If you apply for one of these positions is progression to mainline a realistic prospect?
Would you be better off waiting for a mainline job to come around?
From reading the posts on here over the last few months I get the impression that it is not always easy to make the transition from a depot driver to a mainline driver. That said it's not impossible but you would need to do a few years as a depot driver before making the change. The salary for the depot driver is pretty decent and the role itself is not to be sniffed at so all I would say is get an application in as you've nothing to lose.
You can progress. I know of 5 that have gone from DD to mainline in the last year or so
Yes it is realistic and it's the best stepping stone to mainline driving you can get
Having done it myself in the past, the job itself is decent and has some advantages over mainline driving. But there are disadvantages as well. I won't go into detail about that as either job differs a lot depending on which TOC/Location you're based at.
Progression was relatively easy as well when I wanted to move on.
You can only apply for trainee roles. Most of the time you will have to do the whole course again. At least you'll find it easy though.No you would only apply for trainee roles. The depot driver course is only six week (northern)
What exactly is the difference between a depot driver and a mainline driver in terms of qualifications?
Something to do with toilets?Fuelling, water replenishment and CET duties as required.
Worth pointing out that some TOCs (EMR certainly) train depot drivers to full mainline qualifications now, including granting an European Train Driving License. Possibly related to the train driving apprenticeship which is becoming standard across the industry for new drivers. Whether Northern do the same I have no idea. Even with the ETDL though you are basically viewed as a trainee to other TOCs as you have zero mainline handling.
Even if Northern don’t have something similar, being a Depot Driver with them will still certainly help with mainline applications in terms of acquired knowledge and skills.
EMR give their Depot Drivers full Mainline rules training and an ETDL because they drive to and from the depot on the mainline and complete mainline shunt manoeuvres. There is also a natural progression plan in place to promote Depot Drivers to Mainline Drivers. The apprenticeship is a recent additional scheme which new EMR drivers undertake.
Even if Northern don’t have something similar, being a Depot Driver with them will still certainly help with mainline applications in terms of acquired knowledge and skills.
I got an email saying I didn't get it, was from a member of the recruitment team with her name as the sender rather than the company, and subject titled "Feedback on Application", so check your junk emails.did anybody else here apply for this role in Newcastle? My application is now marked "End of process" on the DB website and I have heard nothing.
nothing in my junk from them, perhaps they are still in the process of emailing everybody.I got an email saying I didn't get it, was from a member of the recruitment team with her name as the sender rather than the company, and subject titled "Feedback on Application", so check your junk emails.