60 SECONDS WITH HANNAH LACEY

Every Month on Exchange Extra, we take sixty seconds out to get to know our team. Follow us on our journey to connect all members of our network.

This month we introduce you to train driver, Hannah Lacey!

Name: Hannah Lacey

Job title: Train driver; my previous role was Head of Maths in a boys’ secondary school.

Location: New Cross Gate

Hi Hannah! Please sum up your role in one sentence I drive trains safely and efficiently across the rail network, ensure passengers get to their destinations on time.

Tell us about your journey to ARL… Having taught for 10 years previously, I wanted to try something different and a friend who works as a train manager said that I might enjoy train driving.

I originally applied for freight in 2018, hoping to get into the industry. I didn't get through one of the stages but continued to apply for other TOCs. I passed all the tests for one TOC, but they couldn't offer me a training course, so I was fortunate that ARL advertised around Christmas 2020, and I passed all stages and was offered the job. I left teaching in July 2021 and started training as a driver a few days after. I've never looked back!

What do you enjoy about working at ARL? I enjoy working for ARL because I feel supported. The training I received was brilliant, which made the transition into the industry much easier. From the managers to other drivers, there is always someone to ask if I'm not sure of something. It's nice seeing some of the sites in London from the front cab too.

In your career so far, what are you most proud of? I'm very early into my career in the rail industry but I am most proud of getting through the training and the first 10 months of driving on my own. The time has gone so quickly from first applying but I'm very grateful for the opportunity I was given.

Tell us about your most memorable railway trip… My most memorable journey was one relatively recent; when going over a set of points, I heard a huge bang that sounded like a bomb going off! Passengers said they saw a flame up the side of the train. I lost power and didn't think I would make it into the platform. Fortunately, I did.

I was being relieved by another driver and between the 2 of us, we had to communicate with control and the signaller to get the train taken out of service. It turned out it was an earthing cable that had become loose and came into contact with the third rail. I was nervous going over the same points on my second half but thankfully it was fine!

If you could book a ticket to any destination, where would you go? I'd buy a ticket to Peru as I would love to trek the Inca trail and explore the rainforest.

ARL is committed to the internal progression, growth and development of colleagues and over the past year, more than one third of vacancies were filled internally.