays extra for working past 7pm etc & extra for sat, sun & BH, so it’s good to get clarity on what the pay will actually be.

 

[Class2ldn]

You wont generally get any extra pay for working certain times of the day or a Saturday as they are just classed as normal working weeks. Its normally sundays and bank holidays or overtime that accrue extra pay of some kind.

 

[maximusprime]

You wont generally get any extra pay for working certain times of the day or a Saturday as they are just classed as normal working weeks. Its normally sundays and bank holidays or overtime that accrue extra pay of some kind.

Thank you for the clarification, appreciated.