hi, Just a heads up for anyone who has an assessment centre date booked. Double check the start time. On mine the booking said 10:00 but further down the page in the candidate instructions it said that the assessment starts at 9am. I queried it with HR and they confirmed that the start time was in fact 9:00.
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GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter JT97
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What do you mean by inferior? The BDT course offers no leg up for any candidates outside of the basic rail aspect at the start and PTS.
The application process is the same for both internal and external, it would make sense to streamline and have both and internal and external talent pool.
Both have positives and negatives, external candidates require referencing and RTW and all the admin stuff, internals are an easier initial hire but cost more due to replacing and training their role.
I2026
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- 22 Dec 2025
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Ok so a few questions to answer - I said I was in the talent pool - I am still awaiting MMI however my TOC (SWR) does this last ad combines this with a medical and scheduled training start date. I am in a group of people (all in contact with each other) and this is the same process being experienced by all - so application, SJT, assessment days, DMI then a "long wait" followed by MMI, Medical and a proposed date. So I am not officially in the pool or awaiting my turn yet as such, however, I have multiple applications in and they were all advertised as being for both the depot applied for and a talent pool. I have also had numerous conversations and confirmation from the recruitment that they work off lists, first come first served, and people climb the lists based on vacancy availability as well as length of time waited. I have then been told by existing SWR drivers that your scores do matter and there is a preference system, as well as the fact that existing drivers get placed at the top of lists when they request transfers too. So information overload, from various sources, and as seems to be the case with each time this comes up, uncertainty around the process as well as regional variations.
I only think I did well, I don't know for a fact. The following I say only as factual, not meant to sound big headed, you can't illicit tone or context when typing on a forum. My assessments I found fairly easy, I have a neurodiversity and over prepare/plan for most things. I went there knowing exactly what to expect and from past experience I know what I excel at and what I am poor at. I excel in technical and multitasking exercises and can work fast, so on the fault finding test (dials) I reached the final question at the end of the time limit. (I think question 34 odd out of 36). I know others only got to around 25 - 28 on the day as we discussed it. I also ran loads of Bourdon tests online prior to the day and went from being poor at it to getting to line 14 ish with around 1 or 0 mistakes. This is all anecdotal and I may have scraped a pass, however, my belief is that I have scored fairly well against the average - but I will never know.
From being in contact with others who have applied since 2024, the rough time lines are 15 months from date of first application to walking into training school. So I am basing my expectations on this. I applied for my first depot end of Oct 2025 and did everything including DMI by mid of December. I am now in that long period of "wait" and expect I won't be contacted for the MMI, medical and proposed start date until summer onwards. This suits me as I can't start training until later in the year anyway.
But I don't hold the answers, all I can do is make an educated estimate based on a raft of experiences of those in the process and those who post on here (combined with some existing drivers who I have managed to get as mentors). One thing that does stand out to me is the total opposite opinion given by the DMIs and recruitment however. I asked the DMIs about posting timelines, depot choices etc and their view was the polar opposite of recruitments. So conflicting information there certainly is around that.
I only think I did well, I don't know for a fact. The following I say only as factual, not meant to sound big headed, you can't illicit tone or context when typing on a forum. My assessments I found fairly easy, I have a neurodiversity and over prepare/plan for most things. I went there knowing exactly what to expect and from past experience I know what I excel at and what I am poor at. I excel in technical and multitasking exercises and can work fast, so on the fault finding test (dials) I reached the final question at the end of the time limit. (I think question 34 odd out of 36). I know others only got to around 25 - 28 on the day as we discussed it. I also ran loads of Bourdon tests online prior to the day and went from being poor at it to getting to line 14 ish with around 1 or 0 mistakes. This is all anecdotal and I may have scraped a pass, however, my belief is that I have scored fairly well against the average - but I will never know.
From being in contact with others who have applied since 2024, the rough time lines are 15 months from date of first application to walking into training school. So I am basing my expectations on this. I applied for my first depot end of Oct 2025 and did everything including DMI by mid of December. I am now in that long period of "wait" and expect I won't be contacted for the MMI, medical and proposed start date until summer onwards. This suits me as I can't start training until later in the year anyway.
But I don't hold the answers, all I can do is make an educated estimate based on a raft of experiences of those in the process and those who post on here (combined with some existing drivers who I have managed to get as mentors). One thing that does stand out to me is the total opposite opinion given by the DMIs and recruitment however. I asked the DMIs about posting timelines, depot choices etc and their view was the polar opposite of recruitments. So conflicting information there certainly is around that.
RobotBen91
Member
That's interesting that you've had your DMI as my MMI was done on the same day after the assessments followed by the DMI 2 months later then the talent pool confirmation. Im awaiting medical/start date now. Each depot does things differently i suppose.
I2026
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I think most do it your way. As I understand it SWR is unusual in the way it does MMI as the final step.
Swordfish3
Member
Does anyone have any idea on how far out they tend to invite you to a medical before offering you a start date? Do they call or email the time comes? 
Hi, they will likely call from a mobile number. I was booked a medical the following week from the call and received a conditional offer of employment the same day subject to medical/screening etc. I then got the formal offer and course start date just under 2 weeks later.Does anyone have any idea on how far out they tend to invite you to a medical before offering you a start date? Do they call or email the time comes?
Swordfish3
Member
Amazing, thank you
I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for voicemails and mobile numbers now!officewalla
Member
They were selected ahead of external candidates and were generally not as good at school as the external candidates.
Swordfish3
Member
Well at the very least it's something to be said for company loyalty - I have spent a decade in a career working my butt off to be the best only to be shafted by management in exchange for a 'friend of a friend' type thing - it would be refreshing for me to work for a company that rewards the work people put into it in some way
MaxCherry25
Member
When does your course start?
It works both ways though, I've known many a quality candidate be in the internal waiting pool for depot for years with no movement, yet externals keep flowing in.
It simply is just railway recruitment.
April
Hey everyone, what questions was everyone asked at the DMI for Paddington Heathrow line, I understand that it'll be different but just to get an idea.
One thing I have seen is to know a lot about the company, that's about GWR right? As they operate the Heathrow express, I guess it doesn't hurt to know a bit about the Heathrow express too.
Also when they say to know about the company, is that its history or what they currently do/run? Or both.
Thanks!
One thing I have seen is to know a lot about the company, that's about GWR right? As they operate the Heathrow express, I guess it doesn't hurt to know a bit about the Heathrow express too.
Also when they say to know about the company, is that its history or what they currently do/run? Or both.
Thanks!
Not sure how different it will be for HEX but mine was more of a traditional interview with them getting to know you and your character to see if you will fit in. There were a few similar questions to the MMI such as a time you done something similar to the train driver role. They will likely ask what you know about the company. I swotted up on the main hubs, the type of trains they run and from where and also some of the company history.
Didn’t go too specific into the acc Heathrow express role.
Very normal interview and started with the normal question like why do u want the job, why do u want to be a train driver and then went on to ask situation questions like give me a time you’ve disagreed with your manger, give me a time when you’ve gone out your way to help out a colleague or customer.
MaxCherry25
Member
afternoon all, does anyone have a date for starting later this year/summer on a course?
I’m end the end of April for Paddington depot.
JustJim93
Member
Hello everyone, first time posting here. Did my assessment day yesterday for GWR. I realised that I did 2 mistakes that I know of during the computer tests. Anyone else done any mistakes that they knew of during the time of the assessments and still made it through?
You all seem to have had your congratulations emails pretty quick after aswell which is a good thing! Dreading the 7-10 day wait that I was told.
You all seem to have had your congratulations emails pretty quick after aswell which is a good thing! Dreading the 7-10 day wait that I was told.
Hi, did you do a whole day of assessments and an MMI at the end?
When I did mine we did the paper based tests first and if you passed you did the computer based ones in the afternoon or were sent home. After the computer based test if you passed you had an MMI or were sent home. If yours was the same format I would say you’d have passed the tests and are waiting to hear if you passed the MMI. I did mine on a Thursday and was told 7-10 days to hear but got the email on the Monday and later that day and email to book the DMI.
JustJim93
Member
Hello
No, they said that the MMI would be at a later date if we were successful in the paper and computer tests. No one went home or was told that they had failed throughout the day. I thought it would of been like you described because that's what I have heard but it wasn't.
It’s a tough process for a reason I guess. There were 6 from GWR at my centre at the OPC. All of us passed the morning. I was the last man standing after the afternoon and the MMI was about an hour and a half. Felt I did okay but had doubts as they give nothing away. Good luck and all the best.
JustJim93
Member
I had an email this morning from GWR saying that I had passed the first stage of the assessments and that I will be invited to take part in an MMI. Suppose that I will just have to wait now to hear when I can do that. Thank you
Awesome thanks for your reply, I actually had the exact same questions as yourself. Felt more like a conversation for me and I think it went really well.
Very appreciated of everyone posting here. In for a wait now.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Yeah just did mine today and pretty similar to yourself, felt like it went pretty well overall. Thanks for your help
RobotBen91
Member
Has anyone who's in the reserve list for Exeter St Davids heard anything? I passed my DMI in September.
Glad I could help, mate. The people who do the interviews at Paddington are excellent. Like you said, it feels more like a conversation than an interview, which really helps you relax and answer the questions to the best of your ability.
Did they mention any potential start dates if successful?
Yeah absolutely they were awesome. No they didn't mention start dates, mainly cuz it wasn't the depot manager doing the interview as he was on holiday I believe. So they also said it could take longer for me to hear back as well unfortunately. I assume they didn't give you any idea on start dates either?
When I asked about potential course start dates, they mentioned that there’s a course starting in May. I imagine with the depot manager not being in, it might take a bit longer for you to hear back. I actually received a response about an hour later confirming that I had passed my DMI.
Wonder if anyone can help,
i got an email stating i got my psychometric tests (4 paper 4 computer), will the MMI be on the same day? the email doesnt state anything else other than the 8 tests but the materials I got sent to me says there might be an interview?
This is for GWR if that makes a difference.
Thanks
i got an email stating i got my psychometric tests (4 paper 4 computer), will the MMI be on the same day? the email doesnt state anything else other than the 8 tests but the materials I got sent to me says there might be an interview?
This is for GWR if that makes a difference.
Thanks
Hi, I had my tests for GWR earlier this week at Swindon. We only did the paper and computer tests and also a situational judgement exercises at the end. The MMI is the second stage which you get invited to if you pass.
I found out the results quite quickly to. I did the tests on Wednesday and found out yesterday that I'd passed.
best of luck.