Any GWR Reading drivers?

Hello all,
I'm a qualified driver looking for a change.
Have been considering GWR at Reading.
Any drivers from that depot who could give me some general info?
What's the depot like overall? Is there a separate link for HST work? How many Sundays per year? How often a long weekend? That sort of thing.
Thanks in advance.
B.

Becko said:

Hello all,
I'm a qualified driver looking for a change.
Have been considering GWR at Reading.
Any drivers from that depot who could give me some general info?
What's the depot like overall? Is there a separate link for HST work? How many Sundays per year? How often a long weekend? That sort of thing.
Thanks in advance.
B.

Click to expand...

Can't give too many details about reading but I know they don't sign HSTs , I know they do 800s for London and Bedwyn. Lots of branch work in the lower few links, Windsor, Henley Marlow etc. I think link4 onward may sign Gatwick.

Thanks for that.
Just assumed they signed HSTs at RDG.
Learnt something already!

Hi Becko...

Reading is by far the largest driver depot in GWR’s East Region - a good variety of work, even for newbies and RDW generally available for those that want it.

Sundays outside, but committed (usually plenty of volunteers if you didn’t want them). Approx 21 per year.

Long weekend (Fri-Tues) every 3 weeks.

4 Links that work on seniority.

At Reading only Links 1 & 2 sign the 800 high speed stuff at present, approx time to Link 2 is generally around 5-7 years.

(All links at Paddington and Oxford depots sign 800s).

Routes at Reading:

• Reading - Paddington
• Reading - Didcot
• Didcot - Oxford
• Reading - Basingstoke
• Reading - Newbury
• Newbury - Bedwyn (Links 1+2)
• Reading - Gatwick (Links 1+2)
• Henley Branch
• Marlow Branch (Links 3+4)
• Windsor Branch (Links 3+4)

Mostly DOO, but Guards on Basingstoke, Gatwick and Marlow, plus temporarily also Reading to Bedwyn with 800s at present.

Traction:

387
165/166
800/802 (Links 1+2)
Plus 769s later this year

Great info KT. Thanks a lot!
Your answers raise a few more questions. Hope you dont mind......
Is Sunday paid at flat rate?
I know it's an average 4 day week but in order to get the long weekend every 3 weeks, are you working a 5 day week (6 with a Sunday) in between?
How is it there for swaps? (I'm a late man)
And finally, just out of curiosity, what's the establishment there?
Thanks again.

No problem

Sunday pay x 1.25, currently in negotiations to include as part of working week in the future, but nothing in place yet.

No, it’s a 4 day week (5 if you work the Sunday), so rest days are:

(Sun), Fri, Sat
Sun, Mon, Tue
(Sun), Wed, Thu

Plenty of people have permanent swaps, so not an issue

Current establishment approx 220

Thanks very much for that.
Very helpful.

Must now be the biggest depot in the country