Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

[Manda2194]

Out of curiosity is there anyone on here still in the northern pools

 

[angleseyfitter]

Out of curiosity is there anyone on here still in the northern pools

I just wondered that too, are you in an application up north?

 

[Manda2194]

Yes. I just put mine in for Chester

 

[angleseyfitter]

Hopefully going off what seems usual sift timeframes we hear back in a couple of weeks, was 12 days after closing the application window I heard back last time

 

[Manda2194]

Hopefully going off what seems usual sift timeframes we hear back in a couple of weeks, was 12 days after closing the application window I heard back last time

it’s railway recruitment so I have never have quick expectations I am still waiting to hear back from cross country about 3 years ago

 

[chalkijr]

it’s railway recruitment so I have never have quick expectations I am still waiting to hear back from cross country about 3 years ago

Just out of interest, what depot is this for? Got an app in with them too since may... Not heard a peep

 

[Manda2194]

Just out of interest, what depot is this for? Got an app in with them too since may... Not heard a peep

Manchester. I think I made one before that which I never heard back from either

 

[chalkijr]

Manchester. I think I made one before that which I never heard back from either

Might be the same for myself then haha... Fingers crossed this works out instead then!

 

[Manda2194]

Judging by the thread TFW seem a bit more proactive. To be fair I made in to DMI with them in 2022 but failed it

 

[843185288]

How have you determined that? Sure there may be overstaffing, but with the movement with taffs well depot many of those extra staff may move there. Also, my friend said theres many senior drivers who are close to retirement but they have to give a year notice, so there may be movement with that also. Also just being optimistic, TfW have put another trainee driver post for Chester, which I think shows growth and is overall positive. When my friend got in as a trainee, he said they had new courses starting every two weeks and that ran for like a year - of course thats not the case now but 6 courses shouldn't be out of reach.
We have until 2028 which is plenty of time, I pray that full allocation of time isn't used.

I really hope thats true and theres a huge amount of senior drivers looking to go. Im 99% certain that theres only one course max this year (couple of friends are drivers) however this was the same for last year and they cancelled it. As for taffs well, im not sure when they are in service but it seemed to be not moving quickly at all. I assume the drivers working on the TAM lines will switch over from the 756s to the 398s. My only hope is drivers will not want to learn the new trains and retire.

 

[6opher]

I really hope thats true and theres a huge amount of senior drivers looking to go. Im 99% certain that theres only one course max this year (couple of friends are drivers) however this was the same for last year and they cancelled it. As for taffs well, im not sure when they are in service but it seemed to be not moving quickly at all. I assume the drivers working on the TAM lines will switch over from the 756s to the 398s. My only hope is drivers will not want to learn the new trains and retire.

You assume wrong. All valleys drivers sign all valleys routes and will all be signing and driving 398s.
Taffs Well drivers won’t be switching over from 756s to 398s at all, will drive both.

 

[VR494]

The issue at the moment is the delay to the class 398 introduction. There was going to be a course for CVL only in March this year, but I believe this has been put on hold. It's very unlikely there will be any driver recruitment for the South in 2026.

All new drivers to the business in the South will also be recruited for CVL going forward. There are senior drivers planning job share opportunities, but this will still leave lines to cover in the links.

Cardiff mainline currently has a surplus of spare drivers daily and is over established.

Rhymney depot has also lost work in the recent Dec 2025 TT, and has gone from 44 lines to 37, but this was covered by allowing drivers into share links.

 

[843185288]

The issue at the moment is the delay to the class 398 introduction. There was going to be a course for CVL only in March this year, but I believe this has been put on hold. It's very unlikely there will be any driver recruitment for the South in 2026.

All new drivers to the business in the South will also be recruited for CVL going forward. There are senior drivers planning job share opportunities, but this will still leave lines to cover in the links.

Cardiff mainline currently has a surplus of spare drivers daily and is over established.

Rhymney depot has also lost work in the recent Dec 2025 TT, and has gone from 44 lines to 37, but this was covered by allowing drivers into share links

Very dissapointing to hear along with having zero communication from the driving department instead we have to find out on here. Been told that this looks likely to be the case in 2027. Might need to re apply for the driving job in the future again

 

[VR494]

Very dissapointing to hear along with having zero communication from the driving department instead we have to find out on here. Been told that this looks likely to be the case in 2027. Might need to re apply for the driving job in the future again

If you’ve got valid assessments I’d consider applying for other TOC’s in the meantime.

As previously mentioned there are a substantial amount of spares on the mainline, and all CVL depots are at the required capacity for now. Taffs Well will be needing more however, but this is dependent on the 398’s going into service, which seems unlikely anytime soon.

You wouldn’t be the first person who has had to apply multiple times to get into the driver role, and it’s not uncommon to not get offered a place from a talent pool.

Going forward there’s also the railway reforms and GBR to come in, new contracts for trainee drivers aren’t that far away, and it may not be the cash cow everyone wants to chase anymore.

From someone who’s seen years of driving, it’s not a career you should consider if you just want the money anyway really. If you’ve applied just for the 75k price tag, it will break you mentally in the end if you hate it.

 

[baker_06]

Out of curiosity is there anyone on here still in the northern pools

I’m in the Shrewsbury pool

 

[VR494]

I’m in the Shrewsbury pool

The northern depots are currently going through recruitment at the moment, Chester is definitely looking for more drivers. if you’re able to switch and be flexible, I’d speak to recruitment. I believe they want another 30 drivers or so.

 

[Manda2194]

I’m in the Shrewsbury pool

I just wanted to ask how you quick you found the process and waiting in the pool.

The experience in the northern depots seems very different to the south

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jan 2026 ==

The northern depots are currently going through recruitment at the moment, Chester is definitely looking for more drivers. if you’re able to switch and be flexible, I’d speak to recruitment. I believe they want another 30 drivers or so.

If it’s 30 that’s a good hope for a lot of people (me included) It seems like they have recruited a lot last year so I thought there might only be a couple of positions

 

[ndjefc82]

Out of curiosity is there anyone on here still in the northern pools

Am in the pool for Chester. I was part of the August recruitment

 

[Manda2194]

Am in the pool for Chester. I was part of the August recruitment

That seems quick which is good. Have you got any indication of start date

 

[ndjefc82]

That seems quick which is good. Have you got any indication of start date

Not at present.

In the interview they alluded to 3 spaces on a course in January, but we're past that now.

Hopefully soon, I'm chomping at the bit for a new challenge

 

[VR494]

A course has also just started today at Chester, but the 6 trainees on this are all current conductors with the company. It’s an internal only intake.

 

[6opher]

Taffs Well will be needing more however, but this is dependent on the 398’s going into service, which seems unlikely anytime soon.

Are you saying they’ll recruit a load more for Taffs Well? I don’t believe that’s the case at all.

 

[angleseyfitter]

Have any of you guys tried logging into tfw today? I noticed they were updating the jobs page, now’s it happened it wants me to re register my email? Wondered if anyone else has had this

 

[VR494]

Have any of you guys tried logging into tfw today? I noticed they were updating the jobs page, now’s it happened it wants me to re register my email? Wondered if anyone else has had this

A brand new site is due to launch on 1st February, the company is moving into a new 10 year contract.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Feb 2026 ==

New site can be found here: https://jobs.tfw.wales/jobs/home/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Feb 2026 ==

With the launch of the new site from today, the driver recruitment process has also changed going forward:

Applicants for Trainee Train Driver will now have to:

• Complete the online application
• Complete an online quiz
• Online testing, which invloves an error checking test and SJT exercise
• Competency based video interview
• Structured interview with driver team management
• Stage 1 assessment (paper tests)
• Stage 2 assessment (computer test)
• MMI
• Medical
• Formal offer
• Background checks

The above brings tfw in-line with other TOC's.

More information can be found here: https://jobs.tfw.wales/jobs/category/2/80/description/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Feb 2026 ==

Applications are no longer accepted outside the 1 hour rule as well if your residence does not comply at the time of application

 

[Manda2194]

A brand new site is due to launch on 1st February, the company is moving into a new 10 year contract.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Feb 2026 ==

New site can be found here: https://jobs.tfw.wales/jobs/home/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Feb 2026 ==

With the launch of the new site from today, the driver recruitment process has also changed going forward:

Applicants for Trainee Train Driver will now have to:

• Complete the online application
• Complete an online quiz
• Online testing, which invloves an error checking test and SJT exercise
• Competency based video interview
• Structured interview with driver team management
• Stage 1 assessment (paper tests)
• Stage 2 assessment (computer test)
• MMI
• Medical
• Formal offer
• Background checks

The above brings tfw in-line with other TOC's.

More information can be found here: https://jobs.tfw.wales/jobs/category/2/80/description/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Feb 2026 ==

Applications are no longer accepted outside the 1 hour rule as well if your residence does not comply at the time of application

Wow has changed a lot with these online tests. Sounds like the TPE process

Everyone keep an eye out on your emails responses are starting to comeback

 

[843185288]

A course has also just started today at Chester, but the 6 trainees on this are all current conductors with the company. It’s an internal only intake.

I heard there's a couple of courses at the end of the year penned in? Do you have any info on these? I heard a couple of years ago tyat carmarthen and treherbert required more drivers so im putting two and two together, any info is much appreciated as usual

 

[VR494]

I heard there's a couple of courses at the end of the year penned in? Do you have any info on these? I heard a couple of years ago tyat carmarthen and treherbert required more drivers so im putting two and two together, any info is much appreciated as usual

Carmarthen has just taken 6 transferees internally during the Dec 25 TT change. These are currently with DI’s undergoing route learning.

Treherbert will be seeing more recruitment in the near future, currently internal interest to transfer is low. The plan there is to go to 52 drivers and 56 guards. They are having a new depot soon to the North of the station.

Courses specifically for Treherbert are being discussed at senior management level at the moment, and it’s likely to be from the current talent pool.

 

[843185288]

Carmarthen has just taken 6 transferees internally during the Dec 25 TT change. These are currently with DI’s undergoing route learning.

Treherbert will be seeing more recruitment in the near future, currently internal interest to transfer is low. The plan there is to go to 52 drivers and 56 guards. They are having a new depot soon to the North of the station.

Courses specifically for Treherbert are being discussed at senior management level at the moment, and it’s likely to be from the current talent pool.

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated as you can imagine, we in the talent pool look for any information

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Feb 2026 ==

Carmarthen has just taken 6 transferees internally during the Dec 25 TT change. These are currently with DI’s undergoing route learning.

Treherbert will be seeing more recruitment in the near future, currently internal interest to transfer is low. The plan there is to go to 52 drivers and 56 guards. They are having a new depot soon to the North of the station.

Courses specifically for Treherbert are being discussed at senior management level at the moment, and it’s likely to be from the current talent pool.

Do you happen to know how many drivers are currently at treherbert?

 

[VR494]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated as you can imagine, we in the talent pool look for any information

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Feb 2026 ==


Do you happen to know how many drivers are currently at treherbert?

I think Treherbert depot has around 35-40ish drivers at the moment.

 

[jah_147]

I think Treherbert depot has around 35-40ish drivers at the moment.

Sorry I know this is the driver forum but do you know rough number of guards out of Treherbert currently? That increase sounds promising and a number of us waiting for word on any courses in South Wales!