Returned from Australia as a 'train planner', similar role available here?

[@steadyeddie]

Hi all

I have returned to the UK from Sydney where I was working as a train planner with Sydney trains. This was very different from my previous background which was in construction, but I really enjoyed it.
I am on the lookout for another job on the train network, and preferably in a similar role, but I'm not sure it exists here?!
The train planner role worked on a 12 week cycle, basically organising the schedule for 1 week on the network, tabling the paths and liaising with freight customers and special events teams, to make sure a full plan existed for each day of operation during 'your' week. We would produce a document which the signallers would then read on the day to know what movements are happening and prepare accordingly.

Does anyone know what a similar role is called here/ if it exists? And where is best to look for these roles?!

All help greatly appreciated!

 

[Horizon22]

Yes similar roles do exist here and are normally called "Train Planners" too - in fact here is a similar type of role at Network Rail. Train Operating Companies (TOCs) also have these roles that look over rolling stock and train crew planning.

 

[@steadyeddie]

Yes similar roles do exist here and are normally called "Train Planners" too - in fact here is a similar type of role at Network Rail. Train Operating Companies (TOCs) also have these roles that look over rolling stock and train crew planning.

Great, thanks for the help!

 

[Watershed]

Over here the role of train planning is split in two - you have Network Rail as the infrastructure operator, and then the TOCs and FOCs as the train operators.

You will find train planning roles on both sides; at NR there are almost always vacancies for Operational Planners (which is pretty much the entry level position, dealing with Short Term Planning for individual weeks) as there is a high turnover there. Vacancies for other positions and at operators are rarer, as generally even the biggest operators will tend only to have (say) up to 50 staff in their planning department.

Generally, pay and benefits are better at operators (particularly TOCs) but it does vary. If you're looking to get a job quickly you might need to start at NR in a lower position and then use your experience to apply for something else when a vacancy comes up.

The industry body, the Rail Delivery Group, has a site with links to the vacancy pages for each operator and NR. They have an industry-wide vacancy list but it's not always kept up to date so I'd recommend looking on each company's vacancy page and signing up for alerts.

 

[@steadyeddie]

Over here the role of train planning is split in two - you have Network Rail as the infrastructure operator, and then the TOCs and FOCs as the train operators.

You will find train planning roles on both sides; at NR there are almost always vacancies for Operational Planners (which is pretty much the entry level position, dealing with Short Term Planning for individual weeks) as there is a high turnover there. Vacancies for other positions and at operators are rarer, as generally even the biggest operators will tend only to have (say) up to 50 staff in their planning department.

Generally, pay and benefits are better at operators (particularly TOCs) but it does vary. If you're looking to get a job quickly you might need to start at NR in a lower position and then use your experience to apply for something else when a vacancy comes up.

The industry body, the Rail Delivery Group, has a site with links to the vacancy pages for each operator and NR. They have an industry-wide vacancy list but it's not always kept up to date so I'd recommend looking on each company's vacancy page and signing up for alerts.

Thats great, thanks for the info, really helpful! Il try my luck with NR!

 

[FOCTOC]

Thats great, thanks for the info, really helpful! Il try my luck with NR!

Have a look at GB Railfreight's vacancies. Pretty sure I saw planning jobs advertised recently.

 

[Roger1973]

Just a thought (and someone who is more in touch with it all may come along soon) - I'm not sure what the future is for roles like this in the near future, with the changes to Network Rail and the franchising process. There are going to be jobs at the end of it, but who those jobs will be for, and where they will be based, is possibly less certain. There was a thread fairly recently about one of the train companies advertising a role for trainee train planner, but only on a 12 month contract.

Also worth keeping an eye on Transport for London's website - London Underground call the role 'schedule compiler' and do advertise now and then. The organisation's finances are not great at the moment (plenty of other speculation / comment elsewhere about this) but if they do end up making cuts to the network, they are still going to need people to construct the new timetables and duties for that.

 

[Robcuk]

Hi all

I have returned to the UK from Sydney where I was working as a train planner with Sydney trains. This was very different from my previous background which was in construction, but I really enjoyed it.
I am on the lookout for another job on the train network, and preferably in a similar role, but I'm not sure it exists here?!
The train planner role worked on a 12 week cycle, basically organising the schedule for 1 week on the network, tabling the paths and liaising with freight customers and special events teams, to make sure a full plan existed for each day of operation during 'your' week. We would produce a document which the signallers would then read on the day to know what movements are happening and prepare accordingly.

Does anyone know what a similar role is called here/ if it exists? And where is best to look for these roles?!

All help greatly appreciated!

Good luck @steadyeddie

I left Sydney trains in October 2015 after qualifying as a driver. I've been driving in the UK for 4 years now - don't miss the K sets but I do miss going over the coat hanger and the George's river.