How can I get a trainee train driver pos'n with freight company?

Question

How can I get a trainee train driver pos'n with freight company?

Answer 1

In the UK you can apply as and when trainee posts become available. It's worth noting that it's easier to start on suburban work and then move onto the freight later on.

Companies like GBRailfreight recruit train staff off the street.

http://www.railwayregister.care4free.net... is the place to check out

Answer 2

OK... NOW it depends on where you live, here in Australia you would need to keep a close eye on the media (news paper's and Internet) the rail company's advertise when position's come up vacant... it pays to do your home work about an company's you might choose to apply to as one of the question you will more than likely be asked is "what do you know about this company"... it also pays not to be a "foamer" (it's an Aussie locomotive driver's saying... a foamer is a train spotter..... they are called that as each time they see a train they start to foam at the mouth....lol)...

have a bit a a mechanical mind helps as the "air brake" schooling side can be a bit of a brain strain......good luck

Answer 3

here in the u.s.they have started doing a school for engineers school modac it may not be correctly spelt this is a secret to most people why i can/t figure this out

Answer 4

You'd be very lucky to get a trainee driver's job "off the street" with any freight company. The Big companys such as EWS and Freightliner usually poach there drivers from other companies. These are mostly passenger (TOC) drivers that have 3 years experience (or more) and can be "Converted" to freight train drivers by carrying out further loco and handling training although usually for this type of further training freight companies ask for "Diesel" experience.

The smaller (and more glamourous) companies such as DRS, GBRf etc tend to train "trainee" drivers, but they come from within the company and have worked as "Trainmen" previously. Because of there previous experience in this role they are seen as being "Trainable".

EWS, would, at one time take people from the streets to ttrain as drivers, but, in todays cost cutting railway, it's easier (and cheeper) to poach a passenger driver, and give him a few weeks training, than give a newbie the whole lot.

Best bet to get into the driving grades is to start off with a passenger company and build up to a freight company.

I started driving Tampers and then worked my way up to driving test trains for Network rail over 5 years.

It's not an impossible job to get, you just have to start at the bottom and crawl your way up.