Hi all,
So as many of you may know I recently finished my 16 year stint in the army, and lined myself up for a new career on the railways. To my delight after a few disappointments Freightliner offered me a a job as a mechanical and electrical fitter at Crewe Basford Hall VMF (Vehicle Maintenance Facility) or depot in old speak!
The job is a more in depth role than some of the others out there and I am to not just carry out basic fixes and maintenance but the full spectrum of maintenance from fault diagnosis to overhaul work primarily on the freightliner electric fleet but increasingly the diesel fleet.
This week was the first week in work and well I have been thrown in the deep carrying out A and B exams on both class 86s and 90s including the fun of changing brake blocks and replacing damaged rectifiers on the class 86 which isn't a job I am looking forward to repeating!
But all in I actually for the first time in a long time really enjoyed work! Next week I have the fun of my first major overhaul, carrying out a bogie overhaul on a class 90 so this could be interesting! :D
Congratulations on your new career. Glad to hear you're enjoying it! :thumbsup:
Least you may have the chance of travel, work you may love doing and a nationally recognised qualification. Good luck gareth
After 16 years in the army I'd have thought not ever travelling again would be more appealing in a job ;D
Glad it's started well.
Good job sir!! I hope you succeed in civvy street and enjoy another long successful career :beers:
I'm expecting a super detailed Freightliner depot diorama coming soon :D
Glad you've got another good job and it sounds like one that really is made for you .
Bob Tidbury
Sounds like a brilliant job to me. Well done and good luck.
Hope week 2 is even better.
Bob
Glad it's started well for you and long may it continue! :beers:
Congratulations on this fresh start! I'm sure we'll be picking your brains before long...
Mike
Many congratulations @acko22 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=4166) - I wish you every success and happiness for the future. You deserve to be happy.
Kind regards
Paddy
congratulations on the start of the next phase of your career.
Hi Gareth,
Very well done on your new career - let's hope you don't get too grand to help us on the Revolution stand!!!
Cheers
Ben A.
Good luck in the new job, I hope you settle into civvy street I know several Vets who found it difficult.
Quote from: Ditape on November 10, 2019, 10:59:40 AM
Good luck in the new job, I hope you settle into civvy street I know several Vets who found it difficult.
here here, all the best for a quick settling in.
Good luck in the job Gareth, sounds like you will be enjoying yourself in civvie street. :thumbsup:
Good luck with the new position, hope it goes well, sounds like a very interesting job!
Cheers,
Jimmy
Best wishes for every success and lots of fun in your new career.
John
Good luck with your new role, and welcome to the noble vehicle maintenance profession. ;)
Hi all,
Thank you all for your kind words, I am in to the second week and the pace has picked up with this bogie overhaul work which has got a lot more in depth than first expected but I guess that's the nature of the beast!
Quote from: Ben A on November 10, 2019, 10:48:57 AM
let's hope you don't get too grand to help us on the Revolution stand!!!
Unless I magically get pop star wages you are safe in the knowledge that I with be there!
Quote from: exmouthcraig on November 10, 2019, 08:25:17 AM
I'm expecting a super detailed Freightliner depot diorama coming soon :D
Well funny you should say that I already have the depot (my work) building, but I have to get my main layout built first and well currently that's slow progress!
I will admit one thing when it comes to modelling working in the industry has made me a bit of a rivet counter! I have been looking at some of my models going "that's wrong, and that and that!", just have to see if the family are really really nice this year and will pay for a model to visit Mercig so I can have a completely accurate representation of 90048 (The one I am currently giving some TLC).
Oh and if anyone is wondering how many does it take to overhaul bogies the answer is 2! One ex Crewe works fitter, and some lunatic with tools and diminishing patience as he is outwitted by tab washers! :-[
After tab washers comes lock wiring.....
Good luck with it all.
Pete @ EGLM
Ah yes, some big equipment to hit with a big hammer and / or generally make go BANG....
Oh this is fraught with innuendo.... >:D
But I all seriousness matey it sounds like the perfect role and, as a full time desk jock, I am a little bit green...
Enjoy and congrats
Skyline2uk