Three bridges or Brighton.

[cao123]

Hi all, currently in the process of applying for a trainee train driver. Been given the choice if I have any preference between Brighton depot or three bridges depot. Anyone got any opinions if one is better than the other. Many thanks

 

[Javelin_55]

It depends on what you mean by 'better'. Everyone has different preferences. What are you looking for?

It will also depend if this Thameslink or Southern?

 

[Jimbo12345]

The depot closest to home

 

[cao123]

It depends on what you mean by 'better'. Everyone has different preferences. What are you looking for?

It will also depend if this Thameslink or Southern?

It’s for Thameslink.
Just interested really if one depot has better/worse duties, or if one has more/less nights. If the facilities are better in one etc.
And just generally speaking if people preferred one more than the other.

 

[NSEWonderer]

I'd pick one that is closer to home. Picking a depot that has better work but is the longer commute will eventually add up. That's maybe just me. I value any reduction in journey time to and from work, personally.

 

[cao123]

Thanks for your help. I live pretty much in-between then, with travel time to them both the same.

 

[75A]

The Three Bridges facility is much newer, both can have long walks to the sidings.

 

[Class2ldn]

Both have pros and cons, brighton normally have nights split up so they do 4 one week and 3 another whereas three bridges do 7 on the bounce, thats if you are working the Sunday anyway.
Brighton go to Bedford and Cambridge dependant on link, three bridges go bedford, Hornsey, East grinstead and horsham.
Both fairly intensive depots really so I'd go with the closest one tbh. It will make a difference as they are not too much dissimilar in work.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Aug 2024 ==

The Three Bridges facility is much newer, both can have long walks to the sidings.

Brighton dont do any walking to sidings they get a taxi to Preston park and the down sidings.
Dont think they sign lovers walk anymore as 700s don't go in there

 

[Javelin_55]

Three Bridges has a nicer PNB point I would say but your walking time to the station is 18 mins. Nice in summer, horrible in winter.

The depots generally do different routes with some overlap. Three Bridges has a bit more variety.

Three Bridges has a run of 7 nights every 13 weeks. And I believe Brighton have split theirs 4 and 3 with a week or so in between, not sure on the details of this though.

But as others have said, picking the depot closest to home is always preferable. You'll be grateful for it after a long night shift.

 

[cao123]

Thank you everyone for your replies.
How are car parking facilities at both depots. Do they have staff parking?

Also just in more general question. How are Thameslink with duty swaps or swapping rest days etc. Are they quite accommodating with request. Is this done via your depot staff or is there an online swap request you can do.

Again thanks for your help.

 

[Class2ldn]

You cant really swap shifts because of the way the rotation works so if you preferred earlies for example it wouldn't be possible without a 3 way swap and moving rest days, its a nightmare to sort out , only way would be getting accommodated on a shift and tbh that probably wouldn't happen unless its a very good reason and not for a few years anyway.
If thats a problem TL wouldn't be ideal tbh as everyone on the same shift has the same rest days and shifts so you couldn't swap with someone on your shift from a late turn as they'd all be on lates as well, the early drivers are a different shift and have different rest days so its really awkward to do, so like I say unless accommodated its not going to happen.
You basically do 1.5 weeks of lates then 1.5 weeks of earlies back into lates after the long weekend.
You can of course swap with people on your shift for say a later early if you don't want a 4am start for example but that would just be a mutual swap.
The rota is fixed so rest days never change, its a 3 week rotation with long weekend every 3rd week, always finish before long weekend on earlies and always comes back on lates or nights, after the lates the shifts swap back to early after the Wednesday and Thursday rest days.
Car parking is probably easier at three bridges but brighton does have parking.

 

[cao123]

You cant really swap shifts because of the way the rotation works so if you preferred earlies for example it wouldn't be possible without a 3 way swap and moving rest days, its a nightmare to sort out , only way would be getting accommodated on a shift and tbh that probably wouldn't happen unless its a very good reason and not for a few years anyway.
If thats a problem TL wouldn't be ideal tbh as everyone on the same shift has the same rest days and shifts so you couldn't swap with someone on your shift from a late turn as they'd all be on lates as well, the early drivers are a different shift and have different rest days so its really awkward to do, so like I say unless accommodated its not going to happen.
You basically do 1.5 weeks of lates then 1.5 weeks of earlies back into lates after the long weekend.
You can of course swap with people on your shift for say a later early if you don't want a 4am start for example but that would just be a mutual swap.
The rota is fixed so rest days never change, its a 3 week rotation with long weekend every 3rd week, always finish before long weekend on earlies and always comes back on lates or nights, after the lates the shifts swap back to early after the Wednesday and Thursday rest days.
Car parking is probably easier at three bridges but brighton does have parking.

Thanks for all the info. Yeah understandable swapping shifts is a bit of a nightmare, overall The rota sounds pretty good.
Is just swapping rest days easier or is it just as confusing and hard

 

[Class2ldn]

Yeah its possible but will take some working out as all the shifts are on different work days. Probably easier just to request a leave day tbh

 

[geeBRz]

Hi,

Little bit irrelevant to your question, I have one for the OP. Have you been given a start date for your trainee position? Just wondered as I’m in a similar predicament.

 

[cao123]

Hi,

Little bit irrelevant to your question, I have one for the OP. Have you been given a start date for your trainee position? Just wondered as I’m in a similar predicament.

I haven’t had my DMI yet. Hope you get a start date soon. What depot you going to?

 

[geeBRz]

I haven’t had my DMI yet. Hope you get a start date soon. What depot you going to?

Ahh okay, I’m an internal applicant and was wondering when the next course could be. Hopefully Three Bridges. All the best!