Sheffield tram train

[Hasan Shah]

Hi is anyone working for Sheffield supertram advise what tests you do? Also is it true that once qualified, u get your train licence too.

 

[Atishyou]

Hi is anyone working for Sheffield supertram advise what tests you do? Also is it true that once qualified, u get your train licence too.

To my knowledge, no, the latter statement is not true.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Some Super Tram drivers have national rail competence to drive on the tram/train section, I’m not sure if that’s full Network Rail driver competence, I doubt it though.

 

[Atishyou]

It's not full competence to my knowledge. If they had full competence, I think many would soon be leaving for mainline jobs for a start!

 

[samuel791]

What would you like to know? I’m a Tram-Train driver (only 24 drivers drive the Parkgate route) and no you don’t gain a Train driving licence. We’re exempt from that although you do have to do a quick PTS course (2 days) and then 8 days of classroom based learning - regarding all rules/regs/signals/GSM-R radio etc.

Tram-Train is only for existing tram drivers however with previous experience. Most have found the move to the railway pretty straight forward and from a driving point of view it’s certainly more relaxed and easier - not mixing with pedestrians/vehicles and signals what can time out and change on you as you approach them at full speed!

Regarding tram driving (and tram-train driving) it’s is just the SCATT tests that include items such as the Glop extract that you need to read and memorise, dials, shapes and figures (instead of dots) and a few other bits. Training usually lasts around 10 weeks before moving on to mentoring for a further 2 weeks and then passing out as a qualified tram driver.

Regarding Tram-Train drivers - a number have already left to the railway, obviously EMT is internal and almost guaranteed an interview for the depot shunter jobs that come up. Indeed 6 are in the process of this at the moment. The others that have left have gone to Northern/Network Rail and DB Cargo.

Northern are said to be head hunting Tram-Train drivers and want 10 or so, and this would fall in line with their latest recruitment drive for trainee train drivers at Sheffield. But this is just rumours at the moment...

Hopefully that sums things up in a nutshell, but if you want to know anything else just ask.

 

[Pete C]

One of the drivers on my Freightliner course came from Sheffield trams

 

[craigybagel]

What would you like to know? I’m a Tram-Train driver (only 24 drivers drive the Parkgate route) and no you don’t gain a Train driving licence. We’re exempt from that although you do have to do a quick PTS course (2 days) and then 8 days of classroom based learning - regarding all rules/regs/signals/GSM-R radio etc.

Tram-Train is only for existing tram drivers however with previous experience. Most have found the move to the railway pretty straight forward and from a driving point of view it’s certainly more relaxed and easier - not mixing with pedestrians/vehicles and signals what can time out and change on you as you approach them at full speed!

Regarding tram driving (and tram-train driving) it’s is just the SCATT tests that include items such as the Glop extract that you need to read and memorise, dials, shapes and figures (instead of dots) and a few other bits. Training usually lasts around 10 weeks before moving on to mentoring for a further 2 weeks and then passing out as a qualified tram driver.

Regarding Tram-Train drivers - a number have already left to the railway, obviously EMT is internal and almost guaranteed an interview for the depot shunter jobs that come up. Indeed 6 are in the process of this at the moment. The others that have left have gone to Northern/Network Rail and DB Cargo.

Northern are said to be head hunting Tram-Train drivers and want 10 or so, and this would fall in line with their latest recruitment drive for trainee train drivers at Sheffield. But this is just rumours at the moment...

Hopefully that sums things up in a nutshell, but if you want to know anything else just ask.

Just as a matter of interest, do the 24 tram train drivers only work the Parkgate service or do they still work conventional tram services across the rest of the network as well? And did the conductors receive any extra training for working on Network Rail?

 

[Hasan Shah]

What would you like to know? I’m a Tram-Train driver (only 24 drivers drive the Parkgate route) and no you don’t gain a Train driving licence. We’re exempt from that although you do have to do a quick PTS course (2 days) and then 8 days of classroom based learning - regarding all rules/regs/signals/GSM-R radio etc.

Tram-Train is only for existing tram drivers however with previous experience. Most have found the move to the railway pretty straight forward and from a driving point of view it’s certainly more relaxed and easier - not mixing with pedestrians/vehicles and signals what can time out and change on you as you approach them at full speed!

Regarding tram driving (and tram-train driving) it’s is just the SCATT tests that include items such as the Glop extract that you need to read and memorise, dials, shapes and figures (instead of dots) and a few other bits. Training usually lasts around 10 weeks before moving on to mentoring for a further 2 weeks and then passing out as a qualified tram driver.

Regarding Tram-Train drivers - a number have already left to the railway, obviously EMT is internal and almost guaranteed an interview for the depot shunter jobs that come up. Indeed 6 are in the process of this at the moment. The others that have left have gone to Northern/Network Rail and DB Cargo.

Northern are said to be head hunting Tram-Train drivers and want 10 or so, and this would fall in line with their latest recruitment drive for trainee train drivers at Sheffield. But this is just rumours at the moment...

Hopefully that sums things up in a nutshell, but if you want to know anything else just ask.

Ah cool, thanks that's helped a lot, do u know if it's just one assessment day and interview or if there's more than one.

 

[samuel791]

One of the drivers on my Freightliner course came from Sheffield trams

Ah that must be it then, not DB Cargo. Know he's got his training in Ipswich if that's where you are too.

Just as a matter of interest, do the 24 tram train drivers only work the Parkgate service or do they still work conventional tram services across the rest of the network as well? And did the conductors receive any extra training for working on Network Rail?

Just 24 TramTrain drivers work the Parkgate service. When on CL/HCL lines and are spare, if all shifts are covered then they can either remain spare in the canteen or work other routes on the system. Today for instance will be my turn to go to Halfway/Malin Bridge on Blue route - something I've not done for around 3 months... So a nice change!

The shifts are really good on Tram Train, with 8 driving shifts and 3 spare shifts Mon-Sat between 0500-2315. So a lot earlier finish than my duty tonight on Blues which doesn't sign off until 0104.

You are supposed to get 3hrs worth of driving every 3 months on the Yellow/Blue route to keep competency up.

Regarding conductors, as they are non safety critical no further training was required. The only other staff that are PTS qualified are Rolling Stock. FEM have no authority beyond Tinsley chord.

Ah cool, thanks that's helped a lot, do u know if it's just one assessment day and interview or if there's more than one.

Not a problem and when I started a few years back, it was an assessment day for testing, then another day for a practical assessment driving the tram around the depot, then out between Nunnery Depot and Meadowhall. This was then followed by an interview with the senior management team, before an offer was made. The whole process took around 9 months from start to finish, with training taking approx. 10 weeks to complete. However, since I passed out things have changed and the training process has been streamlined further.

 

[craigybagel]

Just 24 TramTrain drivers work the Parkgate service. When on CL/HCL lines and are spare, if all shifts are covered then they can either remain spare in the canteen or work other routes on the system. Today for instance will be my turn to go to Halfway/Malin Bridge on Blue route - something I've not done for around 3 months... So a nice change!

The shifts are really good on Tram Train, with 8 driving shifts and 3 spare shifts Mon-Sat between 0500-2315. So a lot earlier finish than my duty tonight on Blues which doesn't sign off until 0104.

You are supposed to get 3hrs worth of driving every 3 months on the Yellow/Blue route to keep competency up.

Regarding conductors, as they are non safety critical no further training was required. The only other staff that are PTS qualified are Rolling Stock. FEM have no authority beyond Tinsley chord.

Thanks for that, very interesting read.

 

[Pete C]

Ah that must be it then, not DB Cargo. Know he's got his training in Ipswich if that's where you are too.

Yeah that's right, back there later this month to start rules

 

[Hasan Shah]

Ah that must be it then, not DB Cargo. Know he's got his training in Ipswich if that's where you are too.


Just 24 TramTrain drivers work the Parkgate service. When on CL/HCL lines and are spare, if all shifts are covered then they can either remain spare in the canteen or work other routes on the system. Today for instance will be my turn to go to Halfway/Malin Bridge on Blue route - something I've not done for around 3 months... So a nice change!

The shifts are really good on Tram Train, with 8 driving shifts and 3 spare shifts Mon-Sat between 0500-2315. So a lot earlier finish than my duty tonight on Blues which doesn't sign off until 0104.

You are supposed to get 3hrs worth of driving every 3 months on the Yellow/Blue route to keep competency up.

Regarding conductors, as they are non safety critical no further training was required. The only other staff that are PTS qualified are Rolling Stock. FEM have no authority beyond Tinsley chord.


Not a problem and when I started a few years back, it was an assessment day for testing, then another day for a practical assessment driving the tram around the depot, then out between Nunnery Depot and Meadowhall. This was then followed by an interview with the senior management team, before an offer was made. The whole process took around 9 months from start to finish, with training taking approx. 10 weeks to complete. However, since I passed out things have changed and the training process has been streamlined further.

Thanks, got assessment on 18th Jan. Scaat test and rules and procedure one.