New Northern Rail Conductor

[CPFC#1]

Hi all,
I know it's a personal question but is there any Northern conductors who would be prepared to share the salary when you are during the training period and also what the salary goes up to once the training is complete? I am trying to plan the 13 week training period as obviously it is a drop in pay and I need to put my son in full time nursery so could do with knowing how much I'm going to have to live off.
I'm starting my training in April but the recruitment team aren't replying to my emails.
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Rail My Way]

I seem to remember at my interview they mentioned £21000 whilst training then goes up to £28000 or £29000 with 5% commission on tickets sold.

 

[CPFC#1]

I seem to remember at my interview they mentioned £21000 whilst training then goes up to £28000 or £29000 with 5% commission on tickets sold.

Thanks a lot for your reply, that helps a lot.

 

[Adilol]

Hello All

I’m starting my Conductor course in Leeds shortly. I’m super stressed about it. I don’t know what to expect. Do we have to pass any exams??? Can someone explain to me how this 12 weeks looks like please.

Regards

 

[MikeB89]

I start my conductor training on Monday based in Leeds. Training salary is just over £21k and goes up to £28,250 after 3 months with 3% commission on ticket sales

 

[Adilol]

I start my conductor training on Monday based in Leeds. Training salary is just over £21k and goes up to £28,250 after 3 months with 3% commission on ticket sales

I was on that group lol but I moved it until April. Will you let me know what is process and how training looks like

 

[CPFC#1]

I start my conductor training on Monday based in Leeds. Training salary is just over £21k and goes up to £28,250 after 3 months with 3% commission on ticket sales

Thanks a lot for that. That's a great help. Good luck with your training!

 

[MikeB89]

I was on that group lol but I moved it until April. Will you let me know what is process and how training looks like

Yes no problem, although I'm assuming the first couple of weeks will be class based learning rules and regs etc before being let loose on a train with a conductor. Could be wrong though!

 

[MikeB89]

Thanks a lot for that. That's a great help. Good luck with your training!

Thanks mate. Good luck with your training too! I was meant to be on the April course but it would have meant working a 2 month notice period. Once everything was confirmed I just wanted to get out and start ASAP!

 

[Yorkshire Lad]

I start my conductor training on Monday based in Leeds. Training salary is just over £21k and goes up to £28,250 after 3 months with 3% commission on ticket sales

Hi Mike. Following your first few days of training, how do you feel? I start in April and would be really interested to hear your thoughts. I assume the first day or so is just getting to know the company or is it "full on?" Anyway, all the best

 

[MikeB89]

Hi Mike. Following your first few days of training, how do you feel? I start in April and would be really interested to hear your thoughts. I assume the first day or so is just getting to know the company or is it "full on?" Anyway, all the best

Hi mate. I can honestly say I've never been this excited about a job before. The first week is an introduction to everything in general. Week 2 is where the hard graft starts!

 

[Yorkshire Lad]

Hi mate. I can honestly say I've never been this excited about a job before. The first week is an introduction to everything in general. Week 2 is where the hard graft starts!

That's great to hear Mike. I'm leaving a job I've been in for 14+ years so this is really reassuring. All the best! Any news on how to claim travel back for the training period. Its gonna cost me £15+ a day! doh.

 

[MikeB89]

That's great to hear Mike. I'm leaving a job I've been in for 14+ years so this is really reassuring. All the best! Any news on how to claim travel back for the training period. Its gonna cost me £15+ a day! doh.

After week one I'm even more exciting for what's to come so that should tell you something

As for expenses, you get them back very quickly. If you send the forms back to HR in good time you should get your staff card (that you swipe through the barriers) in the post before your start date so you wouldn't have to buy any tickets. There is 4 people on my course that got their paperwork at the last minute so had to pay for tickets for week 1. HR is in the same building, so if you do have to buy tickets then you will be reimbursed quickly.

 

[Yorkshire Lad]

Very helpful and reassuring Mike, I really appreciate it.

I cannot wait to get started

 

[Topcat999]

That's not bad at all. So is this a progression into driving? Or not related at all? Would it be frowned upon to go from conductor (after all the training) to driver after say a year or two?

I thought some trains were going conductor less?

 

[MikeB89]

That's not bad at all. So is this a progression into driving? Or not related at all? Would it be frowned upon to go from conductor (after all the training) to driver after say a year or two?

I thought some trains were going conductor less?

Not necessarily. If you are employed as a conductor then you get trained on how to be a conductor. There are certain things you have to learn to the same standard as a driver but that's as far as the relation goes. There's plenty of progression available, not just to being a driver. As for it being frowned upon to apply for a driver job from being a conductor, I doubt it. If successful you would still have to go through the 12 month driver training.

Northern have said conductors will be on trains until at least the end of the franchise (2025). If I remember rightly from my research, it was the government that wanted 50% of trains to be driver only operated rather than individual TOC's.

 

[Grannyjoans]

I thought some trains were going conductor less?

The Unions have won so there will be conductors guaranteed until the end of the Northern franchise

 

[Topcat999]

The Unions have won so there will be conductors guaranteed until the end of the Northern franchise

OK but what happens after 2015? Mass redunancy? Scary. I'll pass then

 

[Yorkshire Lad]

After week one I'm even more exciting for what's to come so that should tell you something

As for expenses, you get them back very quickly. If you send the forms back to HR in good time you should get your staff card (that you swipe through the barriers) in the post before your start date so you wouldn't have to buy any tickets. There is 4 people on my course that got their paperwork at the last minute so had to pay for tickets for week 1. HR is in the same building, so if you do have to buy tickets then you will be reimbursed quickly.

Hi Mike. Sorry to be a pain but I have a quick question and hopefully you'll be able to clarify it for me.

I have just received my contract (mega excited) and I'm filling in the "Travel Form" for my pass. I am adding my wife and son on there also. Did you get a solicitors signature or just include Marriage Certificate and birth Certificate?

It's unclear whether they want certificates and solicitors signature or just one/other.

Any help would be appreciated.

All the best

 

[Adilol]

Hi Mike. Sorry to be a pain but I have a quick question and hopefully you'll be able to clarify it for me.

I have just received my contract (mega excited) and I'm filling in the "Travel Form" for my pass. I am adding my wife and son on there also. Did you get a solicitors signature or just include Marriage Certificate and birth Certificate?

It's unclear whether they want certificates and solicitors signature or just one/other.

Any help would be appreciated.

All the best

Hello


I didn’t do it, and I send it back to them last week.

 

[Intermodal]

Hi Mike. Sorry to be a pain but I have a quick question and hopefully you'll be able to clarify it for me.

I have just received my contract (mega excited) and I'm filling in the "Travel Form" for my pass. I am adding my wife and son on there also. Did you get a solicitors signature or just include Marriage Certificate and birth Certificate?

It's unclear whether they want certificates and solicitors signature or just one/other.

Any help would be appreciated.

All the best

You only need a partner declaration form (solicitor's signature) if you are not married.

 

[Yorkshire Lad]

You only need a partner declaration form (solicitor's signature) if you are not married.

Thanks. And what if you are married with kids?

 

[Intermodal]

Thanks. And what if you are married with kids?

Just a birth certificate. No solicitor involvement is required unless you have a cohabiting unmarried partner.

 

[Yorkshire Lad]

Just a birth certificate. No solicitor involvement is required unless you have a cohabiting unmarried partner.

Brilliant, thank you!!!

 

[Yorkshire Lad]

Hello


I didn’t do it, and I send it back to them last week.

Has your pass/passes come back yet? I have just posted mine today (recorded delivery) in the hope it comes back before starting on 1st April.

 

[Adilol]

Has your pass/passes come back yet? I have just posted mine today (recorded delivery) in the hope it comes back before starting on 1st April.

I’m still waiting for them to come back I can’t wait to start.

 

[Intermodal]

I wouldn't be too surprised if they don't come before you start!

 

[Adilol]

I wouldn't be too surprised if they don't come before you start!

Are you already working for them
??

 

[MikeB89]

Has your pass/passes come back yet? I have just posted mine today (recorded delivery) in the hope it comes back before starting on 1st April.

I would think yours will definitely come back. I sent my paperwork back two weeks before my start date and it came through a few days later. Although, if it doesn't there's nothing to worry about. You will get it within your first week and any train fares you had to pay will be reimbursed.

 

[MikeB89]

OK but what happens after 2015? Mass redunancy? Scary. I'll pass then

Not at all, Northern may have the franchise extended again like they did last year. If they don't, whoever takes the franchise on you will wear their uniform and work for them.