Rail Related Jobs you've had?

[GNER 373]

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering how many of you on here have had rail related jobs ranging from the ordinary to the diverse?

For instance how many jobs have you had? How long have you worked on the railways? Have you took a different route into a better rail job that's not classed as 'normal'?

Look forward to hearing your stories!

 

[Monty]

Been on the railways six years this Febuary just gone, all I can say is that time has literally flown by. I know six years is not a long period of time in real terms, but considering I joined the railways when I was 21 it's the longest time I've ever stayed in one job. I'd like to think I'll retire from working on the railways too. Started out in Revenue Protection before becoming a Guard.

 

[rebmcr]

Not me, but I'm feeling increasingly unfulfilled in in the IT industry, and seriously considering trying to make a move into Signalling and/or Control.

 

[GNER 373]

Monty: I've been on the railway 16 month and its the fastest period of time during my working life. Seriously quick!

I'm currently an RPI but moving companies in three weeks to become a Driver. However I've also helped out in the service centre picking, packing and delivering to trains leaving Newcastle Central and at Heaton Depot and Sunderland stations for another TOC.

I've also done voluntary work at the NYMR cleaning locos and worked Railfest @ NRM last year on board Olton Hall, Class 66, Class 92, Class 57 Thunderbird and Virgin SuperVoyager Class 221.

rebmcr - as Nike would say, just do it!

 

[High Dyke]

Not me, but I'm feeling increasingly unfulfilled in in the IT industry, and seriously considering trying to make a move into Signalling and/or Control.

Best of luck... They do set on for signalling jobs, however we are a dwindling breed. With more boxes closing and control transferring to other location - latest casualties this week were Aberthaw and Cowbridge Road (transferred to SWSCC)

 

[LCC106]

Hmm... A shame this thread has been moved off the main board. Would have been good to see responses from a wider variety of people who may not necessarily look at the jobs section.

 

[GNER 373]

Hmm... A shame this thread has been moved off the main board. Would have been good to see responses from a wider variety of people who may not necessarily look at the jobs section.

That's why I put it there! Never mind! I can see the logic

 

[LCC106]

Ah... Hang on, I can still see it on the main page. Let's hope it invites comment from a wider range of forum members!

 

[Vicpaul]

Joined the "railways" 12 1/2 years ago when I was 18.

Worked as an SA, SAMF and SACR before becoming a driver on the Piccadilly line in June 2006. Left in late 2011 had a brief and very enjoyable stint with scot rail working on the sleepers before becoming a driver with southern (still training)

 

[steamybrian]

Worked for 33 years on the railways which included-
Planning work in Divisional and Regional HQ offices
Relief overtime in station ticket offices and telephone enquiry offices .
Controlling buses at stations during engineering works.
Worked overnight assisting with p/way during engineering works possessions
Counting passengers on trains and at stations.

In BR days there was a far greater opportunity to work in different departments then there is today with different TOCs and NR.

 

[cobbler]

hi
i did 10 years as a guard for the 'old' british rail then silverlink doing a varity of freight and passenger work , i started as a raw 18 year old and feel i really grew up on the railway and you grow up fast !! left 10 years or so ago during restructuring and ill be going back in 3 weeks to start again as a conductor

without doubt the best job ive had with the best people , in my case the grass wasnt greener and when you tell an employer you can hook wagons togeather or protect a train it doesnt really go very far in the outside world

 

[Ploughman]

Volunteer at Steamport Southport from 1972 - 78
Volunteer at Mid Hants 1979 - 82
Volunteer on NYMR 1983 to present
5 Years at BREL in York 1985 - 90 working in the Lift Shop as a machinist, relief operator on the Wheel lathe and Wheel balancer.
1990 BR RRNE York P Way maintenance TO.
Then to Renewals for Leeds ACEs Office
Same post till 2009 but I think at the last count it was 7 firms and the same desk.
Did Planning and Design for Plain line Track renewals throughout the NE region.
On site Tech duties, Crane Planner and Controller, TQS, Stressing, COSS, Eng Supervisor, PICOP,
Last renewal was Stourton 2009.

Took the money and ran.

 

[NI 271]

Not really sure this counts, but did around five years doing rail replacement work on behalf of FRS, both as a co-ordinator and driver (which I much preferred), covering effectively the band across the north served by FTPE (but also services operated by Northern). Ranged from short hops such as Halifax to Bradford Interchange or Huddersfield to Dewsbury/Leeds, to single-journey duties such as Liverpool to York (always felt really sorry for anyone unfortunate enough to have to spend that much of a rail journey on a coach). Most was done between York and Manchester Airport (via Huddersfield and Piccadilly), money for old rope.

Occasionally had the 'joys' of being a standby, always interesting getting the call and being sent to stations you've never been to before, particularly at weekends when you're carrying 53 tanked-up weapons who didn't realise there was no train home, get angry when told they cannot bring food on the coach and want a toilet stop every 400 yards! Especially those who refused to understand that I was not going to set down anywhere other than the stations that the train would. Co-ordinating at Picc on a Saturday night when you would encounter several thousand people through the course of the night was an absolute nightmare...I think the term 'character-building' applies.

Wish I was still able to do it.

 

[E&W Lucas]

I've been a mainline driver since 2001. The best decision I have ever taken. I've seen the grass on the other side of the fence, and there is no way that I am going back!

Yet another Moors volunteer too, since 1986 in my case; mostly footplate.

 

[Beveridges]

Nearly 6 years experience on the railway, which I think is quite a lot. Started as a Platform Despatcher but only stuck it for a short amount of time. Spent most of my career as a Maintenance Depot Driver the best move I could have ever made.

 

[Sanatogen]

Joined from school on the RTS (railway's version of the YTS), through that I got a signallers job and have now been a signaller for 24 years.

 

[sd0733]

A very short experience so far as a Trainee Conductor on LM, been in the job 2 and a bit weeks!! Everyones so friendly and welcoming (so far!) to the railway world after a move from Retail Management, its a career to be proud to get into and hopefully stay in until retirement!

 

[trc666]

I started with South West Trains on 23rd May 2011 as a gateline CSA at London Waterloo (I was on the same course as Urban Gateline) and I'm still there, right now I am looking to move on to other roles such as depot driver or guard.

 

[RJ]

I started on the railways when I was 19 in a multi functional role - Authorised Collector of Penalty Fares, ticket office clerk and floorwalker/Customer Information Point clerk.

I moved to a part time role to facilitate the commencement of full time studies. I worked in a variety of grades as on board train crew, though I also did floorwalking duties and manning a First Class lounge at times. I also showed interest in other areas of the business, including Control and parts of Revenue Management.

At the moment I have two jobs. I am also self employed and still studying full time

 

[AlexS]

As a volunteer, I'm a signalman, guard, shunter, station master, S&T installer, loco shareholder, points operator, occasional barman and a trainee controller/duty manager.

In terms of paid employment, I'm a train dispatcher, a job I really enjoy. It's a more varied job than you might think, as well as dispatching trains you get involved in gateline work and information desk as cover, making manual station announcements when required, carrying out security and environmental checks, keeping an eye on the general upkeep and maintenance of the platforms, dealing with car park issues as required, covering first class lounge duties when needed, passenger assistance (wheelchairs, visually impaired, luggage etc), shunting and stabling units, detraining terminating services and locking up/dispatching empty HSTs, down to the less glamorous jobs like helping the BTP scrape drunks off the floor. Some of us (not me) sign Avantix Mobile and can do revenue duties as well.

It's not something I want to do forever, I think - but on the other hand it's a very enjoyable and fulfilling job, out in the fresh air where you get to meet a lot of people.

 

[GNER 373]

Some great posts, really interesting to see the scope of different roles, keep then coming!

 

[Stuart-h]

Ive been a passenger if that counts??

 

[Clip]

Started off on pway but didn't agree with it, break then moved on to be a station officer,worked in control room for a bit then duty manager then station manager then groups station manager for one TOC and now a gsm for another TOC.

 

[Tubeboy]

Started with LUL 11 years ago as a station assistant. Promoted to the control room. Then the ticket office, now back in the control room as a trainer.

 

[adw2013]

I've worked on the Railway for just over 2 years now; spent the first two as a Platform CSA/Despatcher and Station Announcer. I'm now 2 weeks into Train Manager training, and I'm really enjoying it. So much to learn and remember but seems a rewarding career. Will be good to get out of the classroom though!

 

[TDK]

Started in Feb 2000 so 13 years, Train Driver & Train Driver Manager

 

[96tommy]

Not paid work but did work experience for 2 weeks with National Rail at York. By the end, I had completed a range of different tasks including: rostering, seeing how different signalboxes work, visiting a variety of different buildings and spending a day with the York 'MOM'.
York IECC was a very fascinating place to visit. Day I was there, the ECML was in a mess. I believe their had been a fatality and wires brought down but was still an enjoyable experience. It was also nice setting points at Wakefield Westgate for the Selby trains to get in and out of the siding next to the station.
I believe it was a great experience, even more for me having a strong interest in the railways.

 

[the sniper]

Been on the railway 2 1/2 years. Started as a BTP Special Constable, now a Guard.

 

[TheVicLine]

Been on for 11 years now, started as a mobile graffiti cleaner on nights for London Underground which was one of my favourite jobs ever held, at the time we were self employed and were earning £500 p/w take home before they contracted the work out to the big cleaning companies. could tell some stories about that one but better not

Held a few different positions with LU since and now a trainee driver with TPE and loving it.

 

[GNER 373]

could tell some stories about that one but better not

You can't leave it like that!
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Been on the railway 2 1/2 years. Started as a BTP Special Constable, now a Guard.

Did your time in the BTP help with your role now? I'd imagine your a very clued up Guard!
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Ive been a passenger if that counts??

Best job on the railway that one! Haha