Scotrail Trainee Driver Test

[hiall]

Anyone further forward with their applications? Good luck to all.

 

[ianthescot]

That is good news have you any idea what depots the courses are for?

Courses aren't for specific depots, they tend to be mixed. My course had Motherwell, Shields and Corkerhill on it.

 

[Hoyerman]

Don't be too worried if they haven't got to you yet...

Just look at it this way - FSR have about 1000 drivers. Assuming a 30 year average career, that means due to normal retirement they need to train around 32/33 drivers per year just to stand still. With people who leave/take medical retirement etc, this number will only increase!

I originally applied in Sept 2008, passed everything (including my medical & disclosure - so FSR obviously thought I was starting as they don't spend money they don't have to...) by April 2009 and was then held until June 2010 when I had to go through another medical and disclosure. I've completed my rules & traction and am currently working on my hours with a DI (when trains actually run...!)

If you have passed everything (and lets be honest, not many people do...), they've already spent a bit of money on you and they will get to you eventually. Best bet is to keep in touch with recruitment (I used to call at least monthly) so that they know you're still interested. If you do that, you may well get a call before those who don't chase it...

Remember that it's Transport Scotland who funds the training. FSR have to apply to them for the funding to take on drivers and present an effective "business case" in order to do so. In my case, I was originally due to start in May 2009, but TS ran out of money and pulled the plug on training for the rest of the year!

So - keep the faith - you will get there in the end!

 

[oldagefanclub]

Heard that 4 courses of 8 trainees each are booked for end of jan start of feb.

Where did your info come from energol, I hope you are right, but the official line is that there is no news on future training.

 

[energol]

Got the info from a D.I.

 

[oldagefanclub]

Got the info from a D.I.

Quality

 

[Lengthman]

Anyone have any updates?

 

[charlie boy]

Still not heard anything was told the turn of the year but no news as yet.

 

[oldagefanclub]

Got the info from a D.I.

Was it D.I. Burke out of Taggart?

Looks like January and February are out of the question, if you get anymore up to date info let us know, will you?

 

[Hoyerman]

Spoke to a colleague today who was at the training school this week. There are driver assessments going on this week and over the coming week for internal applicants (thats why they were there...). Information is that there are approx 80 people to be assessed and there are rumoured to be 4 trainee driver courses coming up, but start dates keep getting postponed for these.

 

[eddier73]

It may well be that the delay in is due to the fact that the Governments Finance plans haven't been signed off- The first debate is Wednesday this week but will probably take a few weeks of horse trading before it is passed.
When the proposed plans were announced back in November, it specifically mentioned the increased service on the Highland line (9 trains to 11) The reason I have taken a keen interest is I am one of the ones who is waiting to hear about the Inverness jobs.

Cheers
Eddie

 

[oldagefanclub]

Spoke to a colleague today who was at the training school this week. There are driver assessments going on this week and over the coming week for internal applicants (thats why they were there...). Information is that there are approx 80 people to be assessed and there are rumoured to be 4 trainee driver courses coming up, but start dates keep getting postponed for these.

That looks like the end of the road for me and all other external applicants sitting on the waiting list then You would think they would at least have the decency to let you know when you ask, rather than just keep you wondering if and when you are getting a start.

 

[Hoyerman]

Just because they were assessed doesn't mean they will pass... further info today that external applicants will be required to fill any gaps... and they are looking to utilise those currently on hold first.

Also was told (but not by a training school source) that they believe TS only fund EXTERNAL applicants - not internals... (Can't tell you whether this is the case or not, but that's the info I was given)

cheers
H

 

[hiall]

The internals were financed by TS last year and still are.

 

[oldagefanclub]

Just because they were assessed doesn't mean they will pass... further info today that external applicants will be required to fill any gaps... and they are looking to utilise those currently on hold first.

Also was told (but not by a training school source) that they believe TS only fund EXTERNAL applicants - not internals... (Can't tell you whether this is the case or not, but that's the info I was given)

cheers
H

Cheers Hoyerman, good that guys like you are taking the time to come on and post any info you have.

Out of interest does anyone know the national pass rate for the assesments?

 

[elgin eagle]

emailed sandra at hr last week, still no news but keep in touch.

Does anyone how long are the test results valid for, or is it different for each toc? Good luck to anyone else waiting as well, its like chinese water torture isn't it.

 

[oldagefanclub]

Got the call As long as all goes well with the medical and references I'm in. Course starts end of April/beginning of May.

 

[Hoyerman]

Congratulations & welcome to the club...

Where will you be based?

Cheers
H

 

[oldagefanclub]

Congratulations & welcome to the club...

Where will you be based?

Cheers
H

Central/Corkerhill/Shields

 

[Lengthman]

Got the call As long as all goes well with the medical and references I'm in. Course starts end of April/beginning of May.

Same for myself, assuming all goes well I will be joining you for the same course and locations.

 

[oldagefanclub]

Same for myself, assuming all goes well I will be joining you for the same course and locations.

Good man, passed my medical today.

 

[Lengthman]

Can anyone confirm the following -
The initial 10 weeks training is classroom based & is mon - fri?
I am assuming when you start with a DI it will be shift based.
Are there any exceptions for time off?
Thanks

 

[Hoyerman]

Hi there... I just dug out my course timetable to check this for you. You will probably get your own version of this when the course starts.

Week 1 & 2 - Induction
Fire training, First Aid & basic Evacuation training are all built into your induction module.
Week 3 - Rules part 1
Week 4 - Cab Experience 1
Week 5 & 6 - Rules Part 2
Week 7 - Cab Experience 2
Week 8 & 9 - Rules part 3
Week 10 - Cab Experience 3
Week 11, 12, 13 - Basic Traction (and the first time you will drive a train!)
Week 14 - Conversion Traction (if required)
Week 15 & 16 - Introduction to Train handling on a Training Train
Week 18 & 19 EMU - DMU conversion (or vice versa) & train handling (if required)
Week 20 until as long as it takes - Practical Handling with DI (minimum of 263 hours required)

Rules weeks will all be based at Atrium court. For Cab Experience & DI Hours you will normally be based at your home depot and traction will be at a relevant traction depot. (Usually Yoker for EMU and Eastfield or Haymarket for DMU). Until you are out with your DI - expect a 5 day week, Mon - Fri. You will not normally be allowed time off until you are with your DI - as the course timetable is very tight. We were told that we might get away with 1 day sick, but 2 days would put us back to the next training course as we wouldn't be able to catch up - so that might mean a delay of several months...

During rules especially, be prepared - as you will have a LOT of written assessments (normally at least 3 or 4 each week) - so expect to spend a long time studying alone in the company of your rulebook . Spread about during your DI hours will also be 3 weeks back in Glasgow on Risk Awareness, Human Factors & Rules & Traction refresher courses.

Plan on the course taking somewhere between 12 and 14 months as well...

I personally found traction much easier as you could press most of the buttons to see what actually happened... rules is a bit more about pure memory (i.e. never, ever, ever do this... except when... etc) It will probably all be a bit swahili at times, but I promise if you stick with it - it will all make sense eventually!

Best of luck - and if you need anything, give me a shout!

Cheers
H

 

[Railranger]

Applied a couple of weeks back for the trainee driver position in Glasgow with ScotRail. I was just wondering how long it was before I would receive feedback if I have been shortlisted or not.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Donachie]

Applied a couple of weeks back for the trainee driver position in Glasgow with ScotRail. I was just wondering how long it was before I would receive feedback if I have been shortlisted or not.

Cheers

Steve

I applyed for the positions at Perth in June last year and it was November before I received any change in status, which was not good news. So you may have a bit longer to wait yet Steve.

Good Luck.
Donachie.

 

[ee el oh]

Hi Steve,
Like you I applyed about a month ago and still not a peep, I guess they have a lot of applications to sift through. What i'm led to believe on here is that the whole process is just a big waiting game. Good luck and I'll let you know if i get any news.

Rab
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hi Again,

Have you looked at your application status via the scotrail web site? it will tell you what stage your at, at the moment i'm still at 'awaiting shortlisting stage' and have been so for a month.

Cheers
Rab

 

[Freightliner66]

I applied for this as well, im expecting to hear ye or nay at some point in 2013. Scotrail are shambolic when it comes to recruitment.

 

[strange6]

Hi there... I just dug out my course timetable to check this for you. You will probably get your own version of this when the course starts.

Week 1 & 2 - Induction
Fire training, First Aid & basic Evacuation training are all built into your induction module.
Week 3 - Rules part 1
Week 4 - Cab Experience 1
Week 5 & 6 - Rules Part 2
Week 7 - Cab Experience 2
Week 8 & 9 - Rules part 3
Week 10 - Cab Experience 3
Week 11, 12, 13 - Basic Traction (and the first time you will drive a train!)
Week 14 - Conversion Traction (if required)
Week 15 & 16 - Introduction to Train handling on a Training Train
Week 18 & 19 EMU - DMU conversion (or vice versa) & train handling (if required)
Week 20 until as long as it takes - Practical Handling with DI (minimum of 263 hours required)

Rules weeks will all be based at Atrium court. For Cab Experience & DI Hours you will normally be based at your home depot and traction will be at a relevant traction depot. (Usually Yoker for EMU and Eastfield or Haymarket for DMU). Until you are out with your DI - expect a 5 day week, Mon - Fri. You will not normally be allowed time off until you are with your DI - as the course timetable is very tight. We were told that we might get away with 1 day sick, but 2 days would put us back to the next training course as we wouldn't be able to catch up - so that might mean a delay of several months...

During rules especially, be prepared - as you will have a LOT of written assessments (normally at least 3 or 4 each week) - so expect to spend a long time studying alone in the company of your rulebook . Spread about during your DI hours will also be 3 weeks back in Glasgow on Risk Awareness, Human Factors & Rules & Traction refresher courses.

Plan on the course taking somewhere between 12 and 14 months as well...

I personally found traction much easier as you could press most of the buttons to see what actually happened... rules is a bit more about pure memory (i.e. never, ever, ever do this... except when... etc) It will probably all be a bit swahili at times, but I promise if you stick with it - it will all make sense eventually!

Best of luck - and if you need anything, give me a shout!

Cheers
H

Seeing that they're train enthusiasts, they should breeze it. If you're really interested in something, don't you find that things just stick in your memory very quickly?

 

[oldagefanclub]

Seeing that they're train enthusiasts, they should breeze it. If you're really interested in something, don't you find that things just stick in your memory very quickly?

Dont assume that everyone who decides to drive trains for a living are train enthusiasts. I know I'm not in the least bit interested in trains, ,my motivation is the salary and benefits.

 

[notadriver]

I'm interested in trains and I'd love to be a train driver.