To ask if there are any women train drivers on here

[LiveInSunshine]

I’ve been applying for the role and progressing on the tests. I’m really keen.

I’d love to hear from anyone with experience of the role, particularly working hours. The adverts are targeted at women, saying it fits round family because you know your days off and work across 4 days. This is really important to me.

A friend who works operations though reckons this is unlikely, that rotas change regularly and you’re told when to work. I’ve previously worked jobs like this and I never want to go back to not being able to know days off, never being able to plan things in advance, never being able to arrange childcare that’s good and regular. Whatever the rest of a job is this is a total dealbreaker for me. I’ll happily be paid less in another job to avoid the lifestyle.

Not a train driver but have recently become a signaller with network rail. Part of the appeal was the shift pattern. we're on a four week roster so know exactly when we'll be working, and get plenty of rest days (although there's plenty of overtime available if you want to work more). The company seem to be generally supportive and there's a good culture in my area at least. For the first time ever, I actually really enjoy my job and would highly recommend it. There's a lot of ongoing recruitment at the moment so might be worth keeping an eye on that if it's something that interests you.

I imagine a lot will depend on your particular TOC. I've largely heard positive things from drivers though, and am keen to move into it when an opportunity comes up nearby.

Thank you, that’s really good to hear

Worth bearing in mind that lots of these positions are really competitive. It's not unusual that people apply multiple times before they are successful, so keep at it if you're really keen. That said, much of it is just understanding what they're looking for in the application process.

If you ever do look into signalling, I'd be happy to chat through the process. Obviously I'm not privy to the drivers process though

Thank you! So far I’ve done the initial tests, Application and CV and next tests. If successful I’d get an interview.
I’ve heard it’s very competitive, but they are targeting women out of work for 18 months or more. So I’m hoping that shrinks the field.

How exciting! Good luck @LiveInSunshine

Shift patterns depend on which TOC you work for. At some you'll only know what days you'll work up to the next timetable change, so May/December. So at the beginning of December you won't know what days you are rostered for later that month. You won't be able to plan ahead any further than that and weeks vary, one week you could have Wednesday and Thursday off and the next week Thursday and Saturday.

Also shift times are totally different from any other type of shift work, they are not set times. Again TOCs vary but for instance a morning shift could start as early as 3.00 or as late as 8.45, late shifts start anytime from 12.15 to 18.30 and then there are night shifts too. One day you're booking on at 15.30, the next 18.00 and the day after 13.45 - you get the idea. Again you only know times up to the next timetable change.

Also, if there's disruption you have to stay with your train (and you could be 100s of miles from your home depot), that could be hours after your day should have ended.

You'll need a very strong bladder, can often have 4.5 hours of driving, not all trains have toilets, and even if they do you might not fancy using one on a train full of drunks.

And if none of that has put you off, you'll have sole responsibility for a million pounds worth of train, 1500+ passengers and dealing with incidents with no other staff on board to help, but should be on minimum wage according to a proportion of the population (and government).

I have a background in retail customer service and teaching, so despite age I’m hoping my steel bladder won’t give up on me 😁

It sounds like shift wise I’m just going to have to (if I’m lucky enough) get clear details at interview. The worse I’ve ever had was Tesco. Found out on Thursday for the week ahead, nights or days and which days. Hellish. The flip between early and late in the same week would kill me I must admit. I don’t mind 3am, but I need Night or day in the same week 😬

Depends on the TOC, some have the change of shift mid week. If you're willing to share what depot (there's variations within TOCs) you've applied for I'll be able to tell you.

It depends how far ahead you think planning ahead is, wanting to know next week (unless next week is the timetable change) then yes you'll know.

Also half the week are "as required" in the roster and so you won't know the exact time but it'll be within a couple of hours, so we'd find out on the Thursday (sometimes Friday ) what those times will be for the following week. So you might only find out Thursday/Friday what time you're starting on Monday, so for instance if you're 15.00 as required on Monday, your start time could be anytime from 13.00-17.00.