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SWT driver depot locations?

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londonwall

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Does anyone have a list of all the driver depots for SWT (so far I have Woking, Guildford, Strawberry hill and Wimbledon)?

I am researching where the best place to live would be to give me the best chance of getting a job as a driver.

Also, when applying for trainee train driver positions does it matter which depot I live near or will the application state the depot the training will take place at?

Thanks for any help.
 
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Scuba

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Hi Londonwall

You can add Farnham to the list, have a look on S W T's web site a lot of info on there. On the application for they ask you which depot you would like to work from.
Hope its helps.

Scuba
 

455driver

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Waterloo, Wimbledon, Staines, Srawberry Hill (near Twickenham), Woking, Guildford, Farnham, Basingstoke, Fratton (Portsmouth), Bournemouth, Weymouth.
 

MrC

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Don't forget Northam (Southampton) although I think there's a bit of a queue of experienced drivers (mostly ex-Eastleigh) trying to get in there.
 

Lrd

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Don't forget Northam (Southampton) although I think there's a bit of a queue of experienced drivers (mostly ex-Eastleigh) trying to get in there.
Is there actually a driver depot there? Thought it was just trains.
 

Scuba

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Hi Everyone,
Just out of interest what areas - lines does the Guildford depot cover?
Got a feeling that is depot I will be offered.
Cheers.
 

455driver

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what areas - lines does the Guildford depot cover?

Right here goes,
Suburban (stopping) routes
Waterloo to Guildford via Woking
Waterloo to Woking (stoppers)
Waterloo to Guildford via Cobham (new line)
Waterloo to Guildford via Epsom
Waterloo to Dorking
Waterloo to Chessington South
Waterloo to Hampton Court
Guildford to Ascot


Semi fast routes
Waterloo to Alton
Waterloo to haslemere
Waterloo to Portsmouth and Southsea (via Guildford)

fast routes
Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour (via Guildford)

Think thats about it.
 

Scuba

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Hello 455 Driver

Cheers for that, quite a bit then!! :o Should keep me interested for a while then. . . . :D
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hi Again,
I now have remembered what I was going to ask as well (Its an age thing!)
Is Guildford depot a 24hrs depot or earlies & late's like the Farnham depot? I know it may seam a daft question, but it would be nice to know before I say yes.
 

455driver

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Earliest, middles and lates.

Weekday shifts-
Earlies start from 0413 to 0525 (no1-no10 duties), finish between 1112 and 1355
Middles start from 0745 to 1045 (no11-no16 duties), finish between 1700 and 1800
lates start from 1300 to 1720 (no17-no27 duties) finish between 2130 and 0115ish.

Weekends is a little different but not much.

The shifts tend to be grouped together so your starts dont vary too much in the working week, especially on lates, and it all works quite well.

It is mainly suburban work on 455s with the occasional run on the semi/ fast routes with 444/450 and the Ascots are a mix of 450 and 458. They can cover other depots when those depots have uncovered work as well, mainly Woking and Farnham but also Fratton, Waterloo and Wimbledon on occasions.

For a smallish depot it has quite a good range of work although more fast work would be nice there.

Edit-
Not a bad place to work, there are about 70 drivers and 50 guards there and is a good "banter" depot with none of that stupid "them and us" that afflicts some depots, DSMs are pretty good as long as you do your job, if there are "issues" they are good at listening and try their best to resolve the problems to everyones satisfaction, extract the urine and they will bounce you off the walls.

Quite a high staff turnover depot simply because the house prices are ridiculous around Guildford so there are a lot of drivers that commute quite long distances, get fed up with the travelling and look for work nearer their home, this is not a reflection on the actual depot though because its (nearly) always friendly there.

When I was there it was very good and I dont think anything has changed much bearing in mind what the staff say when I see them around, there are depots with much worse work out there.

Farnham is mainly semi-fast work on 450s with some 444/458 and a little 455 work, mainly Alton/ Basingstoke stoppers with Readings in the top links, all do a little fast work but there are quite a few drivers wanting to transfer to Woking which has a nice spread of work, but there is a long queue for transfers there.
 
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Scuba

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Hi 455driver,
Your a star! I understand about the house prices, its silly in this area and I live in it as well!! So the shift patterns dont sound to bad come pared with other people I know in different jobs, so now I am just waiting now for the letter. :D
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hi Everyone
H.R. phoned me up to day asking why I had not filled out the paperwork, I asked what paperwork? Apparently I have to fill out my application form again because my original one is now 14month old!!? I did tell them nothing on the form has changed, but that does not come into it.
Am I missing something here?

Scuba
 

Class2ldn

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Ive applied for south west as a qualified and because it was about a year ago ive got to do another form aswell. Not amused to be honest.
 

455driver

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H.R. phoned me up to day asking why I had not filled out the paperwork, I asked what paperwork? Apparently I have to fill out my application form again because my original one is now 14month old!!? I did tell them nothing on the form has changed, but that does not come into it.
Am I missing something here?

Scuba

Yeah it means they want to advance your application as quick as possible with up to date info.

That can only be a good thing.
 

Scuba

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Hi 455driver
A mate of mine did say 'at least they have not forgotten you'. So with your message as well, it must mean good things!
I must be one my way then! :D
Might go and buy some more boot polish at the weekend! ;)
 
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