Think they’re just watching the tracks? Wrong. Drivers spend hours in “sign-on” rooms. These are tiny, beige boxes with a kettle and a broken clock. They sit there drinking tea, waiting for their train to be ready. It’s like a waiting room for a dentist, but you get paid £300 a day.
It's not just the TfL Tube strike: First Great Western 24 hour rail
And here’s a wild fact: they talk to cows. Seriously. When driving through the countryside in Devon, drivers often see cows on the tracks. The official response? Honk the horn and shout “Shoo, moo cow!” That’s not in the rulebook, but every driver does it. I swear.
Another day on the job: you get to wave at children. Every single child waves at a train. Drivers have a secret game: they try to guess how many kids will wave back. The record is 47 waves in one journey from Bristol to London. That’s a shift of pure joy.
So, Is It Worth It?
Yes, if you like money, time off, and waving. No, if you hate sitting still and memorizing fog horn rules. But here’s the real punchline: First Great Western drivers are basically the kings and queens of the railway. They earn a fortune, they retire young, and they have the best stories.
Next time you see a driver hop off a train at Paddington, give them a nod. They’re not just driving. They’re living the dream—one honk at a time.
And remember, if you ever see a cow on the tracks, just shout “Shoo!” It’s in your contract. Probably.
