In short - Yes
Mid range - Yes
Long term - Not so sure...
I was sick of my job, worked 60-70 hours a week, worked bank holidays, 5 day weeks, late nights, early mornings, total and utter grind for little recognition and bugger all pay. Pretty much, I needed to get out. Changed jobs, same brown stuff, different employer.
Then I joined the railway as a Driver....
What I have found is that my terms and conditions are so locked down tight and actually respected. I work a full week but I don't work the extra for nothing. I am not forced to do overtime and there is no pressure on me to go the extra mile for no reward. My working week pretty much halved and my stress level vanished. Most of all, I don't take work home with me (sorta). Not everywhere has a 4 day week and its taken most of my career to get here but a 4 day week is amazing. It's hard, but there are many advantages. Short term I was glad to get out and only saw the advantages. Including the huge bump in the pocket.
Then it all changed. The work is relentless at times and I have found that whilst I worked a 70hr week. A lot was downtime. Sitting about in the office, chatting in the staff room, breaks when I want, go for a pee when I want. The 'Railway' is very different. I might only have a 9hr shift but I'm working for pretty much all of that. Those T&Cs are great but they state I only get a 30min PNB and many diagrams literally have just that. Productivity is very high. You often come home completely drained, physically and mentally. I also found out quite early that you are only as good as your last trip. It's an industry with a shockingly high turnover of staff. As a Driver they kinda expect perfection 100% of the time. There is no tippex or delete button. Rules and regs are seriously tight and you are expected to be fully competent at all times. I've seen many people come and go. Job loss due to incident can be very detrimental. Shift work is a real killer. Granted there is a rough and smooth side but you need to face that reality. Not everyone can cope. I think a lot of people; especially on this forum; tend to romanticize 'The Railway' Sometimes the reality can be quite harsh.
15+yrs later...
I'm still here and still don't hate it. I've never really disliked what I do and never regretted it at all. I look back sometimes and see what I was doing and I could never go back. Sod commuting, sod the 9-5 and I don't get out of bed for less than £50k
Financially I've never been better. Socially its been hard but worth it. 4 day weeks give you quite a few long weekends and my friends have learned that I might miss the odd occasion but I make it up where I can. Same with kids and family. Lose a few, gain a few (as Fletch would say). Again; it's hard getting here but I've learned to accept it. The Railway has changed a lot over the years and it I see it quite differently. It really is 'just a job' You are nothing more than a number on a piece of paper. Turnover is still high and money isn't everything. I'm finding it harder to keep up and get the impression this job is killing me slowly. Like many others; I come in, grab my diagram, work, go home. The newer Drivers are very much here for the cash. That also contributes to the changes and the growing attitude that this is just another job. A means to an end. The old 'Railway Family' is dying out and almost dead. It is still better than what else is out there and I am grateful every day. The benefits have outweighed the negatives and I still have no regrets. I wouldn't specifically recommend it as I did before but it's a great place to work and pays the bills and a bit more.
Do your research. Remember there is as much negative as there is positive. Be realistic with your goals and be honest with yourself about what you want in life and what direction you wish to go in. Money is good. Enjoying what you do is much more important.
I wish you luck.