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A career as a train driver

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Liam sloan

New Member
Joined
23 Sep 2019
Messages
2
Location
Prestatyn
Hi all,

I currently work for arriva as a bus driver and have been for a while , I've always wanted to become a train driver and feel the experience I've gain as a bus driver could benefit me by transferring my skills to the trains.

I've been searching high and low for the last year for a trainee train driver position, but with no joy.

Does anyone have any tips of the direction I need to go in?
 
Joined
1 Mar 2018
Messages
988
Hi all,

I currently work for arriva as a bus driver and have been for a while , I've always wanted to become a train driver and feel the experience I've gain as a bus driver could benefit me by transferring my skills to the trains.

I've been searching high and low for the last year for a trainee train driver position, but with no joy.

Does anyone have any tips of the direction I need to go in?


If you search the forums you'll find plenty of useful advice, but in the first instance you need to sign up for job alerts on the recruitment websites of your local TOCs as this is by far the best way of getting notified when they are recruiting. If a job appears then apply straight away as they often disappear before the closing date. In the meantime read up on here and get your CV up to date!

Hope this helps
 

ninhog

Member
Joined
15 Nov 2016
Messages
161
If you search the forums you'll find plenty of useful advice, but in the first instance you need to sign up for job alerts on the recruitment websites of your local TOCs as this is by far the best way of getting notified when they are recruiting. If a job appears then apply straight away as they often disappear before the closing date. In the meantime read up on here and get your CV up to date!

Hope this helps

Really appreciate the info. I'll get on it straight away

Thanks again

To add a little more to this, rather than rely on job alerts (emails may not be sent, may go to spam etc) your best bet is to check the careers portal of all TOCs within an hours travelling distance on a daily basis.
As trainee roles are so far and few between, you’d be absolutely kicking yourself if you found out you’d missed an opportunity because you didn’t receive an email!
As for your experience as a bus driver, you have some great skills and examples which can be used during interview if you were to get that far. For me, I felt like it was a natural progression.
 

intercitypete

Member
Joined
11 Feb 2013
Messages
22
Hi all,I need some advice from you guys and girls I was unsuccessful at a recent dmi for a shunter role with southern.I have passed the assessments inc mmi to national standards with southern and I am also interested about applying for a trainee train driver role now do I have to wait after the 6 months to apply for a trainee train driver role as I originally applied for shunter position and missed out? Any advice is really appreciated.
 

baz962

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2017
Messages
3,280
Hi all,I need some advice from you guys and girls I was unsuccessful at a recent dmi for a shunter role with southern.I have passed the assessments inc mmi to national standards with southern and I am also interested about applying for a trainee train driver role now do I have to wait after the 6 months to apply for a trainee train driver role as I originally applied for shunter position and missed out? Any advice is really appreciated.
Nope . You would have to wait six months with Southern. Any other toc that accepts national , you can apply to straight away.
 

intercitypete

Member
Joined
11 Feb 2013
Messages
22
Nope . You would have to wait six months with Southern. Any other toc that accepts national , you can apply to straight away.
thanks for reply,as it’s southern does that mean I can’t apply to Thameslink,GX as they are owned by Gtr ?
 

intercitypete

Member
Joined
11 Feb 2013
Messages
22
One last question if I apply to a different toc and fail dmi does that mean I will have to do all the assessments again or will they still stay on the system for 5 years regardless how many dmi’s are unsuccessful?
 

baz962

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2017
Messages
3,280
One last question if I apply to a different toc and fail dmi does that mean I will have to do all the assessments again or will they still stay on the system for 5 years regardless how many dmi’s are unsuccessful?
Dmi is an interview and nothing to do with assessment. You can theoretically have as many dmi's as you want , and they don't affect your assessment's . Mmi is part of the assessment's.
 

intercitypete

Member
Joined
11 Feb 2013
Messages
22
Dmi is an interview and nothing to do with assessment. You can theoretically have as many dmi's as you want , and they don't affect your assessment's . Mmi is part of the assessment's.
Thanks for reply and advice baz I’ve passed mmi and assessments so fingers crossed for the future
 

Kimbob

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2018
Messages
29
I have problems selling myself in interviews any tips how to overcome it I know the star method but I need to elaborate more
 

ComUtoR

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2013
Messages
9,398
Location
UK
I have problems selling myself in interviews any tips how to overcome it

Take notes with you. I have always said that taking a list of questions you have is a good idea and you could take some flash cards and before you start your interview you can use them to help prompt you for points you wish to raise. I also don't see anything wrong with referring to notes during the interview.
 

Kimbob

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2018
Messages
29
That's a great help I'll take your advice I thought it was frowned upon in the interview to refer to notes thank you
 

ComUtoR

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2013
Messages
9,398
Location
UK
That's a great help I'll take your advice I thought it was frowned upon in the interview to refer to notes thank you

Go through your notes before the interview. When they ask you if you have any questions then tell them you made a list of questions you wanted to ask and pull your questions out.

If your nervous during the interview then tell the interviewer. It is not an interrogation, it is an interview when you have to opportunity to show them who you are. Using notes and talking to your interviewer shows good use of non technical skills.
 

Kimbob

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2018
Messages
29
Go through your notes before the interview. When they ask you if you have any questions then tell them you made a list of questions you wanted to ask and pull your questions out.

If your nervous during the interview then tell the interviewer. It is not an interrogation, it is an interview when you have to opportunity to show them who you are. Using notes and talking to your interviewer shows good use of non technical skills.
Cheers for the advice I have question written down so can use them
 

Purple77

Member
Joined
27 Oct 2019
Messages
23
Location
London
Hi, I just took the first part of my assessment with GWR last Monday and found out I'd passed on Friday, so now waiting for the second stage which they said may take a while. Anyhoo I literally just wanted to leave a little hint for anyone who purchased or who is planning to purchase the how 2 become CD ROMS. They are very good tools to have don't get me wrong but I found the telephone directory/beep test was a bit misleading. With this particular one just use it as a very very basic practice test. The beeps within the test come much much faster in reality. Maybe it shouldn't have but this really threw me off during the test and I actually thought I'd failed this part of it. I would have liked someone to give me a heads on this as I do have friends how have taken the test previously. So I thought I pay it forward for anyone about to go for assessment. ALSO please remember to take your national insurance number, had a about 3 ppl not allowed to sit their assessments because of this. Good Luck everyone x
 

Twotwo

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2018
Messages
586
I agree, I thought part 1 of the tea occ was the hardest. It was difficult to distinguish between the high and low tones. There was a few of them I lost count and guessed! Part 2 and 3 was a lot easier.
 

Sh*n

Member
Joined
18 Nov 2018
Messages
30
Hi, I just took the first part of my assessment with GWR last Monday and found out I'd passed on Friday, so now waiting for the second stage which they said may take a while. Anyhoo I literally just wanted to leave a little hint for anyone who purchased or who is planning to purchase the how 2 become CD ROMS. They are very good tools to have don't get me wrong but I found the telephone directory/beep test was a bit misleading. With this particular one just use it as a very very basic practice test. The beeps within the test come much much faster in reality. Maybe it shouldn't have but this really threw me off during the test and I actually thought I'd failed this part of it. I would have liked someone to give me a heads on this as I do have friends how have taken the test previously. So I thought I pay it forward for anyone about to go for assessment. ALSO please remember to take your national insurance number, had a about 3 ppl not allowed to sit their assessments because of this. Good Luck everyone x
H
Hi, I just took the first part of my assessment with GWR last Monday and found out I'd passed on Friday, so now waiting for the second stage which they said may take a while. Anyhoo I literally just wanted to leave a little hint for anyone who purchased or who is planning to purchase the how 2 become CD ROMS. They are very good tools to have don't get me wrong but I found the telephone directory/beep test was a bit misleading. With this particular one just use it as a very very basic practice test. The beeps within the test come much much faster in reality. Maybe it shouldn't have but this really threw me off during the test and I actually thought I'd failed this part of it. I would have liked someone to give me a heads on this as I do have friends how have taken the test previously. So I thought I pay it forward for anyone about to go for assessment. ALSO please remember to take your national insurance number, had a about 3 ppl not allowed to sit their assessments because of this. Good Luck everyone x

Hi,
Congratulations,
When did you apply?
 

Purple77

Member
Joined
27 Oct 2019
Messages
23
Location
London
Hi
I applied last year November and then they offer me a range of dates for the 1st stage from which I chose October. I actually just received my date for 2nd stage today.

Have you applied? What stage are you at??
 

Purple77

Member
Joined
27 Oct 2019
Messages
23
Location
London
I agree, I thought part 1 of the tea occ was the hardest. It was difficult to distinguish between the high and low tones. There was a few of them I lost count and guessed! Part 2 and 3 was a lot easier.
Exactly the same experience...
 

rakoczigabi

Member
Joined
8 Nov 2015
Messages
42
Location
Andover / Basingstoke
After a really long process I’m finally getting closer, only a medical to go.
Trainee driver SWR.
My time line :
Online application - February 2017
Assessments - May 2017 ( failed the last one , 2hand coordination )
Assessments round 2 - May 2018 ( this time I’ve passed the last 3 on the computer. Had to do all 3 , couldn’t just do the one I’ve failed before ).

Long wait for the interviews , no openings at Basingstoke.

DMI - 3 October 2019
MMI - 23 October 2019

Got the call from recruitment today that I’ve passed the MMI and should have my medical on Friday / Monday. Then train driving school from December.

I’ve found this forum really helpful and specially with the MMI questions. So it’s really worth spending time to read everything through :)
 

djwent

Member
Joined
4 Nov 2019
Messages
9
Location
Bournemouth
After a really long process I’m finally getting closer, only a medical to go.
Trainee driver SWR.
My time line :
Online application - February 2017
Assessments - May 2017 ( failed the last one , 2hand coordination )
Assessments round 2 - May 2018 ( this time I’ve passed the last 3 on the computer. Had to do all 3 , couldn’t just do the one I’ve failed before ).

Long wait for the interviews , no openings at Basingstoke.

DMI - 3 October 2019
MMI - 23 October 2019

Got the call from recruitment today that I’ve passed the MMI and should have my medical on Friday / Monday. Then train driving school from December.

I’ve found this forum really helpful and specially with the MMI questions. So it’s really worth spending time to read everything through :)

Hello, first post so please excuse any mistakes! I have passed all my assessments and have my first interview with SWR next week.

I have been doing the usual research on questions and the company...wondering if you had any tips or indication of what happens? many thanks in advance.
 

Gaunty

Member
Joined
7 Nov 2019
Messages
14
Location
Manchester
Hi I wish to become a train driver in the greater Manchester area, does any one know the best way to receive information or job alerts for TOC that take on trainee drivers
 
Joined
1 Mar 2018
Messages
988
Hi I wish to become a train driver in the greater Manchester area, does any one know the best way to receive information or job alerts for TOC that take on trainee drivers

Find the TOCs in your local area or within an hours drive and sign up for job alerts on their websites. Its also worth actually visiting the websites a couple of times a week to check you haven't missed anything
 

paul weston

Member
Joined
7 Jul 2019
Messages
8
are greater anglia starting there trainee train driver training yet as i applied about 5 months ago and i've passed my assesment but thats as far as i've heard
 

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