Train Driver for ROG

[The One]

Any one who have or still works for Rail Operations Group as a train driver have heard they are paid excellent money but what involved to earn this money.Any info appreciated please.

 

[Southern Dvr]

I’d imagine extreme flexibility in regards hours and shifts. Also they are only going to be poaching from other TOC/FOC when they recruit.
Be interesting to know what they’ll do when all the current stock moves are done with.

 

[whoosh]

There's a thread about it here:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/rog-drivers.182358/


And a bit here:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/driver-recruitment.199515/#post-4416849

 

[The One]

This is true will be interesting what happens but seen they are advertising but seems to pay very well for some reason let’s face it you don’t get owt with nowt these days

 

[43066]

£70k is a high basic but, based on those other threads, I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot barge pole.

5 day week, 12 hour shifts, no predictability, no pension, no priv. No thanks! Strictly one for the loco enthusiasts.

 

[Raul_Duke]

It’s varied and interesting, but I believe it’s very much, “Heres a bit of paper with what we want moving where, here’s your path, get cracking.”

From the guys I’ve spoken to there, it’s more of (but not exclusively) a bit of a retirement home for very experienced old boys with massive route cards who have taken their pensions and now have the flexibility to take a 37 somewhere random at very short notice.

 

[Pilotman]

Make sure you do the research as it may be higher salary, but they are not recognised as a TOC, therefore no travel privileges or railway pension. I agree with what Raul said above it seems like the old boys in the industry as they don't have to worry about those things ie pension..

Personally the money is not enough compared to what you will lose as benefit over the years..

 

[Southern Dvr]

Also no trade union recognition by ROG.

whilst it’s great to see them out and about moving all sorts of traction they definitely aren’t the company to work for unless you’re only a few years away from retirement.

Furthermore what’s going to happen when there’s no more scrap moves to do and most stock is refurbished?

 

[theironroad]

Make sure you do the research as it may be higher salary, but they are not recognised as a TOC, therefore no travel privileges or railway pension. I agree with what Raul said above it seems like the old boys in the industry as they don't have to worry about those things ie pension..

Personally the money is not enough compared to what you will lose as benefit over the years..

Though joining FL, DB ,GBRF, Colas etc as a new entrant won't get you any travel benefits at all or if joining NR.

 

[Sammy2019]

Do they take on trainees?

 

[martin2345uk]

Do they take on trainees?

Nope.

 

[PhilTimo]

It’s varied and interesting, but I believe it’s very much, “Heres a bit of paper with what we want moving where, here’s your path, get cracking.”

what else do you need?!!

From the guys I’ve spoken to there, it’s more of (but not exclusively) a bit of a retirement home for very experienced old boys with massive route cards

not everyone

who have taken their pensions and now have the flexibility to take a 37 somewhere random at very short notice in some cases yes. .

 

[PhilTimo]

£70k

(its a lot more than 70k!!)

is a high basic but, based on those other threads, I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot barge pole.

5 day week

(two of which are most likely to be passing ),

12 hour shifts

(paid for 12 hours rarely does a turn come any where near it)

. ., no predictability

and therefore no repetitive boredom

no pension

very good pension

no priv. No thanks! Strictly one for the loco enthusiasts

lots of ROG drivers have never seen a Loco.

 

[SlimJim1694]

Do you know your shifts and rest days in advance @PhilTimo ? How much AL do you get? Is it a 4 day week?

 

[PhilTimo]

Do you know your shifts and rest days in advance @PhilTimo ? How much AL do you get? Is it a 4 day week?

Do you know your shifts and rest days in advance. Yes and no. Depends what job you are on. You have to flexible, definitely.

How much AL do you get? I think its 30 days plus bank holidays

Is it a 4 day week? No, 5. But bearing in mind you 'work from home' depending on where you are working, it is common to spend one day passing to work, then work three days, then pass home day 5. hope that makes sense

 

[LCC106]

Pretty sure I’m right in saying they only take on managers / instructors. It’s not only moving vehicles but also delivering training for which there can be a lot of prep work from home. Not a job for someone with a young family, more for those leading a single life.

 

[PhilTimo]

Its definitely not suited to those with young families, although there are a few who have.
You are right about the manager / instructor thing, although again, there are drivers that have been neither. I think the mentality here is that an ex manager or DI is more likely to 'get on with it' without fuss, and certainly without running to the Union because there's a dandelion leaf on the walking route.

 

[SlimJim1694]

Is it a 4 day week? No, 5. But bearing in mind you 'work from home' depending on where you are working, it is common to spend one day passing to work, then work three days, then pass home day 5. hope that makes sense

I see what you mean. Thanks for that. I looked at ROG but after reading this I see it's definitely not the job for me. I don't like the idea of all that lodging away, or the 5 day week, passing or no passing. I had a guy from there come roads with me once and thought he was a bit full of himself about it, like we all aspired to work for ROG. In the end I got the impression he was only trying to convince himself.