Over three years ago now I had the opportunity to briefly speak to a train driver at Rugby. I took the chance to ask his advice about how to become a train driver and his answer was simply perseverance.
It was from there that my journey started and how true those words of advice came to be.
I failed my first attempt at stage 1 and actually found that very valuable and a good foundation to move forward. Not long after that I found UK rail forums and was able to prepare at a different level given all the information and advice available.
About six months later I had the opportunity to do stage 1 again and passed.
Shortly after that I went to stage 2 passing the computer tests. I failed the MMI missing out on one question, frustrating! On reflection I know I let myself down and could have fully passed at that attempt.
So again an enforced wait and it was close to a year before getting the chance to re take the MMI and passed.
Onto the DMI shortly afterwards and despite an apparently great interview I failed. This really shook me particularly as the one interviewer who showed me out said he had no problems with the interview.
However never let a set back end your journey. I asked for feedback and only really got a you could have answered two of the questions in depth a bit more.
So I re doubled my efforts to prep for a DMI and nearly a year later I got another chance, but this time at a depot ten minutes from home! The interview lasted nearly two and a half hours so I think I covered the in depth bit okay! The feedback was great and I passed.
Sometimes the stars have a different journey planned for you and you just need to be prepared for things to not go your way all the time.
So after three long years I am super excited to start my train driver training tomorrow morning and I am extremely grateful to the people on this forum that have provided advice and guidance.
For those still on their journey I go back to the start of my post. Perseverance is key and that initial chat over three years ago turned out to be oh so true. Good luck to all
It was from there that my journey started and how true those words of advice came to be.
I failed my first attempt at stage 1 and actually found that very valuable and a good foundation to move forward. Not long after that I found UK rail forums and was able to prepare at a different level given all the information and advice available.
About six months later I had the opportunity to do stage 1 again and passed.
Shortly after that I went to stage 2 passing the computer tests. I failed the MMI missing out on one question, frustrating! On reflection I know I let myself down and could have fully passed at that attempt.
So again an enforced wait and it was close to a year before getting the chance to re take the MMI and passed.
Onto the DMI shortly afterwards and despite an apparently great interview I failed. This really shook me particularly as the one interviewer who showed me out said he had no problems with the interview.
However never let a set back end your journey. I asked for feedback and only really got a you could have answered two of the questions in depth a bit more.
So I re doubled my efforts to prep for a DMI and nearly a year later I got another chance, but this time at a depot ten minutes from home! The interview lasted nearly two and a half hours so I think I covered the in depth bit okay! The feedback was great and I passed.
Sometimes the stars have a different journey planned for you and you just need to be prepared for things to not go your way all the time.
So after three long years I am super excited to start my train driver training tomorrow morning and I am extremely grateful to the people on this forum that have provided advice and guidance.
For those still on their journey I go back to the start of my post. Perseverance is key and that initial chat over three years ago turned out to be oh so true. Good luck to all
