Irish Rail Jobs Discussion

Working class heroes · 02-01-2019 12:56pm

I’d say you could have a lot of Luas drivers applying for these. Better canteen facilities.

ongarboy · 02-01-2019 12:58pm

It sounds like female candidates might get priority consideration as IR are also looking to address the gender imbalance of only 4 current train drivers being female.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2019/0102/1019897-train-drivers/

GM228 · 02-01-2019 1:08pm

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Nope, anyone internal can apply as well and there will be a shortage due to retirements etc.

I never said they couldn't, but, there will no longer be a separate internal process apparently, also there is a long standing legacy agreement which pre dates CIE that they would not be advertised externally without union agreement, this was confirmed in the WRC as recent as last year by IE management when they indicated a wish to go external.

I remember you previously saying "nobody will give a fiddlers" if this happens, well, the union correspondence has already started, and they are not happy to say the least.

TallGlass · 02-01-2019 1:10pm

Anyone taken the tests yet? How they find them..

goingnowhere · 02-01-2019 1:58pm

There simply isn't enough people internally who

1. Want the job
2. Who are capable of passing the medical and the battery of tests (good old group bourdon test)
3. Will get past the interview

- who has already tried and has failed to get through the process

The DART has been an external hire operation for a decade. Union really hasn't a leg to stand on here, it cannot make a cost increasing claim and the number of drivers needed goes way beyond what could be sourced internally. The arrival of the EU train drivers license also opens the door to hire people from the EU with experience who are already certified to meet the medical and other competencies.

Stephen15 · 02-01-2019 2:07pm

ongarboy wrote: »

It sounds like female candidates might get priority consideration as IR are also looking to address the gender imbalance of only 4 current train drivers being female.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2019/0102/1019897-train-drivers/

Not right people should be given the job based on their competency not gender

khaldrogo · 02-01-2019 2:20pm

How many electrified lines do they have?? I couldn't find the info on line or on their site.

Hilly Bill · 02-01-2019 2:26pm

GM228 wrote: »

I never said they couldn't, but, there will no longer be a separate internal process apparently, also there is a long standing legacy agreement which pre dates CIE that they would not be advertised externally without union agreement, this was confirmed in the WRC as recent as last year by IE management when they indicated a wish to go external.

I remember you previously saying "nobody will give a fiddlers" if this happens, well, the union correspondence has already started, and they are not happy to say the least.

If they moan about this then they are dicks.

john boye · 02-01-2019 3:00pm

GM228 wrote: »

I remember you previously saying "nobody will give a fiddlers" if this happens, well, the union correspondence has already started, and they are not happy to say the least.

I know anything is possible with that lot but surely they haven't a leg to stand on if the positions were offered internally and the applicants were unsuccessful?

ChikiChiki · 02-01-2019 3:04pm

I suspect there will be a huge volume of applications from highly skilled professionals from the private sector.

Less stress and a decent enough salary for a cushy number. It's a no brainer for many.

L1011 · 02-01-2019 3:09pm

khaldrogo wrote: »

How many electrified lines do they have?? I couldn't find the info on line or on their site.

One with a small branch

sjb25 · 02-01-2019 3:27pm

ChikiChiki wrote: »

I suspect there will be a huge volume of applications from highly skilled professionals from the private sector.

Less stress and a decent enough salary for a cushy number. It's a no brainer for many.

And from the public sector I’m in a skilled job in the public sector and they make more than me I’m seriously considering applying anyway then deciding if I get that far

Infini · 02-01-2019 3:34pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

The DART has been an external hire operation for a decade.

Its only been advertised really internally through the 3 companies and of course they took some people as well from the Dash project. Realistically this is the first outright hiring off the street.

I'm not sure why the union is objecting we know staff pools have been exhaused internally hence the hiring externally. Just be warned its not exactly an easy job that some think it is.

MayoSalmon · 02-01-2019 3:38pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

Not right people should be given the job based on their competency not gender

Welcome to the 2019 progressive Ireland.....

02-01-2019 3:42pm

ChikiChiki wrote: »

I suspect there will be a huge volume of applications from highly skilled professionals from the private sector. ..............

I don't know many highly skilled professionals who want to work weekends etc driving a train for €45k tbh.

GM228 · 02-01-2019 4:21pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

The DART has been an external hire operation for a decade.

It has not, only in recent years has driving (DART and diesel) t been opened to other CIE companies.

goingnowhere wrote: »

Union really hasn't a leg to stand on here, it cannot make a cost increasing claim and the number of drivers needed goes way beyond what could be sourced internally

What cost increasing claim?

goingnowhere wrote: »

The arrival of the EU train drivers license also opens the door to hire people from the EU with experience who are already certified to meet the medical and other competencies.

The EU driver licence only satisfies minimum standards, you must still satisfy the standards applicable to the organisation you apply to.

Hilly Bill · 02-01-2019 4:23pm

ChikiChiki wrote: »

I suspect there will be a huge volume of applications from highly skilled professionals from the private sector.

Less stress and a decent enough salary for a cushy number. It's a no brainer for many.

Don't know about the cushy number and the less stress bit.

dashoonage · 02-01-2019 4:27pm

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Don't know about the cushy number and the less stress bit.

How so ?

Hilly Bill · 02-01-2019 4:27pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

Not right people should be given the job based on their competency not gender

Agree but they won't compromise the ability to do the job in favour of gender quota.

Hilly Bill · 02-01-2019 4:29pm

dashoonage wrote: »

How so ?

It's not a stress free job especially when someone decides to jump in front of you.

Ray Bloody Purchase · 02-01-2019 5:03pm

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Don't know about the cushy number and the less stress bit.

It can be fairly stressful when your union fails to negotiate enough 'handy' as required turns on your roster.

verfold · 02-01-2019 5:46pm

How does the driver depot structure in Dublin work, ie where are the drivers based and is routes and traction linked or does everyone at a particular depot drive all traction and routes?
Who drives the enterprise, Dublin men or is it run by NIR? Thanks if anyone could help. ...

Jamie2k9 · 02-01-2019 6:11pm

verfold wrote: »

How does the driver depot structure in Dublin work, ie where are the drivers based and is routes and traction linked or does everyone at a particular depot drive all traction and routes?
Who drives the enterprise, Dublin men or is it run by NIR? Thanks if anyone could help. ...

Heuston, Connolly, Fairview, you drive what operates from the depot.

Enterprise is operated both companies. Think a lot of Dundalk drivers run it but assume Connolly ones do as well. You are required to drive routes operated out of that depot.

whisky_galore · 02-01-2019 6:17pm

ChikiChiki wrote: »

I suspect there will be a huge volume of applications from highly skilled professionals from the private sector.

Less stress and a decent enough salary for a cushy number. It's a no brainer for many.

Maybe they think it's a cushy number if their only knowledge of loco driving is watching Thomas the Tank Engine.

khaldrogo · 02-01-2019 6:21pm

L1011 wrote:

One with a small branch

Got that wrong so!

I said 2. I thought they might distinguish between the passenger and freight services

TallGlass · 02-01-2019 7:30pm

TallGlass wrote: »

Anyone taken the tests yet? How they find them..

Interesting test, can't see why anyone internally wouldn't pass it as they'd be at more an advantage.

L1011 · 02-01-2019 7:34pm

khaldrogo wrote: »

Got that wrong so!

I said 2. I thought they might distinguish between the passenger and freight services

There are distinctions in driver pools between electric, diesel multiple unit and locomotive (cork, Belfast, freight) I believe

Jamie2k9 · 02-01-2019 7:38pm

L1011 wrote: »

There are distinctions in driver pools between electric, diesel multiple unit and locomotive (cork, Belfast, freight) I believe

Could be taking you up wrong but loco drivers drive DMUs as do Freight.

verfold · 02-01-2019 7:52pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Could be taking you up wrong but loco drivers drive DMUs as do Freight.

So are these jobs for locomotive drivers or dmu drivers? Surely they wouldn't be taking on trainee locomotiveslike drivers??
Out of interest how far do HEuston drivers get? As far as Cork?

Jamie2k9 · 02-01-2019 7:58pm

verfold wrote: »

So are these jobs for locomotive drivers or dmu drivers? Surely they wouldn't be taking on trainee locomotiveslike drivers??
Out of interest how far do HEuston drivers get? As far as Cork?

Both, but probably DMU to start with.

Heuston drivers (and Portlaoise) do Cork, Waterford, Westport, Galway and PPT. Open to correction but don't do Kerry/Ballina/Limerick branches. Probally cleared to Limerick but not sure about others.

Many Heuston services are operated by drivers based around the country.

Stephen15 · 02-01-2019 8:03pm

Have they gone to Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann before going external thought that was the procedure if they can't get drivers within IE.

GM228 · 02-01-2019 8:37pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Both, but probably DMU to start with.

Heuston drivers (and Portlaoise) do Cork, Waterford, Westport, Galway and PPT. Open to correction but don't do Kerry/Ballina/Limerick branches. Probally cleared to Limerick but not sure about others.

Many Heuston services are operated by drivers based around the country.

The title "Locomotive Driver" is the grade applicable to drivers of diesel trains weather they be actual loco or DMU.

Heuston do Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Galway and PPT.

Connolly do Belfast, Sligo and Rosslare.

Portlaoise do Cork and Dublin (Portlaoise PWD do the entire country).

Cork do Dublin, Tralee, Cobh and Midleton.

Tralee do Mallow and Cork.

Mallow do Cork, Tralee and Dublin.

Limerick do Dublin, Galway and Waterford.

Waterford do Dublin, Limerick and Athlone.

Athlone do Dublin, Galway, Westport and Ballina.

Galway do Dublin and Limerick.

Ballina and Westport do Athlone only.

Drogheda do Navan, Dublin and Dundalk.

Dundalk do Belfast and Dublin.

Sligo do Dublin.

Longford do Dublin and Sligo.

Did I miss any depots?

GM228 · 02-01-2019 8:38pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

Have they gone to Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann before going external thought that was the procedure if they can't get drivers within IE.

Started doing that several years ago.

Still Ill · 02-01-2019 8:48pm

Can anyone who works with IE give any insights into the job? Is it constantly on the go or is there breaks in between journeys? Does it get boring or monotonous? Any details on how the working day/week would be typically structured?

Thanks.

gugsy · 02-01-2019 8:52pm

GM228 wrote:

Did I miss any depots?

Galway does Dublin Athlone and Limerick

Hilly Bill · 02-01-2019 9:03pm

TallGlass wrote: »

Interesting test, can't see why anyone internally wouldn't pass it as they'd be at more an advantage.

The test is simple enough and I'm no great shake at tests and there isn't an advantage in being internal as a good few already in the job would struggle especially the long term ones who may never have had to do an aptitude test.
All you need is the ability to follow instructions, listen and Write a report and able to read and memorise what you read and use a bit of logic.
Doing the training course would be the hard part as it's a lot of class work but if you have a good head on your shoulders then you will do OK.
I'd recommend for anyone who has ever expressed an interest on here to drive a train to apply now for it and best of luck to.

n!ghtmancometh · 02-01-2019 9:13pm

I've applied anyways. Nearly a 40% wage increase from my current quite stressful public sector job. Questions were not bad, usual public sector 'tell them what they want to hear, but not how things work in practice' sort of stuff.

I've applied for stuff in IR before and never heard a thing back, so won't be getting my hopes up anyway!

khaldrogo · 02-01-2019 9:15pm

Would you think they might look more favorably on someone who knows about trains in terms of models and history Vs someone who doesn't?

In whatever interview (s) you might do is it asked if you have an interest in trains?

Jamie2k9 · 02-01-2019 9:34pm

khaldrogo wrote: »

Would you think they might look more favorably on someone who knows about trains in terms of models and history Vs someone who doesn't?

In whatever interview (s) you might do is it asked if you have an interest in trains?

Passing the medical, training and knowing the rule book might help. History and love of trains is irrelevant however an interest in the industry your looking to get into would be a good thing.

Releasing the salary was completely unnecessary for the role and they will get thousands of applications and the majority won't even get a rejection never mind put forward.

Hilly Bill · 02-01-2019 9:39pm

khaldrogo wrote: »

Would you think they might look more favorably on someone who knows about trains in terms of models and history Vs someone who doesn't?

In whatever interview (s) you might do is it asked if you have an interest in trains?

It won't mean a thing.

n!ghtmancometh · 02-01-2019 9:43pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Passing the medical, training and knowing the rule book might help. History and love of trains is irrelevant however an interest in the industry your looking to get into would be a good thing.

Releasing the salary was completely unnecessary for the role and they will get thousands of applications and the majority won't even get a rejection never mind put forward.

Why would people apply for a job with no idea of the remuneration?

Also, the online test's will weed out a lot of people straight away, as in a good % probably wouldn't be bothered or have the attention span to spend the 25/30 mins to complete them, or will score so low they'll be eliminated automatically if they do finish. It's outsourced automated HR software, nobody in IR is sifting through these applications at this stage.

Jamie2k9 · 02-01-2019 9:45pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Why would people apply for a job with no idea of the remuneration?

Also, the online test's will weed out a lot of people straight away, as in a good % probably wouldn't be bothered or have the attention span to spend the 25/30 mins to complete them, or will score so low they'll be eliminated automatically if they do finish. It's outsourced automated HR software, nobody in IR is sifting through these applications this stage.

Majority of job vacancies don't publish the salary on offer and while they could show it on the website putting it into a press release issued to the media was a rather juvenile move.

Just shows how out of touch they are with external recruitment.

TallGlass · 02-01-2019 9:50pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Majority of job vacancies don't publish the salary on offer and while they could show it on the website putting it into a press release issued to the media was a rather juvenile move.

Just shows how out of touch they are with external recruitment.

Most public services always have the renumeration in the salary. Personal I rather it showing up front.

Stephen15 · 02-01-2019 9:57pm

I would apply myself but I'm only 19 so I just miss out on the age limit. Hopefully they'll be hiring again in the future so then I might apply.

LastStop · 02-01-2019 10:02pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

I would apply myself but I'm only 19 so I just miss out on the age limit. Hopefully they'll be hiring again in the future so then I might apply.

Recruitment will be carried out over the next 4years. just keep your eyes peeled.

Big Nasty · 02-01-2019 10:03pm

I wouldn't let that stop you. It's a lengthy process.

Working class heroes · 02-01-2019 10:24pm

It’ll be some crack when these new drivers have to be “mentored”.

Hilly Bill · 02-01-2019 11:43pm

Stephen15 wrote: »

I would apply myself but I'm only 19 so I just miss out on the age limit. Hopefully they'll be hiring again in the future so then I might apply.

Just do it for the experience at least you will get an idea of the tests for future reference.

whisky_galore · 02-01-2019 11:50pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Majority of job vacancies don't publish the salary on offer and while they could show it on the website putting it into a press release issued to the media was a rather juvenile move.

Just shows how out of touch they are with external recruitment.

Private sector is a wishy-washy 'remuneration dependant on experience' which I read as 'see what they're like and pay as little as we can get away with'

03-01-2019 9:10am

Hmmmm....

I failed the stage 1.

Now I wasn't 100% keen on it as I'm in a 9-5 and would rather stick along those lines but I'm a little curious.

Either they're being more stringent on males or else they're looking for a 100% pass rate as most of it is straightforward apart from a few scenarios which relate to questions on legality, insubordination, safety checks etc

I felt given my expertise level, I was putting the right answers to within at least one of the required(4 was generally obvious the worst one and 1/2 might be a coin toss so I'd pick that I'd ask the train driver could the pregnant lady stay in 1st class as 1 and then for 2 if the driver would give her a reduced ticket price as 2) but apparently that's still not good enough to pass a stage one(never mind pass but be down the list).

Given the criteria they require(assuming it's not a push for females) you'd be best of learning the legalities of driving without proper rest, safety checks etc considering you can't seem to get any wrong.

Bit of a silly bar they've set for the average Joe as those questions require inside knowledge.

Irish Rail Jobs Discussion

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