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GWR - Train Manager / Conductor Recruitment and Discussion

Robbiern

New Member
Joined
15 Jun 2025
Messages
2
Location
Gloucester
Just a little info about my time line from applying to start date:

-Applied Jan 25

-Tests taken in March

-Interview had in Apr

-Heard i had been added to TP in Jun

-Got asked if I could Start Nov/Dec in Sept

-Medical in Sept

-Confirmed Start Date December at Glos

So for me it's been roughly a year from applying to just about to start.

The recruitment team have been pretty decent with regular emails etc and pretty efficient with there online portal for paperwork etc.
 
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JohnThomas

New Member
Joined
13 Nov 2025
Messages
3
Location
Farnborough
Hi Folks. I'm new here having joined this great rail forum and having applied for a conductor role at GWR in Reading, I'm after some advice regarding the Interview stage. I have passed all the assessments at stage 1 and I'm now hopefully looking at attending the stage 2 interview in Swindon.
Would anyone be kind enough to tell me exactly what happens at the interview stage? I understand that there is a group and individual exercise and I am trying to find out exactly what this entails to help me to prepare? I'd appreciate any help. Thank you.
 

D1015

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2024
Messages
121
Location
SWML
Could anyone clarify the pay scales for conductors and TMs please? I understand that the basic salary after pay rise is going upto around £45k and that Sundays are still voluntary. Are Sundays 1.25 or 1.5x ? Thankyou.
 

JohnThomas

New Member
Joined
13 Nov 2025
Messages
3
Location
Farnborough
Just a little info about my time line from applying to start date:

-Applied Jan 25

-Tests taken in March

-Interview had in Apr

-Heard i had been added to TP in Jun

-Got asked if I could Start Nov/Dec in Sept

-Medical in Sept

-Confirmed Start Date December at Glos

So for me it's been roughly a year from applying to just about to start.

The recruitment team have been pretty decent with regular emails etc and pretty efficient with there online portal for paperwork etc.
Thank you for this info. Can you recall what you had to do during your stage 2 interview?
 

TM2025

New Member
Joined
23 Sep 2025
Messages
3
Location
London
Paddington, by the way do I get put into a pool or something what does that mean
Hi did you get the position or still waiting to hear back?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Hi did you get the position or still waiting to hear back?
I’m trying to get info from someone Who works at Paddington as my BFF got a job there but would like to know more from an insider. Can someone please help? Thank you
 

McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
Hi Folks. I'm new here having joined this great rail forum and having applied for a conductor role at GWR in Reading, I'm after some advice regarding the Interview stage. I have passed all the assessments at stage 1 and I'm now hopefully looking at attending the stage 2 interview in Swindon.
Would anyone be kind enough to tell me exactly what happens at the interview stage? I understand that there is a group and individual exercise and I am trying to find out exactly what this entails to help me to prepare? I'd appreciate any help. Thank you.
I believe there's a group of managers assessing candidates (this is certainly the case for TMs). They'll ask a question for each group, ie; how would you approach this? How would you enhance/improve/add value? How would you ensure the safety procedures? etc, etc..
They also give a 'difficult/challenging' customer scenario (or equivalent) and will want you to discuss the best solution for the customer.
At Paddington they can have upto 10 managers at this assessment. Other depots may have less.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Could anyone clarify the pay scales for conductors and TMs please? I understand that the basic salary after pay rise is going upto around £45k and that Sundays are still voluntary. Are Sundays 1.25 or 1.5x ? Thankyou.
As I understand it, that pay of 45k is based on a 35 hour week, the real pay will probably be a touch under 50k (with enforced overtime it could take it over). A commercial Guard at SWR pays similar but Sunday work there is mandatory.
When they roster you in (GWR) for Sunday work, you can reject it given enough time.
I believe it's 17 Sundays out of 52 you are rostered to work at the overtime rate @1.25
I just calculated the hourly rate, it works out around (on qualified pay) 25.00+ at standard rate on a salary of 45k+ and 31.00+ at a overtime rate of x1.25. I may be off, but don't think it would too far off.

I don't think Paddington have conductors.
 
Last edited:

D1015

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2024
Messages
121
Location
SWML
That's great McReadie, thank you for the thorough reply. Much appreciate it, I can consider my options now.
 

Frenchy7119

Member
Joined
8 Apr 2024
Messages
99
Location
south wales
Just a little info about my time line from applying to start date:

-Applied Jan 25

-Tests taken in March

-Interview had in Apr

-Heard i had been added to TP in Jun

-Got asked if I could Start Nov/Dec in Sept

-Medical in Sept

-Confirmed Start Date December at Glos

So for me it's been roughly a year from applying to just about to start.

The recruitment team have been pretty decent with regular emails etc and pretty efficient with there online portal for paperwork etc.
Well you been very lucky! Been in the talent pool for Swansea for 16 months, I have had no contact and have request updates at 6 months and 1 year and only recent had a reply to say yes you still there and no still no jobs lol. Yet since my application they have sent out 2 more job adverts for the same role so very confusing
 

McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
Hi did you get the position or still waiting to hear back?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


I’m trying to get info from someone Who works at Paddington as my BFF got a job there but would like to know more from an insider. Can someone please help? Thank you
As I understand it, that pay of 45k is based on a 35 hour week, the real pay will probably be a touch under 50k (with enforced overtime it could take it over too). A commercial Guard at SWR pays similar but Sunday work there is mandatory.
When they (GWR) roster you in for Sunday work, you can reject it given enough time.
I believe it's 17 Sundays out of 52 you are rostered to work at the overtime rate @1.25
I just calculated the hourly rate, it works out around (on qualified pay) 25.00+ at standard rate on a salary of 45k+ and 31.00+ at a overtime rate of x1.25. I may be off, but don't think it would too far off.

I don't think Paddington have conductors.
 
Last edited:

Olifant12

New Member
Joined
16 Dec 2025
Messages
3
Location
Woking
Hi all

Have recently seen an advert for Conductor with GWR at Redhill and have applied.

I am currently a Guard with SWR but I am interested to know the work content of Redhill depot if anyone could help?

I’m aware it’s a small depot and only sign 2 routes (I think) but if anyone has any diagrams from Redhill I would appreciate it!!

Cheers

Will
 

Crawley Ben

Member
Joined
14 Jul 2011
Messages
539
Location
West Worthing
Hi all

Have recently seen an advert for Conductor with GWR at Redhill and have applied.

I am currently a Guard with SWR but I am interested to know the work content of Redhill depot if anyone could help?

I’m aware it’s a small depot and only sign 2 routes (I think) but if anyone has any diagrams from Redhill I would appreciate it!!

Cheers

Will

Hiya, not a guard but I am an RPI whose based at Redhill Depot.

You are correct, the guards there only sign the North Downs (Gatwick - Reading) & Reading to Basingstoke.

I am on duty tomorrow and will see if I can get a copy of the roster from one of the guards there, and will ping you a DM in due course.

Thanks and good luck with your application.

Ben
 

Olifant12

New Member
Joined
16 Dec 2025
Messages
3
Location
Woking
Hiya, not a guard but I am an RPI whose based at Redhill Depot.

You are correct, the guards there only sign the North Downs (Gatwick - Reading) & Reading to Basingstoke.

I am on duty tomorrow and will see if I can get a copy of the roster from one of the guards there, and will ping you a DM in due course.

Thanks and good luck with your application.

Ben
Hi Ben

Many thanks look forward to hearing from you.

Will
 

McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
Well you been very lucky! Been in the talent pool for Swansea for 16 months, I have had no contact and have request updates at 6 months and 1 year and only recent had a reply to say yes you still there and no still no jobs lol. Yet since my application they have sent out 2 more job adverts for the same role so very confusing
Hi
There are a new flurry of Guard courses opening from March onwards.
Try reaching out to them again (unless you have already been contacted)
 

tashtash155

New Member
Joined
2 May 2025
Messages
1
Location
london
Could anyone clarify the pay scales for conductors and TMs please? I understand that the basic salary after pay rise is going upto around £45k and that Sundays are still voluntary. Are Sundays 1.25 or 1.5x ? Thankyou.
Hi, where did you see that there will be a pay rise to £45k? And when will this be? GWR website says the pay for TM/conductors is £38k
 

D1015

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2024
Messages
121
Location
SWML
Hi, where did you see that there will be a pay rise to £45k? And when will this be? GWR website says the pay for TM/conductors is £38k
I believe that conductors are on different pay to TMs?

I believe that McReadke, further up this thread, confirmed re TM salary.
 

WestieRail

Member
Joined
16 Nov 2020
Messages
9
Location
Croydon
Hi all

Have recently seen an advert for Conductor with GWR at Redhill and have applied.

I am currently a Guard with SWR but I am interested to know the work content of Redhill depot if anyone could help?

I’m aware it’s a small depot and only sign 2 routes (I think) but if anyone has any diagrams from Redhill I would appreciate it!!

Cheers

Will
Hi,

Mostly long days (9/10 hours) but this results in more Rest Days, including one block of 10 days off and one of 11. 3 of the 7 M-F turns involve passing from Redhill to Reading or vice-versa, with long PNBs. Earliest start is 0420, latest finish is 0131. A small, friendly, depot of up to 16 Guards. All the best in your application!
 

McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
Hi, where did you see that there will be a pay rise to £45k? And when will this be? GWR website says the pay for TM/conductors is £38k
Internal Careers

'Train Manager (028848)
Ref:028848

Great Western Railway (GWR)
Website Skillset:Customer Experience

Contract Type:Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours:35

Starting salary £31,620 to increase to £45,850 after training'

Text above copied directly from a job advertisement
 

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McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
How's your training? Do you know how long is the training period. My start date
I'm not training, and not with GWR.
PTS course around 6 weeks.
Ticketing course - around 4 weeks.
1st route - around 3 months (depending on individual).
All routes probably around 6+ months based on a Paddington position (other deptots could differ).
Why has your start been pushed back?
 
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edwin1812

Member
Joined
7 Oct 2025
Messages
24
Location
South West
I'm not training, and not with GWR.
PTS course around 6 weeks.
Ticketing course - around 4 weeks.
1st route - around 3 months (depending on individual).
All routes probably around 6+ months based on a Paddington position (other deptots could differ).
Why has your start been pushed back?
Thanks for answering me!
They didn't told me why, but when I receive the offer, it said the starting date is march
 

McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
Thanks for answering me!
They didn't told me why, but when I receive the offer, it said the starting date is march
No problem.
You've had the medical, or is it a conditional offer for now?
Apologies if you've already answered this somewhere.
 
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paulwestwood

Member
Joined
11 Nov 2012
Messages
102
Yes, i have done the medical and I believe that is a formal offer. I have accepted the offer on the portal already.
GWR, have just taken on more Trainers to the L&D Team, all of which need training up in order to be able to deliver the relevant part of the Guards Training Course. So I believe as soon as these are available the Operations Training Team will beging to get a hold of all Depot Training Requirements. Most Depots should also have decent amount of Peer Trainers available to help when you are sent over to your Depots for Shadowing.
 

D1015

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2024
Messages
121
Location
SWML
Sounds like they are readying for the vast amounts of training given the recruitment they have recently done, for places like Worcester Gloucester Redhill and elsewhere. Good.
 

McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
GWR, have just taken on more Trainers to the L&D Team, all of which need training up in order to be able to deliver the relevant part of the Guards Training Course. So I believe as soon as these are available the Operations Training Team will beging to get a hold of all Depot Training Requirements. Most Depots should also have decent amount of Peer Trainers available to help when you are sent over to your Depots for Shadowing.
In regards to the medical for TM/Conductor. What is the minimum requirement for the hearing portion of the test to be passed?
 

McReadie

Member
Joined
14 Nov 2024
Messages
44
Location
South
GWR, have just taken on more Trainers to the L&D Team, all of which need training up in order to be able to deliver the relevant part of the Guards Training Course. So I believe as soon as these are available the Operations Training Team will beging to get a hold of all Depot Training Requirements. Most Depots should also have decent amount of Peer Trainers available to help when you are sent over to your Depots for Shadowing.
Apparently, for GWR pre-employment medicals the candidate has to cover the cost of travel.

Eg; role location Paddington, Medical Reading - candidate to cough up 63.80 for a return peak fare.

Can anyone confirm?
 

D1015

Member
Joined
5 Sep 2024
Messages
121
Location
SWML
Sounds logical. I lived in the Midlands and had to go to Liverpool for my NR medical - literally 15mins of signing forms and a pee test. Not a scratch from NR.

Are all pre emp medicals done on Reading then?
 

Frenchy7119

Member
Joined
8 Apr 2024
Messages
99
Location
south wales
Yea I had a mate who went down for one as a Host you have to cover the cost

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Sounds logical. I lived in the Midlands and had to go to Liverpool for my NR medical - literally 15mins of signing forms and a pee test. Not a scratch from NR.

Are all pre emp medicals done on Reading then?
I thought it was Swindon for the medical and if right can do medical and uniform fit the same
Day
 

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