Mobile Operative (Groundstaff) - DB Cargo

[aidieb]

Been offered a position as mobile operative after being in talent pool for 7 months.

Just wondering if there are any other mobile operatives here that has knowledge of shift times.

Thanks

 

[anglian96]

Been offered a position as mobile operative after being in talent pool for 7 months.

Just wondering if there are any other mobile operatives here that has knowledge of shift times.

Thanks

I used to be a driver at DB so I know abit about the shunters role. Shifts are all round the clock 24/7. You don't have specific hours or start times

 

[aidieb]

Thanks for the reply, what did the MO's shift consist of from your opinion and a driver? Also what made you leave DB? My long term goal would be to train as a junior driver. Would you say this role could be a route to achieving this in the future?

 

[1867Blue]

Thanks for the reply, what did the MO's shift consist of from your opinion and a driver? Also what made you leave DB? My long term goal would be to train as a junior driver. Would you say this role could be a route to achieving this in the future?

Most definitely it could be a route into a junior or mainline driver.

 

[NorthernTech]

Been offered a position as mobile operative after being in talent pool for 7 months.

Just wondering if there are any other mobile operatives here that has knowledge of shift times.

Thanks

Defo take it! It will be a great start into your railway career.. Unless you have another option that you prefer, then the knowledge and skills you will gain will stand you in great stead if you later get a chance to progress to driver, which is likely.

 

[Yzerman]

You will get a roster with so many lines (weeks) on it
Days and nights different hours and probably some flex weeks you don’t know untill the Thursday/friday what your doing
Id email the hiring guy and ask to see the roster

 

[anglian96]

Thanks for the reply, what did the MO's shift consist of from your opinion and a driver? Also what made you leave DB? My long term goal would be to train as a junior driver. Would you say this role could be a route to achieving this in the future?

You'll have all starts and times and different days but you can see in advance what your working. There are flex weeks which are rubbish and they can use you on whatever. Most of the shifts consist of brake testing trains or moving trains around with a yard driver ready for a mainline driver to take out. In time you'll be T3 trained and can also work on engineering sites just shunting trains back and forth but can be a good earner for the rest day working.

I left DB because it's an absolute S*** show at the moment and has been on a decline for a few years however I would recommend taking the role offered for your foot in the door and possibly move on when you can.

There are internal vacancies that come around so as a shunter you have every right to apply. It's been known by DB to promise the world to shunters and then recruit externally but I have known a few to become drivers so it's not completely out the window

 

[aidieb]

You'll have all starts and times and different days but you can see in advance what your working. There are flex weeks which are rubbish and they can use you on whatever. Most of the shifts consist of brake testing trains or moving trains around with a yard driver ready for a mainline driver to take out. In time you'll be T3 trained and can also work on engineering sites just shunting trains back and forth but can be a good earner for the rest day working.

I left DB because it's an absolute S*** show at the moment and has been on a decline for a few years however I would recommend taking the role offered for your foot in the door and possibly move on when you can.

There are internal vacancies that come around so as a shunter you have every right to apply. It's been known by DB to promise the world to shunters and then recruit externally but I have known a few to become drivers so it's not completely out the window

Thanks for the reply, so what you say moving

You will get a roster with so many lines (weeks) on it
Days and nights different hours and probably some flex weeks you don’t know untill the Thursday/friday what your doing
Id email the hiring guy and ask to see the roster

Yes I think I'm going to see if I can have a chat with the hiring manager for my area to discuss how the rotas work, also do the MO's get a vehicle to travel to the different sites or do you have to use your own? Is the travel time to other sites included as working hours?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Feb 2024 ==

You'll have all starts and times and different days but you can see in advance what your working. There are flex weeks which are rubbish and they can use you on whatever. Most of the shifts consist of brake testing trains or moving trains around with a yard driver ready for a mainline driver to take out. In time you'll be T3 trained and can also work on engineering sites just shunting trains back and forth but can be a good earner for the rest day working.

I left DB because it's an absolute S*** show at the moment and has been on a decline for a few years however I would recommend taking the role offered for your foot in the door and possibly move on when you can.

There are internal vacancies that come around so as a shunter you have every right to apply. It's been known by DB to promise the world to shunters and then recruit externally but I have known a few to become drivers so it's not completely out the window

Is T3 trained the highest trained you can be as a mobile operative? Does T3 trained mean you can drive the train to shunt or is it always to assist a driver

 

[Traindriver40]

Good job this for getting into the railway and learning how things work, it's also a good foundation if you want to be driver, i know many that have gone on to be drivers from this route.

Go for it m8!

They're also starting to advertise for trainee roles, mainline and junior, I've seen a couple different depots in the last couple weeks.

 

[Train_manager]

Thanks for the reply, so what you say moving

Yes I think I'm going to see if I can have a chat with the hiring manager for my area to discuss how the rotas work, also do the MO's get a vehicle to travel to the different sites or do you have to use your own? Is the travel time to other sites included as working hours?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Feb 2024 ==


Is T3 trained the highest trained you can be as a mobile operative? Does T3 trained mean you can drive the train to shunt or is it always to assist a driver

A MO role will require you to work in all weathers and any time of the day and nite.

You should be provided with a work van.

You will never drive a train.

it's a double edge sword regarding becoming a train driver.

If you become a good MO then they will not want to make you up to a train driver because they would have to replace you.

If your a rubbish MO or you f.up then you will never be a train driver.

Good luck.

 

[Yzerman]

Won’t drive a train in the mo role ,but there’s loads of shunters who’s gone on to be train drivers

 

[aidieb]

A MO role will require you to work in all weathers and any time of the day and nite.

You should be provided with a work van.

You will never drive a train.

it's a double edge sword regarding becoming a train driver.

If you become a good MO then they will not want to make you up to a train driver because they would have to replace you.

If your a rubbish MO or you f.up then you will never be a train driver.

Good luck

Thanks

 

[anglian96]

Thanks for the reply, so what you say moving

Yes I think I'm going to see if I can have a chat with the hiring manager for my area to discuss how the rotas work, also do the MO's get a vehicle to travel to the different sites or do you have to use your own? Is the travel time to other sites included as working hours?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Feb 2024 ==


Is T3 trained the highest trained you can be as a mobile operative? Does T3 trained mean you can drive the train to shunt or is it always to assist a driver

T3 trained means you can shunt trains on a engineering possession. You will never drive a train whilst in a MO role. Your a ground shunter.

Yes you will get a van to get around

 

[aidieb]

Thanks for all the replies

 

[kisyrpk]

Hi all,

Is here any Mobile Operative (Groundstaff) worker from DB Cargo? I have couple questions regarding this job and company.

 

[piers1234]

Hi all,

Is here any Mobile Operative (Groundstaff) worker from DB Cargo? I have couple questions regarding this job and company.

From a friend. They want out.

For some jobs for them it will be a 80 mile round trip.

They are taking the company vans off the MOs in June 2025. So you will have to travel to a depot and collect a van then carry on to the job. #Cost savings.

 

[kisyrpk]

Thanks for reply.

I live 80 miles round trip from depot which I have applied for. If they gonna cut it down vans from MOs it will be KO for most of them.

If someone or your colleague don't mind contact me privately would be great.

 

[transportphoto]

Hi all,

Is here any Mobile Operative (Groundstaff) worker from DB Cargo? I have couple questions regarding this job and company.

Silly question, but what are your questions? Please do ask - you’re more likely to get an answer asking what you’d like to know from the off

 

[kisyrpk]

If someone would share a typical week of work (hrs, start times). Is it always 5 days week or you make your basic hrs in 3-4 days?

Also how it works with fuel costs? Can you keep your van during your work week or need back to base all the time.

Overtime opportunities? I've been told there is no OT rate.

Are you assigned with one depot? There is some days that you need to stay away work alongside different depot.

 

[Yzerman]

I think every area is different
Roster will be over a certain set of weeks and can have flex weeks where you don’t know what your doing untill the Friday before
Usually longer shifts days and nights should be plenty of time off
Overtime is flat rate
You’ll be at one depot but could travel to different sites in the region and possession work shouldn’t need to stay away

 

[kisyrpk]

Got offered a job. It looks like I don't really need to sit in talent pool as course is about to commence early March.

I can manage a roster as example of it I've seen before. I only concern about the fuel cost as I live 50 minutes from depot what I have applied for.

Big decision ahead as currently got a good job but I want to leave this industry after 10 years and start new challenges.

 

[Yzerman]

What industry are you in now?

 

[kisyrpk]

What industry are you in now?

Road haulage.

 

[Yzerman]

I don’t have any experience in that but the rail industry is a enjoyable one imo

 

[EchoBravo1]

"Hey guys! Can anyone tell me about the Mobile Operator role at DB?

Does it involve driving trains or just ground work? Also, do MOs ride with the train driver and help out, and can they even drive the train if needed?

And what's the training process like for new MOs? How long does it take to complete, and after how many months/years on the job do they get confirmed in their role?"

 

[tiptoptaff]

"Hey guys! Can anyone tell me about the Mobile Operator role at DB?

Does it involve driving trains or just ground work? Also, do MOs ride with the train driver and help out, and can they even drive the train if needed?

And what's the training process like for new MOs? How long does it take to complete, and after how many months/years on the job do they get confirmed in their role?"

No, MOs do not drive or operate locomotives at all.

 

[Andy Pacer]

No, MOs do not drive or operate locomotives at all.

Is "Mobile Operator" different to "Mobile Operative" as mentioned in this thread then? https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/db-cargo-mobile-operative.263493/

 

[tiptoptaff]

Is "Mobile Operator" different to "Mobile Operative" as mentioned in this thread then? https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/db-cargo-mobile-operative.263493/

There's no such grade, it's a presumably a mistake by the OP.

 

[EchoBravo1]

Mates, I regret to inform that I incorrectly typed the job title. The correct designation is, in fact, "Mobile Operative". My bad...

I had initially understood the Mobile Operative role to be a type of train driver, albeit one whose operational scope was limited to yard areas

 

[Andy Pacer]

Mates, I regret to inform that I incorrectly typed the job title. The correct designation is, in fact, "Mobile Operative". My bad...

I had initially understood the Mobile Operative role to be a type of train driver, albeit one whose operational scope was limited to yard areas

Yes agreed, in the other thread I posted the link to it refers to shunting which is what confused me somewhat with the earlier reply saying they don't drive or operate locomotives.