At just 23 years’ old, Brook Randall has already made his mark at Transport for London (TfL). Starting as a bus driver at 18, he progressed to bus station controller before swapping vehicles and qualifying as a Piccadilly line driver at 22. He is currently TfL’s youngest ever Tube driver. Brook took some time out from his busy day to discuss his career journey, experiences, and ambitions for the future.
You became a London Underground driver at just 22. What attracted you to the role?
When I was younger, I always dreamed of becoming a bus driver and then, eventually, a train operator. I wasn’t sure how I would perform in the assessment process, but when I saw the role advertised, I jumped at the chance to apply. I honestly didn’t think I had much hope because of my age and my GCSE results, but I’m so glad I gave it a go. Driving on the Underground has opened so many doors for me.
How did your previous roles as a bus driver and bus station controller prepare you for becoming an Underground driver?
Those roles certainly helped me get to where I am today. They gave me strong customer service skills and taught me how to handle pressure, which is particularly useful when you’re the person people look to when a decision needs to be made. I met so many amazing people in both roles, and their support is one of the reasons I am where I am today.
What do you think enabled you to progress into train driving at such a young age, and were you always conscious that you were on an unusually fast career trajectory?
The help and support of my family, friends and partner have been invaluable. Becoming a train operator is a big step in the right direction for me, but I also hope it encourages more young people to consider a career on the railway. The railway can be unpredictable, but that’s what makes it exciting. You gain experience and face situations that you might not otherwise have the chance to encounter.
How did your operational experience on the road compare with the training and assessment environment when you moved across to the Underground?
It was intense going from bus driving, to being a bus controller, and then into the railway. There is a huge amount to learn, particularly when it comes to ensuring the safe and smooth running of the Underground. It was challenging, but it was also a great experience.
I always tell anyone applying to keep trying and not to give up. It was a struggle for me at first because there was so much information to take in, but by the end of the second week of training, everything started to click and I had a much better understanding of the rules and procedures.
What surprised you most about the transition from trainee to fully qualified driver?
I had a great instructor who helped me massively, particularly with his experience of the Piccadilly line. He gave me lots of tips that have been so useful now that I’m a qualified driver.
The first week driving on your own is scary because you no longer have that experienced person sitting next to you. I’m glad I took on board everything my instructor taught me and have been able to put it into practice during my time as a qualified driver.
How has your understanding of the railway developed during your first eight months driving in service?
There is always something going on the Piccadilly line, but it’s the teamwork that makes everything work. There is a lot of pressure on the line because of the number of trains we operate. During the peaks, when we are running so many services, things can occasionally go wrong. When they do, we have to step back, think clearly and deal with the issue appropriately.
What has been the biggest challenge of becoming a driver so early in your career?
I always think the biggest challenge is getting the job as a driver. Once you’ve achieved that, everything else starts to fall into place. Having to complete so many assessments and go through such an intense interview process is very challenging, but it’s worth the stress. I’ve not looked back since passing the assessment.
What are your ambitions for the next stage of your career?
I certainly have a plan for the future. I’d love to become a test train operator and, potentially, move into service control. That’s something that really interests me, and I am very ambitious to keep progressing.
What would you say to young people in the industry who may be considering a career in driving?
Just go for it. Don’t be scared to apply, and speak to drivers already doing the job, whether that’s on National Rail or the London Underground. We’ve all been through the assessments, interviews and training, so we can help you understand what the train operator recruitment process involves.
Most importantly, don’t let anyone stop you. Keep trying and you will succeed. It might not happen the first time, or even the second time, but don’t let knock-backs set you back. Keep going and don’t give up.
Image credit: AdobeStock
