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Northern Trains - Maintenance Depot Driver - Recruitment Discussion

BBT

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Joined
17 May 2024
Messages
14
Location
Halifax
Just got an invite for depot train driver for the talent pool in Manchester. I'm super chuffed to have got to this stage. And I wondered if anyone else applied for the role. I've had a look on the forum for interview tips etc so I'll be preparing in the coming days.

If I pass all the required recruitment stages and then I'm put in the talent pool. What are the chances of actually receiving a job offer? I'm guessing it's a how long is a piece of string scenario but I'm just curious if anyone has any experience in this and would like to share. Thank you.
 
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nick40uk

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5 Apr 2010
Messages
118
First up, well done for getting to the interview. To get past the application stage is an achievement in itself.

As for the talent pool? Well as you said it's the old "how long is a piece of string" scenario. It could be a matter of weeks, months, maybe years. Just have to be patient and let the system work. They may send occasional emails/correspondence with any news/no news.

Just remember though that a talent pool placing is no guarantee of a job offer so don't be afraid to apply for similar roles either with another TOC or a different location, if that's what you want.

All the best and hope it works out.
 

GPR

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16 Oct 2011
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141
Location
Liverpool
I don’t work at a Manchester depot but speaking from experience of 4 and a half years, I’ve seen 3 depot train drivers go internally mainline driving, 2 externally mainline driving, 1 retire and 1 go in to management grade.
So turn over is fair in the DTD grade.

Avanti have had a massive recruitment drive over the past 24 months and there are a lot of rail staff that are in the talent pool for Avanti so I’d guess that talent pools have been formed because TOCs have got wind that staff are in talent pool and want to expedite the process for when/ if their staff give notices that they’ll be leaving.

Avanti aren’t handing out courses till next year now though so could be a while if the above is the case.
 

BBT

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17 May 2024
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Location
Halifax
Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated! It's for Northern Newton heath. I have also applied for depot driver in Leeds too. Not heard back from them yet. Fingers crossed!
 

GPR

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16 Oct 2011
Messages
141
Location
Liverpool
Just be aware that for safety critical roles, Northern use Google maps for commute times.
Has to be within 45 minutes commute time set at 0800 on a Monday morning.
If it says between 45 mins and 1 hr 30 they’d take that as 1 hour commute time.
 

BBT

Member
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17 May 2024
Messages
14
Location
Halifax
Manchester says 45min to 1hr30!
Leeds 40 min to 1hour 10.

Would they have offered me an interview at Manchester if they thought my commute is too long?
I assumed they would base the commute on off peak times, as this is when I would be traveling to work most days. Which would be well under 45 min either way.
 

GPR

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16 Oct 2011
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141
Location
Liverpool
Luckily you’ve got through the commute sift then.
Good luck with the process going forward :)
It’s a good job and once you have your psychs and driving experience you’ll yearn to go mainline.
 

BBT

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17 May 2024
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Location
Halifax
Thank you!

I am just preparing for my interview. Trying not to stress too much and just enjoy the process. what will be will be but..

i was wondering if anyone knew the shifts for an MDD at Newton Heath? On the add it says be flexible to work earlies, lates and weekends, but on here it would seem they are mainly night shifts?
 

FGW_DID

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23 Jun 2011
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2,883
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81E
Thank you!

I am just preparing for my interview. Trying not to stress too much and just enjoy the process. what will be will be but..

i was wondering if anyone knew the shifts for an MDD at Newton Heath? On the add it says be flexible to work earlies, lates and weekends, but on here it would seem they are mainly night shifts?
Most of a depots work will be on nights as thats when you get the majority of the fleet in for servicing so it makes sense to have the bulk of your drivers in on nights. Daytime workload may only require 2-3 to be in.

Thats just a general view but is based on what happens at my place (GWR).
 

CJBX

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23 Jun 2023
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.
How did people get on at their interviews? My mate had his a few weeks ago and was told they will start updating people mid-end of August.
 

BBT

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17 May 2024
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I had mine last week. I definitely could have done better! So I will be surprised if I get invited to psychometric testing. Yeah they said end of August to me, as they just found out they are interviewing more people mid August.
 

CJBX

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I'm sure you will have done better than you think mate. Ah I wasn't aware they were still interviewing next month, he only got the option on the July dates.
 

ThePeakNed

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Joined
6 Dec 2021
Messages
212
Location
Salop
Just got an invite for depot train driver for the talent pool in Manchester. I'm super chuffed to have got to this stage. And I wondered if anyone else applied for the role. I've had a look on the forum for interview tips etc so I'll be preparing in the coming days.

If I pass all the required recruitment stages and then I'm put in the talent pool. What are the chances of actually receiving a job offer? I'm guessing it's a how long is a piece of string scenario but I'm just curious if anyone has any experience in this and would like to share. Thank you.
I know for a fact the roster at Newton Heath has a lot of holes in it, I don't think you'd be waiting too long.
 

BBT

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17 May 2024
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Halifax
I got through to psychometric testing! I must have done better than I thought. :)
 

ndjefc82

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5 Sep 2023
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15
Location
Merseyside
I got through to psychometric testing! I must have done better than I thought. :)
Congratulations.

There is a wealth of info on what to expect at OPC testing on here. The single biggest piece of advice I can give you is try not to let the pressure get to you.

Could I ask - how long was it from applying to getting an interview? The reason I ask is that a family member has applied for the same role at Liverpool, the advert closed in June and has head nothing since.
 

BBT

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17 May 2024
Messages
14
Location
Halifax
I failed on the group bourdon. I passed it to national standard but not enhanced. I passed all the other paper and computer tests. (The 2 hand coordination test, I was almost adamant I failed, I did it fast but I went out of the line alot!). Overall glad I got the opportunity and the tests weren't as bad as thought they would be. Fairly straight forward. I enjoyed the cables and dials. Smashed that. Just annoyed with myself for not practicing the group bourdon more. As this was the only one I actually practiced! That and mmi prep. Which I didn't get chance to do.

It's a six month wait until I can resit them. So I will practice and hope for the best next time.
 

Railman1991

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2 Oct 2022
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Location
Liverpool
I failed on the group bourdon. I passed it to national standard but not enhanced. I passed all the other paper and computer tests. (The 2 hand coordination test, I was almost adamant I failed, I did it fast but I went out of the line alot!). Overall glad I got the opportunity and the tests weren't as bad as thought they would be. Fairly straight forward. I enjoyed the cables and dials. Smashed that. Just annoyed with myself for not practicing the group bourdon more. As this was the only one I actually practiced! That and mmi prep. Which I didn't get chance to do.

It's a six month wait until I can resit them. So I will practice and hope for the best next time.
I haven’t heard since my last email which said I would get a date for the testing.
How long after your email did you get a date for your tests?
At least you didn’t fail, it will be valid for other TOC’s which accept a national pass.
 

CJBX

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23 Jun 2023
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Location
.
I failed on the group bourdon. I passed it to national standard but not enhanced. I passed all the other paper and computer tests. (The 2 hand coordination test, I was almost adamant I failed, I did it fast but I went out of the line alot!). Overall glad I got the opportunity and the tests weren't as bad as thought they would be. Fairly straight forward. I enjoyed the cables and dials. Smashed that. Just annoyed with myself for not practicing the group bourdon more. As this was the only one I actually practiced! That and mmi prep. Which I didn't get chance to do.

It's a six month wait until I can resit them. So I will practice and hope for the best next time.
DM'd you BBT
 

TJC3

Member
Joined
30 Nov 2023
Messages
7
Location
Leeds
Hi All

Can anyone explain to me what the main differences are between a Service Driver and a Depot Driver?

I’m guessing a service driver carries out light maintenance duties such as replenishing water tanks etc and a depot driver shunts trains.

Also in your opinion, which do you think is a better role? Are the shift patterns similar?

Thank you
 

JDAWC

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Joined
29 Nov 2023
Messages
92
Location
Manchester
Well a service driver would surely be a mainline driver no? And a depot driver is someone who shunts units around bigger depots such as Newton Heath.

Mainline 100% better. Better shifts, more variety. Oh and better money.

Why do you ask?
 

TJC3

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30 Nov 2023
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Location
Leeds
I just know that they’ve been advertised in the past but I can’t remember the differences in the job description.
Also the salary for service drivers and depot drivers are the same so less than mainline drivers. I was under the impression that both roles would be restricted to the confines of the depot.

I’m just interested in applying when a position becomes available but I wanted to know the main differences between the two
 

JDAWC

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Joined
29 Nov 2023
Messages
92
Location
Manchester
I just know that they’ve been advertised in the past but I can’t remember the differences in the job description.
Also the salary for service drivers and depot drivers are the same so less than mainline drivers. I was under the impression that both roles would be restricted to the confines of the depot.

I’m just interested in applying when a position becomes available but I wanted to know the main differences between the two
Ah I see. No idea then. Maybe Northern just changed the job title. Very common site on our railway.
 

omalleys

Member
Joined
30 Jun 2025
Messages
8
Location
Manchester
Hi all, first post.

I have managed to land myself an interview for the MDD at Newton Heath Manchester.

I currently work for Network Rail so have my PTS, good safety critical experience and good communication experience. I've even basic knowledge of the depot as we use it to access next to the new shed and have used the sidings roads before to offload our tools.

Is the interview the usual STAR based questions? (Tell me a time when...)

Does anyone know the shift patterns for Newton Heath? Is overtime plentiful too?

I know i'm getting ahead of myself but I'm just curious.

Cheers
 

abr2024

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Joined
31 Dec 2024
Messages
7
Location
Newcastle
I interviewed for an MDD role at a different depot in 2019-2020. This was a standard STAR type interview, with a few questions about Northern itself.

I would imagine it’s predominantly nightshift with day shift mixed in. At the depot I was at, there was a separate nightshift roster, and a mixed roster. Led to believe it’s all one roster now.

Fantastic foot in the door for mainline driving if that’s your thinking. Also a fantastic career in itself.
 

omalleys

Member
Joined
30 Jun 2025
Messages
8
Location
Manchester
I interviewed for an MDD role at a different depot in 2019-2020. This was a standard STAR type interview, with a few questions about Northern itself.

I would imagine it’s predominantly nightshift with day shift mixed in. At the depot I was at, there was a separate nightshift roster, and a mixed roster. Led to believe it’s all one roster now.

Fantastic foot in the door for mainline driving if that’s your thinking. Also a fantastic career in itself.
I figured it would be mainly night shift due to trains coming into the depot and needing organising for servicing/next days schedule. I'm used to almost 100% nights currently so that isn't an issue.

Hopefully if I get the job, it can be stepping stone to mainline driving like you say. One step at a time though
 

GPR

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Joined
16 Oct 2011
Messages
141
Location
Liverpool
I’ve always been under the impression Newton Heath is just one link, a mix of nights and days with Sundays outside the working week.
I’m an MDD at a different depot and new recruits had the interviews with the competency based questions, STAR method being preferable.

It wouldn’t surprise me if this changed going forward inline with how the mainline assessments have been added in before the interviews with DTMs but I’ve not heard that being the case yet.

It’ll definitely give you a footing to mainline driving as you’ll be driving the classes of trains that mainline drivers do.
It isn’t looked at as a natural progression internally but at my depot over the past 5 years 4 MDDs have gone mainline internally and 4 have gone mainline externally.
 

omalleys

Member
Joined
30 Jun 2025
Messages
8
Location
Manchester
I’ve always been under the impression Newton Heath is just one link, a mix of nights and days with Sundays outside the working week.
I’m an MDD at a different depot and new recruits had the interviews with the competency based questions, STAR method being preferable.

It wouldn’t surprise me if this changed going forward inline with how the mainline assessments have been added in before the interviews with DTMs but I’ve not heard that being the case yet.

It’ll definitely give you a footing to mainline driving as you’ll be driving the classes of trains that mainline drivers do.
It isn’t looked at as a natural progression internally but at my depot over the past 5 years 4 MDDs have gone mainline internally and 4 have gone mainline externally.
The Sundays outside the working week may be correct as we are always having late possessions Saturday night/Sunday morning due to their being no drivers in the Newton Heath depot and trains get backed up going in.

I should be fine with the interview questions as my current role I have loads of stuff to go off. It's a very time sensitive role but with health and safety heavily drummed in.

I'll have to see how it goes. I will probably report on here how it went after I've had the interview.
 

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