Lumo - QUALIFIED Customer Train Driver/Instructor - Euston/Preston/Stirling - (25/03/25)

[nolypops83]

The culture interview was basically a chat with the head of HR and Ops. They had questions but it was more free form than a standard competency interview. I was on the call for 12 minutes - not sure if this is a good or bad sign but I guess we'll find out next week...

They asked me what my motivation was for joining lumo and what frustrates me. I feel like honesty was the best policy here (within reason, don't say "passengers" or "garishly blue trains" because I'm sure that would be a sure fire way of getting your application put in file 13).

I think it's important to be open and honest in this interview, we have to check that lumo is the right employer for us too.

Absolutely! No point faking it, it'll only come back to bite you later.

I like the blue trains

 

[TJ123]

Interesting to see Preston readvertised for qualified drivers and instructors. Stirling must be more popular than we thought.

 

[NorthernTech]

I wonder if the nature of Open Access together with being a new venture seems too much of a risk for some? Either that or the DCO of doors and driver making announcements. Not what you normally get for intercity type driving.

 

[43066]

I wonder if the nature of Open Access together with being a new venture seems too much of a risk for some? Either that or the DCO of doors and driver making announcements. Not what you normally get for intercity type driving.

A bit of both for many qualified drivers I suspect, as well as loss of the railway pension - crucial for many. Obviously the analysis is different for trainees who are looking for a way to get a key.

 

[godfreycomplex]

I wonder if the nature of Open Access together with being a new venture seems too much of a risk for some? Either that or the DCO of doors and driver making announcements. Not what you normally get for intercity type driving.

Driver probably isn’t going to do the doors on 222s as they don’t have cameras

 

[nolypops83]

I was asking this in another thread, but seeing as there will be depots in Sterling, Preston and London, I'm guessing there will be no lodging jobs?

I got the job as a trainee for Preston (subject to medical obviously), so I'll try to post anything I find out here too, if that's of use? Anyone got a qualified position?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 May 2025 ==

The culture interview was basically a chat with the head of HR and Ops. They had questions but it was more free form than a standard competency interview. I was on the call for 12 minutes - not sure if this is a good or bad sign but I guess we'll find out next week...

They asked me what my motivation was for joining lumo and what frustrates me. I feel like honesty was the best policy here (within reason, don't say "passengers" or "garishly blue trains" because I'm sure that would be a sure fire way of getting your application put in file 13).

I think it's important to be open and honest in this interview, we have to check that lumo is the right employer for us too.

How did you get on?

 

[MDB97]

I turned the offer down early this week. I was abit gutted too in all honesty, Lumos culture seems exactly what I'm looking for.

I asked for an example roster for Newcastle to see what the work content was like and whilst not horrendous by any means, it just didn't fit in with my current situation (commuting to Preston from Carlisle and raising a youngish family). That and the pension situation made it unviable for me personally.

If anyone's not qualified and is offered a job then grasp it with both hands. I suspect it'll be a good thing to cut your teeth on.

 

[nolypops83]

I turned the offer down early this week. I was abit gutted too in all honesty, Lumos culture seems exactly what I'm looking for.

I asked for an example roster for Newcastle to see what the work content was like and whilst not horrendous by any means, it just didn't fit in with my current situation (commuting to Preston from Carlisle and raising a youngish family). That and the pension situation made it unviable for me personally.

If anyone's not qualified and is offered a job then grasp it with both hands. I suspect it'll be a good thing to cut your teeth on.

Ah thats a shame but understandable with little ones.

The pension situation is likely to be a big factor for a lot of people.

 

[NorthernTech]

I turned the offer down early this week. I was abit gutted too in all honesty, Lumos culture seems exactly what I'm looking for.

I asked for an example roster for Newcastle to see what the work content was like and whilst not horrendous by any means, it just didn't fit in with my current situation (commuting to Preston from Carlisle and raising a youngish family). That and the pension situation made it unviable for me personally.

If anyone's not qualified and is offered a job then grasp it with both hands. I suspect it'll be a good thing to cut your teeth on.

I’m surprised they entertained that distance of commute tbh. Carlisle to Preston on the Avanti wouldn’t be too bad, but if you had to drive you’d be 1.5hr+ each way. That would be a killer, you’d really have to want the job I think, unless you were looking to relocate?! Did they not stipulate a travel time maximum in their advert?

 

[irish_rail]

I’m surprised they entertained that distance of commute tbh. Carlisle to Preston on the Avanti wouldn’t be too bad, but if you had to drive you’d be 1.5hr+ each way. That would be a killer, you’d really have to want the job I think, unless you were looking to relocate?! Did they not stipulate a travel time maximum in their advert?

Ditto. I know of a lad who drives for GWR knocked back for Preston, who, to my knowledge has an impeccable record driving intercity trains and was hoping to relocate to Preston or north Merseyside. Carlisle to Preston seems a mammoth commute. Did @tiptoptaff put in for this also??? Makes you wonder if they didn't want to poach existing First group staff perhaps???

 

[tiptoptaff]

Ditto. I know of a lad who drives for GWR knocked back for Preston, who, to my knowledge has an impeccable record driving intercity trains and was hoping to relocate to Preston or north Merseyside. Carlisle to Preston seems a mammoth commute. Did @tiptoptaff put in for this also??? Makes you wonder if they didn't want to poach existing First group staff perhaps???

I got the same Thanks But No Thanks

Anecdotally I've heard that in the past there's been a gentleman's agreement that First Rail don't take each other's staff

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 May 2025 ==

Im going to throw my name in the hat again

But unless they've released they've had a lot of people turn down offers and/or the initial expectations of traction and route knowledge was unrealistic, and so have softened their expectations, I can't see the outcome being different

 

[Red Devil]

As others have posted. This is an ideal job for a trainee to get their driving ticket.
For myself to give up the security of a DB pension for a DC pension is too much of a sacrifice.

 

[RogerDodger]

It surly can’t be. The 222 are coming from EMR so I’d imagine it’s only EMR drivers that currently have 222’s on their cards.

Unless I’m mistaken I don’t think any EMR drivers would currently live within an hour of Stirling, Preston or Euston.

People might be willing to move, but if they only want qualified drivers that sign 222 they are fishing from a small pool.

Abit of a late reply!

EMR Driver here! Quite a few Derby drivers live in Crewe and could be interested. I know of 1 who would definitely jump at the opportunity xD.

 

[notadriver]

Abit of a late reply!

EMR Driver here! Quite a few Derby drivers live in Crewe and could be interested. I know of 1 who would definitely jump at the opportunity xD.

Is it because the depot is closer ?

 

[RogerDodger]

Is it because the depot is closer ?

It's about the same distance - I think some will want the change of scenery but ultimately the mood and atmosphere at EMR is awful at the moment. Loads jumping ship to Northern, TPE and XC...

 

[baz962]

It's about the same distance - I think some will want the change of scenery but ultimately the mood and atmosphere at EMR is awful at the moment. Loads jumping ship to Northern, TPE and XC...

Wow . I'm EMR st Pancras and none of ours were interested or at least that's what they say at Pancras. I didn't realise that many Derby were going.

 

[RogerDodger]

Wow . I'm EMR st Pancras and none of ours were interested or at least that's what they say at Pancras. I didn't realise that many Derby were going.

I know a few at Derby and definitely one at Nottingham who would have applied (Notts of course dont sign 222s but they live over that way).

I read the application as they want people with:

- high-speed experience
- WCML knowledge
- possibly 222 knowledge is advantageous

I don't see there being many qualified applying in all honesty

 

[43066]

It's about the same distance - I think some will want the change of scenery but ultimately the mood and atmosphere at EMR is awful at the moment. Loads jumping ship to Northern, TPE and XC...

I can see people looking at TPE and XC who wouldn’t look at Lumo due to aforementioned pension/security issues.

Wow . I'm EMR st Pancras and none of ours were interested or at least that's what they say at Pancras. I didn't realise that many Derby were going.

Indeed. Not a single person has mentioned applying whereas when other operators have opened up quite a few have openly discussed it.

 

[whoosh]

It's about the same distance - I think some will want the change of scenery but ultimately the mood and atmosphere at EMR is awful at the moment. Loads jumping ship to Northern, TPE and XC...

Just at the moment?! It went awful from when Stagecoach took over nearly 18 years ago. Some were even lamenting their EWS days at Toton, having previously never having a good word to say! Sorry to hear it hasn't improved.

 

[43066]

Just at the moment?! It went awful from when Stagecoach took over nearly 18 years ago. Some were even lamenting their EWS days at Toton, having previously never having a good word to say! Sorry to hear it hasn't improved.

I think it varies by depot. Derby have a few issues with, ahem, “characters”, both in terms of drivers and some of those in the management office. Kettering has also had a high staff turnover since it opened. London much less so, and I’d say is generally a fairly happy ship, and feels quite divorced from the rest of the operation.

 

[baz962]

I think it varies by depot. Derby have a few issues with, ahem, “characters”, both in terms of drivers and some of those in the management office. Kettering has also had a high staff turnover since it opened. London much less so, and I’d say is generally a fairly happy ship, and feels quite divorced from the rest of the operation.

Be even happier soon , when we get rid of another problem driver

 

[43066]

Be even happier soon , when we get rid of another problem driver

He isn’t going far though. Still within range of the EMR teabags…

 

[whoosh]

I think it varies by depot. Derby have a few issues with, ahem, “characters”, both in terms of drivers and some of those in the management office. Kettering has also had a high staff turnover since it opened. London much less so, and I’d say is generally a fairly happy ship, and feels quite divorced from the rest of the operation.

I don't have much knowledge or any experience of Kettering, but everything else you've said I agree with 100%.

 

[357]

Be even happier soon , when we get rid of another problem driver

I hear EMR have requested strengthening of the fence between the two halves of the station, to be extra sure he isn't going to come back and "visit"

 

[baz962]

I hear EMR have requested strengthening of the fence between the two halves of the station, to be extra sure he isn't going to come back and "visit"

Extra height too and we are changing the locks and codes

 

[43066]

Extra height too and we are changing the locks and codes

I know I’m a fair bit taller than you mate, but blimey .

 

[baz962]

I know I’m a fair bit taller than you mate, but blimey .

Not the win you think it is , everyone is taller than me

 

[NorthernTech]

A couple of drivers at my depot were discussing this the other day, one said he knows someone who has been offered it. He said the contract stated that drivers not only are they expected to Mentor (no uplift for this) but are trained as Ambassadors (on board staff) and are not only expected to help on board but if spare, are expected to pick up a shift as an Ambassador (presume Guard or even trolley service staff person)!

Ive never heard of this elsewhere, is this in other Toc contracts?

Maybe why the adverts are still up for this perhaps?

 

[357]

A couple of drivers at my depot were discussing this the other day, one said he knows someone who has been offered it. He said the contract stated that drivers not only are they expected to Mentor (no uplift for this) but are trained as Ambassadors (on board staff) and are not only expected to help on board but if spare, are expected to pick up a shift as an Ambassador (presume Guard or even trolley service staff person)!

Ive never heard of this elsewhere, is this in other Toc contracts?

Maybe why the adverts are still up for this perhaps?

This comes up all the time regarding Lumo. Reliable sources say this has never been enforced and there are no plans to.

It seems no different to if I'm traveling pass on my own operator helping the buffet staff by taking orders to seats if it's busy.

 

[notadriver]

A couple of drivers at my depot were discussing this the other day, one said he knows someone who has been offered it. He said the contract stated that drivers not only are they expected to Mentor (no uplift for this) but are trained as Ambassadors (on board staff) and are not only expected to help on board but if spare, are expected to pick up a shift as an Ambassador (presume Guard or even trolley service staff person)!

Ive never heard of this elsewhere, is this in other Toc contracts?

Maybe why the adverts are still up for this perhaps?

I don’t think this is completely accurate.