GTR - Train Service Control Manager

[traingeek97]

GTR is recruiting a Train Service Control Manager at Three Bridges ROC. It sounds like a really interesting role and I'd be grateful if anyone can help with these questions:

- I have a lot of the skills from roles I've had away from the railway. Are these senior control roles normally filled internally by Train Service Managers on promotion?​

- The description mentions the longest run of shifts is seven days, but does anyone able to share details on the full rota for a GTR control role.​

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The full job description can be found here.

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[I_am_Nobody]

The cynical part of me does think that this kind of role would go internally, to someone applying for promotion. It does sound like a hugely interesting, yet demanding and stressful role. I've always admired how the people in Control seem to stay optimistic, patient and calm whenever they have so many train crew calling them for updates whenever there's a crisis! Though... maybe they're just good actors!

 

[tiptoptaff]

The cynical part of me does think that this kind of role would go internally, to someone applying for promotion. It does sound like a hugely interesting, yet demanding and stressful role. I've always admired how the people in Control seem to stay optimistic, patient and calm whenever they have so many train crew calling them for updates whenever there's a crisis! Though... maybe they're just good actors!

I agree. Or if it goes externally, it'll be to someone with a strong Control background

 

[Jimbo12345]

Low salary

 

[tiptoptaff]

Low salary

Depends what compared to. That's fairly reasonable for most control staff at that level

 

[Jimbo12345]

Depends what compared to. That's fairly reasonable for most control staff at that level

Just comparing it to TfL where controllers are on more than drivers starting around £80K up to around £100k, seems to be the opposite at GTR as the drivers are on more than £56k. Great job though

 

[WAB]

- I have a lot of the skills from roles I've had away from the railway. Are these senior control roles normally filled internally by Train Service Managers on promotion?

Yes. Most control roles above the entry level posts tend to be internal from control or within the TOC. That’s not to say that external applicants are always unsuccessful. A fair few come in from other industries with similar roles like the police. Also, don’t discount the possibility that most/all of the current GTR TSMs might be unwilling to apply or unsuited to the role, particularly given the need to train, supervise and lead controllers. Don’t let this dissuade you from applying.

 

[Horizon22]

Just comparing it to TfL where controllers are on more than drivers starting around £80K up to around £100k, seems to be the opposite at GTR as the drivers are on more than £56k. Great job though

You can’t really compare TfL salaries to anything else in the control world. They are in a league of their own, way above anyone else and are the exception not the rule.

As for this rule it’s a reasonably senior control role, but I expect it is most likely to be filled by TSMs, or people will equivalent experience at another company. Sort of an “senior TSM” that can step up/down as required and provide the extra resource with the experience to work across whichever desk needs them at a given time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jun 2025 ==

The description mentions the longest run of shifts is seven days, but does anyone able to share details on the full rota for a GTR control role.

That’s probably 7 nights. Or it could be a 2x 12hr weekend and then M-F early or late but more likely to be the former.