Train drivers - Anyone a driver on here?

[David-Ti]

Interested to know if there are any Train drivers on here.

A mates, mate works as an instructor for london-midlands and he recently gave me a heads up on a upcoming job vacancy for trainee train driver for a local depot. As soon as I saw the position I sent off my application.

This is something I have considered for a while, its something I've thought about and would like to get into. I'm no longer satisfied working as a service engineer in a job that no longer provides service work. I have worked at my current place since leaving school at the age of 16.

Would be good to hear from anyone on the railways just to get some background info. Especially regarding the recuritment process.

[Semproxion]

I dunno about other companies but when I applied for Nortern Rail it was explained to me that I'd have to be a conductor for 18 months + the conductor training, 21 months in all before I could be considered for driver training. I've been told that driver training takes upto a year.

[David-Ti]

I dunno about other companies but when I applied for Nortern Rail it was explained to me that I'd have to be a conductor for 18 months + the conductor training, 21 months in all before I could be considered for driver training. I've been told that driver training takes upto a year.

Thanks Reef.

They are advertising for trainee conductor and driver seperately. The job description for LM explains there will be 9modules relating to theory. Then on top of that 220hrs+ practical with instructor and on top of that 40hrs of darkness driving with instructor too. They state a minimum of 9months training before you reach a probationary period.

[E_T_V]

No-one has mentioned the aptitude tests you have to pass too which I believe are rather stringent.

[618ireland]

I worked in a motor factors with an ex train driver, he was at it years and years and took vuluntary redundancy. He reckoned 'twas boring as feck, same lad thought working in the factors was too though.

[Limecat]

One of my mates is a train driver. Not bad money for what you have to do TBH but his hours are utterly CRAP (he clears about £2.8k or so a month!). He never gets any sort of sleep pattern going though as it swings all over the place.

No idea on the recruitment process but I will ping him a text and see what he says, although he has done it for 6/7 years now so it could have changed? He is in Stockport, so again it may change on regions? He also has days where he is sat around on stand by incase of problems/people calling in sick etc. He was offered that and a job as air traffic control at the same time but the latter required him to move down south on a crap training wage for a few years IIRC so he opted for being a train driver!?! God knows why but hey-ho.

On the flip side, he did tell me about a guy he worked with who is on long term sick/therapy etc as some bellend jumped in front of his train to commit suicide. Nothing the poor bugger could do about it like but it's mashed the poor old sods head up good and proper.

[limpabit]

I like you was looking at a change of jobs to a train driver. Something about it. I'll see how you get on and how this current one pans out.

[vinny19791]

Fuuny enough I was looking at this about 8 years ago.

A good friend of mine was a conductor, and he said the drivers were on a hell of a screw.

No doubt things are similar these days



Mind being a postie is cool as you get plenty of time off. Just doubling my wages to 50k is appealing

[radddogg]

some bellend jumped in front of his train to commit suicide.

Like our close friend then......what a BELLEND!!!

[Limecat]

some bellend jumped in front of his train to commit suicide.

Like our close friend then......what a BELLEND!!!

I'm not aware of that to be honest. I recall reading something by Null_Byte IIRC on the thread about the guy that was pushed by a copper but I don't recall the methodology?

It's a selfish thing to do IMO. Commiting suicide is one thing but not in a manner that it buggers up someone elses life who can only control the speed and not direction of something.

So yes, it's a bellend thing to do. 'Oooh, my life is so crap that I will end it and pass the pain onto some innocent unsuspecting person who has had absolutely no bearing on my life thus far!'

I'm not being harsh or anything. I'm not saying your friend was a bellend just that it's a bellend thing to do.

It's a selfish act but if you were that way inclined you could have the decency to go abroad to a country where it's not illegal and do it in a more considerate manner, surely?

[618ireland]

...........

It's a selfish act but if you were that way inclined you could have the decency to go abroad to a country where it's not illegal and do it in a more considerate manner, surely?

Quite often it wouldn't be that well planned I expect, straw that broke the camel's back sort of scenario.
Personally (and I am in no way qualified to justify my view) I think it is a sort of mental disorder, something goes pop somewhere in the head, much like gambling addiction or jealousy, not much the person can do to stop the urge.

[Limecat]

...........

It's a selfish act but if you were that way inclined you could have the decency to go abroad to a country where it's not illegal and do it in a more considerate manner, surely?

Quite often it wouldn't be that well planned I expect, straw that broke the camel's back sort of scenario.
Personally (and I am in no way qualified to justify my view) I think it is a sort of mental disorder, something goes pop somewhere in the head, much like gambling addiction or jealousy, not much the person can do to stop the urge.

True. However, don't paint them as a victim to me as they mess up other peoples lives.

Everyone has down times. It takes a warped person to be so completely and utterly self centred that they are prepared to haunt someone and f*ck up/destroy their life. I may be a complete and utter twunt to many people on here but I say things as I see it and I could NEVER be that selfish.

[Null_Byte]

I think the points have been made for both arguments, can we return to the original topic please.