Helensburgh Routes

apestyler · 14th May 2009, 10:09

Hi,

Can anyone advise me of what routes Helensburgh drivers are expected to sign?

Kind regards,
Sam

First ScotRail · 14th May 2009, 15:55

Most electric routes through Queen St low level.

apestyler · 15th May 2009, 13:07

Thanks First ScotRail - I'm guessing that includes routes through to Hamilton/Larkhall (or is that covered by Motherwell Depot?).

Just got a rejection e-mail off FSR so gonna have to wait another 6 months to see if any similar positions are available

First ScotRail · 15th May 2009, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by apestyler

Just got a rejection e-mail off FSR so gonna have to wait another 6 months to see if any similar positions are available

Im sorry to hear that, keep trying and if you can - try at lower levels and work up to driver level.

helltell · 15th May 2009, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by apestyler

Thanks First ScotRail - I'm guessing that includes routes through to Hamilton/Larkhall (or is that covered by Motherwell Depot?).

Just got a rejection e-mail off FSR so gonna have to wait another 6 months to see if any similar positions are available

I checked the online status and i have 'Unsuccessful - shortlisting' Is this what you have aswell? Though i have not received any sort of email from FSR yet. I applied on the 11th. I think i may have wrote wrong on thew questionnaire.

Does anyone know if having to wait 6 months is just for driver jobs or does that exclude all FSR posts?

traininthebrain · 15th May 2009, 18:19

Hi all. I only just noticed this post. Helensburgh Central based drivers covering the following routes and areas:

* Helensburgh - Drumgelloch
* Dalmuir - Springburn
* Balloch - Airdrie / Springburn
* Milngavie - High Street
* E.C.S. movement from above destinations to Yoker C.S.

about two years or so ago the drivers based at Helensburgh Central covered E.C.S. workings from Helensburgh Central / Yoker - Shields T.M.D. via Glasgow Central Low Level and Rutherglen though that working got taken off the Helensburgh Central based drivers' route card.

Also. The 6 month wait (if applied for a job with F.S.R.) got lifted not that long ago but the rule has now been brought back in as too many current employees are trying to promote themself. Basically F.S.R. want to give everyone a chance including the new starts (though if the new starts want to be promoted they need to wait 6 months before they can apply for another job vacancy within the company) and they want to find current employees who can pass entry test for the first time without having to retake the entry tests and whatnot. I hope this helps

Best Regards

Jonathan McGurk

helltell · 15th May 2009, 19:12

Ah k, shame that. I would rather get into the company on a lower level job first, but i've never seen any advertised on the site.

I take it they screen the questionnaires first? Dunno what i could have went wrong on that one. My CV seemed fine to me. Think if i emailed i could find out why i was rejected?

apestyler · 16th May 2009, 10:53

I unfortunately cannot afford to go in at a lower level, it would be hard enough being on the trainee wage. Maybe once the wife gets a better job I could consider it.

Thanks for all the information posted though, very helpful. I've e-mailed HR for feedback as I met all the requirements and had a kind friend who deals with job applications as part of her job help me with it. I live in Paisley could it be that I'm too far away (just over 20 miles?!).

@helltell I'll let you know if they get back to me and yes I also got 'Unsuccessful - Shortlisting' on the application status

djw1981 · 16th May 2009, 18:21

If you have your own transport, then distance may not be such a big issue, as long as the Erskine Bridge is open. If not then the divert via Clyde Tunnel could make you late....

apestyler · 21st May 2009, 11:13

Finally got a response from them - Seems like they're looking for some certain keywords to aid them in their selection process;

Quote:

Dear Sam

Thank you for your recent application for a role with First.

For each of the roles we have available, a selection criteria has been
created which reflect the specific skills that are required to fulfil it.
The questions you will have answered as part of your application have been
focussed specifically around the role available and a score allocated based
on the information you've provided. Given that we receive a substantial
number of applications for many of our roles, we have in this case applied
a pass criteria to assist us in the short listing process and on this basis
your application has not been successful this time.

The criteria for each role will be different, so whilst you have not been
successful for this role this time, you still have opportunity to show your
interest in any of the other roles we have available. Please note that as
you have been unsuccessful at application stage, we will not be able to
give you specific feedback on which questions did not meet our criteria -
this is to ensure fairness to all candidates.

Please note that there is no time limit for reapplying for another
position.

May we take this opportunity to wish you well in your future career.

Anne Barnicle
The FirstGroup Recruitment Team

First ScotRail · 21st May 2009, 14:39

Interesting ALL recruitment is through the group rather than the individual companies.

apestyler · 22nd May 2009, 12:53

Yeah I remember last time I applied it was done through an external agency (this was later 2007), I got through the application stage but failed the telephone interview (They wouldn't give me feedback again there either!). As you commented First Scorail it seems to be all centralised at the very least for the application stage.

scotraildriver · 15th June 2009, 20:34

The keyword is "safety" Mention it in every sentence and you're in! Worked for me anyway.

david140288 · 20th July 2009, 20:59

Hey i was just reading this forum and just wanted to ask about the test to become a driver ive been accepted to take my test in august in glasgow and just wondering if anyone has any experience of it? im studing a couple of books about mechanical reasoning and doing the practice tests given. and does anyone know if its a pass mark in the tests or is it a simple pass/fail to get to the interview stage?

thanks!

driver9000 · 21st July 2009, 12:57

There isnt a set pass mark for the psycometric tests (if there is its best kept secret on the railway!!) When I attended the tests at Crewe we were told that the aim wasnt to finish each section but to see how far you get quickly and accurately - accuracy is the key and try not to get yourself flustered! Keep doing the practice papers you have been sent but the actual tests might not be quite the same.

The day I attended started with 8 and we lost 2 after the first section. The way it was done at Crewe was we did mechanical reasoning and logic before a break, the administrator came in and started taking people out one at a time and we never saw them again! They came back congratulated us on passing stage one and thats how the day continued! At the end of the day 3 of us made it to the end with a pass.

Good luck with your day at the test, get plenty of sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast and dont worry about it keep calm and concentrate on the task at hand dont worry if it looks like the others are working faster (they might be making mistakes)

14th May 2009, 10:09	#1
apestyler Member Join Date: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 61	Helensburgh Routes Hi, Can anyone advise me of what routes Helensburgh drivers are expected to sign? Kind regards, Sam

14th May 2009, 15:55	#2
First ScotRail Member Join Date: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 554	Most electric routes through Queen St low level. Last edited by First ScotRail; 15th May 2009 at 20:11.

16th May 2009, 18:21	#9
djw1981 Established Member Join Date: 10 Jul 2007 Location: Glasgow Posts: 2,644	If you have your own transport, then distance may not be such a big issue, as long as the Erskine Bridge is open. If not then the divert via Clyde Tunnel could make you late.... __________________ http://dr-dyb.blogspot.com

20th July 2009, 20:59	#14
david140288 Member Join Date: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 5	Driver Test Hey i was just reading this forum and just wanted to ask about the test to become a driver ive been accepted to take my test in august in glasgow and just wondering if anyone has any experience of it? im studing a couple of books about mechanical reasoning and doing the practice tests given. and does anyone know if its a pass mark in the tests or is it a simple pass/fail to get to the interview stage? thanks!

21st July 2009, 12:57	#15
driver9000 Mystery Excursion Established Member Join Date: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 2,495	There isnt a set pass mark for the psycometric tests (if there is its best kept secret on the railway!!) When I attended the tests at Crewe we were told that the aim wasnt to finish each section but to see how far you get quickly and accurately - accuracy is the key and try not to get yourself flustered! Keep doing the practice papers you have been sent but the actual tests might not be quite the same. The day I attended started with 8 and we lost 2 after the first section. The way it was done at Crewe was we did mechanical reasoning and logic before a break, the administrator came in and started taking people out one at a time and we never saw them again! They came back congratulated us on passing stage one and thats how the day continued! At the end of the day 3 of us made it to the end with a pass. Good luck with your day at the test, get plenty of sleep the night before, eat a good breakfast and dont worry about it keep calm and concentrate on the task at hand dont worry if it looks like the others are working faster (they might be making mistakes) __________________ clickety clack Gone for a long walk.

15th May 2009, 13:07	#3
apestyler Member Join Date: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 61	Thanks First ScotRail - I'm guessing that includes routes through to Hamilton/Larkhall (or is that covered by Motherwell Depot?). Just got a rejection e-mail off FSR so gonna have to wait another 6 months to see if any similar positions are available

15th May 2009, 18:19	#6
traininthebrain Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: 14 Dec 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 526	Hi all. I only just noticed this post. Helensburgh Central based drivers covering the following routes and areas: * Helensburgh - Drumgelloch * Dalmuir - Springburn * Balloch - Airdrie / Springburn * Milngavie - High Street * E.C.S. movement from above destinations to Yoker C.S. about two years or so ago the drivers based at Helensburgh Central covered E.C.S. workings from Helensburgh Central / Yoker - Shields T.M.D. via Glasgow Central Low Level and Rutherglen though that working got taken off the Helensburgh Central based drivers' route card. Also. The 6 month wait (if applied for a job with F.S.R.) got lifted not that long ago but the rule has now been brought back in as too many current employees are trying to promote themself. Basically F.S.R. want to give everyone a chance including the new starts (though if the new starts want to be promoted they need to wait 6 months before they can apply for another job vacancy within the company) and they want to find current employees who can pass entry test for the first time without having to retake the entry tests and whatnot. I hope this helps Best Regards Jonathan McGurk

15th May 2009, 19:12	#7
helltell New Member Join Date: 15 May 2009 Posts: 2	Ah k, shame that. I would rather get into the company on a lower level job first, but i've never seen any advertised on the site. I take it they screen the questionnaires first? Dunno what i could have went wrong on that one. My CV seemed fine to me. Think if i emailed i could find out why i was rejected?

16th May 2009, 10:53	#8
apestyler Member Join Date: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 61	I unfortunately cannot afford to go in at a lower level, it would be hard enough being on the trainee wage. Maybe once the wife gets a better job I could consider it. Thanks for all the information posted though, very helpful. I've e-mailed HR for feedback as I met all the requirements and had a kind friend who deals with job applications as part of her job help me with it. I live in Paisley could it be that I'm too far away (just over 20 miles?!). @helltell I'll let you know if they get back to me and yes I also got 'Unsuccessful - Shortlisting' on the application status

21st May 2009, 14:39	#11
First ScotRail Member Join Date: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 554	Interesting ALL recruitment is through the group rather than the individual companies.

22nd May 2009, 12:53	#12
apestyler Member Join Date: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 61	Yeah I remember last time I applied it was done through an external agency (this was later 2007), I got through the application stage but failed the telephone interview (They wouldn't give me feedback again there either!). As you commented First Scorail it seems to be all centralised at the very least for the application stage.

15th June 2009, 20:34	#13
scotraildriver Member Join Date: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 54	The keyword is "safety" Mention it in every sentence and you're in! Worked for me anyway.