TransPennine Trains - Conductor Recruitment and Discussion

[Banham7]

I have just completed the RAAT and TCT for the TPE conductor role. I found the RAAT to be alright and managed to answer all the questions. However, with the TCT, I found it challenging to answer 40 questions within 10 minutes, and managed to answer about 15 of them. Will this be okay? The sample paper for the TCT seemed quite different to the actual test.

 

[ProperBrew]

Just had my depot induction on Friday after 4 days in Huddersfield. All going well so far.

Though the equipment I have been given is broken/extremely old I had to ask for a newer bag, although still used as one of the handles had broken off and the rules book folder I’ve been allocated is broken and not really usable and is damaging the booklets inside. Is this normal?

Another folder is covered in dust from 2013.

Perhaps a bit naively I assumed as a new starter we’d be allocated brand new equipment for our study use? (apart from phones etc)

 

[MarkT]

Hi all. After quite a while of trying I have finally got a job offer as a trainee conductor in Leeds (medical depending) and a start date in August. Could I please ask what you guys do for parking as I understand there's a several year waiting list for a permit in the staff car park and I can't see it being cheap to park in Leeds city centre every day. Thanks for any info

 

[Jonners00]

While your in training school get a train from your local station.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Mark I'll message you, with a solution!

 

[MarkT]

Mark I'll message you, with a solution!

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2026 ==

While your in training school get a train from your local station.

I was going to do that but as I'm in Huddersfield there are no trains due to the TPRU. I was thinking of driving to somewhere like cross gates or garforth and getting the train from there

 

[Narc1977]

My son has recently had an interview for a Conductor role with Trans Pennine based at Manchester Airport.
I was wondering if any other members have also had a recent interview and if so have you heard anything back yet?
It was only last week, so I'm being premature in asking, however I do know that some people do hear back quite quickly on these things.

 

[dodecahedron67]

I can tell you even if successful it is likely to be into a talent pool, as there is an internal transfer list for the airport with people on it

 

[monicagiacosa]

My son has recently had an interview for a Conductor role with Trans Pennine based at Manchester Airport.
I was wondering if any other members have also had a recent interview and if so have you heard anything back yet?
It was only last week, so I'm being premature in asking, however I do know that some people do hear back quite quickly on these things.

I had mine on the 12th and I’m still waiting to hear back

 

[MightyMariner]

Hey guys is anyone starting their conductor training in Huddersfield on the 22nd of June?

 

[monicagiacosa]

Has anyone heard any news about Manchester airport?

 

[dodecahedron67]

Has anyone heard any news about Manchester airport?

I can tell you that you’re unlikely to have any news. There has been an internal transfer which has taken the Airport over quota, and TPE are operating a strict ‘1 in, 1 out’ hiring policy for frontline & traincrew at the moment.

 

[monicagiacosa]

I’ve had the interview for the talent pool at Manchester airport actually, pretty sure I’ll hear back regardless of the outcome?

 

[Fokx]

I’ve had the interview for the talent pool at Manchester airport actually, pretty sure I’ll hear back regardless of the outcome?

You'll hear back eventually (by email) but this could be a few days, weeks or a few months.

With talent pool positions, depots with the highest staff vacancy numbers will take priority over those that don't require staff as quickly because you can only have a small number of trainees on each training course, and also the risk of not being able to fulfill the train timetable at each depot.

 

[monicagiacosa]

You'll hear back eventually (by email) but this could be a few days, weeks or a few months.

With talent pool positions, depots with the highest staff vacancy numbers will take priority over those that don't require staff as quickly because you can only have a small number of trainees on each training course, and also the risk of not being able to fulfill the train timetable at each depot.

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jun 2026 ==

You'll hear back eventually (by email) but this could be a few days, weeks or a few months.

With talent pool positions, depots with the highest staff vacancy numbers will take priority over those that don't require staff as quickly because you can only have a small number of trainees on each training course, and also the risk of not being able to fulfill the train timetable at each depot.

Thank you!

 

[Spider1806]

I have just completed the RAAT and TCT for the TPE conductor role. I found the RAAT to be alright and managed to answer all the questions. However, with the TCT, I found it challenging to answer 40 questions within 10 minutes, and managed to answer about 15 of them. Will this be okay? The sample paper for the TCT seemed quite different to the actual test.

Hi there

Are you able give some advise on the RAAT and TCT tests and what is involved?

 

[monicagiacosa]

After waiting a long time (two months) to hear back from TPE I’ve decided to email them asking about the interview outcome. I have been rejected and I’m currently waiting to hear something about my interview feedback.

 

[will90]

Hi all,

I applied for the TPE trainee conductor talent pool at Piccadilly, I submitted on 22nd July, as part of the process I had to sit a virtual AI type interview (Sapia) straight after it. My application in the TPE portal is still showing as application submitted, has anyone else applied for this and is it normal to be waiting this long without an outcome, or have I possibly been rejected?.
I come from a blue light background so hoping i do possess some valuable transferable skills.

Thanks all

 

[KaneLeb]

Hi Will. For a talent pool position this is quite normal. I applied for a conductor talent pool role with TPE in October/November last year, completed the online assessments (the stage after the sapia interview) and I am still on "pending" and had no further update.

However, no news is good news so fingers crossed for you!

 

[will90]

Thanks for your reply. I did read online that TPE are having a big conductor recruitment drive but the article was dated late 2025, I did anticipate that this wouldn’t move quickly particularly with what talent pools actually are but was just surprised there wasn’t even an update, your position gives it a bit of context so thanks. Il keep checking up on the portal, fingers crossed for us both.

 

[TrainLover121]

Hi all,

I applied for the TPE trainee conductor talent pool at Piccadilly, I submitted on 22nd July, as part of the process I had to sit a virtual AI type interview (Sapia) straight after it. My application in the TPE portal is still showing as application submitted, has anyone else applied for this and is it normal to be waiting this long without an outcome, or have I possibly been rejected?.
I come from a blue light background so hoping i do possess some valuable transferable skills.

Thanks all

I have applied for the same role, was emailed yesterday to say I was moved on to the testing and completed these today. I would assume you should hear back soon if not already.

Not sure how long it'll take to hear back regard the results of these tests but be prepared you probably won't finish the ticket checking test in time!

 

[will90]

Y

I have applied for the same role, was emailed yesterday to say I was moved on to the testing and completed these today. I would assume you should hear back soon if not already.

Not sure how long it'll take to hear back regard the results of these tests but be prepared you probably won't finish the ticket checking test in time!

Yes just finished mine, was surprised at the quick turnaround- was emailed on Wednesday with a link to my assessment and had to have it done by Saturday morning, I’d just come off nights and wasn’t as sharp as I’d have hoped but fingers crossed.

I also didn’t finish the ticket checking, I’ve seen (only on here) mixed reports on when to expect an outcome from the OPC.

 

[will90]

Is anyone else unable to log into the portal? It looks like they’ve updated their system and I’m certain my email is correct.