I just qualified at 48 year's old , I was a carpark attendant .
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A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
- Start date
I just qualified at 48 year's old , I was a carpark attendant .
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RailUK Forums
Hi All
First ever post got told about this site by one of friends thats a driver.
Hhaving recently left the military im looking at a new career on the railway hopefully as a driver within the future i have recently applied as a Trainee Depot Driver and was wondering if this is a good move to eventually get onto the Mainline.
If anyone could shed some details on training for both Depot and Mainline it would be greatly appriciated.
Hope you all have a good New Year
Will.
First ever post got told about this site by one of friends thats a driver.
Hhaving recently left the military im looking at a new career on the railway hopefully as a driver within the future i have recently applied as a Trainee Depot Driver and was wondering if this is a good move to eventually get onto the Mainline.
If anyone could shed some details on training for both Depot and Mainline it would be greatly appriciated.
Hope you all have a good New Year
Will.
CalumTaylor
Member
Hi, right now you have to pass the same assessments for depot driver as you do for mainline. Which means if you want to go mainline in the future you have already passed the start of it.
Depot driver training is normally only about 2-3 months as apposed to a year mainline. But obviously the wage is reflected. If you get through the assessments ok I would put in your interest for mainline straight away. Sometimes it can take years for a mainline position to come up.
I worked on depot as a shunter and applied for depot driver. At the same time applied for mainline. Didn't get the depot job but a few months later I got the mainline job. Some of the folk on my course waited 3+ years.
Depot driver training is normally only about 2-3 months as apposed to a year mainline. But obviously the wage is reflected. If you get through the assessments ok I would put in your interest for mainline straight away. Sometimes it can take years for a mainline position to come up.
I worked on depot as a shunter and applied for depot driver. At the same time applied for mainline. Didn't get the depot job but a few months later I got the mainline job. Some of the folk on my course waited 3+ years.
spiderman01
Member
Hi everyone,
I work for the airline industry and I am looking for a career change. I have been looking for train driver jobs in different train operator companys around my area but they require "qualified drivers". Is there a way to qualify as a driver by studying by yourself and attending a competency exam? I am a qualified teacher and 47 years old so I am not sure if my age would be an impediment. It really is heart breaking to find out how many applicants there are for just a handful of vacancies and if I am completely honest it feels like an impossible race to win. Nevertheless, I would like to ask you guys what's the best way to become a train driver or to explain the different paths available so I can determine the best way forward. Thank you very much for your help.
I work for the airline industry and I am looking for a career change. I have been looking for train driver jobs in different train operator companys around my area but they require "qualified drivers". Is there a way to qualify as a driver by studying by yourself and attending a competency exam? I am a qualified teacher and 47 years old so I am not sure if my age would be an impediment. It really is heart breaking to find out how many applicants there are for just a handful of vacancies and if I am completely honest it feels like an impossible race to win. Nevertheless, I would like to ask you guys what's the best way to become a train driver or to explain the different paths available so I can determine the best way forward. Thank you very much for your help.
Hi, I’m new to all this myself. But as far as I can tell there no way of using a 3rd party company to obtain a train driver licence. Everything I have found says to me you need to find a trainee train driver position and apply for it, do the tests, pass a few interviews and wait to get offered. And it takes a while. I’m literally just carry on with life and waiting for a trainee position myself. Again, I’m new to this but I have learnt a lot from this forum and other websites. Just google the right things and you’ll learn everything you need to know about what’s involved. Hope I’ve helped a little.
martin2345uk
Established Member
Yeah as Walshy says you just need to wait for some TOC to advertise trainee positions, keep checking this forum as they pretty much always get posted on here!
And your age won't be an issue..
MostlyHarmless
Member
- Joined
- 1 Mar 2018
- Messages
- 988
Like you I'm looking for a career change and based on my experience so far I will say don't be put off by your age (I'm older than you by a few years) or the fact that each vacancy attracts so many applicants. The process is the same for everyone so in theory at least you have an equal chance of getting the job. The hardest part is getting past the initial paper sift which varies from TOC to TOC, but usually involves selling yourself and being able to give examples of how have dealt with, or would deal with, certain situations. They don't all require a CV but it makes sense to have a good up-to-date one available just in case.
As for the vacancies themselves, they come up more often than you think so make sure you've set up job alerts for all the TOCs you're interested in working for. I'm not sure what your personal circumstances are, but if relocation is an option then mention it when you apply.
Finally have a good look at the various threads in this forum as they provide lots of useful information.
Good luck
Grannyjoans
Member
- Joined
- 29 Mar 2017
- Messages
- 403
I got a First Class University Degree. Although not a requirement, there are so many applicants for jobs that you need a lot extra than the minimum requirements.
I also paid for and passed the psychometric tests previous to getting the job (At a cost of £200 and on my second attempt with the "two strikes and your out" rule).
When I finally got a Drivers position it was a Depot Drivers position on regular nights. From here it was not difficult to make the move to Mainline Driver by applying internally and passing an Interview.
I also paid for and passed the psychometric tests previous to getting the job (At a cost of £200 and on my second attempt with the "two strikes and your out" rule).
When I finally got a Drivers position it was a Depot Drivers position on regular nights. From here it was not difficult to make the move to Mainline Driver by applying internally and passing an Interview.
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Im 51 and start my training on Monday, Im also ex-forces.
Good luck
Ok, first thing to do is look at the sticky at the top of this forum and check what depots are within an hour of your house. (It’s true some companies will let you relocate but most aren’t keen on this as they know you’re likely to leave after 2 years). Check TOCs and FOCs.
Then sign up for job alerts from the companies you find nearest. There’s a few tocs that are pointless trying to check (virgin for example) but the more the better. Check the websites EVERY DAY! make it part of your daily routine as the email alerts can be late or non existent at times.
Then you’ve got to fine tune your application, you’ll only have 48 hours to submit it in a lot of cases, but keep saving your answers to MSword so you can fine tune them at a later date. Most companies ask the same kind of question, you can adapt them to suit the TOC/FOC.
This is just the start. There’s a fair few more steps after this, but this forum has already answered every question you can think of, keep reading and reading.
Regards training, there’s absolutely nothing you can do yourself due to the nature of the job, you have to start as a trainee driver somewhere. But it’s not as hard as it sounds, as long as you adapt and can take failure for a couple of years. And your age is nothing to worry about at all. I’ve seen trainees of 57 and I’m sure there’s been older too.
Hope this helps.
spiderman01
Member
Thank you very much to all of you who have taken the time to respond to my questions. I will take your advice on board and give it a shot. Thanks.
Whilst TECHNICALLY correct, I would say a more realistic time frame is 2 years and some companies will make you resit regardless, even if you passed 6 months ago.
Basically, the company are allowed to take results from the previous 5 years but it’s their decision and a 2 year cut off is most common. Seems backwards as this costs the company more, but it’s very common.
Oh wow, thanks for the info. I guess I just scrapped through then. Finally got a trainee drivers position after previously failing on the DMI
Congratulations. The info above isn’t set in stone of corse, I’m sure there are times when a pass from 4/5 years ago will still count. I just haven’t read about them at all. I know my TOC don’t allow anywhere near the 2 year mark. Enjoy your new career.
Thank you ! It wouldn’t be so bad if you didn’t only get 2 strikes. It’s a bit harsh but I guess these assements are made pass first time round.
Grannyjoans
Member
- Joined
- 29 Mar 2017
- Messages
- 403
Never understood why TOC's make you resit the tests again if you've already recently passed, it's inane.
Andy79
Member
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2017
- Messages
- 26
Do TOCs train drivers do a set shift pattern.....for example 6 on/4 off, or is it random days on/days off?? Thanks
A TOC/FOC will have their own shift pattern and you will follow an instructor who will essentially be on that pattern. But with overtime and sundays being in/out the working week and early to late starts, you may as well kiss your sense of what day it is out the window.
Hi ,
My husband works for SNCF as train driver since 2015. He is 40 years .
I would like to move to London with my him and my family and ideally my husband would apply for eurostar or an english railway company . Could you please inform me as per it concerns the process of recruitement and if you know the address to send his CV and covering letter . Thank you so much for your replies and sorry for the mistakes, I m french and my english very poor... sorry happy new year .
My husband works for SNCF as train driver since 2015. He is 40 years .
I would like to move to London with my him and my family and ideally my husband would apply for eurostar or an english railway company . Could you please inform me as per it concerns the process of recruitement and if you know the address to send his CV and covering letter . Thank you so much for your replies and sorry for the mistakes, I m french and my english very poor... sorry happy new year .
Grannyjoans
Member
- Joined
- 29 Mar 2017
- Messages
- 403
4 days a week, 35 hour week at Northern (or much less as they are on strike a lot)
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Hi ,
My husband works for SNCF as train driver since 2015. He is 40 years .
I would like to move to London with my him and my family and ideally my husband would apply for eurostar or an english railway company . Could you please inform me as per it concerns the process of recruitement and if you know the address to send his CV and covering letter . Thank you so much for your replies and sorry for the mistakes, I m french and my english very poor... sorry happy new year .
There is a thread at the top of the page titled driver's depots. This lists all the train operating companies , and I believe is quite up to date. Go on to all their websites and check career section's .
Nicolae f
New Member
- Joined
- 8 Sep 2018
- Messages
- 3
Hello to everyone I’m interested to become a train driver I’m new on this website I will very appreciate any help for anyone and any tips if u want to help me u can Contact me on my email address asweel [email protected] thx to everyone guys I really appreciate your support
Good luck becoming a train driver! Do let us know how you progress.
Hi all, hope all is well
Does anyone know of any train companies in the south east that may potentially be recruiting soon?
i was pointed towards this sight by a few of my Train Driver friends to find out the best information about this, if anyone can shed any light it would be greatly appriciated
Thank you
Does anyone know of any train companies in the south east that may potentially be recruiting soon?
i was pointed towards this sight by a few of my Train Driver friends to find out the best information about this, if anyone can shed any light it would be greatly appriciated
Thank you
martin2345uk
Established Member
Whereabouts in the south east are you and would you consider relocating..?