Prospective Train Drivers

O L Leigh · 13th June 2008, 21:41

Sorry to be a moaner, but I seem to be repeating myself an awful lot.

Firstly, welcome to all new members who are hoping to join the footplate and the best of luck in your endeavours. Please do stick around and let us know how you get on. However, please read the thread entitled "Becoming a Train Driver" together with the website linked to in that thread first before asking for advice.

I expect that you will find the answers to any questions you may have there together with more links to take you further. If there is anything else, please do not hesitate to ask and we'll provide whatever information and advice we can.

Thank you.

O L Leigh

Jordy · 15th June 2008, 13:36

Thread stickied

If we can keep all questions in that one thread, it will be more helpful to those looking for information too.

bloogrape · 22nd June 2008, 15:01

Good site to learn items from. I have applied for Mainline Driver and have been shortlisted, here is my blog

[link removed as it did not work]

Flyboy · 31st October 2008, 23:52

bloogrape - link is broken.

rostill2007 · 26th April 2010, 11:17

hi all im new and i would like to know how to go a bout getting a shunting job as im under 21 with the idea of driving passengers afterwards i have read through the link above and am wondering wether shunting requires the same tests/ selection process of driving passengers, any advice much appreciated

ungreat · 4th May 2010, 22:32

Shunters dont drive trains mate.Get a shunters job and you are pulling points and in charge of the sidings you are based at.

There are no psychometric tests for shunters

rostill2007 · 7th May 2010, 12:54

thanks for the reply mate but is there any way of "getting in" before im 21

ungreat · 7th May 2010, 13:18

Yes.

Apply for a shunters job lol. Depending on your age,you will be limited to what you are allowed to do job wise on the railway.Under 18,virtually nothing,over 18 and under 21,a few more things and over 21 everything.

rostill2007 · 7th May 2010, 13:32

ok mate thanks i assume you have to start as a trainee to be a shunter. also where is the best place to search for this kind of job as google flags up mainly sites that just link you to different sites that arent much use

GB · 7th May 2010, 14:31

Check TOC of FOC websites or write directly to their HR department, and yes, unless you are qualified in the grade you will start as a trainee.....like most jobs

rostill2007 · 7th May 2010, 15:04

ok buddy cheers will try do you guys think im likely to find a place in birmingham or is it just best to take a job were ever i can i dont mind moving/ travelling will this be a good point to mention in any cover letters i write many thanks in advance

ungreat · 9th May 2010, 11:38

I know FCC are recruiting for both shunters and drivers...was told the other day that there will be a lot of recruiting for trainee drivers very soon at FCC

rostill2007 · 12th May 2010, 10:09

hi thanks for letting me know about that i have had a look on the fcc site it doesnt say wether the shunter job gives training do you think maybe im better off finding a "normal" job for now until i can just apply for trainee driver positions when im 21 next year? im really not sure what to do

ChrisM66 · 14th July 2011, 18:26

Hello to you all,nice forum.

I bet you get asked this loads of times please forgive me if thats the case but if you dont ask and all that

I am 44 and have reached a bit of a crossroads in my life and am thinking about if i would be train driver material.

After coming out of the army i trained as an electrician which i have been doing for around 16 years now ,working as self employed for the last six years,my job is not what it was and think its time for a change.

I have a good aptitude for science and maths which came in handy as a sparkie,and have a good grasp of anything mechanical,i can remain calm under pressure, learn quickly,and im in good health.

I have been checking all the main sites looking for trainee train driver positions but nothing yet.

Be honest am i wasting my time thinking about this or should i go for it and hope for the best,i do realise its difficult getting in from outside the industry.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

ml · 15th July 2011, 16:12

Hi there are train driver vacancies for Northern at the moment.

Being in the army is fantastic experience and I'd say sets you at an advantage

13th June 2008, 21:41	#1
O L Leigh In the cab with the paper Established Member Join Date: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 3,226	Prospective Train Drivers Sorry to be a moaner, but I seem to be repeating myself an awful lot. Firstly, welcome to all new members who are hoping to join the footplate and the best of luck in your endeavours. Please do stick around and let us know how you get on. However, please read the thread entitled "Becoming a Train Driver" together with the website linked to in that thread first before asking for advice. I expect that you will find the answers to any questions you may have there together with more links to take you further. If there is anything else, please do not hesitate to ask and we'll provide whatever information and advice we can. Thank you. O L Leigh __________________ Last edited by yorkie; 14th June 2008 at 18:52. Reason: added hyperlink

15th June 2008, 13:36	#2
Jordy POTW co-ordinator Moderator Join Date: 9 Jun 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 7,527	Thread stickied If we can keep all questions in that one thread, it will be more helpful to those looking for information too. __________________ WordPress \| Twitter \| Flickr \| Youtube \| Railmiles

22nd June 2008, 15:01	#3
bloogrape Member Join Date: 21 Nov 2005 Location: Berkshire Posts: 160	Yep Good site to learn items from. I have applied for Mainline Driver and have been shortlisted, here is my blog [link removed as it did not work] __________________ blk000.co.uk

7th May 2010, 13:32	#9
rostill2007 Member Join Date: 24 Apr 2010 Location: birmingham Posts: 8	ok mate thanks i assume you have to start as a trainee to be a shunter. also where is the best place to search for this kind of job as google flags up mainly sites that just link you to different sites that arent much use Last edited by rostill2007; 7th May 2010 at 13:44.

31st October 2008, 23:52	#4
Flyboy Member Join Date: 31 Oct 2008 Location: North Lincolnshire Posts: 269	bloogrape - link is broken.

26th April 2010, 11:17	#5
rostill2007 Member Join Date: 24 Apr 2010 Location: birmingham Posts: 8	hi all im new and i would like to know how to go a bout getting a shunting job as im under 21 with the idea of driving passengers afterwards i have read through the link above and am wondering wether shunting requires the same tests/ selection process of driving passengers, any advice much appreciated

4th May 2010, 22:32	#6
ungreat GN FCC Driver Member Join Date: 11 Nov 2006 Posts: 505	Shunters dont drive trains mate.Get a shunters job and you are pulling points and in charge of the sidings you are based at. There are no psychometric tests for shunters

7th May 2010, 12:54	#7
rostill2007 Member Join Date: 24 Apr 2010 Location: birmingham Posts: 8	thanks for the reply mate but is there any way of "getting in" before im 21

7th May 2010, 13:18	#8
ungreat GN FCC Driver Member Join Date: 11 Nov 2006 Posts: 505	Yes. Apply for a shunters job lol. Depending on your age,you will be limited to what you are allowed to do job wise on the railway.Under 18,virtually nothing,over 18 and under 21,a few more things and over 21 everything.

7th May 2010, 14:31	#10
GB Established Member Join Date: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,199	Check TOC of FOC websites or write directly to their HR department, and yes, unless you are qualified in the grade you will start as a trainee.....like most jobs

7th May 2010, 15:04	#11
rostill2007 Member Join Date: 24 Apr 2010 Location: birmingham Posts: 8	ok buddy cheers will try do you guys think im likely to find a place in birmingham or is it just best to take a job were ever i can i dont mind moving/ travelling will this be a good point to mention in any cover letters i write many thanks in advance

9th May 2010, 11:38	#12
ungreat GN FCC Driver Member Join Date: 11 Nov 2006 Posts: 505	I know FCC are recruiting for both shunters and drivers...was told the other day that there will be a lot of recruiting for trainee drivers very soon at FCC

12th May 2010, 10:09	#13
rostill2007 Member Join Date: 24 Apr 2010 Location: birmingham Posts: 8	hi thanks for letting me know about that i have had a look on the fcc site it doesnt say wether the shunter job gives training do you think maybe im better off finding a "normal" job for now until i can just apply for trainee driver positions when im 21 next year? im really not sure what to do

14th July 2011, 18:26	#14
ChrisM66 Member Join Date: 14 Jul 2011 Posts: 34	Hello to you all,nice forum. I bet you get asked this loads of times please forgive me if thats the case but if you dont ask and all that I am 44 and have reached a bit of a crossroads in my life and am thinking about if i would be train driver material. After coming out of the army i trained as an electrician which i have been doing for around 16 years now ,working as self employed for the last six years,my job is not what it was and think its time for a change. I have a good aptitude for science and maths which came in handy as a sparkie,and have a good grasp of anything mechanical,i can remain calm under pressure, learn quickly,and im in good health. I have been checking all the main sites looking for trainee train driver positions but nothing yet. Be honest am i wasting my time thinking about this or should i go for it and hope for the best,i do realise its difficult getting in from outside the industry. Thanks for any advice in advance.

15th July 2011, 16:12	#15
ml Established Member Join Date: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1,440	Hi there are train driver vacancies for Northern at the moment. Being in the army is fantastic experience and I'd say sets you at an advantage