First Great Western Train Driver Salary

So, you want to know what a First Great Western train driver makes? Good. It’s a question that’s more fun than it sounds. Trust me. We’re not just talking about money here; we’re talking about magic.

Let’s get the big number out of the way. A qualified driver for First Great Western (now part of GWR) earns around £60,000 to £70,000 a year. Yes, you read that right. That’s more than most teachers, nurses, or accountants. It’s serious cash.

But here’s the best part: you can earn that much while sitting on your butt. All day. In a comfy chair. And you get to honk a horn. Honestly, it’s the best job that looks like the most boring job.

The Secret Rules of Train Driver Pay

Here’s a quirky fact: drivers don’t get paid just for driving. They get paid for thinking about driving. Actually, they get paid a fixed salary, no matter what happens. If a train breaks down? Still paid. If a leaf falls on the track and stops everything? Still paid. It’s called “productivity pay” in the union contract, but really, it’s chaos compensation.

And wait—here’s the silliest part. You can earn extra money just for knowing the route map. Route knowledge is a big deal. If you’re a driver who can handle the tricky bits between Paddington and Penzance? Boom. You get a bonus. It’s like getting paid to memorize a giant spaghetti map.

Another weird thing: they pay drivers for not crashing. Actually, it’s more about a “bonus for safety.” But let’s be honest, that’s like paying a firefighter for not burning down your house. It’s still awesome.

The Perks That’ll Make You Jealous

First Great Western drivers get free train travel. For life. Forever. Not just for them, but for their partners and kids. Imagine never paying for a train ticket again. That’s a salary of £0 for commuting. Ever.

And they get a pension that’s basically a treasure chest. The Railways Pension Scheme is famously gold-plated. Drivers retire at 60 with a fat check every month. Meanwhile, you’re still paying off your student loans. Ouch.

They also get 35 days of paid holiday per year. Thirty-five days. That’s seven weeks off. Most people get four. So a driver could drive a train for four days, then take a week off to drive a rental car instead. Pure freedom.

But Is It Easy Money?

No, no, no. Don’t get too jealous yet. Becoming a driver is hard. You need to pass a psychological test that feels like a video game from hell. It’s called the “Multi-Modal” test. You stare at dots on a screen while reacting to sounds. It’s bizarre.

Then you have to memorize 200+ pages of rules. Yes, there’s a 200-page rule book. If you forget one rule, you fail. One guy missed a rule about “fog horn signals” and was sent home. Fog horns, people.

And guess what? You can’t have any visible tattoos. None. First Great Western once rejected a guy because he had a tiny anchor on his wrist. That anchor cost him £60,000 a year. Ouch again.

The Funniest Part: What Drivers Do All Day

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.

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.