Engineering Works...

[BEANFro Elite]

Hey people, I was discussing with a couple of electricians at work on Friday about working on the Underground as in, track maintenance during the night.

I've been interested in doing this for ages as I haven't really got any commitments and in about three hours work, I'll earn what I earn in a week.

Problem is, is that everyone I've spoken to has no idea about the exact pre-requisits all I could scare up from a few people was that you do a one day Health & Safety course with them that costs about £120 to do, you get a card and it has to be renewed every year but again, no one has a clue what its called or how you go about getting.

I plan on calling Metronet tomorrow and Balfour Beatty to ask for information but in the meantime, seeing as there are a lot people on here that are electricians or just seemingly very knowledgable about many things job related can anyone offer me some advise, perhaps let me know what I need to do

[schmunk]

You remind me of when I lived by the Met line in Northwood.

I woke up at about 3am to hear:

"Heave.... CLAANNNNNGGGGG"

"Heave.... CLAANNNNNGGGGG"

"Heave.... CLAANNNNNGGGGG"

"Heave.... CLAANNNNNGGGGG"

etc. for about 20 minutes until they'd moved out of earshot.

They must have been some heavy soldering irons.

[BEANFro Elite]

I quite fancy working in the middle of the night, seeing as I suffer from mild insomnia, it makes sense to me .

[schmunk]

http://www.justrail.net seems to be a good job-search site for you.

[BEANFro Elite]

Ta schmunk, there was a requirement on one of the jobs on that site, I know what the course is called now; its a two day course not a one day course and you get a card.

Thanks for the help, muchly appreciated

[Tobeman]

Ta schmuck

[moogle]

[BEANFro Elite]

Oops, lol, sorry, corrected now...only human...

[hitman67]

Just make sure 2 things:

1) you wear Hi-Vis
2) You know what direction the train will come from.

[monkeyville]

I believe the card is called a CSCS card and it just says your competent to work in construction.

Other than that good luck

[beanbandit]

Hey people, I was discussing with a couple of electricians at work on Friday about working on the Underground as in, track maintenance during the night.

I've been interested in doing this for ages as I haven't really got any commitments and in about three hours work, I'll earn what I earn in a week.

Problem is, is that everyone I've spoken to has no idea about the exact pre-requisits all I could scare up from a few people was that you do a one day Health & Safety course with them that costs about £120 to do, you get a card and it has to be renewed every year but again, no one has a clue what its called or how you go about getting.

I plan on calling Metronet tomorrow and Balfour Beatty to ask for information but in the meantime, seeing as there are a lot people on here that are electricians or just seemingly very knowledgable about many things job related can anyone offer me some advise, perhaps let me know what I need to do

The course to get track access is so easy anyone can get it. Try phoning Tubelines (i won't give you the number i have, as its one of the managers) as they do the courses on their own premises. They have their main training facilities in Stratford, London. They have full track setup for training, but i don't know what other courses you will need to go on.

Working down the tunnels can be fun, depending on the tunnel, power down is 1am(ish) with power being turned back on at around 5am. But your safety advisor will tell you what time is call back. Sunday's times are slightly different as power down is around midnight. Most i ever worked was 3.5 hours, long night

One thing that can be uncomfortable down the tunnels, the heat, its a constant 23-24 deg. The only time i had any problems was in the middle of winter at the Oxford street station (forgotten the name) We was working near one of the air vents, never been so cold. All in all, i loved my time working in the tunnels, had some real laughs.

Just make sure 2 things:

1) you wear Hi-Vis
2) You know what direction the train will come from.

Hi-Vis is required, if you don't have it, you don't get on. Doesn't matter what direction the trains come from, no power = no trains, apart from engineering trains, and then you won't be allowed down the tunnels if they are running.