Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[akoj]

Finally got the news I was waiting for, passed the MMI. Massive relief!

 

[stushe86]

Im still waiting to get a date for testing and I'm waiting for Glasgow

 

[Dk1992]

Hi all

I was hoping to hear back from anyone who is currently on the driver training programme or has qualified to find out how the schedule works.

I want to have an idea of how the weeks and months of training go in order to plan for child care and to let my partner work around my schedule.

Any info would be much appreciated.

 

[Krisd88]

Hi all

I was hoping to hear back from anyone who is currently on the driver training programme or has qualified to find out how the schedule works.

I want to have an idea of how the weeks and months of training go in order to plan for child care and to let my partner work around my schedule.

Any info would be much appreciated.

Would be keen to find out too!

 

[tallpaulself]

Re contract, you'll probably receive it the day you're due to hand in your months notice, which is a bit stressful, that's what happened with me and others I know. I only know of one person who got hers 5 weeks before start date. And also, once you get your contract they're not the best with communication lol


That's actually probably not bad news as it could be down to a shortage of DIs. There's been talk of our DIs possibly having to double up trainees, which understandably they're not keen for....double length of time to pass out, and double the paperwork for the DIs. So they're maybe waiting until some DIs are freed up. Is it a 6 month reserve pool still?

Thanks for this! Nothing like last minute eh?

 

[C4ke]

Hi All.
Been an avid lurker for a while now.
I was informed I have passed my first set of tests at Atrium court(group bourdon, beeps etc.). Could some one please dm me with any info or help on the interview stage that's next please.

 

[Samsanbor]

Hi all

I was hoping to hear back from anyone who is currently on the driver training programme or has qualified to find out how the schedule works.

I want to have an idea of how the weeks and months of training go in order to plan for child care and to let my partner work around my schedule.

Any info would be much appreciated.

The first week they will give you a schedule tailored for your course and depot, including dates etc.

It will look something like this:
Online induction, 2 days.
PTS and basic railway principles, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 1, 5 days.
Operating trains in service, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 2, 5 days.
Out of course and emergencies, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 3, 5 days.
Basic core traction training 15 days.
Training train 10 days.
Traction conversion 1, 10 days.
Training train, 5 days.
Traction conversion 2, 5 days.

Practical train handling with an instructor, minimum 263 hrs / minimum 70 days.

Risk awareness module, 5 days.
Depot specific risk awareness, 5 or 10 or 15 days.
Rules revision, 5 days.

Verification 15 / 20 days.

Please note when training at Atrium Court days are Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.
Schedule and courses can be slightly different depending your depot and tractions.
When out with your instructor will follow his/her shifts, no Sundays are allowed unless for ad hoc or prior management agreement.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jmonty24]

The first week they will give you a schedule tailored for your course and depot, including dates etc.

It will look something like this:
Online induction, 2 days.
PTS and basic railway principles, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 1, 5 days.
Operating trains in service, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 2, 5 days.
Out of course and emergencies, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 3, 5 days.
Basic core traction training 15 days.
Training train 10 days.
Traction conversion 1, 10 days.
Training train, 5 days.
Traction conversion 2, 5 days.

Practical train handling with an instructor, minimum 263 hrs / minimum 70 days.

Risk awareness module, 5 days.
Depot specific risk awareness, 5 or 10 or 15 days.
Rules revision, 5 days.

Verification 15 / 20 days.

Please note when training at Atrium Court days are Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.
Schedule and courses can be slightly different depending your depot and tractions.
When out with your instructor will follow his/her shifts, no Sundays are allowed unless for ad hoc or prior management agreement.

Hope this helps.

Great insight for upcoming training, thanks!

 

[Kuksoolgirl]

The first week they will give you a schedule tailored for your course and depot, including dates etc.

It will look something like this:
Online induction, 2 days.
PTS and basic railway principles, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 1, 5 days.
Operating trains in service, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 2, 5 days.
Out of course and emergencies, 10 days.
Cab experience turn 3, 5 days.
Basic core traction training 15 days.
Training train 10 days.
Traction conversion 1, 10 days.
Training train, 5 days.
Traction conversion 2, 5 days.

Practical train handling with an instructor, minimum 263 hrs / minimum 70 days.

Risk awareness module, 5 days.
Depot specific risk awareness, 5 or 10 or 15 days.
Rules revision, 5 days.

Verification 15 / 20 days.

Please note when training at Atrium Court days are Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.
Schedule and courses can be slightly different depending your depot and tractions.
When out with your instructor will follow his/her shifts, no Sundays are allowed unless for ad hoc or prior management agreement.

Hope this helps.

The course has since changed , I don't know much about the new format other than traction and train handling is earlier than the previous timetable , which I also did.

 

[Samsanbor]

The course has since changed , I don't know much about the new format other than traction and train handling is earlier than the previous timetable , which I also did.

This is correct, the content is still the same but they are trying to give trainees an earlier experience in the cab instead of bombarding too much with lot of theory information regarding rules and traction.
The very 1st of the "new format" started last April.

A note to say that the overall length of the course leading to the final qualification won't change.

 

[380101]

This is correct, the content is still the same but they are trying to give trainees an earlier experience in the cab instead of bombarding too much with lot of theory information regarding rules and traction.
The very 1st of the "new format" started last April.

A note to say that the overall length of the course leading to the final qualification won't change.

You only do 1 week of cab turns now on the new course.

The new restructured course was scheduled to start in 2024, but due to shortage of driving instructors at depots it was delayed and only began in April 2025.

The main changes, as you alude to, are earlier practical train handling with a driver trainer, which is far more beneficial to a trainee compared to weeks 2 and 3 of cab turns.

 

[tackleberry43]

Has anyone got a start date for the beginning of October.

 

[doonhamer]

Has anyone got a start date for the beginning of October.

I’m the 16th October for my induction.

 

[tackleberry43]

I’m the 16th October for my induction.

I’m 2nd and 3rd. Just wondering if anyone on here was on the same dates

 

[Toastal]

Good evening folks…Big Congratulations to all those who have been successful and awaiting course start dates of late. Please can someone in the know help me square away something in my mind. The “5 year rule”, regarding validity of assessment passes etc……what exactly does this mean? Do you need to have passed all of the assessment stages and commenced an induction course within that time? What happens if you get put into a hold pool that extends beyond the 5 years after your first assessment day? Any help and advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Kindest regards, T

 

[Class2ldn]

You need to be on a course before they expire, if you're put into a pool and it's longer then they will expire and you'll have to redo them unfortunately