Cheap Ticket Alerts
Get notified by email when TransPennine Express Advance tickets go on sale
I began working for TPE on the 31st August 2004 in the role I’m currently in; Revenue Protection Officer.
Before TPE I worked for another train company (I've worked on the railways since 1996).
My average day is travelling on as many trains as possible to maximise coverage, as well as day-to-day admin of five colleagues.
What excites me about my job is I never know exactly how my day will play out – there are so many variables.
I’m often frustrated by the lack of coordination between Train Operating Companies, and by people who insist on maintaining a lie despite having been caught red-handed.
Proudest work moment? Almost winning the Team of the Year Award (we were robbed!).
No plans to move onwards and upwards. I greatly enjoy my role and have a complex home life which leads me to require simplicity at work where possible. Money isn’t everything!
There are no wallflowers in the Revenue team.
Being the parent of a child with special needs.
I relax outside of work with nature walks with my family, cycling, reading and by digitally shooting people/creatures/aliens.
It may surprise many but outside work I’m a quiet kind of a guy.
I joined in July 2017 as a Qualified Driver and I’m currently a Driver Assessor.
I was a Freight Driver for DB Cargo based at Healey Mills, before this I was a Signaller for Network Rail initially at Halifax and then at Doncaster Power Signal Box. I’ve also been a Cabin Crew Line Trainer for KLM and worked as Cabin Crew for British Airways.
Additionally, I’ve been a Horse-Riding Coach and Trainer and a College Lecturer. I still keep up with my equine interests and I’m a voluntary Equine Welfare Officer for the British Horse Society as well as a British Horse Society Accredited Professional Coach and Assessor.
This varies depending if I’m on shift or on a rest day, but my typical shift would begin by checking the start time the night before, preparing lunch and packing my work bag, ensuring my uniform is cleaned and pressed, and boots polished. Then breakfast, shower, feed my dogs and get them sorted before driving to Manchester.
Once at work I book on duty, check notices and collect diagrams and any other essentials for the day then head to my train. Once on the train, I check stops and routes with my Conductor and prepare my cab (at the moment this takes longer because of the need to sanitise everything). I then set up my seat and enter my pin code and head codes and drive the route. I sometimes take my folding bike with me and if I have a good break somewhere like York or Scarborough I may go for a bike ride to blow away the cobwebs and ensure I’m fresh and ready for the return journey.
Once back in Manchester I complete any paperwork, send any necessary emails for things such as delays or incidents during the day then head back to my car to escape back to the right side of the Pennines! I’m sure my Yorkshire colleagues will agree with me there!
Once home I feed my dogs, then possibly head to the gym or go for an outdoor swim as I enjoy open water swimming all year round without wetsuits. I find the cold water helps take the stresses away. Then home to bed before I repeat all over again.
Days off are taken up with my dogs, walking, hiking and spending time at my partner's farm near Malton where I help take care of the sheep and crops.
I love the challenge of driving a train and being in the cab travelling through the North’s varied and beautiful landscapes. I get a lot of satisfaction knowing I’ve given our customers a comfortable, safe ride and got them to their destination on time.
I get frustrated by delays and poor timetable planning. The amount of trains on our network means the tiniest problem has a huge knock-on effect but, during the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s been less frustrating driving trains because with fewer trains on the track it’s been easier to keep them on time.
Well, this is a difficult one as I feel there have been so many. I’m pleased and proud of what I’ve achieved both in my current and previous roles. Perhaps becoming a TV star would be a highlight after this documentary!
I would like to continue as a Driver Assessor for the foreseeable future and hopefully continue to update and improve on my skills and experience.
Work hard, stay focused, take as much information from as many people as possible and combine all that knowledge and experience into your own skills. Never be afraid to ask if unsure no matter how stupid the question may be, and always be open and honest even when you make a mistake. We’re all human at the end of the day!
That would have to be my entire life; it’s been one huge learning experience, and long may it continue.
I love to ride horses, walk in the countryside with my dogs, open water swimming, gardening, spending time with my family and friends, and foreign travel.
I’m incredibly insecure; I overthink things and I’m not the slightest bit confident although life has taught me how to manage that.
Don’t miss out
Get the latest offers, news & travel inspiration