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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
I did just ask about my pass as I want to get the train to Chester instead of driving, especially as I'm at a few different hotels while training. Was told to call Monday if the pass hadn't turned up.
It did look like the training centre is back open after there nice Christmas and new year break, as traincrew we don't get that time off over the festive period like the office based staff.....
 
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RailUK Forums

Jonno271

Member
Joined
26 Oct 2020
Messages
30
Location
South Wales
Most people pay the parking fee as the alternative is a pain trying to park in other places, the free areas of parking are not always available.
Agreed, I can't see me trying to park elsewhere as it's mostly residential permit holder only in the vicinity, so will have to pay the fee. Will be a first after 25yrs of free parking with previous employers!

Do you know how much discount is?
 

Eccles1983

On Moderation
Joined
4 Sep 2016
Messages
841
It did look like the training centre is back open after there nice Christmas and new year break, as traincrew we don't get that time off over the festive period like the office based staff.....

The training centre wasn't shut over the xmas period with exception of xmas/boxing day like the rest of the network.

Lessons were moved online, as it was possible to do so.
 

Steam Power

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2020
Messages
61
Location
Swansea
Has the recruitment process finished yet? Have all staff been chosen? Anyone know?
Still absolutely no contact here, nothing from either TFW or Acorn regarding my application.
 
Joined
12 Aug 2020
Messages
160
Location
Shropshire
I'm assuming the training school courses are 9 to 5?

Was going to get the train up to Chester but can only find one train that gets there before 9am and its mainly with a different TOC so I can't get free travel.
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
I'm assuming the training school courses are 9 to 5?

Was going to get the train up to Chester but can only find one train that gets there before 9am and its mainly with a different TOC so I can't get free travel.
Some people get there for 8am, it's all dependent on the course trainer desired start time. We're are you travelling from ??
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
Has the recruitment process finished yet? Have all staff been chosen? Anyone know?
Still absolutely no contact here, nothing from either TFW or Acorn regarding my application.
There's ongoing course all this year going into next year, over 100 drivers training through Chester training centre apparently.
 

yabas

Member
Joined
15 Apr 2019
Messages
79
Location
Pontypridd
Has the recruitment process finished yet? Have all staff been chosen? Anyone know?
Still absolutely no contact here, nothing from either TFW or Acorn regarding my application.
It hasn't finished. Sat my assessments end of last year, waiting for dmi date
 

BrokenSam

Member
Joined
18 May 2020
Messages
272
Location
North Wales
It did look like the training centre is back open after there nice Christmas and new year break, as traincrew we don't get that time off over the festive period like the office based staff.....
We were on Teams over Christmas. No four day week for us. Lol
 

L-1011

Member
Joined
18 Oct 2021
Messages
11
Location
Cheshire
It did look like the training centre is back open after there nice Christmas and new year break, as traincrew we don't get that time off over the festive period like the office based staff.....
No cushy long weekends in the training centre though…
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
I'm travelling up from Stourbridge. Might end up driving but I'm just checking options.

Cheers for the reply.
It will be free from Smethwick galton Bridge all tfw Birmingham int to Shrewsbury services stop there at them times of getting day. You can just pay from Stourbridge to Smethwick, driving will be expensive and a pain.
 

wobman

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Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
No cushy long weekends in the training centre though…
Every weekend off though..... plus no 3am starts and night sheds lol

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We were on Teams over Christmas. No four day week for us. Lol
Just home after my 3am start today, i Bet your weren't driving a train full of drunks on new years day at 5am though...... lol
 

BrokenSam

Member
Joined
18 May 2020
Messages
272
Location
North Wales
Every weekend off though..... plus no 3am starts and night sheds lol

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Just home after my 3am start today, i Bet your weren't driving a train full of drunks on new years day at 5am though...... lol

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I've done fair share of guarding on them tho mate
 

L-1011

Member
Joined
18 Oct 2021
Messages
11
Location
Cheshire
Every weekend off though..... plus no 3am starts and night sheds lol

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Just home after my 3am start today, i Bet your weren't driving a train full of drunks on new years day at 5am though...... lol
I’d take those 0300am book ons and night sheds for that pay though, over 9-5 in the training centre any day of the week.
 

wobman

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Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
I’d take those 0300am book ons and night sheds for that pay though, over 9-5 in the training centre any day of the week.
If you chat to the trainers the reason they go in there is to get away from the 3am starts and night shed work etc, plus working most weekends and bank Holidays isn't great for the family life.
 
Joined
12 Aug 2020
Messages
160
Location
Shropshire
It will be free from Smethwick galton Bridge all tfw Birmingham int to Shrewsbury services stop there at them times of getting day. You can just pay from Stourbridge to Smethwick, driving will be expensive and a pain.

Usually but the only train to get there before 9am is on West Midlands to Crewe then TfW to Chester.

The TfW train doesn't arrive till 9.20am in Chester.

Thanks again though.
 
Joined
12 Aug 2020
Messages
160
Location
Shropshire
Happy new year mate.

I've been given hotel accommodation (3 different hotels), going to drive up because I won't be there by 9am otherwise. Apparently the first 2 weeks are office hours then it may change so might be able to get the train up at some point.

Any news with jobs for yourself?
 
Joined
24 Apr 2020
Messages
272
Location
Wolverhampton
So you're going to drive up for day one then check-in to your hotel after the first 'class'?

No news on the job front, but the year is young. My current employer has reopened my department so the wait should be less agonising this year.
 
Joined
12 Aug 2020
Messages
160
Location
Shropshire
That's the plan. The course is being done at the 3 hotels I'm booked in at so we don't have far to go. I'll just leave my bags with reception and collect them afterwards. Thankfully after the 5th week I should be ok to get the train as it's pretty much next to the station.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
 
Joined
12 Aug 2020
Messages
160
Location
Shropshire
Yeah, one in the city centre that's a bit of a ball ache to get to. We are there for 4 weeks, then 1 week at a hotel just outside Chester. After that we are at a hotel about 5 minutes walk from the station for the rest of the course, all really nice hotels as well.

Cheers, I'll keep you updated with how its going.
 

craigybagel

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Joined
25 Oct 2012
Messages
5,826
Every weekend off though..... plus no 3am starts and night sheds lol

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


Just home after my 3am start today, i Bet your weren't driving a train full of drunks on new years day at 5am though...... lol
To be fair though, I did bring a trainee conductor home the other week when I was on nights - they had the trainees in over night as it was the only way they could get some traction training in!
I’d take those 0300am book ons and night sheds for that pay though, over 9-5 in the training centre any day of the week.
The instructors in the training centre are on a higher salary than the grades they train.
 

Jordll52

New Member
Joined
19 Jul 2020
Messages
4
Location
Gwynedd
I'm assuming the training school courses are 9 to 5?

Was going to get the train up to Chester but can only find one train that gets there before 9am and its mainly with a different TOC so I can't get free travel.
I emailed our trainer for our course re start time on the 18th, he told me what train to get from Bangor (arrives Chester 9.27am) and that 10am arrival at hotel would be fine. Hope this helps.
 

wobman

Established Member
Joined
2 Jan 2011
Messages
1,233
To be fair though, I did bring a trainee conductor home the other week when I was on nights - they had the trainees in over night as it was the only way they could get some traction training in!

The instructors in the training centre are on a higher salary than the grades they train.
Yes Mark the trainer tends to do that with his trainees, I see them sometimes at 4am at Chester jumping on units.
 

Plodster

Member
Joined
21 Feb 2019
Messages
370
Location
North
I emailed our trainer for our course re start time on the 18th, he told me what train to get from Bangor (arrives Chester 9.27am) and that 10am arrival at hotel would be fine. Hope this helps.
Cheers Jordll52
I’ll be getting that train too
Dropped you a DM
 
Joined
12 Aug 2020
Messages
160
Location
Shropshire
I emailed our trainer for our course re start time on the 18th, he told me what train to get from Bangor (arrives Chester 9.27am) and that 10am arrival at hotel would be fine. Hope this helps.

Excellent, thanks for that mate. Makes it a lot easier for the following week.
 

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