Trainee Train Wo(Man) vacancy at DRS

[MuttleyBOT]

Trainee positions at DRS Ltd

http://www.directrailservices.com/Careers/Vacancies.aspx

 

[Jamie3184]

Anyone know any more about the role or about DRS in general?

Ideally i was looking for a driving job but they have an advert for a depot that is literally 5 minutes away from me.

 

[Stuart-h]

I'll give them a buzz tomorrow.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Anyone know any more about the role or about DRS in general?

Ideally i was looking for a driving job but they have an advert for a depot that is literally 5 minutes away from me.

This is a mobile shunter's job. Not bad work, if you are into outdoor, dirty, physical activity.

DRS - odds and sods freight/ charter work, plus nuclear flask trains. Not in Railway Pension Scheme, not sure about travel concessions.

 

[carriageline]

I believe it's mainly working on the nuclear trains, riding in the back cab making sure the train is safe etc. then drive you and the driver home/to the train by van.

Least that's what I have read before

 

[TDK]

I believe it's mainly working on the nuclear trains, riding in the back cab making sure the train is safe etc. then drive you and the driver home/to the train by van.

Least that's what I have read before

DRS is linked and there is variety of work from nuclear to containers. I know a few who work for them and they have told me that the driver grade is 80% spotters and if you are not a spotter then you are in the minority, the spotters seem to chase their tails for the class 37, 47, 20 jobs even wanting to take on longer jobs to get them and would do them for no pay, when you have this scenario at any company you cannot get a united bargaining team to agree on condition and pay etc and in my opinion this is not a good scenario. I have had mixed reactions from different drivers however the main consensus is if you want a driving job beacause you want to be a train driver them go passenger work as DRS have some really crap shifts.

 

[carriageline]

DRS is linked and there is variety of work from nuclear to containers. I know a few who work for them and they have told me that the driver grade is 80% spotters and if you are not a spotter then you are in the minority, the spotters seem to chase their tails for the class 37, 47, 20 jobs even wanting to take on longer jobs to get them and would do them for no pay, when you have this scenario at any company you cannot get a united bargaining team to agree on condition and pay etc and in my opinion this is not a good scenario. I have had mixed reactions from different drivers however the main consensus is if you want a driving job beacause you want to be a train driver them go passenger work as DRS have some really crap shifts.

I know that mate. I'm just 99% sure the trainmen role isn't driving trains at all, just siting in the back cab watching the nuclear flasks, and that's the only trains they work, not the containers.

Agreed about everything else though, not sure I would want to be working with someone who is just really, REALLY excited to be driving a 37. It takes workplace enthusiasm to a dangerous level IMO.

 

[tiptoptaff]

I know that mate. I'm just 99% sure the trainmen role isn't driving trains at all, just siting in the back cab watching the nuclear flasks, and that's the only trains they work, not the containers.

Agreed about everything else though, not sure I would want to be working with someone who is just really, REALLY excited to be driving a 37. It takes workplace enthusiasm to a dangerous level IMO.

As was mentioned earlier Jay, it's a shunter's role. As is clearly stated on their website....

 

[carriageline]

Ah yeah, it does involve some shunting, my bad. Here's a post someone else made a while ago about it:

It's a Trainman job at Crewe. I looked into this back in Dec 2009. It is not driving but a mobile shunter where you assist the driver with the nuclear trains which go to various railheads across the country. You perform the ground shunting at all freight yards. Couple/uncouple, pull points, control movements by handsignal, which may include propelling. You also prep nuclear flask wagons before every journey while the driver prepares the locomotives. During the journey, you sit in the back cab of the 37 and observe the nuclear flask wagons to ensure there is no division.
You get to go to a lot of different places. Crewe CLS (plus Gresty Lane and Basford Hall), Sellafield, Carlisle, Holyhead, Bridgwater, Willesden, Dungeness, Berkeley and Davenport (rarely). You dont sign any routes, except the Bridgwater branch where you have to operate the ground frame. However, you sign all the yards.
All sounds easy, until now. The MAIN part of the job is car driving. You spend a lot of time on the motorway. When you and the driver get to your distination, it is your job to drive both of you back by car to Crewe. So that is where the job requires a lot of concentration, often while sleep deprived.
I went for the job and failed at Interview stage. Lots of competition for this job from other rail staff from other companies, loads want to get into DRS. The two big appeals for most people are the traction you will be working with, and the fact that its freight which is less tedious than stopping passenger services.
Also, the Interview was the HARDEST and longest Interview I have EVER had in my life, and in front of a panel of 6! So be ready for that if you go for it.
The book on times for when you are working the out-going nuclear trains are horrendous. They were 23:00, 01:00, 01:30, 02:30, 03:00, etc when I checked. Some the jobs have lodging in hotels where you try to sleep during the day before working the return train in the evening.
Trainman job is probably the only way to get to work on the nuclear trains with old traction. If you joined DRS as a Driver you would be on 66's on the WCML all the time. Nuclear work is top link only for Crewe Drivers.

 

[Geargrinder]

Sounds like DRS is the railway version of Buffalo Airways, and Train(wo)man is the equivalent of a rampie.

 

[Jamie3184]

Many thanks to everyone for all the replies. All extremely helpful, not sure its for me though after reading through it all.

Anyone know how easy it would be to progress onto become a full driver with DRS from the Train Wo(Man) post?

 

[TDK]

Many thanks to everyone for all the replies. All extremely helpful, not sure its for me though after reading through it all.

Anyone know how easy it would be to progress onto become a full driver with DRS from the Train Wo(Man) post?

It's never easy but if there are vacancies you always have a better chance than an external unqualified candidate. You will find that DRS is swamped with enthusiasts and because of that it is very hard to get into the driving grade, they normally take on qualified drivers who are either enthusiasts or made redundant from other companies.

 

[MuttleyBOT]

Most of the intake of Trainmen from Jan 2011 (those still with the company) have just been given the opportunity of completing the Trainee Drivers tests with the view to internal promotion - some passed, some failed.

No guarantee of course but it says something of their intentions to promote from within.

 

[TDK]

Most of the intake of Trainmen from Jan 2011 (those still with the company) have just been given the opportunity of completing the Trainee Drivers tests with the view to internal promotion - some passed, some failed.

No guarantee of course but it says something of their intentions to promote from within.

That is good to hear and if that is the case it is worth while applying

 

[Stuart-h]

Left an message on there awnserphone Friday. Does any one know how quick there are on sending application forms in the post?

 

[Jamie3184]

It's never easy but if there are vacancies you always have a better chance than an external unqualified candidate. You will find that DRS is swamped with enthusiasts and because of that it is very hard to get into the driving grade, they normally take on qualified drivers who are either enthusiasts or made redundant from other companies.

Most of the intake of Trainmen from Jan 2011 (those still with the company) have just been given the opportunity of completing the Trainee Drivers tests with the view to internal promotion - some passed, some failed.

No guarantee of course but it says something of their intentions to promote from within.

Many thanks to the both of you for your replies

Think i may fill out an app form and see what happens.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Trainman job is probably the only way to get to work on the nuclear trains with old traction. If you joined DRS as a Driver you would be on 66's on the WCML all the time. Nuclear work is top link only for Crewe Drivers.

I know people who've joined DRS as qualified drivers from elsewhere, and they are on the antique diesels.

By "enthusiasts", we're not talking about people who frequent the end of Doncaster platform. More people with a practical interest; keeping the things running in preservation, etc.

If they are paying out to train, it makes me wonder if they are managing to attract qualifieds from elsewhere. Lack of job security, no railway pension, etc, etc.

 

[TDK]

If they are paying out to train, it makes me wonder if they are managing to attract qualifieds from elsewhere. Lack of job security, no railway pension, etc, etc.

I know at least 4 who went to DRS and they hate it as they are not enthusiasts. Lucas, you must know that a driver who is an enthusiast as well is a different breed. I do have some extremely interesting stories if you want to PM me. I am not attacking enthusiasts here but unfortunately the drivers who are not enthusiasts are just totally different.

Most of the qualified drivers who go to DRS are enthusiasts and want to drive the old battered out bags of Sh*te as they are passionate about class 37, 47, 20 etc. I hate the old locos and think they should all be scrapped.

 

[TOCDriver]

I know at least 4 who went to DRS and they hate it as they are not enthusiasts. Lucas, you must know that a driver who is an enthusiast as well is a different breed. I do have some extremely interesting stories if you want to PM me. I am not attacking enthusiasts here but unfortunately the drivers who are not enthusiasts are just totally different.

Most of the qualified drivers who go to DRS are enthusiasts and want to drive the old battered out bags of Sh*te as they are passionate about class 37, 47, 20 etc. I hate the old locos and think they should all be scrapped.

The 47's that run through Preston station on full throttle always send a tingle up my spine. Wouldn't like to operate one though as they're so damn uncomfortable. But to keep my post on-topic, the work is very physically and mentally demanding so just bear that in mind

 

[Beveridges]

The old engines make a superb engine sound and they're classics (unlike those who drive loud cars that they think are great that just sound s**t). I can understand why enthusiasts want to join DRS.
I was interested myself until I found out that they had REALLY crappy shifts. The rostered turns looked hell. If your tired most of the time you won't enjoy any job, I always believe.
TDK the comment about driver/enthusiasts being different to ordinary drivers - is this just where classic traction is involved or does this extend to drivers for normal TOCs as well?
Not every enthusiast driver is working for DRS/Colas (the other operator of a classic fleet) - some are working for my TOC driving 142s (probably wishing it was a 37 instead though!)

 

[SkinnyDave]

Does anyone know what is involved with the recruitment process for this?
My brother in law has applied for it and is really keen on it.

 

[Legzr1]

I know at least 4 who went to DRS and they hate it as they are not enthusiasts. Lucas, you must know that a driver who is an enthusiast as well is a different breed. I do have some extremely interesting stories if you want to PM me. I am not attacking enthusiasts here but unfortunately the drivers who are not enthusiasts are just totally different.

Most of the qualified drivers who go to DRS are enthusiasts and want to drive the old battered out bags of Sh*te as they are passionate about class 37, 47, 20 etc. I hate the old locos and think they should all be scrapped.

Spot on.

 

[MuttleyBOT]

DRS do their own assessments along the lines of Driver Assessments. If successful 2nd set of assessments followed by interview - these assessments are basically trainability tests and are not recognised elsewhere in the industry. If successful induction includes 8+ weeks residential course in Carlisle.

 

[Quickthorn]

I got the application form, but it makes me wonder whether anyone without rail experience has got a chance of getting this. Section 6 is "Operational Competencies" and Section 7 is "Operational Tasks and Knowledge". In my case, both of these sections would be blank, because I haven't worked on the railways apart from lineside tree cutting.

 

[Willie mcbeath]

I started the other thread about the driver jobs they are advertising for, was thinking if applying, been a scotrail driver for 15 years.
I'm Not in the slightest bit a spotter, nor have I any intrest in classic engines, I just fancy a freight job, would rather stay of the aincient antiques.
Reading most posts on here had out me right off though.

 

[SkinnyDave]

No harm done applying and seeing for yourself what they are all about..
Good practice if any other freight jobs come up

I'm sure Grangemouth is container work in 66s to Inverness, Elderslie, Aberdeen and Carlisle or Crewe.

 

[Willie mcbeath]

No harm done applying and seeing for yourself what they are all about..
Good practice if any other freight jobs come up

I'm sure Grangemouth is container work in 66s to Inverness, Elderslie, Aberdeen and Carlisle or Crewe.

That sounds decent enough to me.
Trying to find out what kind if work a driver at drs Motherwell depot would do as that's closer to me, nobody seems to know though.

 

[SkinnyDave]

That sounds decent enough to me.
Trying to find out what kind if work a driver at drs Motherwell depot would do as that's closer to me, nobody seems to know though.

Motherwell is a new depot for them I think so I'm not sure what work will be done there

 

[TDK]

The old engines make a superb engine sound and they're classics (unlike those who drive loud cars that they think are great that just sound s**t). I can understand why enthusiasts want to join DRS.
I was interested myself until I found out that they had REALLY crappy shifts. The rostered turns looked hell. If your tired most of the time you won't enjoy any job, I always believe.
TDK the comment about driver/enthusiasts being different to ordinary drivers - is this just where classic traction is involved or does this extend to drivers for normal TOCs as well?
Not every enthusiast driver is working for DRS/Colas (the other operator of a classic fleet) - some are working for my TOC driving 142s (probably wishing it was a 37 instead though!)

The comment is aimed at DRS & Colas BEV, there are quite a few enthusiasts at the depot I work for and do voluntary work on heritage in their spare time, this is the difference, they seperate their job from their hobby whilst at work.