Prospective Train Drivers

[O L Leigh]

Sorry to be a moaner, but I seem to be repeating myself an awful lot.

Firstly, welcome to all new members who are hoping to join the footplate and the best of luck in your endeavours. Please do stick around and let us know how you get on. However, please read the thread entitled "Becoming a Train Driver" together with the website linked to in that thread first before asking for advice.

I expect that you will find the answers to any questions you may have there together with more links to take you further. If there is anything else, please do not hesitate to ask and we'll provide whatever information and advice we can.

Thank you.

O L Leigh

 

[Jordy]

Thread stickied

If we can keep all questions in that one thread, it will be more helpful to those looking for information too.

 

[bloogrape]

Good site to learn items from. I have applied for Mainline Driver and have been shortlisted, here is my blog

[link removed as it did not work]

 

[Flyboy]

bloogrape - link is broken.

 

[rostill2007]

hi all im new and i would like to know how to go a bout getting a shunting job as im under 21 with the idea of driving passengers afterwards i have read through the link above and am wondering wether shunting requires the same tests/ selection process of driving passengers, any advice much appreciated

 

[ungreat]

Shunters dont drive trains mate.Get a shunters job and you are pulling points and in charge of the sidings you are based at.

There are no psychometric tests for shunters

 

[rostill2007]

thanks for the reply mate but is there any way of "getting in" before im 21

 

[ungreat]

Yes.

Apply for a shunters job lol. Depending on your age,you will be limited to what you are allowed to do job wise on the railway.Under 18,virtually nothing,over 18 and under 21,a few more things and over 21 everything.

 

[rostill2007]

ok mate thanks i assume you have to start as a trainee to be a shunter. also where is the best place to search for this kind of job as google flags up mainly sites that just link you to different sites that arent much use

 

[GB]

Check TOC of FOC websites or write directly to their HR department, and yes, unless you are qualified in the grade you will start as a trainee.....like most jobs

 

[rostill2007]

ok buddy cheers will try do you guys think im likely to find a place in birmingham or is it just best to take a job were ever i can i dont mind moving/ travelling will this be a good point to mention in any cover letters i write many thanks in advance

 

[ungreat]

I know FCC are recruiting for both shunters and drivers...was told the other day that there will be a lot of recruiting for trainee drivers very soon at FCC

 

[rostill2007]

hi thanks for letting me know about that i have had a look on the fcc site it doesnt say wether the shunter job gives training do you think maybe im better off finding a "normal" job for now until i can just apply for trainee driver positions when im 21 next year? im really not sure what to do

 

[ChrisM66]

Hello to you all,nice forum.

I bet you get asked this loads of times please forgive me if thats the case but if you dont ask and all that


I am 44 and have reached a bit of a crossroads in my life and am thinking about if i would be train driver material.

After coming out of the army i trained as an electrician which i have been doing for around 16 years now ,working as self employed for the last six years,my job is not what it was and think its time for a change.

I have a good aptitude for science and maths which came in handy as a sparkie,and have a good grasp of anything mechanical,i can remain calm under pressure, learn quickly,and im in good health.

I have been checking all the main sites looking for trainee train driver positions but nothing yet.

Be honest am i wasting my time thinking about this or should i go for it and hope for the best,i do realise its difficult getting in from outside the industry.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[387star]

Hi there are train driver vacancies for Northern at the moment.

Being in the army is fantastic experience and I'd say sets you at an advantage

 

[ChrisM66]

Cheers for the reply,i have seen the northern one but dont fancy relocating to york,i have applied for the reading one for the oxford depot.

I am just within the 1 hour limit for oxford but would be willing to move closer if needs be.

 

[bailey19]

Hi mate noticed you have applied for the trainee train driver at FGW as well ive applied for the reading post not sure how long we will be waiting for a reply fingers crossed it wont be long .Also applied for guard and commercial guard at SWT very keen to work in the rail enviroment ive worked as a self employed decorator for years and been wai iting for this sort of job oppertunity to come a long .all the best with your application mate .

 

[greg.g]

Hi there, my name is Greg and I'm new to the forum. First of all, big thank you to all of you for creating such a insightful source of information.

I was wondering whether you know if

www.railwayregister.care4free.net/becoming_a_train_driver.htm

has changed its address? I tried to access it however it seems like the content has been removed. That would be a real shame as I noticed that many users refer to it in their posts. Thank you in advance for your help guys.

 

[EirikhO]

Hi there, my name is Greg and I'm new to the forum. First of all, big thank you to all of you for creating such a insightful source of information.

I was wondering whether you know if

www.railwayregister.care4free.net/becoming_a_train_driver.htm

has changed its address? I tried to access it however it seems like the content has been removed. That would be a real shame as I noticed that many users refer to it in their posts. Thank you in advance for your help guys.

The page does indeed seem to be deleted, but there's a cached version from 2008 here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20081219174114/http://www.railwayregister.care4free.net/becoming_a_train_driver.htm.
Note that this is an exact copy of how the page looked like in mid-December 2008.

 

[greg.g]

Thanks a lot for your help! By any chance does anyone know where can you get the Group Bourdon Tool 2.0 from Digital Reality? The download section on their website doesn't seem to be working

 

[HOPEFUL1]

Hi I have a medical coming up for a trainee driver post - I know I am generally fit -hearing sight is fine and no drink or drug issues but can anyone tell me what the mobility tests involve.

Thanks

 

[TDK]

Hi I have a medical coming up for a trainee driver post - I know I am generally fit -hearing sight is fine and no drink or drug issues but can anyone tell me what the mobility tests involve.

Thanks

Stand on one leg, finger to finger pointing, squatting and balance, I have had a recent medical and this is what I had to do, you also have to have an ECG and blood pressure. Dont drink anything with caffeine or smoke before the medical by the way

 

[HOPEFUL1]

Many thanks - how far away did you start with the finger to finger test. Which TOC are you joining

 

[TDK]

Many thanks - how far away did you start with the finger to finger test. Which TOC are you joining

I haven't got a clue what distance the finger to finger excercise was and I am already in a TOC.

 

[LCC106]

Stand on one leg, finger to finger pointing, squatting and balance, I have had a recent medical and this is what I had to do, you also have to have an ECG and blood pressure. Dont drink anything with caffeine or smoke before the medical by the way

Hi there! Interested in why you shouldn't drink caffeine prior to the medical - especially since I am a caffeine fiend ... Any ideas please?

 

[156441]

Caffeine and Smoking can increase blood pressure which may put you outside normal parameters. Caffeine may also give you 'missed beats' known as ectopic beats on an ECG (which are harmless) but it may then cause them to have to investigate your cardiac history more in depth.

 

[LCC106]

Ah! Thanks for that. Luckily my blood pressure has always been normal but I will watch my intake (if and) when I get to that stage!

 

[Railsigns]

Hi there, my name is Greg and I'm new to the forum. First of all, big thank you to all of you for creating such a insightful source of information.

I was wondering whether you know if

www.railwayregister.care4free.net/becoming_a_train_driver.htm

has changed its address? I tried to access it however it seems like the content has been removed. That would be a real shame as I noticed that many users refer to it in their posts. Thank you in advance for your help guys.

That site is now at: http://www.traindriver.org/

 

[Louby]

I got short listed for Northern, but failed my DSI but I know where I went wrong, once I pass this (and I will) does anyone know what cmes next???

 

[chrisbaxter]

so how long have you worked for nx