Northern Driver Shifts, advice asap please!

Chris Johnston · 21 Aug 2018

Hi,
Was hoping for some specific advice please?
I've worked shifts for years and am ok with it, but I've not worked ones that seem as unsociable as some of the driver rotas I've seen.
Can anyone give me a decent idea of what shifts a trainee driver would be covering from Liverpool?
Start/end times etc
Thanks
Chris

RailUK Forums

Bucephalus · 21 Aug 2018

Congratulations! :cake:

I'm not jealous at all if you've bagged a driver job...

I can't imagine that the range of hours 'on the road' would be worse than 0600 - 2000. That's after the classroom training of presumably 0800-1700.

These are all guesses based on no knowledge. I'd be intrigued to find out how way off the mark I am from someone that actually knows!

Surreytraveller · 21 Aug 2018

Just a guess, don't work up north, but early turns will probably start anywhere after 0300, late turns finishing up until 0200, and night turns anywhere in between

Bromley boy · 22 Aug 2018

Chris Johnston said:
Hi,
Was hoping for some specific advice please?
I've worked shifts for years and am ok with it, but I've not worked ones that seem as unsociable as some of the driver rotas I've seen.
Can anyone give me a decent idea of what shifts a trainee driver would be covering from Liverpool?
Start/end times etc
Thanks
Chris

Surreytraveller said:
Just a guess, don't work up north, but early turns will probably start anywhere after 0300, late turns finishing up until 0200, and night turns anywhere in between

This is a good answer, similar to most TOCs, including mine.

The first 3-4 months (rules + traction) will likely be 9-5ish classroom time. Once you’re doing train handling you’ll follow your DI’s shift pattern.

Disregard the poster claiming 0600 - 2000. Not a chance! Your DI might swap for office hours type shifts, or permanent earlies/lates, at their whim, but be prepared for extreme earlies/lates.

To get an idea look at the extreme ends of the timetable +/- 1 hour or so booking on + taxi to remote locations/ECS moves etc. and assume that’s what you’ll be working.

Even if you’ve worked shifts before, be prepared for a shock when it comes to railway shifts. Not to put you off, but be prepared for it...

Dieseldriver · 22 Aug 2018

Bucephalus said:
I can't imagine that the range of hours 'on the road' would be worse than 0600 - 2000. That's after the classroom training of presumably 0800-1700.

These are all guesses based on no knowledge. I'd be intrigued to find out how way off the mark I am from someone that actually knows!

You're way off the mark...

atraindriver · 22 Aug 2018

Aivilo · 22 Aug 2018

Specifically outlines in the advert/application the requirement to be able to work shifts across a 24 hour period. That alone should tell you everything you need to know

AMD · 22 Aug 2018

Lime Street have starts around 3am and finishes well after midnight. They also have one turn that's nightshift as the ferry driver for Allerton.

Loop & Link · 22 Aug 2018

As mentioned already:

Earliest starts around 03:00, latest finish is around 01:30. There are a number of ‘Ferry’ turns taking units to/from the Depot, one of which is a night turn.

Traction is: 142, 150, 156, 319, 323.

Routes:

Lime St-Manchester Oxford Road/Airport via Warrington Central.

Lime St-Manchester Vic/Oxford Road via Chat Moss.

Lime Street-Wigan-Preston-Blackpool (and diversions via Ince Moss/Golborne)

Lime Street-Warrington BQ.

Lime St-Runcorn-Crewe.

Warrington BQ-Chester/Ellesmere Port/Helsby.

Manchester Airport-Wigan-Blackpool (via Chat Moss and Golborne Junction)

Warrington BQ-Preston via WCML.

Quite a nice route card.

Chris Johnston · 22 Aug 2018

Thanks everyone!
Decided not to apply....I'm fine with straight shifts (normal earlies is 6am-7am start,late's and nights), but think I would go barmy getting up at 2am for work. It's a great shame, but don't think I could do it.
Cheers for all your advice

whoosh · 22 Aug 2018

Yes it's not for everyone. Well done for asking a question about an area you had doubts in your mind about the rôle, and thinking it through.

A start at 07:00 is considered a lay in amongst train drivers!

Northern Driver Shifts, advice asap please!

Chris Johnston

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