Lemmy99uk
Member
- Joined
- 5 May 2015
- Messages
- 459
Browsing the ‘Railway Jobs and Careers’ forum,it occurred to me how much things have changed for people wanting a railway career.
Back in the day (1980), I had been unemployed for several months and spent most days cycling to my local rural station to read books and watch the succession of freight and passenger services that passed through.
My father was not happy with the situation, and, much to my surprise, phoned BR and asked if there were any local vacancies. They told him there were plenty of vacancies and that he should tell me to attend for an interview on the following Monday.
I duly turned up at the time arranged wondering what kind of an interview it would be, and whether I would make a fool of myself.
I needn’t have worried. A small man with thick glasses took me into a musty room and asked me what I wanted to do.
“I’d like to be a train driver” I told him.
“Don’t be ridiculous” he replied, “you can’t drive trains wearing spectacles.
I’ve got a Guard’s job or a Railman's job, make your mind up”
“I’d like to be a Guard then” I told him.
“Right, come for a medical on Friday at 12:00” he told me.
7 days later I started as a trainee Guard.
Back in the day (1980), I had been unemployed for several months and spent most days cycling to my local rural station to read books and watch the succession of freight and passenger services that passed through.
My father was not happy with the situation, and, much to my surprise, phoned BR and asked if there were any local vacancies. They told him there were plenty of vacancies and that he should tell me to attend for an interview on the following Monday.
I duly turned up at the time arranged wondering what kind of an interview it would be, and whether I would make a fool of myself.
I needn’t have worried. A small man with thick glasses took me into a musty room and asked me what I wanted to do.
“I’d like to be a train driver” I told him.
“Don’t be ridiculous” he replied, “you can’t drive trains wearing spectacles.
I’ve got a Guard’s job or a Railman's job, make your mind up”
“I’d like to be a Guard then” I told him.
“Right, come for a medical on Friday at 12:00” he told me.
7 days later I started as a trainee Guard.