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Yes- join your local Heritage Railway for the experience in learning about operating the railway. I agree with above that learning to drive will take years therefore join in another department for example - ticket inspector, guard or station staff. You will find that much of what you learn will...

When I worked for BR in Croydon there was someone who lived in Bourne, Lincolnshire . He drove to Peterborough where he started his rail journey. When in London Waterloo offices someone commuted from Bristol Parkway.

I full agree.. I reached Management staff grade for BR before retirement and whilst I had a contracted number of hours to work I was also expected to do occasional unpaid overtime to complete a job. This involved working one day at a weekend or working at home due to an emergency or deadlines to...

I worked for BR and liked it and give full support for re-nationalisation. Trying to take back all the pieces may take many years but a start would be to take back the TOCs when the franchise contracts expire. The profits they make at present can be used to improve the system rather than sent...

This is a strange request and as a former BR employee I was under instructions not to divulge internal contact details to unknown requests.

Several of my work colleagues worked at different London Terminals at various stages during their careers. They always took the train to work. Never thought of driving into Central London-a complete NO -NO. The hours of any shift work was altered to fit times when trains arrived and departed...

I fully agree...! It also depends on the amount of time you are available to volunteer. If you available once a month then it could take much longer. If you are available once or twice a week then it could be much shorter. My experience? Guard and TTI on the Spa Valley Railway. Also...

I was an interviewer several times so can see the situation from both sides of the table. I sometimes used to ask difficult questions or put those being interviewed into situations and see how they would react. Usually if the candidate was calm and did not react then he got the job.....!

In my BR days it was my understanding that 6 months after leaving you entirely sever all conditions. As there was a 2 year gap in railway service then in my opinion you have lost your rights.

A job is better than ..no job.

In my early days in 1960s and 1970s it was not considered the "in thing" to be an enthusiast. On my former days as a BR manager I was on both sides of the interview table and in my latter years I was interviewing people for promotion. My view was that enthusiasts had an initial start because...

Many years ago after taking early retirement in Railtrack I accepted a short term contract with a Railway Contractor Company who was very pleased to accept someone with previous railway experience. The expanding company was also taking on others in their 50s (without railway experience) who had...

I agree with the above. When I started with BR the entry for qualification for an office job was 5 GCE O levels. Once I was established as permanent staff (6 months) I could almost apply for training to any job within the industry whether it be driver, guard, signalman, etc. Being an...

Worked for 33 years on the railways which included- Planning work in Divisional and Regional HQ offices Relief overtime in station ticket offices and telephone enquiry offices . Controlling buses at stations during engineering works. Worked overnight assisting with p/way during engineering...

There is very little if any staff car parking at any of the main London terminal stations. I also recommend that you avoid driving into Central London and suggest use public transport.

From what I have seen and heard there are some serving rail staff in the London area who have no qualifications and can barely speak English. Conversely- someone I know who works on the ticket barrier at Kings Cross is a qualified solicitor, has a university degree and other qualifications.

If you cannot get work experience with one of the train operating companies or Network Rail then join your local Heritage Railway as a volunteer which will give you work experience.

I know of several people who joined the railway industry over 50 but who do not have degrees but have a wide of experience of life. I am sure (but can someone confirm!) that there is a recent law introduced banning Age Discrimination when applying for jobs. After a long career for British...