John Dean, born 1846, "Engine Driver" In The 1870's/ 1880's

[RobinRedBreast]

Hello There,
The above person was one of my 2x Great Granddads. He was born in Barton Upon Humber. He Married Martha Maria Hunter, in Glanford Brigg in 1866.
Anyway, in the 1871 Census, the family were living at: 13, Railway Square, New Holland, Barrow on Humber (So presumably New Holland Station?). John had previously been a "Fireman" on the railways. And now in this Census his occupation was listed as an "Engine Driver". There were two of his children living in the house at the time of that Census.
By the time of the 1881 Census, the family had moved to Lincoln, John was still an "Engine Driver".Their address was: 20, Chaplin Street.  And now there were seven children, living at that house. There was also a "Domestic Servant" working there. John Dean died in Lincoln, around the age of 39, in 1885.

Sorry for this long winded intro. But points that what I would like to know please are: 
What kind of wage would John have been earning as a "Fireman" and "Engine Driver" on the Railway please at this time?

Also please:

How would this wage have compared to wages in other jobs around the same time?

Any information would be gratefully accepted. Thank you very much.

[mazi]

From the history of the union ASLEF, in 1879 senior drivers about 5s and 6 pence for a twelve hour day, coal miners at the same time 26 shillings a week, presumably five and a half, or six day weeks were the norm.
Firemen about 15-20 shillings a week

By 1883 the Union was pressing for 7s 6p for senior drivers

At least the work was regular, many workers then were casual workers hired just for the day

Mike

Although living in a railway owned house he would still have to pay rent, but there may have been a small degree of subsidy, as railwaymen were usually required to live close to their work

[RobinRedBreast]

From the history of the union ASLEF, in 1879 senior drivers about 5s and 6 pence for a twelve hour day, coal miners at the same time 26 shillings a week, presumably five and a half, or six day weeks were the norm.
Firemen about 15-20 shillings a week

By 1883 the Union was pressing for 7s 6p for senior drivers

At least the work was regular, many workers then were casual workers hired just for the day

Mike

Although living in a railway owned house he would still have to pay rent, but there may have been a small degree of subsidy, as railwaymen were usually required to live close to their work

Thank you for this. Cheers. 

[Geoff-E]

Ancestry has lots of railway records.

The ones I looked at have no footplate grades, but a porter's wages at that time were about 16-18 shillings a week.  This hardly changed between the 1870s and 1890s.

[RobinRedBreast]

Ancestry has lots of railway records.

The ones I looked at have no footplate grades, but a porter's wages at that time were about 16-18 shillings a week.  This hardly changed between the 1870s and 1890s.

Thank you. 

[Redroger]

At that time railway pay was amongst the top in the country. By the mid 20th century it had fallen back badly. The major gap was the difference in earnings between the working class people and the gentry.

[RobinRedBreast]

At that time railway pay was amongst the top in the country. By the mid 20th century it had fallen back badly. The major gap was the difference in earnings between the working class people and the gentry.

Thanks again. That's really interesting to know. Cheers. 

[RobinRedBreast]

Does anyone know please, where services operated to and from New Holland Station at this time around 1872?

Thanks. 

[Geoff-E]

Something to read here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Holland_railway_station