Network Rail Operatives and Technicians - General Discussion

[Golfer89]

Well done!

Thanks

 

[OLE19]

Hi

I am curious about perks and benefits and want to ask some questions. I have applied for a position as an operative at Network Rail. Do you receive travel allowances if you live an hour away from the depot? In addition to vouchers, what else is included in childcare?

 

[Horizon22]

Hi

I am curious about perks and benefits and want to ask some questions. I have applied for a position as an operative at Network Rail. Do you receive travel allowances if you live an hour away from the depot? In addition to vouchers, what else is included in childcare?

Taking this in turn

• You'll get no travel allowance for living an hour from depot.
• There will be some perhaps specific childcare elements but it won't be that generous; someone in a similar role may be able to advise.

 

[OLE19]

Thanks for the reply. I believed that working for Network Rail would have better perks and benefits than a typical job.

 

[bouff34]

Thanks for the reply. I believed that working for Network Rail would have better perks and benefits than a typical job.

I think you'll be very lucky to find any employer that pays you an allowance to actually get to and from work!! Having said that you will get a discounted season ticket if rail commuting works for you..

 

[Horizon22]

Thanks for the reply. I believed that working for Network Rail would have better perks and benefits than a typical job.

Out of interest, why?

 

[OLE19]

Out of interest, why?

Having worked at various railway companies throughout Europe and received travel packages etc.., I was curious if Network Rail could offer the same thing. I signed up here to find out. I am convinced that Network Rail is a great opportunity, but I'm pondering if the pay is adequate, especially in light of today's high cost of living.

 

[Horizon22]

Having worked at various railway companies throughout Europe and received travel packages etc.., I was curious if Network Rail could offer the same thing. I signed up here to find out. I am convinced that Network Rail is a great opportunity, but I'm pondering if the pay is adequate, especially in light of today's high cost of living.

Fair enough.

If you work at a TOC (train operating company) you get free duty, residential and leisure travel on your company's trains. And some roles (at both Network Rail and TOCs) have "London allowances" which is an uplift to the salary to account for the higher cost of living in the capital.

 

[OLE19]

Fair enough.

If you work at a TOC (train operating company) you get free duty, residential and leisure travel on your company's trains. And some roles (at both Network Rail and TOCs) have "London allowances" which is an uplift to the salary to account for the higher cost of living in the capital.

Your information is much appreciated, thank you. I actually applied outside of London, but I hope that when I do get an offer they will enumerate all the perks. I'm indecisive about whether the job is worth a shot or not. Despite not being given an offer, I simply do not want to waste their time.

 

[Golfer89]

Hi guys I am new to network rail and on the imc 25 contract. I can’t see anything about the on call rate can anyone shed some light on the enhancement?

 

[BigDog]

Hi guys I am new to network rail and on the imc 25 contract. I can’t see anything about the on call rate can anyone shed some light on the enhancement?

25% of your daily gross pay.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Oct 2024 ==

I watched a NR gang shovelling ballast from one side of the track to the other - it looked blooming hard work!

It is, I started at 18 on the tracks sleeper changing, that soon makes a man out of a boy.

 

[Golfer89]

It is, I started at 18 on the tracks sleeper changing, that soon makes a man out of a boy.

cheers big dog. Out of curiosity how did you know this?

 

[BigDog]

Because I work for NWR mate and go on call.

 

[Hibs1875]

Hello all

I am new to here as I just got my first job on the railway working with Network Rail as an S&T maintenance operative.

Now I did ask at the interview but for the life of my I have forgotten what the shift pattern was like? I.e hours and how many weekends out the month I would be working.

I know it varies from place to place but any information would be greatly appreciated.

For reference I am based in Scotland.

Thanks!

 

[btyler]

Hi all,

I recently applied for new operative and attended a operative assessment day which also had a interview,

I’m just wondering how long it takes to hear back to see if I was successful or not.

Thanks

 

[BigDog]

Hello all

I am new to here as I just got my first job on the railway working with Network Rail as an S&T maintenance operative.

Now I did ask at the interview but for the life of my I have forgotten what the shift pattern was like? I.e hours and how many weekends out the month I would be working.

I know it varies from place to place but any information would be greatly appreciated.

For reference I am based in Scotland.

Thanks!

It all depends on local arrangements but be prepared to work plenty of midweek nights and I believe they now do 12 hour shifts on the weekend, and when I say weekend, that's Fri, Sat & Sun.

 

[Hibs1875]

It all depends on local arrangements but be prepared to work plenty of midweek nights and I believe they now do 12 hour shifts on the weekend, and when I say weekend, that's Fri, Sat & Sun.

Thanks mate.

Waiting to hear back for my start date now. Appreciate it

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Oct 2024 ==

It all depends on local arrangements but be prepared to work plenty of midweek nights and I believe they now do 12 hour shifts on the weekend, and when I say weekend, that's Fri, Sat & Sun.

Hi all,

I recently applied for new operative and attended a operative assessment day which also had a interview,

I’m just wondering how long it takes to hear back to see if I was successful or not.

Thanks

Hiya mate

It took 1.5 months to find out after application I had a interview.

Then it took 7 weeks to find out if I got the job or not after my interview.

The HR is painfully slow.

If anyone has any questions I’ll answer them to the best of my ability.

 

[alxndr]

Hello all

I am new to here as I just got my first job on the railway working with Network Rail as an S&T maintenance operative.

Now I did ask at the interview but for the life of my I have forgotten what the shift pattern was like? I.e hours and how many weekends out the month I would be working.

I know it varies from place to place but any information would be greatly appreciated.

For reference I am based in Scotland.

Thanks!

Very much depends, our operatives don’t even all work the same shift patterns as each other since modernising maintenance came in.

It can be up to 39 weeks of mid-week nights, 39 weekends, and 65 shifts within those weekends. Shifts can be anywhere from 6-12 hours long.

If it matters a lot to you (for arranging childcare etc) ask your future section manager if you can get a copy of the roster as soon as it’s made up.

 

[BigDog]

Very much depends, our operatives don’t even all work the same shift patterns as each other since modernising maintenance came in.

It can be up to 39 weeks of mid-week nights, 39 weekends, and 65 shifts within those weekends. Shifts can be anywhere from 6-12 hours long.

If it matters a lot to you (for arranging childcare etc) ask your future section manager if you can get a copy of the roster as soon as it’s made up.

Yep, something like that. Our roster is made up of around 5 weeks of nights per 13 weeks & 10 out of 13 weekends.

 

[alxndr]

Yep, something like that. Our roster is made up of around 5 weeks of nights per 13 weeks & 10 out of 13 weekends.

We do 5 weeks of nights and 4 weekends every 9 weeks, and people complain about their weekends with that!

My previous depot was very low with 2 weeks of nights and 4 weekends in 10 weeks, but actually felt less sociable with having a late/back shift.

To use percentages as they're a bit more comparable, in just these three examples we've got:

• 38% midweek nights and 77% weekends
• 50% midweek nights and 44% weekends
• 20% midweek nights and 40% weekends

In short, there's no way of knowing until you get your roster!

 

[BigDog]

We do 5 weeks of nights and 4 weekends every 9 weeks, and people complain about their weekends with that!

My previous depot was very low with 2 weeks of nights and 4 weekends in 10 weeks, but actually felt less sociable with having a late/back shift.

To use percentages as they're a bit more comparable, in just these three examples we've got:

• 38% midweek nights and 77% weekends
• 50% midweek nights and 44% weekends
• 20% midweek nights and 40% weekends

In short, there's no way of knowing until you get your roster!

Yep, the lads aren't happy about being rostered 10 out of 13.

 

[lukerail123]

Hi there,

After applying for numerous positions at network rail I finally have an interview! I’m just curious if anyone could give me some advice about the interview. So the interview is at a group assessment centre and it says “you will work with other candidates to discuss and produce a plan on a specific scenario that will be given on the day.” Had anyone experienced this kind of interview and could possibly give me some advice please as I have never come across this type of interview so I’m not sure what to expect. I will be grateful for Any information that will assist my interview!

Thank you,

Luke

 

[Brightcloud48]

Hi, I got a job offer as a Track maintenance in London bridge starting next year in Network rail and was wondering what it's like working there. Did some work as a trackman as a contractor, but wasn't getting much opportunities.

 

[Swanny95]

Hello,

I have recently applied for an job as an Overhead line operative with network rail (Scotland)

I am currently in a leadman/Ganger role for a more Civils focused Railway Company but the OLE is something I’ve been interested in for a while

Just wondering a few things

Is there a good chance of being promoted within network rail? I’ve heard guys saying it’s a ‘if your face fits’ type situation within NWR

What will be the day to day routine? I assume it’ll be primarily night shifts

 

[Ollie7777]

Hi guys,
so im currently doing a level3 NWR apprenticeship, my discipline is track and once im finished i want to move to SNT. my question is has anyone done the apprenticehsip before? and if so would you recommend it, is it easy to move around. id like to hear from people who have maybe done the same apprenticeship and what you guys have go on on to do.
Thanks!

 

[Yzerman]

The apprenticeships are good not done one but know people who have
Think you go straight in at technician level once complete

 

[harryb21]

As you are currently a p-way apprentice, it’s going be tricky getting into an s&t role at technician level once you’ve completed your apprenticeship. Not saying you can’t but you may need to start as an operative as you won’t have any relevant s&t tickets or experience.

I’ve currently just finished the level 3 apprenticeship and in the job hunting process myself. As for moving, around lots of people go into different roles on completion. When you do your placements you’ll get a feel of the disciplines and areas you enjoy working in.

 

[Ollie7777]

As you are currently a p-way apprentice, it’s going be tricky getting into an s&t role at technician level once you’ve completed your apprenticeship. Not saying you can’t but you may need to start as an operative as you won’t have any relevant s&t tickets or experience.

I’ve currently just finished the level 3 apprenticeship and in the job hunting process myself. As for moving, around lots of people go into different roles on completion. When you do your placements you’ll get a feel of the disciplines and areas you enjoy working in.

what was your discipline? and what is the job searching process like, are we more employable as we are apprentices?

 

[jaydee1]

Hello, what questions should I expect from a track maintenance interview? And what should I learn before i prepare for the role ? Would appreciate the help thanks

 

[winks]

Probably a lot unrelated to maintenance. Such as Equality and Diversity. But also safety questions… good luck