possible move to the UK

[22000]

Hi all, hope i am posting this in the correct forum

i am currently employed as a train driver with irish rail, been driving for about 7 years now, mainline and suburbun, passenger and freight.
Previous to that have about 4 years permenant way work.
Passenger work veries fron DMU's, 22000 intercity railcars, MK4 pushpull powered by a 201 GM diesel electric engine.
The freight side is nearly gone these days, but we had various liners, and cement trains.
I really enjoy the job, and like everyone else that does it, finds ways of adjusting life to the shifts and weekend work.

My query is, at the moment Irish rail are offering a good voulantry severence package, and i am considering taking it and moving to the UK.

Been checking a lot of TOC websites, see plenty of offers for trainee drivers and other positions advertised. i think my driving here in Ireland should stand to me in any applications i made, id also be willing to return to permenant way work.

I know a few drivers here in Ireland that have made the move accross the pond from the UK, just wondering is there anyone here that has gone from Irish Rail to any UK TOC's??

Would be very gratefull for any advice or help anyone can provide me with

 

[TDK]

Hi all, hope i am posting this in the correct forum

i am currently employed as a train driver with irish rail, been driving for about 7 years now, mainline and suburbun, passenger and freight.
Previous to that have about 4 years permenant way work.
Passenger work veries fron DMU's, 22000 intercity railcars, MK4 pushpull powered by a 201 GM diesel electric engine.
The freight side is nearly gone these days, but we had various liners, and cement trains.
I really enjoy the job, and like everyone else that does it, finds ways of adjusting life to the shifts and weekend work.

My query is, at the moment Irish rail are offering a good voulantry severence package, and i am considering taking it and moving to the UK.

Been checking a lot of TOC websites, see plenty of offers for trainee drivers and other positions advertised. i think my driving here in Ireland should stand to me in any applications i made, id also be willing to return to permenant way work.

I know a fer drivers here in Ireland that have made the move accross the pond from the UK, just wondering is there anyone here that has gone from Irish Rail to any UK TOC's??

Would be very gratefull for any advice or help anyone can provide me with

I interviewed a driver a while back for a drivers job who came from Irish rail and he had to apply as a non qualified driver as he did not have the criteria in rules for the NR infrastructure. The advantages you have is that you will score high on an application form and would almost have a guarenteed interview as you will fill all if not most of the required criteria. You will have to apply for a non qualified drivers role though. There is one thing you can do if you see any qualified driver vacancies is to call the companied HR department to just enquire on what they define as a qualified driver informing them you are qualified but drive in Ireland and see what they have to say!

 

[22000]

Thanks for the reply TDK, was well aware if i went down the train driving route i would be starting as a trainee driver again, know a few lads here that came from driving in the UK, all had to start fresh here as trainees again, all seemed to sail through the rules and training due to thier past experience.
Dont think the new European Train Driver Licence would make any difference if it is issued later his year.

Ill try calling one or two that are looking for qualified drivers just to see if my experience on this side will be of any benifit, although i think i would have to start as a trainee again

 

[TDK]

Thanks for the reply TDK, was well aware if i went down the train driving route i would be starting as a trainee driver again, know a few lads here that came from driving in the UK, all had to start fresh here as trainees again, all seemed to sail through the rules and training due to thier past experience.
Dont think the new European Train Driver Licence would make any difference if it is issued later his year.

Ill try calling one or two that are looking for qualified drivers just to see if my experience on this side will be of any benifit, although i think i would have to start as a trainee again

It is certainly worth calling them however you will most likely be a new starter but you will most certainly sail through the sifts to an almost guarenteed interview.