Chiltern - Train Manager - Recruitment Discussion

[traintee]

Hi all, have been in the application process since late last year for the role of Trainee Train Manager out of Birmingham Moor Street. Happy to say I have had a conditional offer on completion of a medical.

Wondered if there is anyone else on here who either was in the process or had a job offer too, and also if there are any current guards for Chiltern who could shed some light or pointers about what the role is like on a day to day basis (I know the main responsibilities etc), what the roster is like and also what Chiltern are like as an employer (I've heard positive things mainly so far).

Can't wait to get started!

Thanks

 

[B1990]

Well done for getting an offer! At BMO you’ll sign 165’s 168’s which are ten bell dispatch and Mk3’s where the guard has control of the doors.

Routes SBJ-MYB, LMS-SAV

35hr week Sundays outside (you don’t have to work them) shifts vary from 6hrs to 9hrs one or two are slightly longer.

Earliest start is around 0455 latest finish I believe is 0100ish.

Chiltern as a whole are pretty good.

 

[traintee]

Thanks for the reply, appreciate the info! I was under the impression BMO guards don't sign mk3's and only to Banbury.

 

[B1990]

BMO and SBJ depot sign MK3’s. Banbury is the only depot that doesn’t sign them.

There are a handful of diagrams which involve Mk3 as there aren’t many running.

Majority of the work is BSW/BMO - BAN on the 165’s and 168’s. You’ll only go to MYB on a MK3 as it’s DOO south of Banbury on DMU’s.

There are some diagrams where you travel down to MYB to work a Mk3 back or vice versa.

 

[traintee]

Lovely, that's great news. Nice to have a bit more variance. Appreciate the info.

 

[jlevers11]

Was hoping you all could give me some information about the train manager role at Chiltern. I see they are only on services north of Banbury but I was wanting to know if they ever go into London occasionally. And also what the role is like

 

[traintee]

Which depot? If you can give some more specifics of what you would like to know about the role I can shed some light for you.

 

[jlevers11]

Banbury is the depot. Just what it's like working for them and the routes the TM does. Work pattens and whether it's friendly and nice place to work. Thanks

 

[B1990]

Banbury depot signs Banbury-Birmingham snow hill and the Stratford upon Avon branch. Rolling stock is 165’s and 168’s.

Hopefully this will all change when the MK5’s are introduced.

Earliest start is 0500 latest finish is 0103. Shortest shift is 6hrs longest shift is 9hrs.

Banbury is a small but good depot.

 

[D1015]

What's it like working for Chiltern in a non driver role? Is there, was there any of the acrimony that existed at other TOCs? What are rotas like, how often is a long weekend and such please?

 

[jlevers11]

Banbury depot signs Banbury-Birmingham snow hill and the Stratford upon Avon branch. Rolling stock is 165’s and 168’s.

Hopefully this will all change when the MK5’s are introduced.

Earliest start is 0500 latest finish is 0103. Shortest shift is 6hrs longest shift is 9hrs.

Banbury is a small but good depot.

Thank you for this information. Really appreciate it

 

[tmmf]

Hi all,

I've been offered a job as TM at Chiltern, which I have accepted. Completed all the onboarding portal and passed the medical. I know my first day is a week today (06/10) but apart from that I have no further details. Does anyone know if this is a) normal, b) is anyone else starting and have information? c) know another way of contacting the HR dept?

I did send an email asking for details last Tuesday which hasn't been replied to as yet too!

Thanks in advance!

 

[lb001]

sounds very chiltern from my previous experience.

hr is Human.Resources@chilternrailways.co.uk if you’ve not already tried that

 

[RuralSquad93]

Hi all,

I've been offered a job as TM at Chiltern, which I have accepted. Completed all the onboarding portal and passed the medical. I know my first day is a week today (06/10) but apart from that I have no further details. Does anyone know if this is a) normal, b) is anyone else starting and have information? c) know another way of contacting the HR dept?

I did send an email asking for details last Tuesday which hasn't been replied to as yet too!

Thanks in advance!

I was in the same boat so emailed HR. Got a response within about an hour or so & a phone call. They're just waiting to hear the plans off my upcoming line manager. Might be worth trying HR again & seeing if you get any luck. Pop your start date in the subject line of the email

I'm not a TM though, i'll be a qualified driver but i'm starting the same date!

Hope you get some info soon

 

[DA1]

i'll be a qualified driver but i'm starting the same date!

Hey! Sorry to divert the topic, what depot? I’m starting as a qualified driver in December.

 

[RuralSquad93]

Hey! Sorry to divert the topic, what depot? I’m starting as a qualified driver in December.

Moor St for me mate. What about you?

 

[tmmf]

Moor St for me mate. What about you?

See you there then! That's the depot I'll be at too as TM

 

[RuralSquad93]

See you there then! That's the depot I'll be at too as TM

Probably see you on Monday! I look forward too it!

 

[tmmf]

Probably see you on Monday! I look forward too it!

At MYB on Monday?

 

[RuralSquad93]

At MYB on Monday?

Believe so but waiting on confirmation still from Driver Managers

 

[DA1]

Moor St for me mate. What about you?

Marylebone for me, sure we will cross paths at some point.

All the best both of you!

 

[HeelBurton]

Good luck to all who are starting over the next few months and I’ll see you at some point during your career!

 

[izzy167845]

Hi all,

I've been offered a job as TM at Chiltern, which I have accepted. Completed all the onboarding portal and passed the medical. I know my first day is a week today (06/10) but apart from that I have no further details. Does anyone know if this is a) normal, b) is anyone else starting and have information? c) know another way of contacting the HR dept?

I did send an email asking for details last Tuesday which hasn't been replied to as yet too!

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I have applied for a TM role at Chiltern and I have been invited to an interview day where I will need to complete OPC assessments and have a team exercise. I was wondering what your experience was like with this? And what kind of things the assessment are based on? I haven’t been given any material to practice for the assessments but I know at other places like XC they send you practice questions. Just want to be as prepared as possible thank you!

 

[traintee]

Hi, I have applied for a TM role at Chiltern and I have been invited to an interview day where I will need to complete OPC assessments and have a team exercise. I was wondering what your experience was like with this? And what kind of things the assessment are based on? I haven’t been given any material to practice for the assessments but I know at other places like XC they send you practice questions. Just want to be as prepared as possible thank you!

You should of definitely had some practice materials. On my assesment day someone who claimed they didn't have any couldn't take the assesments. I would follow it up

 

[jake8092]

Hi, I've applied for Train Manager role also, I'm wondering on how many days do you work and roughly how many people are in the assessment day

 

[tmmf]

Hi, I have applied for a TM role at Chiltern and I have been invited to an interview day where I will need to complete OPC assessments and have a team exercise. I was wondering what your experience was like with this? And what kind of things the assessment are based on? I haven’t been given any material to practice for the assessments but I know at other places like XC they send you practice questions. Just want to be as prepared as possible thank you!

The tests are the SCAAT symbols test and a TSCT Ticket Selling & Checking Test, the practice examples should of been or will be emailed to you! You'll do these and then do the group exercise while these are being marked. If you pass all 3 the interview will be after lunch! Best of luck!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Oct 2025 ==

Hi, I've applied for Train Manager role also, I'm wondering on how many days do you work and roughly how many people are in the assessment day

Average 35hrs a week over 5 days, Sundays rostered but not mandatory. There was 17 on my assessment day (the was another one the day after too) and there was only 7 positions. Best of luck!

 

[Dragon88]

Anyone on here who had their assessment centre at Birmingham Moor Street on either Monday 3rd or Tuesday 4th November for Banbury & Birmingham positions? Has anyone heard anything yet, results wise?

 

[izzy167845]

Anyone on here who had their assessment centre at Birmingham Moor Street on either Monday 3rd or Tuesday 4th November for Banbury & Birmingham positions? Has anyone heard anything yet, results wise?

Hi, I was there on 4th and I haven’t heard anything back yet, have you? I was expecting an interview same day but they must have done it different this time. They did say next week so hopefully Monday we hear something.

 

[Dragon88]

Hi, I was there on 4th and I haven’t heard anything back yet, have you? I was expecting an interview same day but they must have done it different this time. They did say next week so hopefully Monday we hear something.

I haven’t heard anything yet either, my invitation to the assessment centre said if we’re successful then we would be invited back for an interview so I wasn’t expecting one on the day anyway.
I was there on 3rd and they also said within a week so hopefully hear on Monday too Which post have you applied for?

 

[Vidal1996]

Anyone on here who had their assessment centre at Birmingham Moor Street on either Monday 3rd or Tuesday 4th November for Banbury & Birmingham positions? Has anyone heard anything yet, results wise?

I was there for the Birmingham assessments. Haven't heard anything yet either. Really hoping for something early this week