Reality of being a driver

[Intrigued]

Hi All,

I've managed to progress through the stages of driving recruitment for a TOC in my region and I'm now waiting for a position to become available locally. I still have a lot of queries about the reality of being a train driver, and want to make sure I have all the information I can before I leave my current career for it.

How long does the training generally take, in terms of from induction to training with another driver, and then amount of time spent route learning before being qualified? I understand it's variable, but a rough time frame?

How do you cope with the silence/isolation while working? I'm aware of the monotony and long periods of concentration that are involved, but I find it bizarre that you have to do this in silence, i.e. no background music etc.


Also, I'd be interested in any other pros/cons about the job to take into consideration.


Thanks all

 

[387star]

I'm aware of the monotony and long periods of concentration that are involved, but I find it bizarre that you have to do this in silence, i.e. no background music etc.

:roll:

 

[TomBoyd]

I'm aware of the monotony and long periods of concentration that are involved, but I find it bizarre that you have to do this in silence, i.e. no background music etc.

:roll:

quite.

surely you can figure out why you're not allowed?

 

[Intrigued]

Apologies, I phrased that badly. My thinking was along the lines that obviously it involves long periods of monotony, worsened by the silence..

 

[ComUtoR]

Its not silence that's for certain

 

[Intrigued]

That aside, anyone care to share what they find are the pros and cons of the job?

 

[91104]

How do you cope with the silence/isolation while working? I'm aware of the monotony and long periods of concentration that are involved, but I find it bizarre that you have to do this in silence, i.e. no background music

Try driving an HST with dodgy door seals,a noisy Diesel engine,AWS and DSD going off at regular intervals and it's anything but silent.

 

[Legzr1]

That aside, anyone care to share what they find are the pros and cons of the job?

Pros:

Job for life (keep your nose clean), decent wages, decent time off, decent pension.

Cons:

Bye bye social life, hello frustration at times.

 

[Johncleesefan]

I am extremely wet behind the ears l, having qualified last week.
My training took around 10 months, 4 months were in school rules and traction training, a lot to take on board and soak up. Lots of home studying to keep on top. Then 6 months handling and route learning. Again lots of studying route maps and local instructions, what you can and cant do and signals you can and cant accept to stay on route. Lots and lots of work you need to put in but as my trainer said, write that year out of your life and reap the rewards haha. Now I'm qualified and out and about. I cant comment on how I manage silence/monotony as its so fresh to me. Definately not silent as others have said. All the best

 

[BTU]

Hi All,

I've managed to progress through the stages of driving recruitment for a TOC in my region and I'm now waiting for a position to become available locally. I still have a lot of queries about the reality of being a train driver, and want to make sure I have all the information I can before I leave my current career for it.

How long does the training generally take, in terms of from induction to training with another driver, and then amount of time spent route learning before being qualified? I understand it's variable, but a rough time frame?

How do you cope with the silence/isolation while working? I'm aware of the monotony and long periods of concentration that are involved, but I find it bizarre that you have to do this in silence, i.e. no background music etc.


Also, I'd be interested in any other pros/cons about the job to take into consideration.


Thanks all

Trust me there's no silence I drive 377 and 455 units and they do your head in if its not the damn fans or dsd or aws or blowing the horn at pway there's sure to be a draft blowing in from somewhere then there's digital Doris your friendly CIS and if that's not enough there's always the ten bells those bloody bells aaaaggghhhh,other than that you can hear a pin drop.

 

[455driver]

the reality-
Alarm goes off at 0300, get ready and get to work for an 0415 start, do 50 station stops before 'dinner' time at 0820 to 0915, then another 45 stops until you finish at 1300, drive home, the other half then want you to do 6 jobs around the house 'because you have only been at work half a day', get something else to eat, do some jobs around the house (for peace and quiet), go to bed at 2000 (before the kids) because that alarm is going off at 0330!

The week after, get woken up at 0800 and take the kids to school do some jobs around the house (watching the clock all the time), get changed and go to work for a 1600 start, drive 40 stops during the evening peak, have a 'dinner' break from 2000-2100 the drive another 50 stops before finishing 0030, drive home, have a cup of tea and climb into bed at 0200.
Get woken up at 0800 to take the kids to school 'because you only work half a day' and repeat!

Thats the reality!

 

[whoosh]

Something like 10-15 months realistically to train for driving. The variance depends on how efficient the TOC are at planning the training, whether there are enough minder drivers to go with to do your required number of driving hours, and accumulating the required hours on all the routes you need trips over.


Yes, not having anyone to talk to, or having the impetus of music/someone talking on a radio show, can make it like being in an isolation tank particularly when you are feeling tired.
Personally I am an only child so find time spent on my own as no problem usually. I have had Guards and On Board Buffet Staff say they couldn't be Drivers as they couldn't handle the solitude, so it isn't for everyone.

Pros:

A career rather than 'just a job'.

Good pay and conditions.

Shift work can be beneficial - do your shopping/go to the gym/cinema at quiet times. Take your kids to school when on lates/pick them up when your on earlies. Sometimes able to catch a school play or special assembly.

Responsible rôle - a job worth doing.

When you've finished work, that's it. You don't take it home with you (apart from studying when you are training).

Out and about, not stuck in the same office or factory with the same view out of the window. I've seen some cracking sunrises/sunsets over the years.



Cons:
Shift work - can intrude into your private life. Can't stay up to watch that TV show with your Wife/Partner as you have to go to bed as you've got to get up at three-something in the morning. Can't go for a pint down the pub with your mates this Satuday evening because you're working. Your Missus will be asleep by the time you get home at nearly two o'clock in the morning, so you won't be 'getting it on', or even getting so much as a hug and a chat! Shift work can make you phisically tired with the change of shift times. They aren't always regular shifts like in a factory either (06:00-14-00, 14:00-22:00, 22:00-06:00, or even 07:00-19:00, 19:00-07:00), they can be all over the place and very much depend on the depot you're at - not all depots are equal! Even having varying mealtimes can have an effect on you.

Responsible rôle - can weigh heavily on your shoulders, especially if you've been unfortunate to have made a mistake or two.

PLENTY of things to catch you out.

You may have had a clean driving record for years, but mess up once and it's on your record forever.




There's probably other pros and cons I've forgotten to mention, but overall, I still enjoy driving trains and wouldn't want to do anything else, even though it can be hard at times.

 

[Class2ldn]

quite.

surely you can figure out why you're not allowed?

Seeing as hes currently in training I should hope so

 

[oxoneil]

I'm still waiting however taking some examples of the cons and applying them to my situation;

can't take kids to school/see school plays - my 2 are 26 and 22 so no problem there

Bye bye social life - don't have much of one now lol so no problem there

Having to do DIY to appease partner - she does 99% of the DIY so no problem there

So, all it needs now us for GWR to give me a job.....pleeease!!!!!

 

[ComUtoR]

A career in the railway
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=125818

About to start driver training and not excited
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=109748

Just two of the many threads on this very subject.

Feel free to google the many train crashes and recent incidents involving where rail workers are facing jail sentences and heavy fines.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'm still waiting however taking some examples of the cons and applying them to my situation;

can't take kids to school/see school plays - my 2 are 26 and 22 so no problem there

Wait till your kids hit the big 30 and you want to celebrate but can't because your booked to work and can't get a swap.

 

[Intrigued]

Thanks for all he the replies so far, I genuinely appreciate you taking the time to share some thoughts.

ComUtoR,
Thanks for the links to those threads, I'll have a read of them this afternoon.


Shift work I am accustomed to, if you can be such a thing. I hate the getting up at o'dark hundred as much as anyone, but I've always preferred it and random weekdays off to being a Mon-Fri 9-6 drone. I did that for a period and it drove me to insanity.

In a previous career I had a similar amount of responsibility for safety and all too aware of how the next move could be the last you make in the job and subsequent investigations for not sticking to procedures.

 

[oxoneil]

Wait till your kids hit the big 30 and you want to celebrate but can't because your booked to work and can't get a swap.

Well you could clearly come up endless scenarios which might interfere with your life but at least with birthdays and anniversaries you know when they're happening and could at least try to book some time off.

Standing by for mocking posts about the impossibility of booking leave 1 year in advance in the rail industry.

 

[ComUtoR]

Standing by for mocking posts about the impossibility of booking leave 1 year in advance in the rail industry.

It's a harsh reality

 

[NX]

the reality-
Alarm goes off at 0300, get ready and get to work for an 0415 start, do 50 station stops before 'dinner' time at 0820 to 0915, then another 45 stops until you finish at 1300, drive home, the other half then want you to do 6 jobs around the house 'because you have only been at work half a day', get something else to eat, do some jobs around the house (for peace and quiet), go to bed at 2000 (before the kids) because that alarm is going off at 0330!

The week after, get woken up at 0800 and take the kids to school do some jobs around the house (watching the clock all the time), get changed and go to work for a 1600 start, drive 40 stops during the evening peak, have a 'dinner' break from 2000-2100 the drive another 50 stops before finishing 0030, drive home, have a cup of tea and climb into bed at 0200.
Get woken up at 0800 to take the kids to school 'because you only work half a day' and repeat!

Thats the reality!

This is 100% correct, forget the perceived glamour and glory what 455 has said the life of everyone on the railway from Drivers to Guards to Siganllers to Despatchers !

NX

 

[Dave1987]

For me when the alarm goes off at 03.00 for a 04.18 book on, I sometimes think why do I do it. Other weeks you're getting home at 02.30 in the morning after a 9.30 hr diagram. Kiss goodbye to a body clock, most time my body clock doesn't know whether it's meant to be asleep or awake. If you didn't enjoy the job it would drive you mental.

 

[Gemz91]

One of the pro's about the shift work/weekend work is you can use it as an excuse not to go to weddings you've been invited to, that you don't want to go to.

"Sorry, weekends off in June are hard to book off and you didn't give me enough notice of your wedding."

Used it a couple of times now.

 

[Minilad]

One of the pro's about the shift work/weekend work is you can use it as an excuse not to go to weddings you've been invited to, that you don't want to go to.

"Sorry, weekends off in June are hard to book off and you didn't give me enough notice of your wedding."

Used it a couple of times now.

Also, working Saturdays gives me an excuse not to go and watch Villa!

 

[E&W Lucas]

The reality of train driving is 0300 -

It's either when you're getting up, when you're getting into bed, or when you're at work, and having to function better than the rest of the population has to at 1500.

That and never being able to get a Saturday off!

 

[tlionhart]

One of the pro's about the shift work/weekend work is you can use it as an excuse not to go to weddings you've been invited to, that you don't want to go to.

"Sorry, weekends off in June are hard to book off and you didn't give me enough notice of your wedding."

Used it a couple of times now.

...or nights out that you don't want to do. "Sorry can't make it, I'm up at 3am the next day..." Or I'm working lates...

 

[TDK]

Hi All,

I've managed to progress through the stages of driving recruitment for a TOC in my region and I'm now waiting for a position to become available locally. I still have a lot of queries about the reality of being a train driver, and want to make sure I have all the information I can before I leave my current career for it.

How long does the training generally take, in terms of from induction to training with another driver, and then amount of time spent route learning before being qualified? I understand it's variable, but a rough time frame?

How do you cope with the silence/isolation while working? I'm aware of the monotony and long periods of concentration that are involved, but I find it bizarre that you have to do this in silence, i.e. no background music etc.


Also, I'd be interested in any other pros/cons about the job to take into consideration.


Thanks all

Most of it has been covered - I think before you even embarked on the recruitment process for being a train driver you should have asked this question then!

Pros:-

Good Salary
Job Satisfaction
You are your own boss so to speak
Shifts can be an advantage
Reasonably secure job
Good union
Many breaks
four day week
Totally different life than a normal 9 - 5 office job
Reasonable chances of promotion
Good training

Cons:-

Boring at times
No social life
Miss many, many family functions
Diverse shifts
Very strict rules and regs to adhere to.
Can be stressful if you make it so.

Coping with the silence? There is no silence
Training - anything between 10 months and 18 months depending on TOC and availability of instructors.
Personally I don't have to cope with being alone and isolated as I prefer my own company.

Seriously though why did you not ask these questions before applying? Do you want to drive a train or be a train driver as they a two very separate things.

 

[Red18]

Hi All,

How do you cope with the silence/isolation while working?

Well you can always sing.
Or (more realistically) do a route commentary as you drive along.
I'd like to tell you more but I'm into day two of my long weekend and I'm still too tired from the shifts last week.

 

[Joof]

It's a fantastic job. Best career move I ever made. Great salary, pension, lots of time off, free travel on most TOCs unless the guard is a bell end. All this **** about not having a social life is total rubbish. You can't go out every single weekend I agree but there are plenty when u can. Loads of time for several beers with the time off. Always make sure no alcohol the day before on duty tho. Also, it's personal preference but I personally have no problem getting up early. Means my day is usually done by 11 in the morning, and just to add, I never go to bed at 7 or 8 of I'm on earlies. Earliest I go is 10 but that's just me personally. Only downsides I can mention are the long spells of boredom that can happen. Also the other nasty sides of the job where things can go wrong. That list is very very long!!! However, keep your nose clean n it seems you'll have a good secure job for life and will be paid well enough to live a very good standard of living. It's great. My opinions only of course

 

[455driver]

Well you can always sing.

Or do as I did when the train started sliding and shout WEEEEEEEEEEEEE, which didn't go down to well because the passengers heard me!

 

[bb21]

If you want to have a social life, get a back office job. Similar benefits to the driving grade and no shift work to mess up your body clock (a health benefit), although the pay is often lousy. Plenty of time off if you want, and mostly when you want, that is, until the drivers go on strike or flooding on the line diverts all your services for the afternoon.

 

[oxoneil]

It's a fantastic job. Best career move I ever made. Great salary, pension, lots of time off, free travel on most TOCs unless the guard is a bell end. All this **** about not having a social life is total rubbish. You can't go out every single weekend I agree but there are plenty when u can. Loads of time for several beers with the time off. Always make sure no alcohol the day before on duty tho. Also, it's personal preference but I personally have no problem getting up early. Means my day is usually done by 11 in the morning, and just to add, I never go to bed at 7 or 8 of I'm on earlies. Earliest I go is 10 but that's just me personally. Only downsides I can mention are the long spells of boredom that can happen. Also the other nasty sides of the job where things can go wrong. That list is very very long!!! However, keep your nose clean n it seems you'll have a good secure job for life and will be paid well enough to live a very good standard of living. It's great. My opinions only of course

That sounds a lot more positive.