A career as a train driver

[MostlyHarmless]

Thanks for your answer.
Well done passing the assessments. Now the long wait begins.
Spoke with a guy yesterday and he was having his DMI interview , he’s done he’s assessment 2 years ago. So it’s definietly not a fast process.
Colleague of mine done his assessments in last May then had the first interview in November , second in December and started his training in the beginning of February.
So it’s not a really consistent waiting period.
I’ll look around the forums for more information about possible interview questions, but if you could send me your list I highly appreciate that.
Also just seen a book an eBay “ Train Driver Manager interview questions & answers “ its only £15. Not too sure if it’s worth it though , or just better if I prepare by myself.
Are you internal or external candidate ?

I'm an external candidate and I suspect that the reason the others you mention are only just getting their interviews etc now, is in some way related to the fact that the franchise changed hands last August.

This is the list of questions that I compiled from various places - although I'm sure there are a few more that aren't on it!

1. Why do you want to join the company?

2. Why do you think that you are suitable for the job?

3. What do we do in this company?

4. What is the geographical range of our service?

5. Describe a time when you have dealt with a problem

6. Tell me about a time when you have had to deal with a problem with your line manager asking you to do something you disagreed with

7. Tell me about your skills in an emergency situation

8. What do you think is your biggest achievement?

9. Have you ever had to work on your own for long periods of time? How did you deal with this?

10. Give me an example of when you have stayed calm in a pressure situation

11. Are you good at following rules and regulations?

12. Tell me about a time when you learnt a new skill

13. Can you tell me about your organisational skills

14. Give an example when you've assisted a member of the public

15. How do you cope with stress?

16. How do you cope with fatigue?

17. Have you had to undertake studying for something before?

18. Tell me about a time that you have worked as part of team

19. Explain the role of a train driver

 

[OfficialRG90]

Hello everybody!

I’m extremely keen on starting a new career as a train driver (most likely Scotrail) but other than constantly checking the company website, I don’t really know what else to do.

I live about 20 minutes drive from Glasgow and about 30 seconds from Croy station. The only thing missing is a train for me to drive.

If anybody could help guide or give me a shunt in the right direction, it would be very much appreciated.

Cheers! Choo Choo!

 

[Cyclist]

Hello everybody!

I’m extremely keen on starting a new career as a train driver (most likely Scotrail) but other than constantly checking the company website, I don’t really know what else to do.

I live about 20 minutes drive from Glasgow and about 30 seconds from Croy station. The only thing missing is a train for me to drive.

If anybody could help guide or give me a shunt in the right direction, it would be very much appreciated.

Cheers! Choo Choo!

These days online is basically the only way they do it. From reading these forums patience is the key. A trainee position will at some point appear in the Glasgow area so you just have to be patient. To give yourself a small head start make sure your CV is up to date, you know about the entire process and you know about the TOC.

 

[OfficialRG90]

These days online is basically the only way they do it. From reading these forums patience is the key. A trainee position will at some point appear in the Glasgow area so you just have to be patient. To give yourself a small head start make sure your CV is up to date, you know about the entire process and you know about the TOC.

Yes, it certainly seems like patience is a virtue with vacancies like these.

There was one in the Cumbernauld area around 6 years ago which I was looking at but as a 22 year old I never had a CV so lost out. Needless to say, one was typed up the following week. Hopefully one will pop up soon enough.

Until then it’s back to Thomas the Tank.

 

[paepo]

TOC or FOC websites is where you need to check. Try and get a bank of questions and then answer them all using the STAR method so you already have the foundation of an application for when a position arises and then you can just copy your answers over.
I don't recall if Scotrail ask you to upload a CV along with the application form but best to have it up to date incase they do. Their stipulation is to be within 45mins of the depot you're going to be working in so find out what depots are within that time from where you live if you're not willing to relocate. New trainees are starting soon so not sure what positions will arise in the near future.

 

[OfficialRG90]

Hopefully I’ll be in with a shout if I play my cards right.

A few questions Sir. TOC, FOC, STAR?

 

[OfficialRG90]

Hopefully I’ll be in with a shout if I play my cards right.

A few questions Sir. TOC, FOC, STAR?

It’s fine. I know what it all means now. Google is King! Quite obvious now.

 

[Ryan33]

Hi everyone long time ‘ lurker ‘ here I finally have an opc Driver assesment this week and on my email it mentions to take proof of national insurance ? Now will I need the actual NI card or a letter with it on or will I be okay as I remember it ? And I can just jot it down as I usually do when required! Thanks

 

[Bennski]

You will need a letter or payslip with your NI number on it as well as ID as the examiner checks everyone's information. Anyone without these is asked to leave as this happened to someone during one of my assessments and they told that they cannot take the assessment without it.

 

[Cyclist]

Hi everyone long time ‘ lurker ‘ here I finally have an opc Driver assesment this week and on my email it mentions to take proof of national insurance ? Now will I need the actual NI card or a letter with it on or will I be okay as I remember it ? And I can just jot it down as I usually do when required! Thanks

When I went I used my NI card but not all people have one. Other people showed payslips with the NI number on it.

 

[hiral]

hi guys was looking for some help regarding practice material for fault finding test practice. if some one can help me that would be great as got assessment on friday


thanks in advance

 

[Railpop]

hi Guys hope you are all well . Totally new to this I have an assessment just wondered if there are any particular websites you recommend for practice materials ? Or any books worth ordering ?

Many thanks in advance .

 

[OfficialRG90]

hi Guys hope you are all well . Totally new to this I have an assessment just wondered if there are any particular websites you recommend for practice materials ? Or any books worth ordering ?

Many thanks in advance .

Hey fella,

Don’t have any advice to give you but good luck. How did you get a job? I’ve been hunting for years! Like hens teeth.

 

[Cyclist]

hi Guys hope you are all well . Totally new to this I have an assessment just wondered if there are any particular websites you recommend for practice materials ? Or any books worth ordering ?

Many thanks in advance .

Be sure to use the group bourdon tool on this website. Print them off so it’s realistic.
Also I found there’s only a few helpful sites but you can search the names of each test to find them.

 

[Railpop]

Thanks Cyclist , yeah I've heard the Dot test is meant to be one of the most challenging ones in the assessment so will definitely get practicing on that .

 

[Natman]

Hello I don’t know if this is the right forum but was wondering if anyone could help.
I recently applied to become a trainee train driver with GTR at Opington, I went through the process and completed the mini SCAAT test but have not heard anything since. Does anyone have a phone number or email address some I could find out either way?

 

[Busandrail]

I set up a email alert on the TOC internal site and I didn't hear anything for about 7 years. Trainee spaces where I am NEVER come up. Then one night I just got the email and I jumped on it as quick as possible. I made sure my CV on the site was polished and upto date aslo .

Good luck

 

[Krisj159]

Best option is 'foot in the door'. Take any job within the company and then you will get first chance at internal vacancies. We took a lot of people from outside the industry under SWT including ex service personnel, paramedics, police officers, teachers and even bank managers. Many of course come for the money. Ironically if it wasn't for privatisation, us drivers would be on about £25,000 as it wasn't a very well paid job despite being responsible for more lives behind you than those on an Airbus A380.

 

[Krisj159]

Thanks Cyclist , yeah I've heard the Dot test is meant to be one of the most challenging ones in the assessment so will definitely get practicing on that .

I found the dot test the easiest along with the mechanical aptitude. Hardest was the concentration test with the flashing lights and sounds.

 

[mereuta]

Hi friends,

I want to start a course as tram or train driver, for potentially get a job in this industry, what are the requirements? and which are best training providers in UK? thank you

 

[Cyclist]

Hi friends,

I want to start a course as tram or train driver, for potentially get a job in this industry, what are the requirements? and which are best training providers in UK? thank you

Personally, I've not heard of any available courses that you can randomly take. You have to apply for Trainee Driver roles to learn and of course, it's hugely competitive. Keep an eye on all the different Train Company websites for these roles.

 

[rosie]

Could anyone be so kind as to suggest websites for the memory tests stuff, I’m meaning read the paragraph make notes
And answer questions. Bit I’m most concerned about just now.....

 

[shrek81]

I’ve got some memory stuff if you have a Dropbox or similar account as they are quite big files , PM me and I’ll send em over

 

[Woody1234]

I’ve got some memory stuff if you have a Dropbox or similar account as they are quite big files , PM me and I’ll send em over

Hello, sorry to jump in on this, would it be possible for myself to get this information also, as I'm struggling with it.
Thanks

 

[ungreat]

Best option is 'foot in the door'. Take any job within the company and then you will get first chance at internal vacancies. We took a lot of people from outside the industry under SWT including ex service personnel, paramedics, police officers, teachers and even bank managers. Many of course come for the money. Ironically if it wasn't for privatisation, us drivers would be on about £25,000 as it wasn't a very well paid job despite being responsible for more lives behind you than those on an Airbus A380.

This is probably the best advice!
It was £55 a week when I started in the 80s as a 16 year old traction trainee.

 

[shrek81]

Hello, sorry to jump in on this, would it be possible for myself to get this information also, as I'm struggling with it.
Thanks

PM me mate

 

[Woody1234]

PM me mate

It won't allow me to start a conversation with you for some reason ???

 

[shrek81]

It won't allow me to start a conversation with you for some reason ???

See if that works??

 

[GJL9916]

Hi Guys,

I've just recently qualified as a driver for National Express East Coast at Leeds.

I was an internal applicant but I will pass on my experience.

First there was the interview. 300 applicants down to 30 to be interviewed. It is important on the application form as well as the interview to talk about professionalism, your reliability but even more importantly they want to hear about how importantly you take communication and safety. You must be able to show you have done some research. Tell them where their driver's depots are, their train depots, which routes they travel over.

There were 2 positions and they only sent us 2 for the pyschometric testing, whereas usually they send half a dozen because the pass rate is about 25%.

At the testing you will do a short term memory test. You get a passage of text to read for about 5 minutes and then have to answer as many multiple choice questions as you can in the time given. You can make notes whilst you read the text and I cant stress enough I much this will help you.

You will then have to do the concentration test, which is also known as the barden test. It is pages of groups shapes made up of 3, 4 or 5 dots. The idea is to put a mark through each of the 4 dot shapes and do as many as possible. This is difficult but photocopy loads and loads of pages before you go and just do them over and over again.

There is then the co-ordination test on a computer. There is a monitor with a special keyboard which has 4 coloured buttons on. You also have 2 foot pedals and ear phones on. Basically the idea is which ever colour flashes on to the screen you press the corresponding button. When ever you get a buzz in your left ear your press down the left foot pedal etc. This should be fine if you are used to using a playstation etc.

Then there is the mechanics test. This is basically a physics test. You'll get diagrams and questions like if pulley A is turned clockwise which way will pulley C turn. Buy Physics for dummies. This was a great help to me.

Anyway, pass all that and you are in! Then the hard work starts.

Hope this helps. I was thinking of operating some sort of seminar for people that are looking to get in to train driving and want to know what is involved. I'd provide examples used in the psychometric testing and interview techniques etc. Do you think anybody would be interested in attending such a thing?

Anyway, bye for now.

Mike

That's really useful, nice post Mike

 

[Craciun Marian]

hey all i whant to
Becoming a train driver !! wher i found the link to apply thank you !!