Work experience on the Railways

oliMw · 11th July 2012, 20:51

Hello, I am going to do work experience next year with my school and I was thinking about working on the railways. I would was wondering whether Greater Anglia or East Midlands trains accept work experience placements. I was thinking about either shadowing staff on the station or working in the signal box or working on the train.
Thanks

Meridian richard · 11th July 2012, 20:55

Not many companies do work experience anymore. Grand Central seem to have occasional placements. You need to be 18 to work on a train and I don't think they'd let you work in the signal box or be with those who do.

96tommy · 11th July 2012, 21:01

I've just finished work experience with Network Rail. Most of the days was spent on the phone or computer rostering signalmen for future jobs, which was very enjoyable but managed a few trips to the York IECC for a few hours and visits to local signal boxes (e.g. Cattal) and other points (e.g. the relay bx at Colton Junction)

Loco Fitter · 12th July 2012, 03:01

DBS certainly take work experience on the engineering side anyway.

wensley · 12th July 2012, 05:38

The majority of Grand Central's placements have been uni students for an extended period as part of their degree.

GB · 12th July 2012, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meridian richard

Not many companies do work experience anymore. Grand Central seem to have occasional placements. You need to be 18 to work on a train and I don't think they'd let you work in the signal box or be with those who do.

Whether things have changed I don't know, but I did my work experience in 1999 and spent most time in signal boxes. I also shadowed a guard for a quick shift, shadowed a MOM (or PS as they were then) though didn't go on track and had a cab ride in a class 86 from Colchester to London.

steamybrian · 12th July 2012, 08:13

If you cannot get work experience with one of the train operating companies or Network Rail then join your local Heritage Railway as a volunteer which will give you work experience.

Rich · 12th July 2012, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamybrian

If you cannot get work experience with one of the train operating companies or Network Rail then join your local Heritage Railway as a volunteer which will give you work experience.

That's no good for school work experience thought, given that there are very few staff/volunteers about during the week on heritage railways.

For a more general experience of a working environment (which isn’t forced upon you by your school), by all means get involved at a heritage railway.

MattE2010 · 12th July 2012, 10:23

I know a lot of TOCs have cut school work experience altogether, I was lucky enough to get in just before they all stopped. I know now Virgin, Northern and Merseyrail don't do it. My advice would be to email GA, EMT, NR and any FOCs and if they can help they usually pass your request on to relevant managers.

danuzumi · 12th July 2012, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamybrian

If you cannot get work experience with one of the train operating companies or Network Rail then join your local Heritage Railway as a volunteer which will give you work experience.

How would one go about doing that? I would love to Volunteer with our heritage railway or even a local operator

MattE2010 · 12th July 2012, 15:41

c2c isn't a preserved railway...

Temple Meads · 12th July 2012, 16:16

I've got a friend who's managed to get work experience with FGW at a station.

He's 15.

es373 · 15th July 2012, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliMw

Hello, I am going to do work experience next year with my school and I was thinking about working on the railways. I would was wondering whether Greater Anglia or East Midlands trains accept work experience placements. I was thinking about either shadowing staff on the station or working in the signal box or working on the train.
Thanks

E* do work experience placements in the depot, if you are interested.

louis97 · 15th July 2012, 17:34

I have completed work experience at First Great Western at Plymouth, I was 16 at the time - You can read all about what I did and how I arranged it at http://www.yrea.org.uk/archives/4233

AdamW · 16th July 2012, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by louis97

I have completed work experience at First Great Western at Plymouth, I was 16 at the time - You can read all about what I did and how I arranged it at http://www.yrea.org.uk/archives/4233

Also saw somebody doing Work experience at Plymouth myself in May (?) this year.

11th July 2012, 20:51	#1
oliMw Member Join Date: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 51	Work experience on the Railways Hello, I am going to do work experience next year with my school and I was thinking about working on the railways. I would was wondering whether Greater Anglia or East Midlands trains accept work experience placements. I was thinking about either shadowing staff on the station or working in the signal box or working on the train. Thanks

11th July 2012, 20:55	#2
Meridian richard Member Join Date: 8 Apr 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 185	Not many companies do work experience anymore. Grand Central seem to have occasional placements. You need to be 18 to work on a train and I don't think they'd let you work in the signal box or be with those who do. __________________ Meridian Richard Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37977030@N04

11th July 2012, 21:01	#3
96tommy Member Join Date: 18 May 2010 Posts: 298	I've just finished work experience with Network Rail. Most of the days was spent on the phone or computer rostering signalmen for future jobs, which was very enjoyable but managed a few trips to the York IECC for a few hours and visits to local signal boxes (e.g. Cattal) and other points (e.g. the relay bx at Colton Junction) __________________ Click on the photo for my website

12th July 2012, 03:01	#4
Loco Fitter Oily Rag Wringer Member Join Date: 5 Jan 2010 Location: N 52° 57.385 W 001°18.100 Posts: 573	DBS certainly take work experience on the engineering side anyway. __________________ D.E.S BR (SR) 7/9/1976 \| Still going strong \| Member of TSSA since 1986

12th July 2012, 05:38	#5
wensley Established Member Join Date: 29 Jun 2008 Location: On a train between Loughborough and the north! Posts: 1,440	The majority of Grand Central's placements have been uni students for an extended period as part of their degree. __________________ Click here to view my Railway Photography on Flickr Updated Regularly.

12th July 2012, 08:13	#7
steamybrian Member Join Date: 26 Nov 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 310	If you cannot get work experience with one of the train operating companies or Network Rail then join your local Heritage Railway as a volunteer which will give you work experience.

12th July 2012, 10:23	#9
MattE2010 The cry was No Surrender Established Member Join Date: 16 May 2010 Location: North Posts: 9,634	I know a lot of TOCs have cut school work experience altogether, I was lucky enough to get in just before they all stopped. I know now Virgin, Northern and Merseyrail don't do it. My advice would be to email GA, EMT, NR and any FOCs and if they can help they usually pass your request on to relevant managers.

12th July 2012, 15:41	#11
MattE2010 The cry was No Surrender Established Member Join Date: 16 May 2010 Location: North Posts: 9,634	c2c isn't a preserved railway...

12th July 2012, 16:16	#12
Temple Meads Passenger and Enthusiast Established Member Join Date: 2 Sep 2010 Location: Tiverton, Devon Posts: 1,332	I've got a friend who's managed to get work experience with FGW at a station. He's 15. __________________ Cheers, Tim YouTube \| Flickr \| More Photos

15th July 2012, 17:34	#14
louis97 Plymouth,This is Plymouth Member Join Date: 14 May 2008 Location: Loughborough Posts: 394	I have completed work experience at First Great Western at Plymouth, I was 16 at the time - You can read all about what I did and how I arranged it at http://www.yrea.org.uk/archives/4233 __________________