Anastasia

Being a mainline driver involves a long learning process with rules, regulations, personal track safety and traction amongst the many things taught. This is after a competitive recruitment process which is ever changing.

Many factors have changed since I began driving in 2001 but the foundations are the same. Training involves much time spent in the classroom, then a longer period out and about with a minder driver. You follow the shift pattern of your “minder”, taking in early, late and night shifts.

A typical day involves signing on at your home depot, picking up the day's work pattern, then meeting or collecting your train. I could work on the Stansted Express service to and from Liverpool Street for the whole shift, or on more suburban work which involves a lot more stops. If the day runs smoothly all is good, however if there is an incident, such as a problem with the overhead power lines or even a fatality, that's when customer focus really comes into play and the safety critical aspect is paramount.

As a mother of two young children I am fortunate enough to have been allocated certain shifts which accommodate alternately looking after the children with my husband who is also a driver, and taking them to the childminder. Driving is a very good career, it's what you make of it and I'm lucky to work with some great people, many of whom have become great friends.