Career opportunities

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Train Crew Member

Train crew members work on board a train providing services to passengers including checking and selling tickets, responding to queries, keeping the train tidy and selling food and drink. Some train crew are responsible for looking after passengers in first class, where they may serve food and drink to passengers’ tables.

Train crew members are seen as the ‘face’ of the train operating company, and deliver a crucial customer service; they need to perform their role well in order to keep passengers happy.

Starting salaries for train crew can vary from £11000 to around £15500. These salaries can increase with experience.
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Working environment

The majority of a train crew member’s working day is spent on board trains. Train crew will start at a ‘base’ and will return there at the end of the day. They may take scheduled breaks off the train during the day.

Train crew members usually work 37 hours a week, in the form of shift work involving early mornings, late nights and weekends.

Train crew members must wear uniforms and identification.
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Skills and interests

Train crew members must be committed to delivering high levels of customer service.

As well as this, they need:
- good communication and interpersonal skills
- the ability to remain calm under pressure
- assertiveness, especially for dealing with difficult situations or passengers
- awareness of health and safety
- the ability to be a reliable part of a team.Go Back

Entry into the role

Train crew members are recruited by train operating companies. Vacancies are available all over the UK.

There are not usually any specific academic entry requirements, although a sound education including GCSEs (or national equivalent) in English and maths may be preferred. Previous experience of working in a customer service environment can be an advantage.

Most employers require applicants to be aged 18 or over, although some companies run trainee schemes for those over the age of 16.

Successful applicants for the job have to undergo criminal records and medical tests including general health and drug and alcohol abuse.

Vacancies are usually advertised on train operating company websites.
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Opportunities

There are opportunities for career progression for train crew members into roles including conductor or train manager. Train crew members could also progress into areas such as customer service management.

Train crew members can also work towards industry related qualifications such as :
- City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ in rail transport operations (passenger services).
- SQA Level 2 SVQ in rail transport operations.
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Useful links

• National Rail
• Translink
• Rail Technology (magazine)
• Rail Staff (magazine)

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Case Studies

• 
  RAIL - conductor
  Michael Foy, conductor for ScotRail, speaks about his work - courtesy of www.icould.com. (click on the image to play)
• 
  RAIL - hospitality assistant
  Scotrail hospitality assistant Linda Butler speaks about her career -courtesy of www.icould.com. (click on the image to play)
• 
  RAIL - ticket examiner
  ScotRail ticket examiner, Graham McGhee, speaks about how he got into his job - courtesy of www.icould.com. (click on the image to play)

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