The train driving can be a good way of financing the training for the flying. That said, the PPL holders I know who are drivers generally seem to enjoy the job, in most cases to the extent that they've decided that they wanted to stay on the trains for their entire career.
However, let's say the OP got in with one of the better London TOCs, one of which was recruiting very recently for trainee train drivers, and keep living expenses at around £1200/month.
During training it should be possible to save £800 every four weeks (on about £32k gross PA), over a year that's £10400. Add another 26 weeks to that and we're looking at £15600 cumulative.
Once qualified, £2000 saved every four weeks at aforementioned TOC should be possible on the basic salary (assuming a gross of £63k PA). Multiply by 39 (13 pay periods per year for three years) and that's £78000. Add the £15k and we've got to £93k. Make it five years in the job and if the OP kept living costs down that's £100k, before we start thinking about overtime (I don't do any myself but it's there for those who want it). Enough for modular flying training and a type rating at the end, possibly another year needed for a mentored integrated course.
That said, we've seen high financially volatile the aviation industry is and unless you're going with one of IAG, AF/KLM, LH group, EZY or RYR, I'd think twice. I personally know someone who did an MPL with Flybe, would have cost his parents £90k-ish and no he's got no job, in an industry that's not recruiting, with a type rating that's a bit limited compared to Airbus or Boeing and with well north of £100k of debt if you factor in the interest.
Personally, if you can keep the licence clean on the trains, I'd stay on the trains unless an airline is paying for your training. An FI rating, or the cash at hand to complete one plus living expenses might be handy just in case one has incidents.
However, let's say the OP got in with one of the better London TOCs, one of which was recruiting very recently for trainee train drivers, and keep living expenses at around £1200/month.
During training it should be possible to save £800 every four weeks (on about £32k gross PA), over a year that's £10400. Add another 26 weeks to that and we're looking at £15600 cumulative.
Once qualified, £2000 saved every four weeks at aforementioned TOC should be possible on the basic salary (assuming a gross of £63k PA). Multiply by 39 (13 pay periods per year for three years) and that's £78000. Add the £15k and we've got to £93k. Make it five years in the job and if the OP kept living costs down that's £100k, before we start thinking about overtime (I don't do any myself but it's there for those who want it). Enough for modular flying training and a type rating at the end, possibly another year needed for a mentored integrated course.
That said, we've seen high financially volatile the aviation industry is and unless you're going with one of IAG, AF/KLM, LH group, EZY or RYR, I'd think twice. I personally know someone who did an MPL with Flybe, would have cost his parents £90k-ish and no he's got no job, in an industry that's not recruiting, with a type rating that's a bit limited compared to Airbus or Boeing and with well north of £100k of debt if you factor in the interest.
Personally, if you can keep the licence clean on the trains, I'd stay on the trains unless an airline is paying for your training. An FI rating, or the cash at hand to complete one plus living expenses might be handy just in case one has incidents.