Train driving... where do I start?

[oliverj8]

Hi everyone,

I am in the same position as Joe, only I am a bit further south (Crewe) . Just to sum up (again), what is the best way to get into the train driving industry?

I will soon be starting a BTEC Diploma in Engineering (worth 3 A Levels) at college, would this be enough knowledge that a train driver would need?

Would it be worth contacting Virgin Trains and talking to them or maybe going down to the training centre (this is also in Crewe )?

Finally would it be worth volenteering at the Railway Age at... yes, Crewe again?

Thanks for all the information you have supplied already and for any info you can give me on this post.

Oliver

 

[the sniper]

I am in the same position as Joe, only I am a bit further south (Crewe) . Just to sum up (again), what is the best way to get into the train driving industry?

Sorry to be blunt, but hasn't this thread already covered that question?

By the way, it's the Railway Industry, train driving isn't an industry.

I will soon be starting a BTEC Diploma in Engineering (worth 3 A Levels) at college, would this be enough knowledge that a train driver would need?

On it's own, most definitely not, it'll be good for other railway jobs from which you can try and work your way up, either something with Network Rail or something in train maintenance would be a good place to start.

Would it be worth contacting Virgin Trains and talking to them or maybe going down to the training centre (this is also in Crewe )?

Well, you could talk to them, but they'd probably recommend you doing a role like platform assistant/dispatcher first, as has been recommended on this thread already.

Finally would it be worth volenteering at the Railway Age at... yes, Crewe again?

It can't hurt, though it'd help more towards getting a lower grade job on the railway, like the aforementioned dispatcher role or something in maintenance.

It is extremely hard to become a train driver nowadays, just getting any job on the railway is very tough, due to the advantages of the industry and the relatively secure nature of most roles. I'm not long out of college myself and have no formal work experience, I recently got invited to an assessment at Virgin Trains for a platform assistant job at Birmingham International, I was told that there had been hundreds of applicants and only 8 were at the assessment, all of which had previous experience working on the railway, most with Virgin Trains! The competition is very tough for any job my friend, try and keep realistic with your expectations.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Hi everyone,

I am in the same position as Joe, only I am a bit further south (Crewe) . Just to sum up (again), what is the best way to get into the train driving industry?

I will soon be starting a BTEC Diploma in Engineering (worth 3 A Levels) at college, would this be enough knowledge that a train driver would need?

Would it be worth contacting Virgin Trains and talking to them or maybe going down to the training centre (this is also in Crewe )?

Finally would it be worth volenteering at the Railway Age at... yes, Crewe again?

Thanks for all the information you have supplied already and for any info you can give me on this post.

Oliver

Hi,

If you've a BTEC in engineering, why is driving your first career choice?

Might be worth investigating fitting/ technician roles on depots. Interesting & skilled work, which can be well rewarded. London depots are always short.

I'm going to trash the idea of working your way up from dispatcher again. Was having this very conversation with driver colleagues this morning, and we all agreed that customer service staff have nil experience relevant to our roles. You are far too well qualified for such work, so do not waste your time.

Get into the engineering side, and if you still fancy it, apply for driver when you've done work that shows that you can handle responsibility, follow procedures, etc.

Get in touch with NR, and the agencies that do engineering recruitment for the rail industry.

As for preservation, do it if you fancy it, as a hobby. I have for many years, but it does not make you a maniline driver! It shows that you are willing to get yourself out of bed on a day off & graft, maybe that you can lead, organise or plan, but not that you have directly relevant experience.

 

[oliverj8]

Hi,

If you've a BTEC in engineering, why is driving your first career choice?

Hi, to be honest I don't really know why, suppose it it because I am not only interesting in trains but also controlling things like them. I also find the British railways interesting (the way it all works).

Thanks.