Freight/industrial Train Driver

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Hi

Been searching the internet, (perhaps in the wrong places) and I've not come up with an answer to this.

How does one get involved in Freight train driving?
Im not looking to drive passengers, so I imagine its a slightly different route?

All the website I come across seem to focus on passenger services, which is not really what Im after.

Any help or advice appreciated.

[Grenoble]

This forum might also help:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=122

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Grenoble said:

This forum might also help:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=122

Thanks.
Spent half the morning reading and found nothing but acronyms and info on working in the passenger sector. Guess I shall continue searching..

[Grenoble]

I remember that Freightliner were hiring a while back, as was the nuclear waste train co, but not seen anything on this recently.

[Pugland53]

I know a few people who drive freight trains and they all started on passenger trains and transferred over to freight.

[Xtype]

If they do recruit its either internal positions or qualified drivers, I think Freightliner did take some off the street a while back buts its very rare.

You would be far better to try and get a driving job for a toc for now, then by the time your training is finished, you have a few years under your belt...hopefully the freight sector would have improved.

[rpguk]

Out of interest what difference does it make? It's not like you actually interact with passengers as a train driver anyway - is there more variance on routes or something?

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Xtype said:

If they do recruit its either internal positions or qualified drivers, I think Freightliner did take some off the street a while back buts its very rare.

You would be far better to try and get a driving job for a toc for now, then by the time your training is finished, you have a few years under your belt...hopefully the freight sector would have improved.

Whats a TOC?

[Grenoble]

Jazzy Jefferson said:

Whats a TOC?

Train Operating Company
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_operating_compa...

[Jazzy Jefferson]

rpguk said:

Out of interest what difference does it make? It's not like you actually interact with passengers as a train driver anyway - is there more variance on routes or something?

I just like the idea.

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Grenoble said:

Train Operating Company
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_operating_compa...

Cheers! Bloody TLAs.

[matchmaker]

Jazzy Jefferson said:

Grenoble said:

Train Operating Company
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_operating_compa...

Cheers! Bloody TLAs.

Another bloody TLA

Try DBS

[W124Bob]

Direct Rail Services recruited recently for shunters(train preparing) postions driver is the normal line of promotion from this grade Pretty sure Freightliner and DB Shenker/EWS occasionally recruite, just google all 3 and they are recruiting qualified drivers only.Another way is via one of the passenger companies then apply for a freight job in the future http://www.northernrail.org/northern/careers/worki... searched this at random try any of the commuter train companies for careers.Guard/conductor is another way in then internal appication for driving post in the future.I've been on the footplate(showing my age there)for 34 years still enjoy it most of the time,but be prepared for early starts and late finishes.