Derby and Cardiff mainline depots

craigybagel said:

Cardiff is effectively two separate depots, based in the same building, which is why it isn't just the normal link system in place. Although having said that even if you're already a driver elsewhere with TfW and you transfer to Cardiff you have to go on the Valleys first (not that that's an especially common move). I would be very surprised if anybody starting on the Valleys from now on was able to escape to mainline before the tram trains arrive. That said, it might well be an improvement - if you're going to spend all day bouncing up and down the Valleys stopping everywhere at least it'll be on new modern stock rather then Pacers.

Also worth pointing out, as Tiptoptaff alluded to when you do finally make it on to the Mainline depot the work isn't a whole lot better - in the bottom link there are lots of VOGs Ebbws and Maestegs which is still all stop Class 2 stuff really.

Also, a minor correction to Tiptoptaffs otherwise excellent post; Cardiff drivers don't sign Crewe - Chester, only the guards.

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tiptoptaff said:

Thanks Craigy! It's been 4 years, near enough, since leaving! Knowledge fade is a real thing it seems!

From memory, the link 'C' stuff was almost as bad as the Valleys diagrams. Double Maesteg double Ebbw wasn't uncommon!

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SlimJim1694 said:

Just wondering if anyone could shed some light on the mainline depots at Cardiff (TFW) and Derby (EMR) from the perspective of qualified drivers joining these companies please. From what I can work out you have to serve your time doing local work first (which I have no problem with), but unlike the usual progressive link systems the mainline work appears to be completely separate with no automatic progression, rather than just 'top link', as it were.

Have I got this right? And if so, how do you get into the mainline links at these places? Do you have to apply separately once you are already in the company like SE HS1? I wouldnt fancy Cardiff Valleys with all this talk of train-trams. Presumably there is a long wait for the mainline as I've never seen it advertised externally there, which I guess would rule it out for any newbie who doesn't want to be a tram driver in the future.

I wouldn't expect to, or want to jump any queues, and it wouldn't bother me doing local work at Derby indefinitely, I'm just trying to find out how the land lies at these places.

I'm 95% certain of a job somewhere else (awaiting final confirmation) but still keeping my options open in light of the current Covid situation.

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Economist said:

WMT are recruiting for qualified drivers at Shrewsbury, I don't think the work is that great according to the route and traction thread but it is another depot in the Midlands where overall T&Cs are fairly good (or so I hear). Chiltern seem to be doing a fair bit of driver recruitment recently, as do XC.

Alternatively, there's SWR/GWR in the south west and TPE in the north, all seem to have decent T&Cs.

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tiptoptaff said:

Derby also has XC, and I believe they do Cardiff, Bristol, Nottingham and as far up as York, maybe Newcastle.

Traction would be 170, Voyager and HST. No idea what the links would be like or how the work would split up

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SlimJim1694 said:

Thanks for all the responses. I think based on the above I would rule out Cardiff but Derby EMR (or XC) both look good to me.



Thanks Economist, I've been busy over the last few months and have been offered a job with a decent TOC but it's currently on hold due to Covid (eg: no start date). I'm not taking anything for granted so still keeping my options open until it's in the bag. I appreciate all the input people put into this forum, its certainly opened my eyes to the bigger picture nationally. There are some good people on here.

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