Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2016 15:56:07 GMT
Hi folks,
I tried this post with a previous account but for some reason could never log back in so I had to create a new account.
I'm researching a book and need some interviews (via e-mail if this is convenient) with people who had experience of the driver recruitment process in the mid-1980's or similar period.
Any help you could give me would be invaluable - you can e-mail me directly at matthewjones109@gmail.com.
Thanks everybody and kind regards,
Matt
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Post by superteacher on Nov 21, 2016 19:24:39 GMT
Welcome to the forum - hope you find the info that you need.
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Post by philthetube on Nov 21, 2016 20:23:16 GMT
In the mid 90's the only route was via the guards roll, I would be surprised if it was not the same a decade earlier.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2016 20:41:03 GMT
Thanks Phil - so to a complete novice could you explain the process in a bit more detail?
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Post by revupminster on Nov 21, 2016 22:17:45 GMT
When I was a depot clerk in the eighties the route to driver was promotion from railman/woman to guard or direct recruit guard. Guards were qualified as emergency drivers. In an emergency they could drive a train to the next station, detrain the passengers take on another staff member to stay with them in the cab to take the train to a siding or depot. The second person in the cab was to watch the signals and the guard driving.
Newly qualified guards with no depot would be Station Guards working at a station as a stationman/railman when no duties for them at the depot required as a guard.
Guards during the course of a year would be given driving trips to keep their skill level up and would be paid as a driver for that day/duty.
If they completed so many duties as a driver they would become Guard rated motorman ie paid as driver whether working as a guard or driver.
As a driver vacancy arose these guards would have first choice though not necessarily at there own depot.
This system was very efficient with yardmasters allocating duties starting with drivers and working down the lists and in theory should there be nobody should be idle.
As an aside depot shunters were generally guards whether ground shunters or control tower shunters such as Upminster
Drivers generally went on to be station inspectors then on to yardmaster or stationmaster or even controllers. The higher wages paid to one person drivers killed off this as drivers would lose money taking "promotion". The company plan came into address this problem.
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hobbayne
RIP John Lennon and George Harrison
Posts: 516
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Post by hobbayne on Nov 22, 2016 14:27:48 GMT
I answered an advert in the Evening standard in late 1988 for a job as a direct recruit Guard. There where only 3 lines left with Guards at that time. The Bakerloo, Central and Northern. As the Guards job was on the way out by then, it was expected that these new recruits would qualify for promotion to Train Operator. I was based at White city on the Central line (after a few weeks at Elephant on the Baker), and became a driver in May 1990. The first direct recruit drivers came circa 1994.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2016 20:27:40 GMT
Thanks Hobbayne,
Could I message you a few questions? You seem just the person I need to talk to.
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Post by rheostar on Nov 24, 2016 8:28:47 GMT
I joined LU as a direct recruit guard in 1979.
We did a simple mechanical aptitude test in a recruitment office at Manor House. I passed that and was in!
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hobbayne
RIP John Lennon and George Harrison
Posts: 516
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Post by hobbayne on Nov 24, 2016 18:26:16 GMT
Thanks Hobbayne, Could I message you a few questions? You seem just the person I need to talk to. OK. Not sure what help I will be, but be my guest.
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