TFW Train Crew Llandudno

Has anyone seen this role advertised? Can I deduce that this is a conductor/train manager role (please excuse my lack of knowledge)? I've seen trainee conductor roles posted in the past and wonder if they have now changed description for advertising the role?

If not what would the duties be?

Does anyone also know what the salary goes up to after training? I live just within one hour's drive of Llandudno Junction according to Google (56 minutes) so knowing longer term would definitely be of benefit.

This is quoted from the advertisement "Minimum starting salary of £25,921 which will increase substantially when you become fully qualified"

Many thanks in advance

Hi @Worcesterlad8
I have seen this and assume it’s for a conductor role at Holyhead Llandudno Junction and Pwllheli.
It wasn’t listed on the web site under the conductor section came across it in the browse all jobs section.
Not sure of the pay details after training. Can anyone else help?

Does anyone know start / finish times and routes for Conductors at these depots please?

Thanks

I've just started with TfW. It does sound like a conductor role. All I can say is that my role pays quite a bit more than the advertised salary for this job. I would imagine it would go up to at least 30k. You and your wife and kids will also get free travel. Go for it it seems a great company to work for.

This is a great opportunity for anyone.

TfW have been really strict about candidates & where they live. The vacancy makes it clear they will only consider people who live local & they want evidence of their address!!!

CJ

Thanks all for updates, I did Google search of my home address postcode to Llandudno Junction station postcode and it said 56 minutes. I appreciate I'm at absolute limit on criteria for this location. Chester & Crewe are best for me in terms of journey time.

Salary looks very good indeed once trained up if over £30000 (I'm sure I read somewhere previously it was around £32000).

Worcesterlad8 said:

Thanks all for updates, I did Google search of my home address postcode to Llandudno Junction station postcode and it said 56 minutes. I appreciate I'm at absolute limit on criteria for this location. Chester & Crewe are best for me in terms of journey time.

Salary looks very good indeed once trained up if over £30000 (I'm sure I read somewhere previously it was around £32000).

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If it's a conductor job, I am approaching passing out as a qualified conductor, and the salary is a good deal more than £32,000. If you are in the 1 hour limit and can prove it, go for it, get in the industry and cross the bridge of transferring to a closer depot further down the line. I had to change depots after being told I was successful, Chester have a small amount of vacancies still to fill I believe, and apparently Junction aren't requiring more guards right now so you may find yourself being offered an early change of depot which I'm sure would suit! Good luck to you!

Many thanks for your reply. That's good to know about Chester as that is closest depot for me over Crewe so would definitely suit. My application is in so hoping I hear something. I'll work wherever there is a posting, as you say it's getting into the industry in the first instance.

Jamie Price said:

If it's a conductor job, I am approaching passing out as a qualified conductor, and the salary is a good deal more than £32,000. If you are in the 1 hour limit and can prove it, go for it, get in the industry and cross the bridge of transferring to a closer depot further down the line. I had to change depots after being told I was successful, Chester have a small amount of vacancies still to fill I believe, and apparently Junction aren't requiring more guards right now so you may find yourself being offered an early change of depot which I'm sure would suit! Good luck to you!

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What is a qualified conductors salary?

Worcesterlad8 said:

Many thanks for your reply. That's good to know about Chester as that is closest depot for me over Crewe so would definitely suit. My application is in so hoping I hear something. I'll work wherever there is a posting, as you say it's getting into the industry in the first instance.

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Absolutely mate, I applied for, and was successful, a conductor role in Shrewsbury. However I was asked to transfer to Chester or go into the talent pool for Shrewsbury. Needless to say I opted for Chester. Worry about the travelling later, as long as you meet the credentials just go wherever you're needed. If you end up at Junction, it appears to be a very pleasant depot to work, however, with only 5 routes signed by Junction guards, Chester is the place to be for variety! Terrific job, terrific conditions and lovely lovely people from top to bottom! I'm very proud to carry the TFW name on my uniform, if you get through it will be the best thing that will happen to you! If you don't, keep applying and your time will come! Good luck mate.

Thanks for the updates Jamie
Sounds like a great place to work.
Do you know what the routes are at Holyhead and I guess Pwllheli is The Cambrian Line?
What are the Junction Routes please mate?

Plodster said:

Thanks for the updates Jamie
Sounds like a great place to work.
Do you know what the routes are at Holyhead and I guess Pwllheli is The Cambrian Line?
What are the Junction Routes please mate?

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TFW Holyhead sign to Man Picc, Crewe, and Llandudno to Blaenau.
Junction is same as the above but they also go through to Man Airport.

Edit: Sorry, just realised you were asking what routes the guards sign. What I said above is for drivers at both depots.

Westcoast221 said:

TFW Holyhead sign to Man Picc, Crewe, and Llandudno to Blaenau.
Junction is same as the above but they also go through to Man Airport.

Edit: Sorry, just realised you were asking what routes the guards sign. What I said above is for drivers at both depots.

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Thanks Yeah after what the guards sign as it’s recently been advertised..
Ta

Plodster said:

Thanks Yeah after what the guards sign as it’s recently been advertised..
Ta

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Holyhead guards sign Chester and onward to Manchester Piccadilly via Warrington Bank Quay, not too sure if they sign as far as Manchester Airport or not, Chester to Crewe, and Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Junction guards sign as above, but they also sign Chester to Liverpool via Halton Curve

Plodster said:

Thanks for the updates Jamie
Sounds like a great place to work.
Do you know what the routes are at Holyhead and I guess Pwllheli is The Cambrian Line?
What are the Junction Routes please mate?

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By the way yes Pwllheli is all Cambrian crew from Machynlleth and Pwllheli. Good luck mate!

Yeah Holyhead guards go as far as Manchester Airport.

Thanks for the info both
Much appreciated
Ta

Does anyone know if there are going to be any guard openings in Crewe? In the talent pool but there are only so many times you can email recruitment without feeling like you're pestering lol

Saxon79 said:

What is a qualified conductors salary?

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Around 33k now once fully passed out and past probation

Jamie Price said:

By the way yes Pwllheli is all Cambrian crew from Machynlleth and Pwllheli. Good luck mate!

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Pwllheli go all the way through to Shrewsbury now

Bikkushii said:

Does anyone know if there are going to be any guard openings in Crewe? In the talent pool but there are only so many times you can email recruitment without feeling like you're pestering lol

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Hard to say I'm afraid. There's a lot of movement across the franchise at the moment, with a few guards going driving and some retirements, but at Crewe they have also been taking on qualified guards from other TOCs lately to fill vacancies. As frustrating as it can be (and I speak as a veteran of many talent pools) all you can do is wait and see, it's usually hard to predict what will happen.

Anyone heard anything on this yet and anyone know about the latest vacancy advertised for Machynlleth but the ad includes all North Depots?

Maybe too late now but for anyone wanting to be a Holyhead guard you will sign from Holyhead to Chester/ Crewe/Manchester Pic and Airport. Pluss Llandudno- Llandudno Junction to Blaenau. Shift starts from about 4 am if it was similiar to when I was a guard there. That shift you would prep the Class 67 and DVT before service. Brake test, cabling, doors etc. Last shift finished around 2am ish as well. ( It could of changed as I am a trainee driver for Man Pic now)

There are many many nice people working at the Depots along the NW coast. That included all grades along the way. Union reps are also on the ball.

If any one wants any information feel free to ask : )

Hi Teatrain, thanks for the information, very useful. I've applied for Junction train crew and just yesterday for trainee conductor at Machynlleth, though as plodster says it includes all the NW depots. Don't suppose you can offer any insight on either of those depots? Thanks in advance

Machy I don't know much about sorry!

LLJ is a nice station to work at I reckon. As a HHD guard I certainly worked with a lot of the drivers and platform staff. I can't say I know the shift pattern for the depot I am afraid. You wouldn't be prepping the class 67 that's for sure as its only HHD guards who do it.

The Liverpool route was after I left so can't help much with that. Normally 175, 158, 150 traction still I would imagine.

I think with NW there are many hazards to each station. Certainly as your on your own most of the time. Transport Police is useless and will never be there when you need them. Sorry but its true. You will see them get on your train in the day time but never at night when you actually need them. You will also be welcomed with many many drunks and difficult people along the route, including trainspotters (who are worse than you think), people jacking up in the toilets, the usual fair dodgers etc. The simple truth is that the NW area is below the poverty line and as such attracts a lot of difficult passengers. I would imagine most guards come across something across the network not just there. I simply had enough of it eventually and went driving.

There are a few request stops along the route. Valley - specific working as platform too small. Rhosneigr,Ty Croes, Bodorgan and Llanfair PG. Then after Bangor there is Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Conwy.

If you get to interview I think its important to let them know your able to work independently, confidently and react to situations. Safety is a priority of course as is excellent customer service.

There is always rest day working available when I was there and the top of the commission table could earn upwards of 3k as a bonus. Which is pretty sweet on top of your normal work and rest day working.

Penny in Cardiff is your Conductor Trainer and she is absolutely fantastic.

Sorry I could not be more help. Not sure if you have any specific questions but can try answer them!

P.S. ATW/ TfW are very very slow at their recruitment drive normally. I waited a year in a talent pool before starting the course. If you do get to that point drop them an email every 2-3 months to remind them you are in the talent pool.

Burt807 said:

Hi Teatrain, thanks for the information, very useful. I've applied for Junction train crew and just yesterday for trainee conductor at Machynlleth, though as plodster says it includes all the NW depots. Don't suppose you can offer any insight on either of those depots? Thanks in advance

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Machynlleth go to Pwllheli, Aberystwyth and Birmingham International, all on 158s. AFAIK Earliest start is around 0430, latest finish after midnight.

TeaTrain said:

LLJ is a nice station to work at I reckon. As a HHD guard I certainly worked with a lot of the drivers and platform staff. I can't say I know the shift pattern for the depot I am afraid. You wouldn't be prepping the class 67 that's for sure as its only HHD guards who do it.

The Liverpool route was after I left so can't help much with that. Normally 175, 158, 150 traction still I would imagine.

I think with NW there are many hazards to each station. Certainly as your on your own most of the time. Transport Police is useless and will never be there when you need them. Sorry but its true. You will see them get on your train in the day time but never at night when you actually need them. You will also be welcomed with many many drunks and difficult people along the route, including trainspotters (who are worse than you think), people jacking up in the toilets, the usual fair dodgers etc. The simple truth is that the NW area is below the poverty line and as such attracts a lot of difficult passengers. I would imagine most guards come across something across the network not just there. I simply had enough of it eventually and went driving.

There are a few request stops along the route. Valley - specific working as platform too small. Rhosneigr,Ty Croes, Bodorgan and Llanfair PG. Then after Bangor there is Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Conwy.

If you get to interview I think its important to let them know your able to work independently, confidently and react to situations. Safety is a priority of course as is excellent customer service.

There is always rest day working available when I was there and the top of the commission table could earn upwards of 3k as a bonus. Which is pretty sweet on top of your normal work and rest day working.

Penny in Cardiff is your Conductor Trainer and she is absolutely fantastic.

Sorry I could not be more help. Not sure if you have any specific questions but can try answer them!

P.S. ATW/ TfW are very very slow at their recruitment drive normally. I waited a year in a talent pool before starting the course. If you do get to that point drop them an email every 2-3 months to remind them you are in the talent pool.

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Mostly still true but a few things have changed since you left. LLJ guards now prep the 67 and stock every morning - they travel to Crewe to prep the North Wales set. This however is only a temporary arrangement and I would expect that by the time any successful candidate in this current process has qualified as a conductor that particular service will no longer run with a 67.

Also, there are now two Conductor trainers based in Chester (one of whom is a former colleague of yours from HHD) and all the trainee conductors of late for the North have done the majority of their training in Chester.

Thank you all for your responses, very helpful, you've given me lots to work on. If I get through the sift I may be in touch again! Cheers

Hello again, I should have thought to ask.....has anyone done the TFW trainee conductor assessment recently? Can you advise in summary whats involved beyond the SCAAT test and an interview? Many thanks

Hello again @craigybagel nice to bump into you again! Wow Junction guards prep it now?

I wonder which conductor I know became a manager? Well it has been a few years so not surprising things have moved around a bit!

TeaTrain said:

Hello again @craigybagel nice to bump into you again! Wow Junction guards prep it now?

I wonder which conductor I know became a manager? Well it has been a few years so not surprising things have moved around a bit!

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Paul Pritchard just trained me up and did a good job too! Also Mark Brocklehurst trains in Chester too.

Burt807 said:

Hello again, I should have thought to ask.....has anyone done the TFW trainee conductor assessment recently? Can you advise in summary whats involved beyond the SCAAT test and an interview? Many thanks

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When I got the job in August I did SCAAT, then an assessment workshop which basically was a group exercise to describe the perfect conductor, don't be too loud or too clever, be respectful, but also be confident etc, followed by interview with a conductor manager or 2. After being offered the job I had a medical involving colour vision, hearing bleep test, drug and alcohol testing and lots of questions regarding medical history. On passing the medical they sent my contract and my trainer sent a training timetable to give us some idea of what it would entail. From application to start of training took approx 2 and a half months, very quick turnaround! Good luck!

Wow that's pretty quick! Thanks mate, and thanks for the insight! There's a course starting 4th May, so it'll happen pretty fast if I'm lucky enough to get through. Do you happen to remember what sort of questions they asked?

Burt807 said:

Wow that's pretty quick! Thanks mate, and thanks for the insight! There's a course starting 4th May, so it'll happen pretty fast if I'm lucky enough to get through. Do you happen to remember what sort of questions they asked?

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Don't get your hopes up for a quick recruitment process as it's very rare on the railway, I was just part of a very lucky group that was dealt with fast! Hope its quick for you though. Off the top of my head, tell me about a time where you've had to be resilient to achieve your goals, worked alone, dealt with conflict, used initiative to manage a situation....you know the basic stuff, get some practice in at using the STAR method and get some answers for those sort of questions solid in your head and you'll do fine! Try and work a bit of railway jargon in there to show you've done your homework at interview should you get there. I was advised by someone who is now a colleague. For example, instead of saying I open the doors and watch people on and off the train, say instead, I release the doors and monitor the platform train interface (PTI), it certainly worked for me. Just dont go overboard and come across as a know it all haha strike the right balance and you'll be fine. Keep me posted throughout the process, hope to see you out there soon Good luck!

Cheers Jamie, top drawer stuff! Yes I've noticed they have a tendency to drag their heels unless it suits, but fingers crossed eh?
I'm already thinking about examples, and am used to the STAR method, so your pointers are a great help thank you. I've a contact who's a guard, so now is the time to start badgering him! Do you happen to remember, is there a numeracy or ticket checking test? Hope to see you out there!