Intermodal v Heavy Haul @ Freightliner

[JCLeeds]

Rumour has it that the newly advertised trainees for Freightliner in Leeds are intermodal instead of HH. Can anyone explain the differences, or pros & cons?

 

[ash39]

Just different sides of the business. In basic terms intermodal is container traffic and heavy haul is coal. Other than different working patterns due to scheduling, I expect they will be broadly similar to work for and I certainly wouldn't rule out either as it's difficult enough to get into any driving grade without being selective with applications.

 

[Pacerpilot]

Intermodal: Conditions

Heavy Haul: Money. Lots of it.

 

[Bluebri]

Intermodal: Conditions

Heavy Haul: Money. Lots of it.

lol, good answer

 

[BSparks]

I'm also interested in peoples replies to the op's question if anyone can help.
What are Intermodal shift patterns like? Thanks

 

[455driver]

Intermodal normally work to a base roster, HH work when they are told to.

Oh the money on HH isnt that far ahead of the others any more.

 

[Pacerpilot]

HeavyHaul rosters vary from depot to depot. Some have a fixed link with time bands, others have a blank roster where you work what you are told, within reason.

Bare money isn't that far ahead but the happy cheques are..

 

[BSparks]

Do Intermodal have a high percentage of shifts at night?

 

[Beveridges]

Yes, as many of their trains run overnight or start their journey in the early hours of the morning. All the FOC's have too many early morning starts and nights. When we're talking nights, we're not talking typical night shifts finishing at 05:00 or 06:00, but sometimes 09:00 or later! Something of a killer I'm sure everyone would agree.

I heard that Intermodal Drivers are worked harder than Heavy Haul and get a lower salary. However, the plus side is they have base rostering.

 

[Rugd1022]

I heard that Intermodal Drivers are worked harder than Heavy Haul and get a lower salary. However, the plus side is they have base rostering.

Not sure I'd entirely agree with that Beveridges! Most of the Intermodal lad's work is 'step on and step off', often travelling passenger in one direction with the odd bit of shunting at terminals, whereas on Heavyhaul we do a heck of a lot more shunting about, especially on the aggregates side of things at Bardon Hill and Mantle Lane. Add on all the van driving we do and it can get very tiring, especially when the van driving is at the end of a long shift on a London job. One of our lads has recently gone to Intermodal at Lawley Street and says it's like Butlins compared to life with HH at Rugby...! He's been trying to tempt me over to the dark side but the drop in wages and travelling is the downer for me. Wouldn't mind flying about at 75mph everyday though...