Laira Depot - Jobs

[RR1963]

Can anyone tell me how to go about seeking employment in the Laira Depot, Plymouth? I regularly check the First Great Western website without success. I don't have any aspirations to be a train driver (!) but as it is fairly close to where I live, a part-time post in cleansing or something would be very useful.

Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

 

[devon_metro]

Perha[s you could write a letter to FGW? I Imagine cleaning is done through a contractor in which case you would need to be employed by them

 

[Coxster]

Perha[s you could write a letter to FGW? I Imagine cleaning is done through a contractor in which case you would need to be employed by them

FGW employ their own cleaners at Reading so it may well be the same for Plymouth.

 

[Turbostar]

You'll be lucky, jobs are like gold dust there, & highly sought after.

Mart

 

[RR1963]

Thanks for the swift advice everyone. Yes - I understand that jobs are like gold dust there which is why I suppose it's rarely advertised! It must be because its an easily accessible location from all parts of Plymouth and the rumour machine tells me the pay is better than in some places (or used to be but all my contacts have moved on now). The cleaning staff where I work reckon it is (or was) ISS that have the contract, but writing/e-mailing them has brought no response. I'll take the advice and write to FGW direct.

Thanks again.

 

[Turbostar]

Trying to get into Laira is one of the most sought after jobs in Plymouth, like you said because of the pay, & job prospects. Yes, they rarely advertise, as basically as soon as a job becomes available, the staff usually spread the word themselves. So, unless you know someone who works there, or someone who has connections with Laira, it's pretty much a long shot trying to get into there. Believe me, I would love to work there if I had the chance, just a case of being in the right place at the right time, & keeping your ears open. Also, what you need to bear in mind, Laira is one of the 'specialist' depots (the other 2 being Bristol St. Phillips Marsh, & Old Oak Common). This means most major overhauls of the HST fleet is done between the 3 depots, what can't be done is contracted out. This is why jobs are highly sought after.

Mart

 

[djw1981]

Do FGW have more than 3 depots, or do they just stable at other companies , like GNER does at Glasgow (Polmadie) and Newcastle (Heaton).

 

[Turbostar]

The 3 main ones are Plymouth Laira, Bristol St. Phillips Marsh, & Old Oak Common HST in London. The smaller one's are: Long Rock (Penzance), Exeter, Reading. Landore AFAIK is a sorta main one, but anything they can't handle is usually sent to Bristol. With reguards to using other companies depots, I don't know.

Mart

 

[AlexS]

Reading maintains the entire Turbo fleet, I'd say it's fairly major!

 

[devon_metro]

I'd agree. Laira is the largest of the 3 depots with all heavy maintenance being undertaken there. SPM and OOC are more stabling, cleaning and general light maintenance. Exeter is the core 'west' fleet depot with SPM being more important withs its overhaul. Reading is Turbo land and Landore does light stuff and cleaning. Anything major like engine changes on HSTs will go to Laira (Or Brush!). Most stuff for refurb goes to Laira before being sent to its deathbed. Likewise all new stock will pass through Laira. Many of the MTUs are commisioned at Landore.