Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Career change put Becky on right track
BECKY Young is a lady with her career on the right track — literally.
She spends her working day at the controls of a 135 ton, 100mph A170 passenger train.
Becky, 36, has been a ScotRail driver for two years — Dundee’s first — and it was a chance remark from a workmate that led her into a change of direction.
“The guy said he’d always fancied being a train driver,” said Becky, who lives in Maryfield and used to be a prison officer.
“It hadn’t occurred to me before but I looked into it and then a pal who works for ScotRail said I should give it a go.
“I applied online and was invited to an interview in Edinburgh.
“The whole process lasted something like five months — with face-to-face interviews, psychometric testing and written tests.
“They’re looking for people with good coordination who are able to think on their feet and react well to changing situations.
“You’re then sent on to the ScotRail Academy to learn about the rules of the railway, the signals, alarms and naturally you have to know everything about the train itself — the controls, the systems and where emergency gear is stowed.
“At Glasgow Central there’s an actual simulator — like the sort of thing a trainee pilot would have.
“It’s just like driving the real thing and the instructors can simulate all sorts of scenarios and even weather.
“Once you’re qualified you’ll go out with an instructor for six to eight months and then that’s you.
“I love it, genuinely. I drive the train to Aberdeen, Waverley, Perth, the Fife circle. There’s a good team spirit among the drivers and while there are still relatively few female drivers it’s not an issue.
“It still amuses me when people think all we do is press a ‘go’ button and then press another for stopping.
“You have to know the route intimately, you have to know the bends and gradients and signals all along the way. It might seem that the train’s just smoothly riding along but I have to throttle-up when we get to a gradient, ease back for curves and stop at the right place in the station.
“I’d recommend it. You’ve got responsibility because you’re looking after your passengers but it’s like being your own boss. You’ve got a great view, people wave at you as you go by and to be honest I like the peace and quiet. I wouldn’t want to be stuck in an office.”
Her very own train set — dream job!