Train Driver online prep courses

[Heatonmdd]

Hi there,

I did the course you are talking about and I can confirm that it was a waste of time. I am now a trainee driver and the course taught me nothing additional from what is already available on here.

Hope that seals the deal and you won't bother with it ( Also saving yourself a hundred quid, I seem to remember!). I can support what others have said about going for other roles. I started off selling train tickets in a call centre, various rail jobs inbetween, before getting what I currently have.

 

[Anon87]

Hi there,

I did the course you are talking about and I can confirm that it was a waste of time. I am now a trainee driver and the course taught me nothing additional from what is already available on here.

Hope that seals the deal and you won't bother with it ( Also saving yourself a hundred quid, I seem to remember!). I can support what others have said about going for other roles. I started off selling train tickets in a call centre, various rail jobs inbetween, before getting what I currently have.

Certainly has sealed the deal, thank you mate! I’ll invest some time through relevant searches on this forum along with using the prep material sent by the TOCs. I’m most definitely going to get my foot in via a catering or guard role, get my head down and progress from there.

Can I ask how old you were when you got your driving role?

 

[Heatonmdd]

Certainly has sealed the deal, thank you mate! I’ll invest some time through relevant searches on this forum along with using the prep material sent by the TOCs. I’m most definitely going to get my foot in via a catering or guard role, get my head down and progress from there.

Can I ask how old you were when you got your driving role?

My first driving role was as an MDD ( depot driver) in 2017. I was the first female to ever to work in this role at my location, so that was certainly an experience in itself! I started my mainline training at the start of the year at the age of 40. My training group has a range of ages and I am the second oldest. Although the group ahead of me had a few lads in their 50's, so age is never really an issue. I wish you the best of luck, if I can be of any more help just ask!

 

[Anon87]

My first driving role was as an MDD ( depot driver) in 2017. I was the first female to ever to work in this role at my location, so that was certainly an experience in itself! I started my mainline training at the start of the year at the age of 40. My training group has a range of ages and I am the second oldest. Although the group ahead of me had a few lads in their 50's, so age is never really an issue. I wish you the best of luck, if I can be of any more help just ask!

That’s amazing, congratulations to you for making a bit of history there too. Great to read.

What would you say the average age of your group is? My main concern was that at the age of 32 I could be too old to be considered for this particular career change, but judging from this forum that theory has be completely undermined which is great. I kind of had the impression that it was a job you enter as an apprentice in your early 20s and if you miss that boat it’s incredibly hard to get into (like many trades). Delighted to be proved wrong!

 

[Heatonmdd]

That’s amazing, congratulations to you for making a bit of history there too. Great to read.

What would you say the average age of your group is? My main concern was that at the age of 32 I could be too old to be considered for this particular career change, but judging from this forum that theory has be completely undermined which is great. I kind of had the impression that it was a job you enter as an apprentice in your early 20s and if you miss that boat it’s incredibly hard to get into (like many trades). Delighted to be proved wrong!

Most of my particular group are mid to late 30's. Also the vast majority have been internal ( generally ex-conductors). Nobody would blink an eye at your age, as you are considered still quite young for this particular career. Speaking as someone, that has been working in railway for around 20 years, it really is the best industry to work in ( despite us all having a bit of a grumble at times....).I never really thought about being a driver until I was 35, which was probably due to lack of confidence on my half. If I am completely honest, I would do ANY role to get in. I know of one particular person who was very highly educated with a career in IT, gave it up to be a cleaner to get into the railway environment to hopefully get a bite at being a driver later on. This might be a bit of an extreme example, but you get my point!

 

[Pilotman]

Hi Pete87

There are free course modules at https://www.uktrainingsolutions.com which is catered for drivers learning new rules, it helped me and others in my class plus the trainer used elements of this site to help teach us. It may help.

 

[TeaTrain]

Hello. I noticed this thread and wanted to mention my experience. I haven't used the courses you have mentioned but did consider it a few years back.

This forum and the people on it have a vast amount of cumulative knowledge and it is this knowledge that allows many people to begin a career on the railway. Myself included.

I have worked as a guard, rail replacement officer, ticket office and platform staff before becoming a trainee train driver (still waiting to get training started due to covid but being paid to stay at home right now by TPE)

I used only this forum and the practice material given from the company. Anyone trying to sell a course should at least be an actual driver or have a background. I believe the person who created that course was a fireman. A commendable career in itself but doesn't make sense to me to try sell a course on being a train driver. I may of read it wrong though so don't hold me to that as I write at 2am! 

Perseverance is necessary to get onto the railway in my opinion. There are many who get disheartened and give up as they find out you may be waiting months to hear back, or you go into a talent pool. I passed all my driver tests and waited so long they ran out and had to pass them all again! That is an extreme scenario but it can happen.

I think you have to put in the time and effort to be rewarded. But the reward is substantial. Stability, for you and your family. Financially and emotionally. (For me anyway)

 

[phil cooper]

Fair play to you both.

Can I ask how old you both are? I’m 32 and it might even sound really daft but I’ve often wondered if it’s too late for the career change or to get the opportunities. I’ve done logistics management basically since I was 18 so it’s all I know!

Never to old mate, I changed last year and I am 51. I am a guard for swr at Waterloo and waiting for training school to reopen to go and sit initial driver tests. Swr are recruiting guards all the time, get on their website and register.

 

[Anon87]

Most of my particular group are mid to late 30's. Also the vast majority have been internal ( generally ex-conductors). Nobody would blink an eye at your age, as you are considered still quite young for this particular career. Speaking as someone, that has been working in railway for around 20 years, it really is the best industry to work in ( despite us all having a bit of a grumble at times....).I never really thought about being a driver until I was 35, which was probably due to lack of confidence on my half. If I am completely honest, I would do ANY role to get in. I know of one particular person who was very highly educated with a career in IT, gave it up to be a cleaner to get into the railway environment to hopefully get a bite at being a driver later on. This might be a bit of an extreme example, but you get my point!

Hi Pete87

There are free course modules at https://www.uktrainingsolutions.com which is catered for drivers learning new rules, it helped me and others in my class plus the trainer used elements of this site to help teach us. It may help.

Hello. I noticed this thread and wanted to mention my experience. I haven't used the courses you have mentioned but did consider it a few years back.

This forum and the people on it have a vast amount of cumulative knowledge and it is this knowledge that allows many people to begin a career on the railway. Myself included.

I have worked as a guard, rail replacement officer, ticket office and platform staff before becoming a trainee train driver (still waiting to get training started due to covid but being paid to stay at home right now by TPE)

I used only this forum and the practice material given from the company. Anyone trying to sell a course should at least be an actual driver or have a background. I believe the person who created that course was a fireman. A commendable career in itself but doesn't make sense to me to try sell a course on being a train driver. I may of read it wrong though so don't hold me to that as I write at 2am! 

Perseverance is necessary to get onto the railway in my opinion. There are many who get disheartened and give up as they find out you may be waiting months to hear back, or you go into a talent pool. I passed all my driver tests and waited so long they ran out and had to pass them all again! That is an extreme scenario but it can happen.

I think you have to put in the time and effort to be rewarded. But the reward is substantial. Stability, for you and your family. Financially and emotionally. (For me anyway)

Never to old mate, I changed last year and I am 51. I am a guard for swr at Waterloo and waiting for training school to reopen to go and sit initial driver tests. Swr are recruiting guards all the time, get on their website and register.

Thanks for your contributions everyone. Seems like the general advice is as follows:

- Get your foot in the door via any position you can and progress from there
- Persevere whilst expecting knock backs
- Have patience during lengthy processes
- Don’t buy the online courses as this forum along with practice material is more than sufficient (and relevant)
- Age really isn’t an issue on the railway

I appreciate everyone’s valuable advice. This forum really is a goldmine!

 

[LCC106]

Just my personal twopenneth but I wouldn’t apply for other vacancies IN PREFERENCE to trainee driver vacancies. Yes, by all means get your foot in the door that way, but if you were to see a trainee driver job flash up today just go for it! Plenty of people get the job straight off the street and if you don’t apply you’ll never know!

 

[Anon87]

Just my personal twopenneth but I wouldn’t apply for other vacancies IN PREFERENCE to trainee driver vacancies. Yes, by all means get your foot in the door that way, but if you were to see a trainee driver job flash up today just go for it! Plenty of people get the job straight off the street and if you don’t apply you’ll never know!

Absolutely mate. I’ll always take the punt.. I guess it’s down to whatever comes first!

Thanks for the advice

 

[Johncleesefan]

I bought the howtobecome book when I was applying for the job initially. It does cover useful things like interview preparation and can come in handy to structure your time before assessments and interviews.
You can find that information for free elsewhere, but il always stand by the book in helping me get the job

 

[Anon87]

I bought the howtobecome book when I was applying for the job initially. It does cover useful things like interview preparation and can come in handy to structure your time before assessments and interviews.
You can find that information for free elsewhere, but il always stand by the book in helping me get the job

It does seem that for those who do favour the howtobecome stuff, it’s the book rather than the courses/seminars that have been more beneficial

 

[craigybagel]

I worked my way up to driver (via catering, station staff and guard) but I still found the howtobecome book useful, and I know that several of my former guards colleagues who went driving around the same time did too.

There wasn't much info in there that I didn't know already, but it was really good revision - both for the DMI interview and for the psychometric tests. Whilst you do get some practice material before the latter, you really can't do too much practice for it. Overall, I found the book helped keep my brain ticking over during the dragged out process (5 months from application submission to passing the final tests - My TOC does interviews near the beginning rather then as a final stage), I just did a few exercises or looked over a few questions every few days.

So yes - whilst I would agree the best leg up into a drivers career is often another railway role, I still wouldn't write off how helpful the book can be.

 

[Anon87]

I worked my way up to driver (via catering, station staff and guard) but I still found the howtobecome book useful, and I know that several of my former guards colleagues who went driving around the same time did too.

There wasn't much info in there that I didn't know already, but it was really good revision - both for the DMI interview and for the psychometric tests. Whilst you do get some practice material before the latter, you really can't do too much practice for it. Overall, I found the book helped keep my brain ticking over during the dragged out process (5 months from application submission to passing the final tests - My TOC does interviews near the beginning rather then as a final stage), I just did a few exercises or looked over a few questions every few days.

So yes - whilst I would agree the best leg up into a drivers career is often another railway role, I still wouldn't write off how helpful the book can be.

That’s really interesting, thanks for taking the time out to reply. How much is the book? It seems to be the most popular option. Did you try the course?

Could I ask what age you got your drivers job and how long you’ve been on the railway?

Sorry for the question overload - I just can’t believe how useful this forum is!

 

[Johncleesefan]

I was 25 when I started employment as a trainee. Qualified after 10 months and been driving around 4 and a half years now

 

[craigybagel]

That’s really interesting, thanks for taking the time out to reply. How much is the book? It seems to be the most popular option. Did you try the course?

Could I ask what age you got your drivers job and how long you’ve been on the railway?

Sorry for the question overload - I just can’t believe how useful this forum is!

A quick search on Amazon suggests £13, though you might be able to get it second hand cheaper. Mine went to another guard who's now a trainee driver!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Become-Train-Driver-selection/dp/1909229504

Started on the railway at 24, started my driving course at 32 - and of the 4 jobs, I was the youngest in my training group for 3 of them, including driver.

 

[Anon87]

A quick search on Amazon suggests £13, though you might be able to get it second hand cheaper. Mine went to another guard who's now a trainee driver!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Become-Train-Driver-selection/dp/1909229504

Started on the railway at 24, started my driving course at 32 - and of the 4 jobs, I was the youngest in my training group for 3 of them, including driver.

Thanks Craigy. I see that there are two other books at the bottom of that link, one for tests and one for interviews. Does the yellow book you linked me to have all of those sections included in one?

Sounds like you progressed quickly to the role, good for you. How long have you been driving for now? Are you passenger or freight based?

 

[craigybagel]

Thanks Craigy. I see that there are two other books at the bottom of that link, one for tests and one for interviews. Does the yellow book you linked me to have all of those sections included in one?

Sounds like you progressed quickly to the role, good for you. How long have you been driving for now? Are you passenger or freight based?

It does indeed - it covers application, interviews and tests. When I bought it I'd already done the application and one of the three interviews I had to go through as part of the process but I still found it useful all the same.

I'm a passenger driver, passed out a few months ago. Absolutely loving it, I thoroughly recommend it.

 

[Anon87]

It does indeed - it covers application, interviews and tests. When I bought it I'd already done the application and one of the three interviews I had to go through as part of the process but I still found it useful all the same.

I'm a passenger driver, passed out a few months ago. Absolutely loving it, I thoroughly recommend it.

Good on you mate. Hopefully one day I’ll be in the same shoes!

 

[KJ83]

Been reading your comments guys, and today I've just been invited to do the psychometric testing for a trainee driver role.

To say I'm bricking it is a massive understatement, I had used how2become/traindriver.org but only the free trial as most of the stuff is available elsewhere like YouTube and a lot of the interview prep was common sense.
Now that I've been invited to do the testing phase I took the free trial for the online testing suit they offer and my heart nearly stopped!! a lot of the example questions are things I've never seen before, like an IQ test.

Has anyone used their testing suit ? and can someone give me a run down of what tests you will actually do on day 1 and day 2?

I'm waiting on the practice material from the TOC but I want to get a head start and make use of all this time off I have (I'm on furlough!) I've printed off some group bourdon test material, and was looking through the OPC and was going to buy some practice stuff on there, but I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me exactly what to expect...

eg..
Day 1
Group Bourdon
TRP 1
TRP 2

Day 2....

and a break down of what actual tests make up the day... SCAAT DFFT etc..

Thanks so much for any advice/help guys!

 

[Anon87]

Been reading your comments guys, and today I've just been invited to do the psychometric testing for a trainee driver role.

To say I'm bricking it is a massive understatement, I had used how2become/traindriver.org but only the free trial as most of the stuff is available elsewhere like YouTube and a lot of the interview prep was common sense.
Now that I've been invited to do the testing phase I took the free trial for the online testing suit they offer and my heart nearly stopped!! a lot of the example questions are things I've never seen before, like an IQ test.

Has anyone used their testing suit ? and can someone give me a run down of what tests you will actually do on day 1 and day 2?

I'm waiting on the practice material from the TOC but I want to get a head start and make use of all this time off I have (I'm on furlough!) I've printed off some group bourdon test material, and was looking through the OPC and was going to buy some practice stuff on there, but I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me exactly what to expect...

eg..
Day 1
Group Bourdon
TRP 1
TRP 2

Day 2....

and a break down of what actual tests make up the day... SCAAT DFFT etc..

Thanks so much for any advice/help guys!

From what I’ve been told in the past, you’re better off waiting for the prep material that the TOCs send you. Apparently it’s more useful than anything else - along with the resources on this forum such as the Group Bourdon.

If Stigy sees this, he might point you in the right direction as he’s particularly knowledgeable.

In terms of the ‘howtobecome’ stuff, the only thing that I’ve been recommended are the books. I’ve not seen anyone say that they rate the online courses.

 

[KJ83]

From what I’ve been told in the past, you’re better off waiting for the prep material that the TOCs send you. Apparently it’s more useful than anything else - along with the resources on this forum such as the Group Bourdon.

If Stigy sees this, he might point you in the right direction as he’s particularly knowledgeable.

In terms of the ‘howtobecome’ stuff, the only thing that I’ve been recommended are the books. I’ve not seen anyone say that they rate the online courses.

Thanks a lot.

 

[PickleTree]

Thanks a lot.

Agreed the material you will get from the OPC is all you will need for most of the assessments, but I would recommend the Group Bourdon tool on here as practicing with the real thing I found far more useful than the shapes they include in their material.

For me the MMI was the trickiest part so do as much prep for that as you can, search MMI on here and there is so much amazing info that really helped me.

Good Luck.

 

[Stigy]

From what I’ve been told in the past, you’re better off waiting for the prep material that the TOCs send you. Apparently it’s more useful than anything else - along with the resources on this forum such as the Group Bourdon.

If Stigy sees this, he might point you in the right direction as he’s particularly knowledgeable.

In terms of the ‘howtobecome’ stuff, the only thing that I’ve been recommended are the books. I’ve not seen anyone say that they rate the online courses.

Don’t, you’ll give me a big head

You’re right though, It’s generally best to wait for the materials the TOC supply in terms of preparation. These aren’t really tests you can revise for as such. As long as you have an awareness of what to expect, that’s the main thing (by all means practice a few of the tests, but I advise against being almost obsessive with it). You can overthink these things quite easily and get bogged down with them, which is just as bad as going in completely blind.
@KJ83, you’ll be told in good time what assessments are at which stage, but generally speaking all the paper tests (The Group Bourden/TRP1 &
2 etc) are at stage one, and the computer ones and MMI at stage two. If you pass the MMI, you’ll be invited back for the DMI. As I said, that’s generally speaking, and some TOCs/FOCs do things differently.

Good luck!

 

[KJ83]

So, I've been practising on the GB test and I'm getting around 10 lines in with just the odd omission here and there, so just going to work on the accuracy bit.

I've also bought a software to practice the tones, phonebook and tones+phone book test together and i'm not to shabby at it, but the software has a 4th option? an interruption test, where you do the tones and phone book test but it interrupts you every now and then to ask for the number of tones you've heard so far? then you return to the same phone book you were working on. is that to be expected on the AD? or is it usually just the tones, phonebook then tones+phonebook?

Also, just curious.. the MMI, I did an SJT as part of an online assessment already, does this mean I still do the MMI?

As always, thanks guys for the help

 

[Comfy]

Also, just curious.. the MMI, I did an SJT as part of an online assessment already, does this mean I still do the MMI?

As always, thanks guys for the help

Yeah you still do the MMI.

 

[KJ83]

Yeah you still do the MMI.

Thanks

 

[Anon87]

So, I've been practising on the GB test and I'm getting around 10 lines in with just the odd omission here and there, so just going to work on the accuracy bit.

I've also bought a software to practice the tones, phonebook and tones+phone book test together and i'm not to shabby at it, but the software has a 4th option? an interruption test, where you do the tones and phone book test but it interrupts you every now and then to ask for the number of tones you've heard so far? then you return to the same phone book you were working on. is that to be expected on the AD? or is it usually just the tones, phonebook then tones+phonebook?

Also, just curious.. the MMI, I did an SJT as part of an online assessment already, does this mean I still do the MMI?

As always, thanks guys for the help

So with the GB where you say you’re getting 10 lines in with the odd admission - in what context? Is this test timed?

Also could you let me know what software package you bought?

Cheers mate!

 

[KJ83]

So with the GB where you say you’re getting 10 lines in with the odd admission - in what context? Is this test timed?

Also could you let me know what software package you bought?

Cheers mate!

Yeah I'm timing myself, 2 mins... I get ten lines down the 15, with just the odd one or two missing now.

I'm using paper print outs for the GB, but I got this to help with the computer based stuff.

Train Driver Tests (Mac Download) | Trainee Train Driver Info

Get the train driver tests on your mac with this deal. And start developing yourself to the level required to pass the train driver psychometric tests.

traineetraindriverinfo.com