Thanks all for the comments.
I did look at the c2c ad the other day but that's more of reduced shifts but still working every week, just less hours than the FTE.
I’m not aware of anything as a qualified driver. Points to consider that may impact seasonal working are the required number of ride outs, downloads, amount of time that can lapse before route refreshing, rules intervals, safety brief requirements etc.
Would part time working and block holidays be a viable option? E.g. work 4 days a fortnight and use annual leave to enable a month off at a time? Or can you simply put a request in for accommodating?
Originally I'd thought of trying to do a 6 months on, 6 months off arrangement, but rides, refreshers etc was definitely a factor in me changing my mind.
Accommodation is highly unlikely with my employer for this reason, which is simply to do a lot of travelling around the world. Tbf, I've not asked but 99% know the answer.
It'd be a pretty massive change after being with one TOC for 20 years but want to find a way of better balance to travel and keep my key (the ORR ETDL rules basically say that if you're not employed by a rail organisation , like a TOC, as a driver for 12 months, you lose qualified status.)
Don't want to retire and find bad health has crept up on me....
don't some freight operators have annualised hours? Once you have completed them you can walk away until the next year?
I recall this from years ago and will have to look into it, but seem to remember something about 'flight path' hours so although annualised , they are managed to keep it even throughout year which I guess they need to do to ensure they have enough drivers later in the year.
The obvious locations where driving would be likely to be seasonal is preserved lines. How many of these have paid drivers I do not know. Many will be volunteering to drive the train.
Two that jump to mind at Vale of Rheidol (I think) and Paignton & Kingswear.
Interesting. Must admit that I'd dismissed heritage lines as thought all crew on these is generally volunteer, also to keep future options open, I'd want to maintain my network rail infrastructure competency in case wanting to revert to a normal FT role later on.
Guess a combo would be one of the ever increasing mainline heritage operators.
