Thas something i didn't mention in case i put FR off, is that NWR is VERY good at breaking promises, even down to the basics like equipment, and then when you get the proper kit yourself (i'm using the "waterproof" jackets as an example) they have a go at you.
On the tracks I can understand the whole been tangoed thing, it's common sense, but in a classroom 3 miles away from the nearest rails, please, if i want to stay dry, i will. Luckily for me, my line manager understood where i was coming from (he's an ex-marine) and let me get away with it when there weren't any visitors.
Even though people can say they were cuttin costs and it wasn't NEEDED as we weren't constantly outside in the rain, I could get a really good waterproof for £40, and their already spending 60K on each apprentice, whats £20 odd for each apprentice.
We (S&T) were promised a trip to the Milton keynes (or bletchley, can't remember where it was) signalling school, which never happened, and was never going to happen, and when asked why, he just said they thought none of us were interested. It's not about been interested, It's about understanding all the different areas of the railways.
It just makes you wonder if the company can skimp on basics like that, what else could they be skimping on, I'm not saying for one minute they compramise safety, cos they dont, but they dont always look after the team if you know what i mean.
Having said all this, i do really miss the job, the company might not have been up to much, but the people you work with make it worth it