What is the job of train driver like in the UK these days?

Question

What is the work and pay like? Do you have to have perfect 20/20 vision without glasses? How long and ahrd is the training? What are the main differences between driving a passenger and cargo train from the driver's perspective, and how do they get back home if their journey ends at the other end of country?

Thanks!

Answer 1

It's a fantastic job - as long as you are easy going and are happy to spend many hours in your own company.

Pay is quite reasonable and I feel some train drivers have lost touch with what the pay is like outside the industry. It is a hard job to get as thousands apply for small number of vacancies. And the pension scheme is one of the best available in the UK.

Training is long and hard, you must be healthy and have excellent eyesight. You can wear glasses but you CANNOT have had laser correction for your eyes.

No real difference in passenger and freight trains in terms of driving - although slightly different rules and speed limits apply. Getting back to home depot is built into your shift, but have not driven freight trains so don't know how they work the long hauled journeys.

Hope this answers some of your questions

Answer 2

all i know its pretty aw-full cos so many people r killing them self's on the tracks eg trowing them self's in front of trains

Answer 3

It looks like its getting a pretty dangerous profession and whatever they pay it surely isn't enough.

Answer 4

it`s a cushy overpaid underproducing little number !

Answer 5

The pay is reasonable, everybody wants more !!!.  I always say I train driver should get the same money as a airline pilot.  Their job is just as demanding with all the people travelling behind them.   Its not very often these days they stay out overnight.   You must have excellent health including eye sight.