Regan
Member
Colas rail advertising for Apprentice Freight train Drivers full description on their website.
On the vacancy, it says South East; Anglia and the East Midlands.Thanks. Any idea on the location of this one?
Never really looked into freight train driving. Can anyone fill me in on what the salaries are like compared to passenger train drivers. Also the shift patterns/rotas?
Yeah I did see that, not very clear on location of the vacancies though, but if that’s the location then I’ll pass.On the vacancy, it says South East; Anglia and the East Midlands.
Once training is completed after a period of a minimum 12 months, we will offer a highly competitive salary and company pension scheme plus a job with lots of variety.
does that mean for 12 months you don’t get paid at all?
Thanks. It’s a bit annoying it doesn’t say where the depots are but I guess an application can’t hurt!
How does a home based and mobile working train driver work?The ‘Driver Depots’ thread may give you more info...seems like a lot of home-based and mobile working with Colas. Not unusual for FOCs to work this way. Good luck!
How does a home based and mobile working train driver work?
Ah okay I see thanks for that.I’m no expert on this and I’ve never worked for a FOC, but AFAIK it means rather than starting/finishing at a main depot everytime you work, you are expected to clock into and out of jobs in various locations within your region. One driver will drive to the meet point in a company van, sign on remotely and the previous driver will take the company van away with them. Could be a lot of lodging involved but I’d seek further info from someone who’s actually worked at Colas if I were you.
I put Canton TMD (they have a fair few locos based there) as my preferred location. I know it's not in the list buried in the advert, but it can't hurt to try!!
Where’s the list?? I couldn’t find it!
In the opening paragraph of the job advert it mentions a couple of places - I took advantage of it being a free-type box!!
?the South East; Anglia and the East Midlands
Oh do you mean ?
Thought maybe you meant something a little more specific
Yes - no I didn't mean anything else. I just typed in Cardiff Canton in the hope they'd consider it! :P
Colas dont operate depots for traincrew, they are home based. Ergo you book on/off at your home (or hotel) and travel to where you are needed. Drivers are based in geographical areas - Cardiff comes under South Wales/Bristol although it wouldnt stop them sending you to Inverness or Penzance if they wanted.
Already have my psychometric passes in the bag so hoping that will help!!
No worries. If you progress and have any questions feel free to message me.
How does it work in terms of route knowledge with a company like this? If they can just call you up and expect you to go more or less anywhere?