• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

XC Guard Differences

Status
Not open for further replies.

voyagerdude220

Established Member
Joined
13 Oct 2005
Messages
4,259
I see XC are recruiting for Senior Conductors at Bristol Temple Meads. Knowing that so few 170s work to/from Bristol Temple Meads and SCs don't appear to sign 220/221s, would I be right to guess that many of their diagrams start and/or finish travelling pass on other trains?

Are there many differences between the two jobs of Train Manager and Senior Conductor at Cross Country, other than TMs work on 220/221s and SCs work on 170s?

(Are there ever times TMs work on 170s/SCs work on 220/221s?)

Are there any differences in salary and/or contractual terms and conditions between the two jobs? E.g. Sunday working?

Has anyone on here done both jobs and found a strong preference of one over the other?

Thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

stadler

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2023
Messages
3,304
Location
Horsley
Are there many differences between the two jobs of Train Manager and Senior Conductor at Cross Country, other than TMs work on 220/221s and SCs work on 170s?

(Are there ever times TMs work on 170s/SCs work on 220/221s?)

Are there any differences in salary and/or contractual terms and conditions between the two jobs? E.g. Sunday working?

Has anyone on here done both jobs and found a strong preference of one over the other?

Thanks!
I know there used to be a lot of differences between the conditions with the SCs on CT T&Cs and the TMs on VT T&Cs but at least some stuff has now been standardised. I know they used to have different commissions rates for ticket sales. But it was standardised to 5% for both almost ten years ago and then just this month it was increased to 6% for both of them.

I am not sure if it is still the case but i know SCs were on a 4 day week and TMs on a 5 day week. I believe that TMs are paid a slightly higher salary but SCs have always had far better terms and conditions and most consider it to be the better of the two. But i am sure someone else on here will have more up to date information as things may have changed especially with that new RMT agreement.
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
Tm and sc both have Sundays outside of the working week and have a rolling 2 day rest day period on a 3 week pattern. Ie

Week 1, mon/tue rd
Week 2 wed/thur rd
Week 3 fri/sat rd

So every 3 weeks ( depending which line you are on you have a 5 day weekend ( fri/sat/sun/mon/tue , week 3 into week 1 )

Sc are on basic wage for 12 months once 1st route signed.
Tm go to full wage during route learning as soon as you sign 1st route ( approx 14 weeks from starting training )

Sc have a minimum 9hr payment per shift, so if you work 6 hrs you’re paid 9 hrs

Tm have a minimum 6 hr payment, if you work 4hrs you’re paid 6, but in reality shortest shift is Derby and back so including book On and off it’s rare to get below 6hr min work shift.

Sc are 170’s so if Bhm based you’ll either sign Cambridge or Leicester the core route ( Nottingham / Cardiff )

Tm you either sign Manchester or Newcastle, and core routes of Nottingham, Bournemouth, Reading Bristol, Plymouth.

Holiday entitlement is slightly different also. SC have slightly better T&C but it’s all solo work as no catering on 170’s, but back cab is your office. TM is voyagers, so if a double set you’ll either be person in charge or acc in front set, also usually rsm or 1st class host on most services.

Hope that helps
 

Colly103

Member
Joined
27 Jul 2025
Messages
50
Location
Durham
Tm and sc both have Sundays outside of the working week and have a rolling 2 day rest day period on a 3 week pattern. Ie

Week 1, mon/tue rd
Week 2 wed/thur rd
Week 3 fri/sat rd

So every 3 weeks ( depending which line you are on you have a 5 day weekend ( fri/sat/sun/mon/tue , week 3 into week 1 )

Sc are on basic wage for 12 months once 1st route signed.
Tm go to full wage during route learning as soon as you sign 1st route ( approx 14 weeks from starting training )

Sc have a minimum 9hr payment per shift, so if you work 6 hrs you’re paid 9 hrs

Tm have a minimum 6 hr payment, if you work 4hrs you’re paid 6, but in reality shortest shift is Derby and back so including book On and off it’s rare to get below 6hr min work shift.

Sc are 170’s so if Bhm based you’ll either sign Cambridge or Leicester the core route ( Nottingham / Cardiff )

Tm you either sign Manchester or Newcastle, and core routes of Nottingham, Bournemouth, Reading Bristol, Plymouth.

Holiday entitlement is slightly different also. SC have slightly better T&C but it’s all solo work as no catering on 170’s, but back cab is your office. TM is voyagers, so if a double set you’ll either be person in charge or acc in front set, also usually rsm or 1st class host on most services.

Hope that helps
Hi Ridetherails - sorry for the silly question but could you expand on the following? For TMs what does RSM and 1st class host on most services entail?
 

Ridetherails

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2025
Messages
211
Location
Birmingham
Hi Ridetherails - sorry for the silly question but could you expand on the following? For TMs what does RSM and 1st class host on most services entail?
RSM - retail service manager ( catering person )

1st class host - ( person who looks after catering in 1st class ).

Just pointing out that SC you always work solo. TM you’re more likely to have a work colleague around on the train ( apart from the driver of course ).
 

Colly103

Member
Joined
27 Jul 2025
Messages
50
Location
Durham
RSM - retail service manager ( catering person )

1st class host - ( person who looks after catering in 1st class ).

Just pointing out that SC you always work solo. TM you’re more likely to have a work colleague around on the train ( apart from the driver of course ).
Many Thanks
 

TwinTurbostar

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2017
Messages
200
Location
United Kingdom
Sc are 170’s so if Bhm based you’ll either sign Cambridge or Leicester the core route ( Nottingham / Cardiff )

Birmingham SC's sign all of those, the only bit that isn't signed is Cambridge - Stansted Airport, plus I believe the diversion/ECS from Leicester to Nottingham, and down from Cheltenham through Bristol, and through the tunnel.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top