Female train driver says some people are shocked

Gemma Deedat, from Fratton, has been a train driver for two years

A female train driver has said people are often shocked when they find out what she does for a living.

Gemma Deedat, from Fratton in Portsmouth, worked for the NHS and then as a conductor before she started driver training with South Western Railway (SWR) in 2020.

Only 8% of the company's drivers are women, which is in line with the national average.

Ms Deedat, who is part of the firm's new recruitment campaign for female drivers, said: "It is by far the best job I've done on the railway."

Ms Deedat is one of the female drivers who has shared their experiences in an SWR recruitment campaign

The mother from Hampshire has now been driving trains for two years and said often when she tells people what she does for a job they will say she is "the first lady train driver" they have met.

She said that although it is still a masculine environment she has never faced any animosity or prejudice while in the role.

"The railway is like one big family and everyone is very supportive of each other," Ms Deedat said.

She said she has made the shift work fit in around her children and family life.

Reflecting on her time as a driver, she said: "I just love being in the cab and seeing all of this lovely scenery, especially driving up through the South Downs and the wildlife, it is wonderful.

"It feels great to know that you've got all of those people safely to their destinations."

Ms Deedat has shared her experiences in an SWR video campaign to encourage more women to join the rail industry.

SWR vacancies for trainees are set to open in Farnham, Fratton, Waterloo and Weymouth depots.

The organisation said female applicants do not need any previous rail experience.