Which TOC's have the Smartest Uniform?

[Envoy]

I see that Transport for Wales staff are all dressed in black - which looks a bit odd during hot sunny weather in summer. I would have thought that their uniform would have been based on the livery of the trains. So, which TOC’s have the smartest uniform? Are you happy with your uniform or can think of ways in which it should be improved? Are formal shoes specified as part of the uniform?

 

[ThameslinkUser]

Eurostar's uniform always looks the part. World of difference between the companies that dress their staff smartly and those that make them look like McDonald's workers.

 

[HarryF]

I’m a fan of the GWR uniform, I think it looks very good. Also, the red jackets worn by LNER staff make them stand out on the platform which helps find them.
I don’t know what it is but I find Northern’s uniform dreadful to look at.

 

[bramling]

I see that Transport for Wales staff are all dressed in black - which looks a bit odd during hot sunny weather in summer. I would have thought that their uniform would have been based on the livery of the trains. So, which TOC’s have the smartest uniform? Are you happy with your uniform or can think of ways in which it should be improved? Are formal shoes specified as part of the uniform?

Merseyrail, GWR and EMR for me.

It’s rather unfortunate that there’s way more examples of mediocre and utterly horrific uniforms out there. Northern and anything to do with TFL in particular for the latter.

Tyne & Wear Metro wouldn’t be too bad but they currently have a thing for making all their staff wear brightly coloured hi-vis on top, the effect of which is horrific (I suppose it has a benefit if you’re illicitly taking photos as it makes staff easier to spot!).

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I see that Transport for Wales staff are all dressed in black - which looks a bit odd during hot sunny weather in summer. I would have thought that their uniform would have been based on the livery of the trains. So, which TOC’s have the smartest uniform? Are you happy with your uniform or can think of ways in which it should be improved? Are formal shoes specified as part of the uniform?

They do have white shirts as well as the black and grey options. I personally think TfW's is really quite smart.

 

[Thirteen]

Merseyrail, GWR and EMR for me.

It’s rather unfortunate that there’s way more examples of mediocre and utterly horrific uniforms out there. Northern and anything to do with TFL in particular for the latter.

Tyne & Wear Metro wouldn’t be too bad but they currently have a thing for making all their staff wear brightly coloured hi-vis on top, the effect of which is horrific (I suppose it has a benefit if you’re illicitly taking photos as it makes staff easier to spot!).

I quite like the TfL uniforms for the various modes but that's just me. I assume that they control the uniform policy which is why it's quite similar.

 

[AJDesiro]

I quite like some of the WMT uniforms, they certainly look smarter than the LM uniforms did, especially the formal suits some of them wear.

 

[RooseWithAZed]

Avanti's staff fleeces are perhaps not "smart" but I think they look very nice.

 

[CAF397]

I think the Cross Country uniform looks smart. A nice looking business suit.

 

[greyman42]

I like Grand Central's uniform.

 

[185143]

It's about as unique as the operation, looks very expensive and represents the service well in my eyes.

Caledonian Sleeper.

 

[RHolmes]

The smartest uniforms are often the least practical for the more physical roles. I’d absolutely love to have a uniform like Northerns .

I absolutely loathe attempting to put down a ramp whilst wearing a three piece suit, or trying to conduct ticket checks between running to the doors on a frequent stopping service. It’s simply not practical, not breathable in hot weather and not functional. My one waistcoat is currently oil stained too from fixing an interior door, but sadly we don’t get issued dry cleaning vouchers and the stain isn’t coming out.

Another issue with mine is that none of the ‘tailored’ items are not actually tailored. Each individual shirt, blazer and pants pair that I own is a completely different fit despite all being theoretically identical. The quality is another issue with our current supplier, most buttons will pop-off after a short while and the pocket linings self-destruct when contact is made with anything healthier than a feather.

Incidentally I caught a TFW Service the other week to Manchester where the guard was wearing a TFW black shirt and tie tucked into a pair of black skinny jeans which looked much smarter than most Company issued trousers.

 

[fgwrich]

It's about as unique as the operation, looks very expensive and represents the service well in my eyes.

Caledonian Sleeper.

Absolutely!

 

[185143]

The smartest uniforms are often the least practical for the more physical roles. I’d absolutely love to have a uniform like Northerns .

I absolutely loathe attempting to put down a ramp whilst wearing a three piece suit, or trying to conduct ticket checks between running to the doors on a frequent stopping service. It’s simply not practical, not breathable in hot weather and not functional. My one waistcoat is currently oil stained too from fixing an interior door, but sadly we don’t get issued dry cleaning vouchers and the stain isn’t coming out.

Another issue with mine is that none of the ‘tailored’ items are not actually tailored. Each individual shirt, blazer and pants pair that I own is a completely different fit despite all being theoretically identical. The quality is another issue with our current supplier, most buttons will pop-off after a short while and the pocket linings self-destruct when contact is made with anything healthier than a feather.

Incidentally I caught a TFW Service the other week to Manchester where the guard was wearing a TFW black shirt and tie tucked into a pair of black skinny jeans which looked much smarter than most Company issued trousers.

This is key.

Having staff dressed up as if they're on their way to a court hearing is all well and good and may well look the part. But when those staff are having to deploy ramps, get down onto the track to deploy a short circuiting bar in a thunderstorm, walk a mile to lay down protection and so on, it's not ideal. Uniforms need to be smart but practical.

Of course, I presume most of the customer facing staff on Caledonian Sleeper wouldn't have such responsibilities, so it's not as much of an issue there.

 

[bramling]

This is key.

Having staff dressed up as if they're on their way to a court hearing is all well and good and may well look the part. But when those staff are having to deploy ramps, get down onto the track to deploy a short circuiting bar in a thunderstorm, walk a mile to lay down protection and so on, it's not ideal. Uniforms need to be smart but practical.

Of course, I presume most of the customer facing staff on Caledonian Sleeper wouldn't have such responsibilities, so it's not as much of an issue there.

I have to say I find the point about practicality overplayed. I have secured 9 sets of points in the middle of a torrential rain storm, all done wearing a shirt and tie, without it causing an issue. Naturally views will differ on this, but my view is that smart clothes are perfectly practical. I can think of nothing worse than looking at someone wearing a polo shirt that’s covered in sweat patches.

 

[172007]

I wear polo shirt not because its necessarily comfortable but simply, suit trousers just sweat like I don't know what and the shirts are so badly designed that am elephant could fit a leg in the arm its that wide.

 

[43066]

Merseyrail, GWR and EMR for me.

EMRs is a little too aubergine, albeit reasonable well styled. Avanti west coast looks the smartest to me, closely followed by Eurostar.

I have to say I find the point about practicality overplayed. I have secured 9 sets of points in the middle of a torrential rain storm, all done wearing a shirt and tie, without it causing an issue. Naturally views will differ on this, but my view is that smart clothes are perfectly practical. I can think of nothing worse than looking at someone wearing a polo shirt that’s covered in sweat patches.

I am on the side of polo shirts which can look smart, but agree they often don’t. Partly because they aren’t the most flattering for those of a more… ahem..
rotund build!

 

[virgintrain1]

I have to say I find the point about practicality overplayed. I have secured 9 sets of points in the middle of a torrential rain storm, all done wearing a shirt and tie, without it causing an issue. Naturally views will differ on this, but my view is that smart clothes are perfectly practical. I can think of nothing worse than looking at someone wearing a polo shirt that’s covered in sweat patches.

Here here

 

[RailExplorer]

The biggest problem I've had with all railway uniforms I've had to wear to date is the poor quality. But as a driver I'm happy with my TOC issued fleece which has no branding on it at all (and it's actually of such good quality that I occasionally wear it in my own time too). I get minimum time to change ends and the second I have my TOC logo on display, I get bombarded with questions.

Shoes have always been my biggest problem. Company issued shoes at all three TOCs I've worked at have been unwearable for me. They are clearly the cheapest shoes available on the market.

In summary a good uniform for a driver is smart, of good quality materials but not one that's plastered in logos.

 

[ScottGallagher]

What brands of shoes get issued by the TOCs? When my Dad worked for the Royal Mail Im pretty sure the issued shoes were Hush Puppies and were pretty comfortable and tended to last. The uniform at the tine was half decent quality as well.

 

[LowLevel]

My uniform is a shirt and trousers with a soft shell jacket. It's fine in theory except as soon as you get even slightly warm it turns into a wet suit and you're dripping. Given that I spend up to 7 hours in a sitting on class 158s that are notorious for useless air conditioning this is far from helpful. I also work summer holiday trains that require me to haul around luggage. A smart polo shirt and shorts option would be marvellous.

 

[bramling]

I am on the side of polo shirts which can look smart, but agree they often don’t. Partly because they aren’t the most flattering for those of a more… ahem..
rotund build!

This is the issue I have, they look okay on someone who is in good shape and goes to the gym regularly. As we know, this isn’t many railway staff. Add in some vile bright colours (eg TFL or Northern), and probably that it’s not washed as often as it might be, and the odd food stain, and for me I find they look absolutely awful.

I’ve also had too many of my friends make negative comments about polo shirts, again probably not helped by some of the versions with awful colours or fits.

 

[ARIC]

As someone who recently moved from polo shirts to a 3-piece suit, I can say that the extra time and attention needed to maintain my uniform is a real drag.

When you're sometimes finishing at 2am and starting at 3am the next day and that's your "rest day", the last thing I want to be doing is negotiating padded blazer shoulders with an iron, or getting the crease in my trousers just so. Plus it can't be washed with anything else without inheriting every single crumb of fluff and lint floating around the washer. Not a fan.

In terms of smartness, I've always though a polo worn scruffily looks neater than a suit worn scruffily - so if the train operators aren't going to put any emphasis on uniform standards (like mine), I think suiting and booting staff ends up doing the reverse of what they're intending.

 

[L401CJF]

I see that Transport for Wales staff are all dressed in black - which looks a bit odd during hot sunny weather in summer. I would have thought that their uniform would have been based on the livery of the trains. So, which TOC’s have the smartest uniform? Are you happy with your uniform or can think of ways in which it should be improved? Are formal shoes specified as part of the uniform?

TFW have a bit of variety in the uniform and in most cases it's the employees choice which colours/types they order.

Shirts are available in white, black or grey (short or long sleeve). Grey or red shell jacket/fleeces (not sure if the black jackets have been discontinued).

Shorts are available for summer months.

Personally I find TFW uniform to be quite smart.

Merseyrails uniform isn't bad either, it looked very smart a few years back when everybody seemed to wear waistcoats but I've not seen one for a while!

 

[Goldfish62]

I quite like the TfL uniforms for the various modes but that's just me. I assume that they control the uniform policy which is why it's quite similar.

Yes, uniforms are TfL-specified (except for Buses - that's up to the individual operators).

 

[SJN]

What brands of shoes get issued by the TOCs? When my Dad worked for the Royal Mail Im pretty sure the issued shoes were Hush Puppies and were pretty comfortable and tended to last. The uniform at the tine was half decent quality as well.

Train crew have to wear safety shoes, brands may differ. I have always found them uncomfortable and have lots of problems with my feet now.

 

[CAF397]

You can purchase your own safety shoes and claim the cost back. As long as they meet the required standard it's permitted.

 

[Wezz]

Merseyrails uniform isn't bad either, it looked very smart a few years back when everybody seemed to wear waistcoats but I've not seen one for a while!

We don't wear waistcoats or blazers anymore, they were swapped for softshell jackets earlier this year.

 

[ModernRailways]

You can purchase your own safety shoes and claim the cost back. As long as they meet the required standard it's permitted.

This doesn’t work for all TOCs, some will tell you that you must wear the work issued ones.
I have had some arguments over this because I got my own and they meet rule book standard but I will still be told to change them whenever a senior manager decides to leave their office.

 

[RPI]

I always think TfW and XC look smart, I also like the GWR uniform that I wear, though RPI'S on GWR are about to go back to charcoal grey suits.
The SWR uniform looks alright too apart from the cheap looking Gilet type jackets. And I this the SWR Revenue Protection fake stab vest type utility jackets look hideous!

I also find that the GWR uniform is pretty practical as you don't have to wear the Jacket and Waistcoat but can wear a jumper if you wish.