Hi guys, I'm new to the forum so if this been asked/answered I apologise but could someone tell me in layman terms what a day to day is like for a scotrail train driver especially a newly qualified one. I'm going through the assessments and interviews just now and cant find an answer to this. I would like to know what would be in store. Also what's the social side of things like.? Thanks
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Typical Scotrail drivers day
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This has been posted before (can't remember where though): Linky
It is a day in the life account of a Network South East guard, I know it is the completely wrong location and wrong job role, but it is a good read. It gives a general idea of the of the guards duty card and other bits of info.
Hope this helps in some way.
It is a day in the life account of a Network South East guard, I know it is the completely wrong location and wrong job role, but it is a good read. It gives a general idea of the of the guards duty card and other bits of info.
Hope this helps in some way.
autotank
Member
Thanks for posting that - an interesting read!
driver9000
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A Drivers day is pretty much standardised throughout the industry, although there are minor idifferences depending on the working practices of the company.
The actual working day will vary day to day depending on the turn you're working and if its an early or late. You will be issued a duty sheet sometimes known as a docket which contains details of the trains you will work, where and when your breaks will be along with anything you'll do inbetween.
A typical early turn at my depot in my link (not Scotrail) would be something along the lines of:
Book on - collect docket, read notices in particular the late notices.
Depending on the docket I may have to collect a train from the yard so that would involve walking down the line on the walking route to collect it.
I will then work trains according to the contents of the docket including ECS, attaching, detaching, shunting as required.
All my depots dockets end back at the depot so working back or travelling passenger is included to arrive back at booking off time.
A late turn is essentially the same except I will be stabling trains on the depot instead of bringing them off. There will also be days of Spare/Standby/Ferry/Pilot in which you don't have any booked trains of your own but will be there to cover any last minuite jobs that may crop up.
The actual working day will vary day to day depending on the turn you're working and if its an early or late. You will be issued a duty sheet sometimes known as a docket which contains details of the trains you will work, where and when your breaks will be along with anything you'll do inbetween.
A typical early turn at my depot in my link (not Scotrail) would be something along the lines of:
Book on - collect docket, read notices in particular the late notices.
Depending on the docket I may have to collect a train from the yard so that would involve walking down the line on the walking route to collect it.
I will then work trains according to the contents of the docket including ECS, attaching, detaching, shunting as required.
All my depots dockets end back at the depot so working back or travelling passenger is included to arrive back at booking off time.
A late turn is essentially the same except I will be stabling trains on the depot instead of bringing them off. There will also be days of Spare/Standby/Ferry/Pilot in which you don't have any booked trains of your own but will be there to cover any last minuite jobs that may crop up.
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myboysam
Member
In all honesty I wouldn't worry about that just now. I've just finished traction and the training train and I'm still at least 6 weeks away from full time driving with my D.I. I started 4 months ago with Scotrail and the daily working routine is a 10 hour shift early's or backs.
Its not 10 hour shifts every day lol!
Its a average 35 hour week spread over 4 days so some days 10 hours but you could also get a cushy 7 hour turn just depends on the work for that link in the roster, also there are nightshift in some depots.
Agreed though i wouldnt worry to much about that just now, concentrate on passing the assesments and getting clued up for interviews
My summary as a scotrail driver is:
1. Book on in good time with full uniform and kit
2. Collect diagram for the trains you drive for the day
3. Locate where your train is stabled on the yard sheet
4. Sign for notices
5. Check late notice case, etc.
6. Check what you are working the next day from roster and daily changes. Also have a look at the job for the next day
7. I then go to my train and prepare it for service.
8. Drive my train as I have been trained.
9. Hand in my diagram with delays and reasons for delays.
10. Check late notice case again and daily changes to jobs.
11. Then go home!!
Myboysam 10 hour shifts every time. 40 hour week? Didnt know that. Shifts range from 6 hours - 10 hours. Majority are 8 and a half to 9 and a half. 35 hour week and 4 days with booked sundays as overtime.
1. Book on in good time with full uniform and kit
2. Collect diagram for the trains you drive for the day
3. Locate where your train is stabled on the yard sheet
4. Sign for notices
5. Check late notice case, etc.
6. Check what you are working the next day from roster and daily changes. Also have a look at the job for the next day
7. I then go to my train and prepare it for service.
8. Drive my train as I have been trained.
9. Hand in my diagram with delays and reasons for delays.
10. Check late notice case again and daily changes to jobs.
11. Then go home!!
Myboysam 10 hour shifts every time. 40 hour week? Didnt know that. Shifts range from 6 hours - 10 hours. Majority are 8 and a half to 9 and a half. 35 hour week and 4 days with booked sundays as overtime.
myboysam
Member
Calm doon!!! I didnt say every day was a 10 hour shift. I just used that because you could get right into it if you went too far. I just used the 10 hour shift as a general rule of thumb.
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