I wonder if applicants realise that TFW drivers work a committed 1 in 3 Sundays as overtime in most depots !
Plus it's shifts through 24/7 in the bigger depots, the only non working days are Christmas & Boxing day except for the frost protection overtime staff.
The TFW franchise committment is an increase in Sunday services, so a full 7 day railway is there aim. Plus more added early and late night services aswell, aswell as more routes and extra services in the near future.
It's an exciting time especially with the new traction now on test and replacing an aged fleet that TFW have now.
Definitely exciting times! I'm looking forward to it all - but also intrigued as to how things are likely to change on the rostering front.
Thanks for the correct info you have provided do you know how many months of handling there are and what does the handling entail
The handling involves 265 hours of driving a train under the instruction of a driver instructor - 40 hours of which must be in darkness.
You get paired with a driving instructor, and you work their normal rostered shifts. Only hours spent driving count, not just the hours you're actually at work - so even though you'll be doing a normal 35 hours a week, you'll probably only get around 20 hours a week of driving in.
It can take anywhere from 5 months to a year - it's hard to give an exact amount as it varies by depot and time of year (it's hard to get 40 hours of darkness driving in June!), and the availability of Driving Instructors.