Which TOC has the best/smartest looking uniform?

[387star]

It might just be me, but I quite like the new style Southeastern uniforms. The old pullover, shiry, tie and pinstripe trousers was really starting to look dated.

Blue polo shirts with a chequered collar, with a two tone blue softshell, plus a bright blue waterproof for when it gets especially wet. I think I've seen a shirt and tie substitution for the polo shirts as well. Certainly seems an improvement.

Seeing lots of improvements on southeastern with their rapid 375 refurbishment which is being done to a very good standard

 

[Kneedown]

Apart from a few quality issues I can't say i've any complaints about our EMT uniform. You can't really go wrong with blue. It's just a little annoying that it looks a lot like a Tesco uniform, meaning that if you pop in to do your shopping on the way home, there'll always be someone ask you what aisle the Marmite is in!

 

[bluegoblin7]

On a more practical level, there is also an issue as it makes managers harder to identify. At any kind of incident the manager should be readily and quickly identifiable.

Which is why a formal 'chain of command' structure tends to now get declared during incidents. The people who you need to recognise quickly will be wearing Gold, Silver or Bronze Command tabards, reversed out of ordinary hi-vis.

Polos are far more practical than shirts. Although the new LU uniform is far from perfect, it did an awful lot for morale on stations when it was first launched. Far better than the previous ill-fitting and low quality guff that was so very dated...

 

[Merseysider]

I think the Merseyrail uniforms are very smart, so I'd have to go with those.

Seconded. I rarely see on-duty staff looking scruffy.

Whilst not British per this discussion, I've found Deutsche Bahn's staff the smartest looking out of all. The uniform just has a slightly nostalgic, 'proper' rail feel to it.

 

[D2007wsm]

First TOCs have traditionally worn uniforms similar to those worn by bus staff. This changed last year with the introduction of the new grey and green GWR uniforms. Speaking to GWR staff, apparently it isn't of a very high quality and not particularly well fitting.

Working for First Bus, it's definitely easier travelling in uniform as I don't get stopped and asked questions as much Unless I have a have a high viz on. I am glad they didn't roll out the same to us.

New uniforms are being rolled out from next month, thankfully still in blue and it actually looks smart and modern. They are introducing a Sholo shirt for drivers, which is a traditional shirt front and collar but with polo shirt sleeves and back. These are still to be worn with a tie or acarf. Apparently it is supposed to be comfier and more practical. But they do feel a little strange when we saw them at the uniform fitting. Alas, I won't know what they are like as being non driving, we don't get them. Instead we get tailored white shirts, which are of a higher quality.

 

[grumblingalong]

I hope we get a new set for GA shortly, we're wearing a mishmash of various brands, non of it of particuarly inspiring quality. Would love a smart, DB style uniform with an incredibly practical waistcoat.

Hate wearing my suit jacket as it really doesn't fit well, I have a rather round chest so it makes me look far chubbier than I actually am, a nice tucked in waistcoat or properly fitted suit jacket would do me a lot of good.

Maybe we will see a decent set of uniform now we're in a 9 year job?

 

[trainophile]

As one of the few females on here, I have to say that any uniform wearer with a waistcoat looks very sexy, and I wouldn't even notice what else they are wearing! This covers most Merseyrail guards, and is another good reason not to get rid of them!

 

[blackfrost]

From what I remember VTEC uniform isn't the best looking either which is a shame because when it was East Coast it was pretty good! I think drivers as they're not in a customer facing environment most times, should have the choice of polo shirts and Harrington jackets, which is pretty much the norm. Other grades like guards/TM's/Conductors should have that classic look with the waistcoat - there's just something nostalgic about it - grades like RPI/RPO uniform that involves hats like the staff ones who work for SWT and SouthEastern work well, as it immediately makes them identifiable to the staff and public alike.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Do any TOCs still issue hats to staff? I remember waiting to get off a 158 in RRNE days and the guard coming back from a ticket check having to go into the back cab before opening the doors "sorry, the doors won't open if I haven't got my hat in. That's what my boss says anyway"

 

[LowLevel]

Do any TOCs still issue hats to staff? I remember waiting to get off a 158 in RRNE days and the guard coming back from a ticket check having to go into the back cab before opening the doors "sorry, the doors won't open if I haven't got my hat in. That's what my boss says anyway"

We get wooly beanie style hats if that's what you mean

Having got my childishness out of the way, EMT do still do peaked caps as an optional extra - I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of people that wear one though.

I think Greater Anglia do as well as there's a bloke at Norwich who has one.

 

[MrPIC]

I agree with those who say that the classic formal DB style is the way to go. I m a strong believer that for the most part if you give people a good quality, formal style uniform it will subconsciously improve their attitude whilst wearing it.
Personally, I have the option of either full suit and tie or just a shirt and soft shell jacket, if I am working days I go for the suit but nights see me in the comfys, no point in wearing a suit to wander round depots and sidings getting covered in s**t

The new LO uniform is good, whilst the colours look awful I do like the utility waistcoat and the rest of it looks good, consistent and useful.

On a side note, I heard the other day that GA are getting a rebrand (again) including new uniform once the new stock starts arriving.

 

[185]

My employer's uniform has been likened to a "BBC Presenter'll Fix It" outfit from the 80s.

Agree wholeheartedly

 

[JP]

Heathrow Express. Their yellow quilted jacket things look quite good.

 

[BurtonM]

I have to say, I'm not keen on Northern's lilac shirts and lilac/blue ties, but I'm well aware it's on the way out.

I like VTWC's uniforms - the big red coats help identify staff outside the trains very easily.

The old formal blue and silver LU uniforms were much better than the current ones.

Northern and TPE staff are often seen wearing hi-vis - purple (with almost invisible dark blue branding - daft) or purple and yellow for Northern, and yellow plastered with F logos and 'HOW CAN I HELP YOU?' across the middle for TPE. I don't really like either.
Any uniform involving a decent suit is good IMO.

 

[MrJay]

BR Intercity late 80s by a mile!

 

[bb21]

Why? They are not customer-facing - who cares what they wear? Certainly no need for uniform.

DB drivers, for example, don't interact with passengers, so wear scruff most of the time - jeans and a T-shirt is normal.



Quite easily done with polo-shirt colours or MANAGER on the back. It isn't formal-looking, of course, but it does do the job.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Having said that, it seems staff often like formal uniforms. easyJet have returned to jacket-and-tie from this less formal one:-

which I think is a bit of a shame as I liked that look - but in the end it's them that have to wear it, not me

It's about instilling a professional outlook, a professional frame of mind, with professional presentation. If you have scruffy and informal, you end up with scruffy and informal attitude. Polo shirts may not scream of scruffiness, they sure do not present a formal business-like image.

Obviously not always, but it is generally how it pans out. I would hate to think that I could go into work not dressed in shirt and tie, even if most of the time I am not in a customer-fancing role.

I would say Caley Sleeper currently have the best uniform imo. Not sure whether they are made of decent or cheap material. They sure do not look cheap.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I do not like polo shirts or sweat shirts really as part of a customer facing uniform. I prefer white or blue shirts, with pockets on the chest, handy for pens etc, tie, and a Vee Neck long sleeve Pullover, although the latter should be wool rather than man made fibres, I think wool looks and feels better and lasts longer.

For non facing roles, such as drivers, then perhaps a Tee Shirt and round neck pullover would be fine.

I agree with the above remarks that DB customer facing staff uniforms do look good, as do a number of of other European Railways staff uniforms.

If a company is providing uniform, then don't skimp on the costs, as a cheap uniform can look horrid. When I was working, I used to wear Shirt, Tie and a Pullover, (Wool Heavy Ribbed Long Sleeved) and got complimented on having a smart appearance which was very pleasing.

 

[trainophile]

The driver has to be comfortable, as I was taught in my (car) driving lessons. If he wants to wear an open neck shirt and trackie bottoms that's fine - at least he will be concentrating on the driving and not a too tight itchy collar.

 

[Andyh82]

The driver has to be comfortable, as I was taught in my (car) driving lessons. If he wants to wear an open neck shirt and trackie bottoms that's fine - at least he will be concentrating on the driving and not a too tight itchy collar.

Assuming you are talking about passenger drivers, unless they never leave their cabs, they are customer facing. Like on the buses where decent firms have drivers in uniforms, Cowboys that tend to go bust recently, have them wearing sportswear.

 

[Kneedown]

The driver has to be comfortable, as I was taught in my (car) driving lessons. If he wants to wear an open neck shirt and trackie bottoms that's fine - at least he will be concentrating on the driving and not a too tight itchy collar.

There's no reason to be uncomfortable in a collar and tie if the collar size is correct.

 

[Owen T]

I know several people at Northern who all say the same thing; the uniform is poorly made and they buy their own version of it (what ever looks closest to it).

 

[Bletchleyite]

There's no reason to be uncomfortable in a collar and tie if the collar size is correct.

A correct size of collar is certainly less *uncomfortable* but I just dislike the constraint of having something touching the front of my lower neck.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's about instilling a professional outlook, a professional frame of mind, with professional presentation. If you have scruffy and informal, you end up with scruffy and informal attitude. Polo shirts may not scream of scruffiness, they sure do not present a formal business-like image.

But do you want a formal, business-like image on the railway in front-line staff? I want an image of pro-active, modern, enthusiastic but professional staff, not of staid suits in an office. To me, the practical but smart uniform of a bold-coloured logoed polo shirt and formal trousers/shoes (with an effective, modern, practical set of related outerwear like soft shell and breathable waterproof jacket) gives that impression very well indeed.

Obviously not always, but it is generally how it pans out. I would hate to think that I could go into work not dressed in shirt and tie, even if most of the time I am not in a customer-fancing role.

Why does what you wear (rather than how you wear it) affect what you do? I agree with "scruffy clothes, scruffy attitude" - but as I said I've seen as many people wearing scruffy, ill-fitting suits (overtight jackets, too-short trousers that look like 3/4 lengths while seated with a load of leg and often a childish choice of socks showing, poorly tied tie etc) as I have people in T-shirt and jeans.

You mention cheapness - like everything, there is a budget for uniform - and it'll go a lot further on a very high quality but more minimalist uniform like a polo shirt than on a potentially more expensive one. Yes, a bespoke Italian suit looks very good indeed - but most companies can't stretch to that. If you have, say, £200 per member of staff to spend (and I doubt it's that much), you're going to get much higher quality with more modern, minimalist workwear than you are with a suit. Add to that that people "change shape" a lot - most people get a bit fat at Christmas for instance - and it's feasible to spend £15 on a new polo shirt to still look presentable in that case, but not to buy a new £100+ (and that's a budget one) suit.

Too long, didn't read? A tidy attitude is about how you wear the clothes and maintain them (within reason), not about what the clothes are precisely.

 

[Kneedown]

A correct size of collar is certainly less *uncomfortable* but I just dislike the constraint of having something touching the front of my lower neck.

Well, as ex Central, currently EMT, I have had the opportunity to wear polo shirts, and collar and tie. I find the formal shirt is no less comfortable than the polo, and being thinner material is a lot cooler in the Summer, even with a tie. It's also a lot easier to iron.
It's horses for courses I suppose. My personal preference is collar and tie. Both for comfort, and I believe it looks far more professional when worn and cared for correctly, which instills confidence in yourself, as well as others. Of course, I may just be a bit OCD as I also tend to polish my boots to a shine!

 

[fowler9]

I would probably leave any job where a jumper was part of the uniform. Far to warm for me for most working environments I have encountered indoors in the UK. (I fine most offices etc. in the UK too warm even in a short sleave shirt).

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I would probably leave any job where a jumper was part of the uniform. Far to warm for me for most working environments I have encountered indoors in the UK. (I fine most offices etc. in the UK too warm even in a short sleave shirt).

At places where I have worked and a jumper was provided, it was fine to remove it if you were feeling warm, but handy to have even in the warmer days of spring & summer, when the mornings and evenings were a bit chilly, then take off when the temps warmed up. Very good to have in the winter or when the heating was not working as well as it should have been.