im glad you took my reply as toungue in cheek like it was meant.
i do actually agree with BB, i think (unless someone convinces me otherwise) that applicants are being had over by a large part of the industry.
what train drivers do have though is a reduced training salary when they first start til they become fully 'type rated' on that loco. but i think that is only reasonable that you get the full salary when your fully qualified.
as for the army driving trains, well actually they do there is a railway squadron.