yeah looks very good work...45 mins with no stops. There's a small dead mans depot at Kings Lynn too“Cambridge cruisers” must be nice to drive.
yeah looks very good work...45 mins with no stops. There's a small dead mans depot at Kings Lynn too“Cambridge cruisers” must be nice to drive.
Anyone know much about Hornsey Depot and Great Northern?
What would you like to know ?
2 Links:
Outer: 700/387/365 - Kings Cross - Cambridge inc. Cambridge sidings (With Hertford Diversionary)
Inner: 717 - Moorgate/Kings Cross - Baldock (via Main line or Hertford)
And for the purpose of this thread, the inner link is definitely not a popular one.
Inner work is pretty boring and intense (reckon you could do 100 stops in a shift). As someone said earlier it might be considered less risk as less route/traction knowledge needed and only one length train (apart from a 2x717 into kings cross).Basically, what it's like to work from.. I have been told that the inner route is less popular than the outer and all drivers want the outer route I guess because it's more interesting.
The drivers that are there that I spoke to all liked the depot alot and thought they were all treated very well.
Personally I'm not going to take much notice until I get my key.. I'm more interested as it's were I'm going to be.
Personally I'm not going to take much notice until I get my key.. I'm more interested as it's were I'm going to be.
Inner work is pretty boring and intense (reckon you could do 100 stops in a shift). As someone said earlier it might be considered less risk as less route/traction knowledge needed and only one length train (apart from a 2x717 into kings cross).
Outers is more interesting, but even then it's only one route. Outers will be going through the core at some stage in the future
Depot itself is ok, wouldn't say they get any better treatment then any other GN driver from another depot.
As a trainee on inners expect a long wait to pass out - There are no inner instructors at Hornsey. You'll probably build your hours and pass out on a route/traction you won't ever sign. Then go learn the route/traction after passing out.
I thought networkers (465,466) were limited to 75 anyway?“Cambridge cruisers” must be nice to drive. I’d love to experience driving a Networker at 100mph. They’re shaky enough at 75mph .
That’s exactly the right approach. Concentrate on getting your key, keep your nose clean, and then consider whether you want to move depots/TOCs.
I thought networkers (465,466) were limited to 75 anyway?
I'm a very loyal guy and understand that the grass isn't always greener..
Thanks for letting me know I'm thinking clearly.
My nose clean will be a massive priority
I think at Thameslink Horsham is probably dead mans shoes now as it is one of the few Thameslink depots that is not truly 24 hour as well as having a decent route to Peterborough and is relatively small at around 40 drivers. I preferred the Peterborough run to Bedford as you tend to get more greens and you have some really nice runs like 100 from Finsbury to Stevenage and 100 from Huntingdon to Peterborough. Peterborough is another dead mans depot although apparently far bigger than it used to be. The flip side is all the Peterborough trains run via Redhill so unless you part cover Cambridge work or are skip stopping you miss out the fun of the express run from Gatwick to Croydon. Horsham has a very nice depot building and the people there are really good as is the management. The depot was mostly filled with ex Southern along with a few from Thameslink depots.
Three Bridges have some very early starts and late finishes although thankfully they have depot drivers to shunt the trains around and they often prep them too. Both depots are better for work, I imagine, than the inner depots at Southern unless you are in the top links. Thameslink does not have links.
From next week its 330amThanks a lot for the info really useful, does anyone know the earliest book on time at Bridges. Thanks
Wow I do hope that you costing some poor driver a job hasn't had too bigger impact on his life. Just because you thought he was a kn*b he may well have thought the same about you. Frankly the idea that he didn't get the job on your say so absolutely stinks to me.The grass might very well be greener. Two things you need to do in this industry:
1. keep a clean record (it follows you).
2. It’s a (very) small world. don’t be a bell end in the messroom, don’t p*ss people off, generally. Calls will go in. My current manager called two people at my last depot two ask what I was like (luckily two people I got on with - and I’m a fairly marmite character!).
I’ve been asked about two potential new joiners, where I am now, from my last depot. One of whom I gave the nod to, because he’s a decent lad, one of whom I didn’t. He was a knob when I worked with him before - no doubt he’d be the same if I worked with him again - so I’ll ensure I never have to.
His CV went straight into the bin.
Wow I do hope that you costing some poor driver a job hasn't had too bigger impact on his life. Just because you thought he was a kn*b he may well have thought the same about you. Frankly the idea that he didn't get the job on your say so absolutely stinks to me.
Personally i would always support a colleague on their chosen career path. We are all train drivers and no doubt all in the union, so quite why you felt the need to roll up the drawbridge is a little baffling if you don't mind me saying so.
Wow I do hope that you costing some poor driver a job hasn't had too bigger impact on his life. Just because you thought he was a kn*b he may well have thought the same about you. Frankly the idea that he didn't get the job on your say so absolutely stinks to me.
Personally i would always support a colleague on their chosen career path. We are all train drivers and no doubt all in the union, so quite why you felt the need to roll up the drawbridge is a little baffling if you don't mind me saying so.
Totally agree. Says far more about the character of this driver than the one who didn't get the job.
Getting back on topic, I notice some depots only sign a few routes, or even only one in some cases, as well as only one type of traction. For drivers is a wide range of routes and traction better, or does it pose challenges in route knowledge and maintaining competence? My question's more aimed at qualified drivers as I would imagine trainees are happy with anything they can get!
There's a depot at my TOC that has two links. The only difference between the two links is that the "senior" of the two signs one extra traction and one extra depot - otherwise all the routes and other traction are the same, and most jobs are split evenly between the links.
Lately, it's becoming very hard to get people to volunteer to move up into what should be the more senior link. Partly because the jobs that are specific to that link (IE the ones that involve the extra traction at some point) are also the longest jobs at the depot, partly because by signing that traction you're more likely to pick up work from spare, and partly because the traction itself is not especially nice to drive. There are more vacancies coming up soon and it may well be that trainees go straight into the senior link because none of the drivers in the junior link want to move up!
Personally I'd prefer as much variety as possible and I hate sitting spare, but I'm only a new driver so that might change with experience. At present I only sign one route (all further route learning being suspended due to coronavirus) but it's a very long one with a lot of variety so I'm happy enough - albeit looking forward to expanding my route card as soon as possible. I also sign 4 tractions so that helps keep things varied too. Some of the GTR/Thameslink depots mentioned on this thread with one traction and one relatively short route and little chance of improvement without moving sound awful to me!
That’s the problem with the railway to an extent. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Although you were honest with your manager, which let’s face it, in the circumstances anyone would be I’d imagine, it says a lot about your manager’s technique in recruiting someone. Are you a leading driver or a senior driver etc? In which case it’s wholly acceptable that management would ask your views, but if you’re the same “ranking” as everyone else at the depot, what has it got to do with you?If my manager phones me up and asks me what I think about someone, and whether I think they’d be a good fit for the depot, I’ll answer him honestly. I make no apology for that.
Exactly the same question was asked about me. That’s just the way it works.
it says a lot about your manager’s technique in recruiting someone.
Are you a leading driver or a senior driver etc? In which case it’s wholly acceptable that management would ask your views, but if you’re the same “ranking” as everyone else at the depot, what has it got to do with you?
surely someone’s CV shouldn’t just be chucked in the bin on the advice of another driver?
Totally agree with you about sitting spare. It drags. I’d much rather be driving. Some drivers seem to love it! Also agreed re. traction/routes - generally the more the better. Variety is the spice of life.
That’s the problem with the railway to an extent. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Although you were honest with your manager, which let’s face it, in the circumstances anyone would be I’d imagine, it says a lot about your manager’s technique in recruiting someone. Are you a leading driver or a senior driver etc? In which case it’s wholly acceptable that management would ask your views, but if you’re the same “ranking” as everyone else at the depot, what has it got to do with you?
Some people just don’t get on with one or two people, it’s just human nature. Some people are naturally quieter and keep themselves to themselves, does that also mean they wouldn’t fit in? If someone is a knob, they’re generally a knob usually. Unless someone goes out of their way to stir things up in a depot though, surely someone’s CV shouldn’t just be chucked in the bin on the advice of another driver?
Following from above. Part of recruitment is to see is a person is a good fit for their location. Managing a good work atmosphere and ensuring your workforce get along with each other is essential. Sometimes a single person can be so disruptive that it becomes hugely detrimental to the entire depot.
Good luck to anyone who thinks its a good idea to approach recruitment in this way.
but a reference can't have anything negative in it.
An employer doesn’t usually have to give a work reference - but if they do, it must be fair and accurate. Workers may be able to challenge a reference they think is unfair or misleading.
Employers must give a reference if:
- there was a written agreement to do so
- they’re in a regulated industry, like financial services
If they give a reference it:
- must be fair and accurate - and can include details about workers’ performance and if they were sacked
- can be brief - such as job title, salary and when the worker was employed
1. keep a clean record (it follows you).
2. It’s a (very) small world. don’t be a bell end in the messroom, don’t p*ss people off, generally. Calls will go in. My current manager called two people at my last depot two ask what I was like (luckily two people I got on with - and I’m a fairly marmite character!).
I’ve been asked about two potential new joiners, where I am now, from my last depot. One of whom I gave the nod to, because he’s a decent lad, one of whom I didn’t. He was a knob when I worked with him before - no doubt he’d be the same if I worked with him again - so I’ll ensure I never have to.
His CV went straight into the bin.
What I was getting at was that I know how easy a personal recommendation can be to get blinkered by, be it by one person’s views, or misinterpreting the facts sometimes. The whole idea of the interview process is to form your own opinion as a hiring manager, and by taking advice from another person you’re not forging your own views on a candidate “initially”, hence the interview process. I’ve recruited people for jobs in this industry before, although admittedly not on a scale of driver recruitment so I guess if nothing else, whittling down applications often takes place post-sift and this is one way of doing so (in terms of sheers numbers).In what way ? It is the Manager who ultimately has to make the decision and needs as much information as possible to recruit someone. That information is good or bad.
Thats how the railways works.
What I was getting at was that I know how easy a personal recommendation can be to get blinkered by, be it by one person’s views, or misinterpreting the facts sometimes. The whole idea of the interview process is to form your own opinion as a hiring manager, and by taking advice from another person you’re not forging your own views on a candidate “initially”, hence the interview process. I’ve recruited people for jobs in this industry before, although admittedly not on a scale of driver recruitment so I guess if nothing else, whittling down applications often takes place post-sift and this is one way of doing so (in terms of sheers numbers).
I’ve seen good and bad recruitment, and applicants which look superb on paper but aren’t great in practice. I guess it also depends on the area of the industry you’re involved with.