Just saw a program (Great Railway Journeys) which showed behind the scenes at the new Queen Elizabeth Trains in London. Amazing tech, trains equipped with front & aft radar systems to create a safe automatic bubble,  ensuring constant safety. Those guys certainly earn their £75,000+/year salary LOL 🤣

And these are the trains that always break down or can't run when someone knocks the power out or damages the overhead lines. 
Train drivers these days have it much easier with all the safety systems (AWS, TPWS, cruise control etc) but they still have to concentrate on the line ahead and deal with any unfortunate incidents. 

Speaking of Great British Railway Journeys with Mr Portillo, He popped up to the Wensleydale Railway last year for some filming so that should be on TV this year at some point. 

13 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Those guys certainly earn their £75,000+/year salary LOL 🤣

I wonder what my uncle (actually Dad's cousin, but always "uncle" to me) would have made of today's salaries.

He started as a cleaner at Sowerby Bridge engine shed in the 1930s, worked his way through the ranks - passed cleaner, fireman, passed fireman, then eventually the exalted position of driver. He finished his career at the (then new, now a wasteland) diesel depot at Healey Mills, pretty knackered by the time he retired!

My brother in law has done well as train driver then instructor. Retired early after doing a stint in Saudi Arabia training drivers  as COVID hit. Got stuck out there for extra 6 months more than anticipatred