Living Near A Depot

[WesC92]

Hello,

I recently got rejected quite far into the application process as I made an error on my location when checking if I lived closed enough to the depot.

My partner has been very supportive in suggesting she’s happy to move to somewhere that’s close to a depot so I can pursue the dream job of being a train driver, my only worry is which one to pick.

Essentially all I can see is picking a depot with the most TOC’s stationed there and hoping that a role becomes available?

Any advice would be great as I’m in a bit of a pickle deciding which one to move near!

 

[EuxtonNeutral]

Move to London and you’re close to them all! (Except northern/scotrail/XC/TfW)

 

[WesC92]

Move to London and you’re close to them all! (Except northern/scotrail/XC/TfW)

Ive lived in London for 10+ years, it’s the within 20 minutes public transport that is an issue!

 

[Horizon22]

Your profile says “London” so where exactly are you that doesn’t meet the distance as there’s tons of London depots!

Southeastern often hires trainees (as people move onto “better” TOCs and S/SE London has a good range of metro depots.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2025 ==

Ive lived in London for 10+ years, it’s the within 20 minutes public transport that is an issue!

That is particularly restrictive commuting time. Most vacancies are not like this.

 

[WesC92]

Your profile says “London” so where exactly are you that doesn’t meet the distance as there’s tons of London depots!

Southeastern often hires trainees (as people move onto “better” TOCs and S/SE London has a good range of metro depots.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2025 ==



That is particularly restrictive commuting time. Most vacancies are not like this.

I currently live SW16, and believed I was close evening to Victoria which ended up being 24 minutes on public transport when I got the application rejected.

Thank you for the advice, I’ll keep on looking!

 

[InkyScrolls]

Move to London and you’re close to them all! (Except northern/scotrail/XC/TfW)

And TPE!

 

[55002]

I currently live SW16, and believed I was close evening to Victoria which ended up being 24 minutes on public transport when I got the application rejected.

Thank you for the advice, I’ll keep on looking!

That seems absolutely ridiculous, are you saying anyone who based out of Victoria has to live 20 mins away? That’s a lot of expensive areas train staff have to live in!!

 

[WesC92]

That seems absolutely ridiculous, are you saying anyone who based out of Victoria has to live 20 mins away? That’s a lot of expensive areas train staff have to live in!!

It did for this one, I got quite far into it as google maps told me I was 19 minutes but then their calculations said I was 24!

 

[55002]

It did for this one, I got quite far into it as google maps told me I was 19 minutes but then their calculations said I was 24!

Crazy. Good luck with the job hunt

 

[driver9000]

Ive lived in London for 10+ years, it’s the within 20 minutes public transport that is an issue!

Which company has such a ridiculously restrictive commute time especially using public transport? I've never seen a vacancy listing like that, the usual is 45-60 minutes using your own transport.

 

[whoosh]

I wouldn't move, you are pretty close to Selhurst and Norwood Junction for Southern, and Wimbledon Park for SWR.

I think you've been unlucky this time.

 

[EuxtonNeutral]

Ive lived in London for 10+ years, it’s the within 20 minutes public transport that is an issue!

Most of the mainline TOCs ask for < 1 hour...?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2025 ==

And TPE!

Knew I'd forget one.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2025 ==

I currently live SW16, and believed I was close evening to Victoria which ended up being 24 minutes on public transport when I got the application rejected.

Thank you for the advice, I’ll keep on looking!

Looks like you'd qualify for lots of the London termini depots assuming most still have the 60 minute commute requirement. I'd stay put.

 

[Horizon22]

Which company has such a ridiculously restrictive commute time especially using public transport? I've never seen a vacancy listing like that, the usual is 45-60 minutes using your own transport.

London Victoria for Southeastern I believe had one like this recently. They presumably get so many applicants that they could afford to do so, but is not the norm.