Mainline driver to OTM driver

[LeGrimpeur]

Considering a move from mainline to OTM driver.

I don't know much about that side.of things and trying to decide if it's a good move or not.

Salary, hours, commute etc are known. What I'm not sure of is if this is a backwards step career wise. There is the potential to develop in the role (experience, salary, knowledge etc) If I wanted to go back to mainline on the future would an employer see me as having accrued lots of route and experience or not?

 

[BigPondFish]

Hope I don't get slated for asking but what is an OTM driver? What does the OTM stand for? Cheers.

 

[dgl]

On Track Machinery, Tampers and the like I would guess.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Certainly at some OTM operators they're not considered fully qualified drivers and have to have a qualified driver in the cab with them (route conducting and doing GSM-R calls etc) but I'm not sure if this is everywhere

 

[43066]

I don't know much about that side.of things and trying to decide if it's a good move or not.

As I understand it it’s significantly less money and often temporary seasonal contracts (eg to operate MPV leaf busters).

Probably not a move many established drivers would make, unless they just need a job in a hurry (in which case it’s understandable!). Out of interest what is it that attracts you to it?

 

[ComUtoR]

What's the difference between OTM and OTP ( on track plant) ?

I've always wanted to drive a Tamper and some of those big boys toys insert sitting in a possession.

 

[Efini92]

What's the difference between OTM and OTP ( on track plant) ?

I've always wanted to drive a Tamper and some of those big boys toys insert sitting in a possession.

It’s not just the big boys toys. I’ve always fancied a go on one of the little buggy’s.

 

[The One]

OTP means you can get on at any designated access point where’s OTM Tampers etc you can’t.
OTM drivers are regulated by the same rules and regs as any main line driver just different parts of the rule book will and won’t apply to you eg passenger train don’t worry about possessions etc

 

[LowLevel]

It’s not just the big boys toys. I’ve always fancied a go on one of the little buggy’s.

Loony carts are brilliant little machines

 

[43066]

What's the difference between OTM and OTP ( on track plant) ?

I've always wanted to drive a Tamper and some of those big boys toys insert sitting in a possession.

Is one of those the road lorries with the railway wheels that deploy? I’d like a go in one of those myself!

It’s not just the big boys toys. I’ve always fancied a go on one of the little buggy’s.

Those too!

 

[66701GBRF]

OTP is plant (diggers, excavators, mobile elevated working platforms etc) that has road/rail capabilities and can access the track from many locations like level crossings or access points but can only work within worksites.
OTM are machines (Tampers, Dynamic Track Stablisers etc) that enter and exit possessions conventionally and are effectively trains which are allowed on the Network.

 

[Efini92]

Loony carts are brilliant little machines

I’d love to have a go down the lickey, might need some goggles

 

[TonyWigan]

Neighbour of mine was an OTM driver for SB Rail. Permanent nights 1 weekend in one off.

He liked it. Had a huge amount of lines signed. He was on over £60k when he retired 18 months ago based in Manchester. Said he got bonus too for on time completion.

In the winter we would hear his company van door slam at between midnight and 2 am because it was too cold to work apparently and they got sent home. Kept telling me for years to quit the Police and come work with him.

When he got me the details it was months learning to work the tamper, then you start your driver training. It would have take a couple of years for me to qualify with them. The training wage was if I remember right £24k and a lot of the training was on nights. I think this was about 10 years ago. It was a lot less than I was earning for the training time.

I didn’t bother (I kind of wish I had) years later I quit the cops anyway to became a driver for Freightliner.

The whole permanent nights didn’t really appeal to me but he did very very well out of it over the years. But I guess the question is was it better than being a mainline driver or not.