For the Manoevre role at Reading, you will undertake exactly the same assessments as anybody applying for a trainee train driver position (plenty of info & help available on this forum). However it’s not an automatic stepping stone to Mainline Driver, Qualified Manos who wish to take that route still have to apply for trainee driver positions!
The role itself is basically the movement of units within Reading Train Care Depot and the preparation of units for service. The depot is fully signalled with electric points, all controlled by the Train Movement Controller (TMC) from the depot control centre. It’s the TMC you will take all your instructions from.
Traction learnt, at the base level will be Class 16x DMUs (Turbos) and the Class 387 EMUs. There may be opportunity to learn the Class 57 Locos, Class 08 Shunter & in future the Class 769 “tri-mode” units.
All Manos are trained to undertake basic ground Shunter duties, carrying out propelling moves with single vehicles split from a multiple formation for example.
Some of the Manos are trained to an ‘enhanced Shunter” level which enables them to deal with Loco hauled coaching stock (Sleeper stock) both at the depot and if required, up at Reading Stn.
For the full time Manos there are two links, a 9 person link who work predominantly days and lates, it’s this crew who tend to be “multi-traction” as they will deal with all the Sleeper shunting during the day.
The main 25 person roster work days, lates and nights, the majority will only sign the Turbos & 387s.