GWR - Qualified Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[JRTrains]

Hello. I’m a driver looking to move to GWR and have an interview lined up. The advert is for a ‘talent pool’ and I know that timescales might therefore be variable, should I be fortunate to pass the interview. Does anyone have any experience of moving to GWR in the Westcountry recently? And if so, how swiftly did things move (or not)? Thanks for all your help.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Sep 2025 ==

Hello. I’m a driver looking to move to GWR and have an interview lined up. The advert is for a ‘talent pool’ and I know that timescales might therefore be variable, should I be fortunate to pass the interview. Does anyone have any experience of moving to GWR in the Westcountry recently? And if so, how swiftly did things move (or not)? Thanks for all your help.

@Carl98k I was wondering if you might have any insight? Thank you

 

[Bono]

If it helps at all, I had a successful interview with GWR back in May, added to ‘reserve’ list, still waiting on news of any potential medical/starts dates. This is for a SW Depot. As you mentioned, think it will be variable depending on the requirements at a particular location.

 

[JRTrains]

If it helps at all, I had a successful interview with GWR back in May, added to ‘reserve’ list, still waiting on news of any potential medical/starts dates. This is for a SW Depot. As you mentioned, think it will be variable depending on the requirements at a particular location.

Thanks very much - I appreciate that very much

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Sep 2025 ==

If it helps at all, I had a successful interview with GWR back in May, added to ‘reserve’ list, still waiting on news of any potential medical/starts dates. This is for a SW Depot. As you mentioned, think it will be variable depending on the requirements at a particular location.

Thanks again. Do you mind me asking which depot this was for out of interest?

 

[Bono]

Thanks again. Do you mind me asking which depot this was for out of interest?

I applied for Par in Cornwall, believe they are recruiting for the whole SW region. I know in the past that things have moved more quickly at Exeter SD for example. Luck of the draw I guess!

 

[JRTrains]

I applied for Par in Cornwall, believe they are recruiting for the whole SW region. I know in the past that things have moved more quickly at Exeter SD for example. Luck of the draw I guess!

Thanks very much and I hope you have some success soon!

 

[Bono]

Thanks very much and I hope you have some success soon!

No problem, let’s hope so! Good luck with your interview.

 

[JRTrains]

No problem, let’s hope so! Good luck with your interview.

Thank you very much for that

 

[BTU]

Does anyone here work as a driver at Penzance or Par? I was thinking of applying for the qualified driver talent pool vacancy I just wanted some insight into the rosters length of driving turns is there nights? how many links ? what is the work like? is there much OT? are swaps readily available anything that could help me decide on where to see my time out I've only got 7 years left and I'd like to retire in Cornwall in this area. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[irish_rail]

Does anyone here work as a driver at Penzance or Par? I was thinking of applying for the qualified driver talent pool vacancy I just wanted some insight into the rosters length of driving turns is there nights? how many links ? what is the work like? is there much OT? are swaps readily available anything that could help me decide on where to see my time out I've only got 7 years left and I'd like to retire in Cornwall in this area. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Nowadays I'd argue the Cornish depots are not retirement depots , with lots of young drivers many of whom are actually Cornish! I'd think very long and hard about doing the clichéd retirement to Cornwall, it isn't for everyone, not by a longshot, and naturally some meet with local resistance, especially if relocating from say London with 800 grand to buy a house!
Par have no nights, Penzance I believe have a few. Par go as far as Plymouth, good mix of mainline and branch work, whilst Penzance go through to Exeter and also do St Ives and Falmouth. Work is inevitably a little monotonous after a time, however many do enjoy it. I suppose it depends what you are used to / enjoy. If at Penzance, Exeter and back would be your day I think. Other jobs such as Plymouth then a couple trips to Falmouth or similar. Nothing too strenuous overall. Traction at both depots would involve 80x, 150, 158, 175. HST will be gone by December. No sleeper work at present, that's all HSS and is limited to Penzance to Long Rock depot only, with Plymouth doing the sleeper work in Cornwall.

 

[jb42]

Hello. I’m a driver looking to move to GWR and have an interview lined up. The advert is for a ‘talent pool’ and I know that timescales might therefore be variable, should I be fortunate to pass the interview. Does anyone have any experience of moving to GWR in the Westcountry recently? And if so, how swiftly did things move (or not)? Thanks for all your help.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Sep 2025 ==


@Carl98k I was wondering if you might have any insight? Thank you

Hello mate, how did the interview go? I’ve got a qualified driver interview lined up - any tips on the interview? Any news about next steps?

 

[JRTrains]

Hello mate, how did the interview go? I’ve got a qualified driver interview lined up - any tips on the interview? Any news about next steps?

Thanks for your message. It hasn’t happened yet but it’s on the approach! Well done on landing an interview yourself. Have you been driving long?

 

[vc99]

Hello mate, how did the interview go? I’ve got a qualified driver interview lined up - any tips on the interview? Any news about next steps?

Which depot you applying too?

 

[emtb]

Hello all im considering applying for a qualified driver position at Swansea depot. Does anyone know of the shift/rest day pattern? how many Sundays they have committed per year? And also any other useful information.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[emtb]

GWR Swansea qualified driver interview possibly coming up. Any tips for interview or info on Swansea as a depot? Links etc etc Thanks

 

[TheAnswer89]

GWR Swansea qualified driver interview possibly coming up. Any tips for interview or info on Swansea as a depot? Links etc etc Thanks

How long have you waited since applying?

 

[highflyer777]

Hello does anybody know if Plymouth are likely to be recruiting qualified drivers anytime soon? Cheers

 

[class ep-09]

Hello does anybody know if Plymouth are likely to be recruiting qualified drivers anytime soon? Cheers

I have heard that it is most ( or at least very ) sought after depot among internal transfers, where waiting list is quite ling, so to come from outside may be a long wait if ever.
Happy to be corrected, it’s just what I heard

 

[irish_rail]

I have heard that it is most ( or at least very ) sought after depot among internal transfers, where waiting list is quite ling, so to come from outside may be a long wait if ever.
Happy to be corrected, it’s just what I heard

Incorrect. We've had lots of qualifieds come to Plymouth. The days of it being dead man's shoes ended about 10 years ago when GWR started recruiting countless drivers at all depots. I'd be surprised if there isn't jobs advertised this year. Still quite an old depot so more retirements etc likely in next couple of years, not to mention all the training going on with 175s etc.

 

[highflyer777]

Incorrect. We've had lots of qualifieds come to Plymouth. The days of it being dead man's shoes ended about 10 years ago when GWR started recruiting countless drivers at all depots. I'd be surprised if there isn't jobs advertised this year. Still quite an old depot so more retirements etc likely in next couple of years, not to mention all the training going on with 175s etc.

Interesting do you think that more vacancies would come up for Exeter or par compared to Plymouth?

 

[irish_rail]

Interesting do you think that more vacancies would come up for Exeter or par compared to Plymouth?

No idea I'm afraid. All will need additional drivers. Probably better to look at the bigger picture, as in where do you want to actually be. If you plump for Exeter, expect to do quite a few years of branch line driving before getting on intercity stuff. Par also, lots of branchlines. Plymouth, intercity work and IETs from day one, and you'd probably sign Penzance to Reading / London within a couple of years. Yes I'm biased, but Plymouth is probably the best depot on the Western in terms of routes and traction.

 

[Bono]

@irish_rail Out of interest, are there many drivers that work permanent earlies/lates at your depot and/or Western depots in general?

 

[halfajob]

@irish_rail Out of interest, are there many drivers that work permanent earlies/lates at your depot and/or Western depots in general?

There are a couple of depots who have permanent early or late links. BTM I think even has perm night links

 

[Bono]

@halfajob Interesting, thanks.

 

[irish_rail]

@irish_rail Out of interest, are there many drivers that work permanent earlies/lates at your depot and/or Western depots in general?

At Plymouth there are a handful of drivers who are permanently earlies or lates. Off the top of my head about 6 from circa100 drivers. Swaps are of course available!

 

[Bono]

At Plymouth there are a handful of drivers who are permanently earlies or lates. Off the top of my head about 6 from circa100 drivers. Swaps are of course available!

Thanks, I (wrongly) assumed it would be more.

 

[highflyer777]

At Plymouth there are a handful of drivers who are permanently earlies or lates. Off the top of my head about 6 from circa100 drivers. Swaps are of course available!

How does the process work for getting either or? Is there a waitlist?

 

[irish_rail]

How does the process work for getting either or? Is there a waitlist?

There is a link of 3 (GwR west) drivers who are all instructors and do permanent earlies.
There is then a few HSS drivers who have been driving for donkeys years who have been accommodated to their early or late preference due to various needs / reasons.
There are one or two also in their "own" links , again these are either early or late links, and again they are there for various reasons negotiated with management.
For a driver new to the company, the best bet would be to attempt to find a permanent swap , ie the two of you swap weeks of work to ensure you always get whatever is your preference, and there are one or two who do this, nothing formal,just an understanding between the two drivers!

 

[bigshunts]

Hi all, I’ve seen GWR are looking for qualified drivers in Plymouth. Can someone give some idea of the work content, especially on the lower links as I guess that’s where new drivers start. And what the spot is like as a whole.

Thank you

 

[Class2ldn]

Theres no ad for plymouth so where have you seen that?

 

[irish_rail]

Hi all, I’ve seen GWR are looking for qualified drivers in Plymouth. Can someone give some idea of the work content, especially on the lower links as I guess that’s where new drivers start. And what the spot is like as a whole.

Thank you

You'd go onto the "GWR" side (ie not HSS, the former high speed drivers). GWR sign as far as Paddington in the east, Penzance in the west, plus Laira depot, Gunnislake, Looe, and Newquay. The lower links start with Par to Exeter plus Gunnislake, Looe and Laira, however most drivers progress to signing Penzance and Reading within a few years. The top link does Paddington and this is currently being expanded. My guess is eventually everyone will do Paddington as us HSS drivers gradually retire and hand the work over to GWR.
It's a great depot for route variety, however less good for start and finish times which are generally very early or very late, especially on the GWR side. Traction would be 80x, 150s, followed shortly after by 175s. GWR side top link also to begin learning class 57s from December (to share the work presumably with HSS) .
Decent depot, quite close knit and management generally good, you could do alot worse.

Oh, and traction wise includes Voyagers within Laira depot as well.