WavtToTrain
New Member
I live in North London and really hope to be a train driver, are there any vacancies going at the moment. Also any advice on how to best look and prepare for a vacancy?
Thank you in advance
Thank you in advance
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A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
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RailUK Forums
I’ve accepted a trainee train driver role that’s starting at the end of September. Is there anything I could read/watch in the meantime to help me prepare?
All the books I can find online just seem to be about the application process and not the role itself. There’s obviously a lot of video content on YouTube but it’s more just route videos that I find oddly enjoyable to watch!
All the books I can find online just seem to be about the application process and not the role itself. There’s obviously a lot of video content on YouTube but it’s more just route videos that I find oddly enjoyable to watch!
Just Relax and wait for the actual training. There will be plenty to learn and plenty time to study come the actual classroom work. No point getting ahead of the work as you may not learn it exactly they way they want you to or may confuse yourself more.
It's a long structured training programme that will go in detail.
People say don’t read ahead, but to be honest, I kind of wish I had. Just a little. Just an incy wincy look at the RSSB Rulebook online.
75A
Established Member
Might be an idea just for fun to watch some cab rides on You Tube or the like on the lines you'll be working.
Look at the careers pages for train operators local to you (i.e. Thameslink/Great Northern, LNER, EMR etc). Set alerts for new vacancies and check regularly. There is a lot of information on this thread as to how to prepare but you'll have to put some work in yourself, when one opens there may be a thread on here but nobody will spoon feed you with a list of vacancies you might wish to apply for.
I would personally suggest to watch RED safety videos on YouTube. These are all about out of course situations, emergencies, mistakes, incidents and accidents, communication, safety, etc..
These will also help you to understand better about other roles like signallers, conductors, platform staff, track workers and so on.
No harm in starting to learn the phonetic alphabet and the main railway's acronyms.
Hi All
I have always wanted to drive trains. For the last 30 years tho I have worked with husband running a Construction Company alongside bringing up our family. My husband is a bit older than me and due to ill health has now retired.
I finally applied to be a trainee train driver and have passed through to am waiting for a date at the Assessment Centre
I have been researching the tests and believe with a bit of practice I am in with a chance of passing
I am fit and healthy with no underlying medical conditions
However I have just turned 56. Was reading something on the web at the weekend that the cut off age is 55? Nothing has been mentioned during my application and online test. And am now really worrying I'm deluding myself into getting this!
Can anyone advise if I'm wasting my time?
Thank you
I have always wanted to drive trains. For the last 30 years tho I have worked with husband running a Construction Company alongside bringing up our family. My husband is a bit older than me and due to ill health has now retired.
I finally applied to be a trainee train driver and have passed through to am waiting for a date at the Assessment Centre
I have been researching the tests and believe with a bit of practice I am in with a chance of passing
I am fit and healthy with no underlying medical conditions
However I have just turned 56. Was reading something on the web at the weekend that the cut off age is 55? Nothing has been mentioned during my application and online test. And am now really worrying I'm deluding myself into getting this!
Can anyone advise if I'm wasting my time?
Thank you
InkyScrolls
Established Member
Firstly, welcome to the forum - and secondly, go for it! There is no upper age limit either for applying or for driving, and I know quite a number of drivers who started their training at 55+. The extra life experience will stand you in good stead compared with some of your younger colleagues too. I wish you all the best, because it's a fantastic job and one you're sure to enjoy.
You've made my day! Thank you
Az87
Member
I know from experience that Southeastern (I assume you applied to Southeastern) have taken on drivers around your age in the past. I wish you good luck in the process, I'm waiting to do the assessment too.
HarryKane
Member
One of my colleagues on my training course was 53. He passed out
That's good to hear!
Hi Az87
Yes Southeastern. Have you had a date back yet? Currently reading up on what the assessment will entail. The test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Assessment sounds a bit terrifying!
So it could be possible
When I had my stage 1 and 2 assessments (was with C2C) it had tests like crossing out 4 dots in a row with other dots, 2 hand coordination so moving a dot on screen through a maze with little times going off track, seeing images for a few seconds and answer what you saw.That's good to hear!
Hi Az87
Yes Southeastern. Have you had a date back yet? Currently reading up on what the assessment will entail. The test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Assessment sounds a bit terrifying!
So it could be possible
The stage 1 I passed with no practice. Stage 2 you may have a multi modial interview which is little like the stage 3 driver interview where they ask you about a time where you did this or showed this.
I thankfully got my contract as a trainee mainline driver and will be starting in September. I found also for the driver interview to research about the company and values.
Az87
Member
I've heard nothing since but I applied for Ashford so I will probably be waiting a bit longer than those for London depots.
I passed the assessment in 2015 so unfortunately I will have to do it again. I remember thinking that the assessment wasn't as difficult than what I was expecting it to be.
Thank you
puffpuffgive
Member
Not exactly. Age ‘discrimination’ is still legal in many circumstances, e.g. you have to be 21 to become a train driver. CAA sets a mandatory retirement age for pilots of 65. But that doesn’t affect the OP, I’m just being pedantic.
Hi all, I’m currently in the process for applying for a driver position with GTR and i have a few random questions.
1. Signing on. Is that always done in your depot or can it be remotely/over the phone etc
2. Communication. On a normal day with no disruption, do you still speak to signallers/control, or can you go a whole day not talking to anyone.
3. Shifts. Roughly what is the length of driving in a shift, and do you have only 1 break a shift.
4. To that end if anyone has a gtr duty would love to see an example.
5. Depot. Do mainline driver, drive in the depot at the end of shift/start of shift etc or do shunters do all depot moves.
Thanks sure I got loads more but these are just a few that interest me.
Thanks
1. Signing on. Is that always done in your depot or can it be remotely/over the phone etc
2. Communication. On a normal day with no disruption, do you still speak to signallers/control, or can you go a whole day not talking to anyone.
3. Shifts. Roughly what is the length of driving in a shift, and do you have only 1 break a shift.
4. To that end if anyone has a gtr duty would love to see an example.
5. Depot. Do mainline driver, drive in the depot at the end of shift/start of shift etc or do shunters do all depot moves.
Thanks sure I got loads more but these are just a few that interest me.
Thanks
Max day on TL is 9h54, the work will depend on what depot but its all DOO and overall quite intense, most shifts you'll only have one break and minimum turn around times, 10 mins turn around for a 12 car on TL so they do squeeze as much in as they can most of the time.
Only required to have a 30 min break plus walking time and that has to be between the 2h30 or 3rd hour (cant remember exactly) and the 7th hour so again can be a lot of driving before or after a break or both.
You can sign on remotely but that will depend on the shift you're doing and doesn't affect the company.
3 week rotation shift, long weekend every 3rd week, all TL depots generally have nights. You'll be allocated a shift either red blue or black. All drivers on the same shift have the same rest days and same shifts except lates/nights.
What depot have you applied for?
Only required to have a 30 min break plus walking time and that has to be between the 2h30 or 3rd hour (cant remember exactly) and the 7th hour so again can be a lot of driving before or after a break or both.
You can sign on remotely but that will depend on the shift you're doing and doesn't affect the company.
3 week rotation shift, long weekend every 3rd week, all TL depots generally have nights. You'll be allocated a shift either red blue or black. All drivers on the same shift have the same rest days and same shifts except lates/nights.
What depot have you applied for?
AverageJoe
Member
That sounds rough
The work is pretty full on and obviously all 8 or 12 cars , some jobs are easier then others and I dont think there's any jobs that are actually max day, some close though.
Thanks for the reply.
Wow sounds quite intense. I have applied for the Brighton depot.
Are you are train driver and if so do you enjoy it?
Also regarding communication question, can you go all day without talking to anyone. If so, is it a bit boring and how do you stay concentrated.
Yeah you can go all day without talking to people like signallers and control, thats a good day lol, you'll see plenty of people on breaks and talk to platform staff etc, I believe Brighton has 2 links, Cambridge or Bedford although I think some of the Cambridge link do still go to Bedford.
Nights are split at Brighton I think, most depots do 7 days but I think Brighton split there's so they do a week of 4 and then a week of 3 at some point. Overall one of the better depots tbf.
justwilliams
New Member
Hello, New in the forum and and applying to become a train driver. I have passed my assesment and going for an interview soon, any tips, please?
seedoubleyou
Member
Easier said than done, but just stay relaxed, think before you speak, remember being a driver is partly about having the ability to remain calm under pressure and communicate effectively.
As for questions. You’re likely going to have a competency based interview, where you’ll be asked to demonstrate a time you’ve dealt with a certain scenario.
i.e. “Name a time you’ve had to learn something new”
Don’t be afraid to ask if you can start an answer again, especially if you find your train of thought running away. This demonstrates that you can identify when you’re going of track, reset yourself and approach it again.
Other than that, just enjoy the process, you’ve made it this far, don’t be afraid to show a little personality.
As for questions. You’re likely going to have a competency based interview, where you’ll be asked to demonstrate a time you’ve dealt with a certain scenario.
i.e. “Name a time you’ve had to learn something new”
Don’t be afraid to ask if you can start an answer again, especially if you find your train of thought running away. This demonstrates that you can identify when you’re going of track, reset yourself and approach it again.
Other than that, just enjoy the process, you’ve made it this far, don’t be afraid to show a little personality.
justwilliams
New Member
justwilliams
New Member
Hi, one more question, do I need to know about trains per sei to be ready for the interview?