Coventry-based train driver reveals how the rail industry has changed during her 40 years on the tracks - The Coventry Observer

Coventry-based train driver reveals how the rail industry has changed during her 40 years on the tracks

Coventry Editorial 13th Mar, 2022   0

AFTER kick-starting her career in the railway industry back in 1981, it’s fair to say that West Midlands Trains’ Birmingham New Street train driver, Danielle Morgan, has seen a lot of changes during her 40 years on the tracks.

From various job roles, multiple location changes, and station rebuilds, Danielle reveals all on the busy life of a train driver and what four decades on the railway has been like for her.

She also shares her story as a transgender person working in the industry, along with the support she has received from West Midlands Trains, the operator of West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.

Danielle said: “When I was younger, I always had an ongoing interest in trains.




“Me and my friends from school would regularly head down to our local railway station and would spend the afternoon train spotting. I think it was this initial interest that led me to consider applying in the first place.

After Danielle finished school she sent an application to her local station and started her career working in the rail industry.


“After working as a carriage cleaner for some time I applied to become a senior railman – which saw me shunt trains on both the passenger and freight side.

From here, I changed job roles and locations several times starting as a leading railman at Lichfield, then leading railman general purpose relief at Coventry – which meant I covered platforms, parcels, ticket barriers, and shunting.

“After 18 months at Coventry, I then applied for a trainman job at Birmingham New Street in 1989 – this job was essentially a cross between a guard and a second man.

“Seven years later in 1996 I became a train driver – and I never looked back.”

Danielle said she couldn’t believe how her childhood hobby formed into a life time career.

“For anyone that is considering starting their journey on the railway or maybe even as a train driver, all I can say is just have a go – you never know where you might end up.”

 

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