Hello all,
Sorry for not popping in sooner. I'm currently a guard based at Piccadilly with Northern and thought I could maybe answer a few questions should anyone have any. I'm surprised 'anorthernguard' hasn't popped his head up. I'll have words with him
The earliest start is 0407 and latest finish is 0215. They seem scary, but you get used to them eventually. Shift lengths range from 6hrs to 10hrs and can take you all over the place.
For those who may not know, the current routes signed by Piccadilly guards are:
- Hadfield
- Rose Hill via Hyde Central
- Sheffield via Marple
- Sheffield via Hazel Grove
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Crewe via Stockport
- Crewe via Manchester Airport
- Chester via Altrincham
- Liverpool via Warrington
Other links at the depot also include Buxton, but you don't learn that until you've been at the depot for a while. Drivers weirdly sign Preston via Bolton too, but guards don't.
Traction, for those who know a bit or two about it, include:
- 142
- 150/1
- 150/2
- 156
- 319
- 323
Unfortunately I can't comment much on the recruitment process as I was on the last lot to be done on a previous scheme. However, I'll be able to help with interview/SCAAT assessment questions hopefully.