Chiltern Railways - Apprentice Train Drivers - Multiple Locations (26/01/23)

[SourRaspberry]

Just a question.
I applied some time ago and done my online questionnaires and some online test. Then after quite a long wait I received a call followed by email and was invited straight into managers interview.
Done my 2 days of psychometric tests at Watford long time ago (maybe within last 4-5 years) and passed them no problem
Does it mean that I “skipped” them this time or am I going to be invited for those after the interview?
I had impression before that those interviews would be the last “stage” before medicals

 

[12LDA28C]

Just a question.
I applied some time ago and done my online questionnaires and some online test. Then after quite a long wait I received a call followed by email and was invited straight into managers interview.
Done my 2 days of psychometric tests at Watford long time ago (maybe within last 4-5 years) and passed them no problem
Does it mean that I “skipped” them this time or am I going to be invited for those after the interview?
I had impression before that those interviews would be the last “stage” before medicals

If you have passed all the relevant OPC tests within the last five years, that pass is still valid so you would go straight to interview. Success at interview would lead to a job offer, subject to passing the medical.

 

[SourRaspberry]

If you have passed all the relevant OPC tests within the last five years, that pass is still valid so you would go straight to interview. Success at interview would lead to a job offer, subject to passing the medical.

Thank you.
Last interview I hade was when I actually done all tests (that’s with cross rail) and it felt like I only failed due to distance to the depot but who knows. Never got any feedback.
At least that’s how I felt after they asked me question regarding travelling to work.
Hopefully this time will be better.
Cheers and good luck to everybody who applied.

 

[Unic0rn]

I saw the Banbury role advertised on LinkedIn, where I have an alert set for "Trainee Train Driver", "Apprentice Train Driver" and "Train Driver" within 30 miles from my home postcode. The DB careers website has a "Set up a job alert" link on the left of the search page which you can probably set-up like I have for LinkedIn.

Great tip, thank you. All the best for your future career.

Driver vacancies arise for a number of reasons at any given location. Some drivers retire, others transfer to another depot within that TOC, others move away to another TOC. Occasionally a requirement for additional drivers becomes evident, such as Chiltern being awarded the EWR contract with the requirement for additional drivers due to an increase in establishment at Banbury depot to accommodate the new work.

Don't forget also that qualified drivers are also taken on, indeed Chiltern are recruiting right now for qualified drivers at various depots. In answer to your final question, it's extremely rare for a driver to leave the industry completely, once you're in it's pretty much a job for life I would say, unless you screw it up so majorly that you get sacked, or asked to resign.

That's interesting to know, thank you for your response.


Greetings, I have a quick question that I think may be asked by some others..

Would anyone happen to know what the eyesight requirements are for Chiltern Railways? I'd like to think I'm a very fit and healthy individual that would pass any medical exam with ease, but my eyesight let's me down (myopia). I wouldn't want to chase the dream if I couldn't pass the medical stage due to something I cannot control.

 

[mr_roggger]

Would anyone happen to know what the eyesight requirements are for Chiltern Railways? I'd like to think I'm a very fit and healthy individual that would pass any medical exam with ease, but my eyesight let's me down (myopia). I wouldn't want to chase the dream if I couldn't pass the medical stage due to something I cannot control.

Refer to this document:

RIS-3451-TOM Iss 1 - Train Drivers - Suitability and Medical Fitness Requirements

This document sets out the medical fitness requirements for train drivers.

www.rssb.co.uk

You will need to create a free account. I highly recommend you do this as there are lots of useful free documents on the RSSB website.

Within this document you will find:

2.1.6.2 Railway undertakings shall use the following criteria to test the visual acuity of train drivers:
a) Distance vision shall be at least 6/9 in the better eye and 6/12 in the other eye; the use of spectacles or contact lenses is permitted to meet this requirement.
b) Where more than one type of correction will be used to meet the requirement, a separate test shall be performed to demonstrate that the driver can meet the requirement with each type of correction.
c) Where spectacles or contact lenses are used, uncorrected visual acuity shall be at least 3/60 in each eye.
d) No pathological condition likely to cause visual impairment shall be present.
e) No progressive eye diseases shall be present.
f) Binocular near vision shall be at least N8, with spectacles or contact lenses if worn

Most relevant part for you form the appendix, in my opinion is:

A.1.23 (2) (a)
Aided or unaided distance visual acuity: 1,0; minimum of 0,5 for the worse eye, Visual acuity must be at least 1.0 (6/6 Snellen) with both eyes open and 0.5 (6/12 Snellen) in the weaker eye when the eyes are tested individually. Testing performed with permitted correction if worn

A.1.24 (2) (b)
Maximum corrective lenses: hypermetropia + 5 / myopia -8, (derogations may be authorised in exceptional cases and after having obtained the opinion of an eye specialist, the recognised doctor then takes the decision), If corrective lenses are needed to meet the requirements in (a) then a current prescription provided by a registered ophthalmic optician is sufficient evidence for the purposes of this requirement. The limits in 2b should be taken to refer to the higher power meridian

A.1.27 (2) (e)
Normal colour vision: use of a recognised test, such as Ishihara, as well as another recognised test if required, Individuals who pass a properly conducted Ishihara test can be considered to have normal colour vision for the purposes of this requirement. The recognised doctor may also use other validated tests of colour vision at their discretion, for example if acquired colour vision deficiency is suspected

6/6 Snellen is 20/20 vision (imperial equivalent). 6/12 (20/40) is the UK car driving licence standard. 6/9 (20/30), the requirement for the better eye, is one of the lines on the eye test chart between 6/6 and 6/12. I have quite strong Myopia (-5.75, -6 correction), but this is corrected to better than 6/6 (I can read about 2 lines further down the chart 6/3.8 (20/12.5)), and had no problems passing the medical, so provided you have the correct prescription, and it's not more than -8, other issues notwithstanding, you should be OK. I suggest you read the full standard and study the appendix - like you say, it would be a shame to "chase the dream" if you couldn't pass the medical on eyeshight.

You also need to have good colour vision.

Finally, the unaided vision of 3/60 (20/400) in each eye is basically ensuring you aren't clinically blind.

 

[Unic0rn]

Refer to this document:

RIS-3451-TOM Iss 1 - Train Drivers - Suitability and Medical Fitness Requirements

This document sets out the medical fitness requirements for train drivers.

www.rssb.co.uk

You will need to create a free account. I highly recommend you do this as there are lots of useful free documents on the RSSB website.

Within this document you will find:



Most relevant part for you form the appendix, in my opinion is:



6/6 Snellen is 20/20 vision (imperial equivalent). 6/12 (20/40) is the UK car driving licence standard. 6/9 (20/30), the requirement for the better eye, is one of the lines on the eye test chart between 6/6 and 6/12. I have quite strong Myopia (-5.75, -6 correction), but this is corrected to better than 6/6 (I can read about 2 lines further down the chart 6/3.8 (20/12.5)), and had no problems passing the medical, so provided you have the correct prescription, and it's not more than -8, other issues notwithstanding, you should be OK. I suggest you read the full standard and study the appendix - like you say, it would be a shame to "chase the dream" if you couldn't pass the medical on eyeshight.

You also need to have good colour vision.

Finally, the unaided vision of 3/60 (20/400) in each eye is basically ensuring you aren't clinically blind.

Superb reference, thank you very much!

 

[potoci1]

Good morning. Driving buses for 15 years. Regular eytest at work and in privat all passed with ease. Last test in December. Would that be good enough to pass my eyetest at Chiltern? Thank you.

 

[Class2ldn]

The test for a train driver will include a colour blind test, obviously a normal eye test and perhaps some other things, no way to tell whether it will be sufficient for Chiltern, you'll have to do the medical and see what happens.
Generally if you've got no issues you should be fine

 

[potoci1]

The test for a train driver will include a colour blind test, obviously a normal eye test and perhaps some other things, no way to tell whether it will be sufficient for Chiltern, you'll have to do the medical and see what happens.
Generally if you've got no issues you should be fine

Thank you.

 

[mr_roggger]

Just passed my medical

Got a start date of 30th May

@Fatbob22, any more news regarding starting next week? Have you had any induction paperwork, uniform, PPE, laptop/tablet etc. provided? I assume your first day is scheduled for 09:00 at Aylesbury Driver Trainig Centre? I'm keen to know the process from here onwards for Chiltern.

 

[SuperS16v]

Morning all, has anyone from Moor Street heard anything since last sift?

I Was hoping to go straight to DMI having already passed the VSE and OPC assessments. Not heard anything in months now.

 

[Brum_AVFC]

Morning all, has anyone from Moor Street heard anything since last sift?

I Was hoping to go straight to DMI having already passed the VSE and OPC assessments. Not heard anything in months now.

Nope, I’m just hanging on in there, not expecting to hear tbh

 

[Fatbob22]

@Fatbob22, any more news regarding starting next week? Have you had any induction paperwork, uniform, PPE, laptop/tablet etc. provided? I assume your first day is scheduled for 09:00 at Aylesbury Driver Trainig Centre? I'm keen to know the process from here onwards for Chiltern.

Hi, I’ve not actually received anything yet, I’m starting to get a little concerned, I’m going to contact them later on if I haven’t received anything.

 

[IAmGROOT]

Hi, I’ve not actually received anything yet, I’m starting to get a little concerned, I’m going to contact them later on if I haven’t received anything.

Wow thought you guys would of had most things by now.
Keep us updated please?

Also anyone know what footwear we wear as not on uniform sheet?

 

[12LDA28C]

Wow thought you guys would of had most things by now.
Keep us updated please?

Also anyone know what footwear we wear as not on uniform sheet?

Probably an idea to wear sturdy footwear suitable for walking on ballast although it's unlikely you would be doing that during your first week with the company.

 

[gatters]

.

 

[Fatbob22]

yeah got it today

 

[clarets2005]

Yeah got mine today, got meet at WH Smith’s @ 9:30. Very excited

Excited for you too chap - I'm on the July course for Banbury. Counting down the weeks!
Hope all goes well.

 

[dislecsyk]

First time poster here. I've been lurking about this place for the last few months whilst I've gone through the process. I had my day at the OPC on 9th May, the DMI on 23rd May and I had the phone call last night (25th May) to confirm that I was successful and will be on the training course in July. It's incredibly exciting, and this place has been invaluable in helping to know what to expect at each stage and being able to prepare for it.

Cheers

 

[SuperS16v]

First time poster here. I've been lurking about this place for the last few months whilst I've gone through the process. I had my day at the OPC on 9th May, the DMI on 23rd May and I had the phone call last night (25th May) to confirm that I was successful and will be on the training course in July. It's incredibly exciting, and this place has been invaluable in helping to know what to expect at each stage and being able to prepare for it.

Cheers

Congratulations, very exciting! Sounds like you flew through! What depot did you apply for?

 

[dislecsyk]

Congratulations, very exciting! Sounds like you flew through! What depot did you apply for?

Banbury. The whole thing was far quicker than I expected, I made my initial application on 20th February and have done enough reading to know that being at this stage already is incredibly quick. I was told at the DMI that Chiltern are on a major recruitment drive and have courses starting in August and September, as well as this one in July, so I guess that's why it's all been so streamlined.

 

[SuperS16v]

Banbury. The whole thing was far quicker than I expected, I made my initial application on 20th February and have done enough reading to know that being at this stage already is incredibly quick. I was told at the DMI that Chiltern are on a major recruitment drive and have courses starting in August and September, as well as this one in July, so I guess that's why it's all been so streamlined.

Very quick for the rail industry! Seems Banbury are really in need as everyone for that depot has flown through! Congrats again!

 

[Class2ldn]

They have the new east to west contract and most of the drivers will be based at banbury hence the recruitment. Depot will be pretty much doubling in size I believe

 

[12LDA28C]

They have the new east to west contract and most of the drivers will be based at banbury hence the recruitment. Depot will be pretty much doubling in size I believe

All the EWR drivers at Chiltern will be based at Banbury and indeed that is why recruitment has had to take place quickly to get the trainee drivers in place asap.

 

[clarets2005]

Banbury. The whole thing was far quicker than I expected, I made my initial application on 20th February and have done enough reading to know that being at this stage already is incredibly quick. I was told at the DMI that Chiltern are on a major recruitment drive and have courses starting in August and September, as well as this one in July, so I guess that's why it's all been so streamlined.

Congratulations! see you there...

 

[dislecsyk]

Congratulations! see you there...

Awesome! Congrats to you too, see you there.

 

[RoyalE3091]

Banbury. The whole thing was far quicker than I expected, I made my initial application on 20th February and have done enough reading to know that being at this stage already is incredibly quick. I was told at the DMI that Chiltern are on a major recruitment drive and have courses starting in August and September, as well as this one in July, so I guess that's why it's all been so streamlined.

Did they mention any other potential future dates after Sept?

 

[dislecsyk]

Did they mention any other potential future dates after Sept?

They said they were intending to take on 48 drivers of varying experience over the next year or so, but didn't say anything specific about other course start dates, no. But adding it all up, if there are 10 on each of the four they mentioned (starting tomorrow, July, August and September) plus the qualified drivers they said they intended to take on, it doesn't sound like there's going to be anything else really soon.

 

[12LDA28C]

Did they mention any other potential future dates after Sept?

Unlikely as Chiltern need drivers to be qualified for the commencement of EWR route and traction training in Summer 2024 so a start date of later than September 2023 will be too late.

 

[RoyalE3091]

Unlikely as Chiltern need drivers to be qualified for the commencement of EWR route and traction training in Summer 2024 so a start date of later than September 2023 will be too late.

Cheers gents for your reply, I'll be on the Sept course most likely then.