I Quit the 9-to-5 to Work at One of the UK's Busiest Railway Stations
After seven years working in an office in a completely unrelated industry, I decided to take a leap and change my career by joining Network Rail at one of the UK’s busiest stations. I started in the Platform Team as a Customer Service Assistant (CSA) before progressing to Station Control as a Station Control Assistant (SCA), where I am responsible for overseeing the running of up to 14 of the station’s platforms at once. My role includes providing regular updates on train and station services, making station-wide announcements, updating departure boards, and ensuring accurate information is available on train-tracking apps through various industry systems.
Station Control Assistant: Helping Thousands on Their Railway Journey
As a Station Control Assistant (SCA), I am responsible for overseeing up to 14 platforms at once and providing regular updates on train and station services to all users. This includes making station-wide announcements, updating departure boards, and maintaining accurate running information on train tracking apps such as National Rail Enquiries, ensuring passengers are well-informed.
I also keep station staff and train operating companies (TOCs) updated on potential service disruptions, while regularly sharing public safety and security information. My responsibilities extend to operating and maintaining station systems and equipment, including fire panels, CCTV, and customer help points.
Additionally, I liaise with Signalling Centres and TOCs to coordinate train services and maintain a log of occurrences. Using systems like TRUST and other internal tools, I monitor train progress and track delays across Great Britain’s rail network.
I'm Proud to Help Helps Thousands of People Every Day
I love that I'm able to help thousands of people on their journeys every day. When you arrive at a station, you rely on the departure boards, announcements, and train tracking apps. I'm involved in all of this in my role in Station Control, and it fills me with pride knowing my work helps people travel across the country. Additionally, from a young age, I’ve always been fascinated by the railway. Now, being part of the operation at one of the UK's busiest stations gives me a great sense of achievement.
Try, Try, and Keep Trying
From as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the railway. If your first application doesn’t succeed, don’t be discouraged. Many of us, myself included, weren’t successful on our first attempt in joining, but that doesn’t mean you won’t succeed right away. What really matters is your passion and commitment to the industry. Keep pushing forward and don’t give up—your perseverance will pay off.
Representing Network Rail Station Staff on a National Level
There are several things I'm proud to have achieved and experienced, from receiving one-on-one mentoring from Network Rail's North West Route Strategy Director, to being selected to create a station-wide newsletter that provides staff updates, information, and stories from across the station. I’ve also had the opportunity to tour the local signalling centre and even try my hand at driving a train in a driver training simulator. However, my greatest achievement has to be representing Network Rail station staff on a national level in a National Business Briefing video, which was shown to a large audience of senior railway stakeholders. I was able to talk about my role and how I help passengers on their journey.
