Pick of TOCs

[Patters1983]

Hi All!

Just wanted anyone’s opinion or advice…

If anyone had to choose from these 3 TOCs which one would people go for?

GTR Southern Railway

MTR Crossrail (Elizabeth line)

Arriva Rail

Salary is pretty much the same for all of them, just not to sure what to expect regarding T&Cs.

Anyones opinion is welcome!

Thank you

 

[transportphoto]

Are you in a position whereby you’ve been offered a job by all three? I gather from previous posts you already work for GTR Southern as a Driver?

 

[generalnerd]

Hi All!

Just wanted anyone’s opinion or advice…

If anyone had to choose from these 3 TOCs which one would people go for?

GTR Southern Railway

MTR Crossrail (Elizabeth line)

Arriva Rail

Salary is pretty much the same for all of them, just not to sure what to expect regarding T&Cs.

Anyones opinion is welcome!

Thank you

I’m guessing arriva rail is overground? As a completely untrained and somebody who has never worked in the rail sector (yet) I would say MTR Elizabeth line, as you have the automated section in the core which might relieve stress and allows you to (while obviously still being aware) have a little bit of a rest. You also have the backing of TfL which might make the job more attractive. If the ‘Arriva rail’ you mention is the overground supplement then that would also have the benefits of working for TfL, but without the benefits of the core.

I don’t know much about GTR other than their empire is huge, and that probably also has many benefits.

 

[Patters1983]

Are you in a position whereby you’ve been offered a job by all three? I gather from previous posts you already work for GTR Southern as a Driver?

Yeah I currently work for Southern, been offered a role with the other two. Just wanted to see what it is like for any other driver who works for MTR or Arriva?
Thanks!

 

[spellbound330]

A lot of drivers seem to leave MTR for other tocs such as GWR.

 

[Patters1983]

A lot of drivers seem to leave MTR for other tocs such as GWR.

Hmm…why is that?

 

[transportphoto]

Yeah I currently work for Southern, been offered a role with the other two. Just wanted to see what it is like for any other driver who works for MTR or Arriva?
Thanks!

I guess you need to suss out why you want to leave GTR, and weigh up the perception of the grass being greener on the other side. What are your motivators to leave?

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

Hmm…why is that?

Speaking to one she said “it’s not real driving” you go through the tunnels on ATO so can get very tedious without much variety.

I know some who have also left overground as again the work is very demanding and tedious metro work, don’t really get above 30/40 and stopping every 2 minutes, 100+ stops a day standard. but it’s all down to what you prefer. If I was in your shoes I’d stick with southern, best move I made was going to a mainline toc where might be 10 stops a day

 

[Patters1983]

Oh really?! Wow that’s surprising..I’d have thought that MTR would’ve been appealing as it’s all brand new etc so might have a included a variety of work..
I’m happy at southern too so not like it’s a bad place as the work I do is quite varied and nowhere near 100 stops! Most stops I do is more like 18-20

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Mar 2025 ==

I guess you need to suss out why you want to leave GTR, and weigh up the perception of the grass being greener on the other side. What are your motivators to leave?

Nothing really…I had applied for this a couple of years ago and went into a talent pool so it’s more like testing the waters. No incentive for me to leave or anything but would welcome a new challenge or progression into something else if it helps!

 

[Horizon22]

Hmm…why is that?

Probably for better intercity/guarded work, variety of routes as it’s certainly not for the pay!

 

[REO Nate]

Oh really?! Wow that’s surprising..I’d have thought that MTR would’ve been appealing as it’s all brand new etc so might have a included a variety of work..
I’m happy at southern too so not like it’s a bad place as the work I do is quite varied and nowhere near 100 stops! Most stops I do is more like 18-20

18-20 stops in a day with SN?

I did 75 stops yesterday

I had a very bad experience with Arriva HR, so I would never work for them in a million years and their (HR) attitude stinks.

MTR are I believe limited routes, so I don't think I'd handle the monotony very well.

 

[Same_Promo3006]

I’m guessing arriva rail is overground? As a completely untrained and somebody who has never worked in the rail sector (yet) I would say MTR Elizabeth line, as you have the automated section in the core which might relieve stress and allows you to (while obviously still being aware) have a little bit of a rest. You also have the backing of TfL which might make the job more attractive. If the ‘Arriva rail’ you mention is the overground supplement then that would also have the benefits of working for TfL, but without the benefits of the core.

I don’t know much about GTR other than their empire is huge, and that probably also has many benefits.

Elisabeth line if I recall correctly won't be TFL for long.

 

[Horizon22]

I’m happy at southern too so not like it’s a bad place as the work I do is quite varied and nowhere near 100 stops! Most stops I do is more like 18-20

Surely not in a day? Even a service to/from Brighton a few times a day would have more stops than that!

Elisabeth line if I recall correctly won't be TFL for long.

You recall incorrectly. It is a TfL concession and part of the infrastructure is owned and managed by a TfL subsidary. If anything it would be more likely to be taken in-house by TfL than not being part of the company at all.

For driving I don't think there will be huge differences in T&Cs (all have Sunday in working week for example) and all metro driving (depending on your Southern depot). There are some drivers around at these companies who may be able to advise on the detail.

 

[Patters1983]

Surely not in a day? Even a service to/from Brighton a few times a day would have more stops than that!



You recall incorrectly. It is a TfL concession and part of the infrastructure is owned and managed by a TfL subsidary. If anything it would be more likely to be taken in-house by TfL than not being part of the company at all.

For driving I don't think there will be huge differences in T&Cs (all have Sunday in working week for example) and all metro driving (depending on your Southern depot). There are some drivers around at these companies who may be able to advise on the detail.

Oh not in a day lol I mean in a typical trip..as our work is varied some days we have a lot and some days like today for example I had trips where I’ve done 6/7 stops per trip

 

[Horizon22]

Oh not in a day lol I mean in a typical trip..as our work is varied some days we have a lot and some days like today for example I had trips where I’ve done 6/7 stops per trip

Ah right, the other user was counting your daily stops which could add up to 100.

Certainly at MTR Elizabeth line and ARL/Overground you could easily be meeting the same numbers.

Which depots for both have you been offered as you may be able to get more exacting responses? You can check route and traction (not that it will be too exciting for these two operators!) here as well.

 

[Patters1983]

Ah right, the other user was counting your daily stops which could add up to 100.

Certainly at MTR Elizabeth line and ARL/Overground you could easily be meeting the same numbers.

Which depots for both have you been offered as you may be able to get more exacting responses? You can check route and traction (not that it will be too exciting for these two operators!) here as well.

Ahh sorry for getting it all confusing lol! Most of our jobs especially since the last timetable change have really been condensed especially the early turns..so we don’t really get any thing close to 100 stops a day..max is probably like around 30-50ish on average
The ects and ato do sound a bit appealing as it’s learning something new and may bring other opportunities as the tech evolves but let’s see..been with SN for around 8 years so woudnt mind a change

 

[Horizon22]

Ahh sorry for getting it all confusing lol! Most of our jobs especially since the last timetable change have really been condensed especially the early turns..so we don’t really get any thing close to 100 stops a day..max is probably like around 30-50ish on average
The ects and ato do sound a bit appealing as it’s learning something new and may bring other opportunities as the tech evolves but let’s see..been with SN for around 8 years so woudnt mind a change

What depots for both companies have you been offered?

 

[Patters1983]

Old Oak Common and New Cross gate

 

[Horizon22]

Old Oak Common and New Cross gate

You’re definitely going to be stopping more than 30-50 times a day then!

 

[Patters1983]

You’re definitely going to be stopping more than 30-50 times a day then!

Haha yep! Something different I guess!

 

[transportphoto]

Haha yep! Something different I guess!

Something different is certainly one descriptor. There are swings and roundabouts in all jobs. Focus back to your motivations for wanting to leave. You’re probably to better the devil you know, the grass probably isn’t much greener.

 

[greatkingrat]

Pick the depot you live closest to.

 

[Patters1983]

Yeah man that’s the idea..both of the depots are extremely close in terms of travel time. It’s most likely the factor of a change of scenery and pace of work..don’t really mind working more or intensely as I’m still relatively young in terms of my railway career so the more experience I can have hopefully will be beneficial

 

[transportphoto]

I’m still relatively young in terms of my railway career so the more experience I can have hopefully will be beneficial

I’d be giving strong consideration to staying where I am (if I were you). Moving TOCs for no particular reason isn’t necessarily seen as a good thing.

Without more details as to why you want to move, it’s hard to give specific advice. Both OOC and New Cross are large depots with very intense work - people will be leaving them for the easier lifestyle at the likes of Southern.

I’m going to bring this thread to a close - you’ve got a very personal decision to make.