is anyone here a train driver (in real life) ?

Vicrailbuff · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 10:44 pm

hey anyone a train driver i need to ask a question.

John of Melbourne · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 11:20 pm

Vicrailbuff · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 11:25 pm

yeah well i'll just tell you my situation i'm in. see i'm 17 and currently half way through year 12 VCE, and my long life dream is to be a train driver, and i'm considering to throw the towel in and give up school, and try my luck at getting a job with connex, except they always say to apply online but theres never any available positions advertised there so what do you think i should do?

John of Melbourne · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 11:40 pm

You don't need a driver to answer that for you.

Have a read of the Connex Trainee Drivers topic and see if that gives you enough information.

If not, ask another question here.

Vicrailbuff · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 11:57 pm

yeah thanks for that thread, read through most of it. seems alot of people with good experience are even getting knocked back!! and connex are complaining about a lack of drivers it does'nt make sense!! so it makes me think that they probably would'nt even look at me, for a position, but i've got a few good contacts i know very well of they are: XXXX XXXX - Department of infrastructure (former Train driver crew manager of National Express) and XXXX XXXX - has a big position in connex. these guys i'm really depending on to pull a few strings for me to get in. if not i gotta wait in line like everyone else who applied.

John of Melbourne · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 12:36 am

It's probably not a good idea to mention names of third parties in this sort of situation; they may not appreciate it if they found out. (You can edit your message if you choose.)

You may be right that they could get you a leg in, but I'm sure that you would still have to meet the minimum qualifications, which I think the other thread said included year 12. That being the case, you ought not throw in the towel for school just yet!

But even if they do pull some strings, the best they could likely do is get you an interview. You would still have to demonstrate that you had what it takes, and that may not be that easy.

As for the people with good experience being knocked back, I'd just point out that although Connex will be needing lots of new drivers over the next few years, judging from the number of applications they received following recent advertising, they can afford to be choosy.

DavidB · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 12:38 pm

A few comments which are nothing more than my own personal opinions.

1) Finish school before you try anything. You will need your VCE to apply, and in the event you don't make it as a driver you'll need it to follow some other career.

2) Look at getting a job (any job) with a rail operator before applying to become a trainee driver. You at least have your foot in the door and have some practical experience in the industry.

3) Always have a Plan B. In the event you don't become a driver, is there some other career path involving railways that might interest you? Look at some of the TAFE courses which might be relevant.

Cheers
David

Ads · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 1:22 pm

I am currently doing the same research and have come across a few TAFE courses of relevance.
Would courses for certificate(s) in transport and distribution be advisable to undertake prior to applying for employment in the railways, or do/would the rail companies advise that these courses are done after one is employed in the company?

Cheers

T411 · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 4:03 pm

I would strongly suggest completing year 12. The minimum requirement for train drivers, particulary in the recent 'off the street' recruitment has been year 12 (or equivilant).

Also I would suggest following DavidB's advice and prehaps even wait a few years and get some 'outside world' experience, hopefully including gaining experience sitting appitude tests and interview panels.

If Connex or anyone else runs a similar recruitment exercise again, having contacts probably won't be of use. Theys eem to be reasonably 'tamper proof'

"Its not an offence to drive like a prat, half of London does"

WPC Martella, The Bill, circa 1989

Vicrailbuff · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 7:33 pm

thanks for your info guys it helped alot.

Maikha · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 9:27 pm

Could working volunteer for a tourist railway/preservation organisation have some kind of credit towards 'experience' in working in a railway operation (I.e. Like a signaller, guard, helping out at one, etc)?

Curious
Maikha "V" Ly

Cheers
Maikha Ly

The Intercity Platform & Valve Gear Media!
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/

Comments made are that of my own, and do not reflect those of organisations mentioned.

nm25 · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:24 pm

DriverII · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 11:31 pm

G'day Vicrailbuff,

I'm actually a Driver for QR & it's good to see you're sensible enough to ask for advice from those that are in the job, but there are points that can't be stressed enough for a young person like yourself about to start looking for employment.

Rodo · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 9:54 am

You seem to have generally recieved good advice in the above writings Vicrailbuff. It is a simple fact that not just any silly fool is taken on to become a driver, although it may appear that way on meeting a few of the drivers.
About 1985 I applied for a Trainee Engineman position with the SRA of NSW. There were more than 3000 men who all sat for 3 examinations at Sydney Tech. only 20 out of this group were selected for training. At 35 I was the second oldest in the group of 12 in the safeworking school I did. There was one young man who was just 18 and fresh out of high school, the youngest of the group but he had top marks in year 12 maths/physics/english. The others were all at least a little older & all had good trades or degrees except myself who had only the then minimal year 10 education. The apptitude tests were based at early university level, so year 12 mathematics and english would have been of great help. I was fortunate enough to have been born with a very high IQ level so I passed the exams despite my lack of education. About 50% of those who passed all that failed the interviews & medicals. The general employment situation has improved nowadays so possibly railway departments cannot afford to be so fussy. There are a lot of other positions available in the rail industry & the days of cutbacks in staff numbers appear to be gone, so I am sure that the rail industry must have some kind of a position for you. Being an Engineman is a much coveted job, so you cannot be sure of getting that one, even if you consider yourself ideal for it.
It is a good thing to aim at nonetheless.

Best whishes in your hunt for a career.

Lord Rodo ~ ~ el Ambassadorio del Lithgovian Peoples Republic & Evil Empire
~ clod morning specialist. Viva Lithgovia !

T411 · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:13 pm

In recent driver intakes age does not appear to be a factor (there are a lot of 'older' trainees in the system at the moment)

In addition to the above posters, an extra bit of advice I would recommend is to have a job or expeirence (either paid or voluntary) in a customer service style role. This is something that is valued at recruitment time. Reason being is that in a customer service role, any problems that happen, happen without warning and generally need to be solved on the spot. Similar to, for example, your loco deciding to stop in the middle of nowhere. The problem has happened without warning and needs to be resolved on the spot.

As for expeirence on a tourist/heritage railway - I have noticed to different schools of thought. It may help or may not. It would all depend how you present it in an interview. If it is a 'sensible' level of involvment, it probably won't work against you. If it occupies every second of your waking time to the extent it effects your (current) job, relationships, life etc it probably won't be of assistance to you.

"Its not an offence to drive like a prat, half of London does"

WPC Martella, The Bill, circa 1989