GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Twin82]

Hey. So does that mean, it wont affect my pass with gwr then?

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Did u do vse?

I believe it will affect your pass. Not 100% sure. I did it but not with gwr.

 

[translucent88]

Hey. So does that mean, it wont affect my pass with gwr then?

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Did u do vse?

Not yet, I will be doing an in-person VSE on the 3rd August

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Anyone who has done their MMI willing to DM me to discuss my competency answers? I’ve interviewed for a job once in my life and it was pre-recorded. Even with all the information on here I feel like my answers will not be good enough

 

[artrdr]

Hi all, I’ve got my DMI upcoming in a couple of weeks and would really appreciate some help!

From my understanding there are going to be about 6-8 questions. Does anybody have an idea or a sort of list of what the questions will (roughly) be?

 

[moshah]

Has anyone heard back yet from Oxford depot after the online assessments

 

[IndegoMouse]

I

Has anyone heard back yet from Oxford depot after the online assessments

I did. Unfortunately I lived 4 minutes too far away to progress however they confirmed I passed all assessments

 

[officewalla]

Hi all, I’ve got my DMI upcoming in a couple of weeks and would really appreciate some help!

From my understanding there are going to be about 6-8 questions. Does anybody have an idea or a sort of list of what the questions will (roughly) be?

Have you even checked on the forum? Plenty of advice on spoons for feeding.

 

[Twin82]

I

I did. Unfortunately I lived 4 minutes too far away to progress however they confirmed I passed all assessments

That's really unfortunate. How long ago did you get the email? Are there any other TOC’s within your area?

 

[IndegoMouse]

a few weeks back now.

That's really unfortunate. How long ago did you get the email? Are there any other TOC’s within your area?

Yes gutted but I applied on the off chance as I new I was close to 60min but apple maps had me at 59min!

I am awaiting DMI with a different TOC already was just keeping options open

 

[Twin82]

a few weeks back now.

Yes gutted but I applied on the off chance as I new I was close to 60min but apple maps had me at 59min!

I am awaiting DMI with a different TOC already was just keeping options open

Ahhh good man. I wish you the best of luck when the time comes.

 

[lennie1]

I have just received a confirmation email that I was successful in my DMI for Reading trainee train driver and have been placed in a Talent Pool.

Everything I read on here helped massively, so if you're going through the process, keep reading and keep practising. Practise helps with familiarity and knowledge helps reduce stress.

Now it's a case of keeping fit and healthy!

 

[IndegoMouse]

I have just received a confirmation email that I was successful in my DMI for Reading trainee train driver and have been placed in a Talent Pool.

Everything I read on here helped massively, so if you're going through the process, keep reading and keep practising. Practise helps with familiarity and knowledge helps reduce stress.

Now it's a case of keeping fit and healthy!

Congratulations! Yes I wish I had found this forum 6 months ago when I failed my DMI! I knew so little about the industry but have read up so much since I am ready to go again when the opportunity arises!

What were you time frames from application to job offer?

 

[Brenfield]

Congratulations! Yes I wish I had found this forum 6 months ago when I failed my DMI! I knew so little about the industry but have read up so much since I am ready to go again when the opportunity arises!

What were you time frames from application to job offer?

Hi, im in the same boat as Lennie. i also just passed my DMI for Reading depot.
I also second what he said about the fourms, they've been massively helpful for me.

Timing wise:
-Applied December 2025
-Phsychometric assesments part 1 at Swindon at start of March 2026
-Phsychometric assessments part2 (MMI) also Swindon start of June 2026
-DMI at Reading station mid July 2026

Currently in the pool so don't actually have a job offer yet but in the DMI they said earliest possible course would be Feb 2027. So will likely still be quite a wait before it becomes an official offer. There is also a medical to pass but that will be closer to the time.

 

[lennie1]

Hi, im in the same boat as Lennie. i also just passed my DMI for Reading depot.
I also second what he said about the fourms, they've been massively helpful for me.

Timing wise:
-Applied December 2025
-Phsychometric assesments part 1 at Swindon at start of March 2026
-Phsychometric assessments part2 (MMI) also Swindon start of June 2026
-DMI at Reading station mid July 2026

Currently in the pool so don't actually have a job offer yet but in the DMI they said earliest possible course would be Feb 2027. So will likely still be quite a wait before it becomes an official offer. There is also a medical to pass but that will be closer to the time.

Congratulations! Yes I wish I had found this forum 6 months ago when I failed my DMI! I knew so little about the industry but have read up so much since I am ready to go again when the opportunity arises!

What were you time frames from application to job offer?

Everything that Brenfield says. We applied at pretty much the same time, and have been more or less the same for each stage.

I also believe timings do depend on individual TOCs and their requirements, as well as availability at driver academies.

I’m sure you’ll fly through next time! Good luck

 

[SmugStarlord]

Hi, im in the same boat as Lennie. i also just passed my DMI for Reading depot.
I also second what he said about the fourms, they've been massively helpful for me.

Timing wise:
-Applied December 2025
-Phsychometric assesments part 1 at Swindon at start of March 2026
-Phsychometric assessments part2 (MMI) also Swindon start of June 2026
-DMI at Reading station mid July 2026

Currently in the pool so don't actually have a job offer yet but in the DMI they said earliest possible course would be Feb 2027. So will likely still be quite a wait before it becomes an official offer. There is also a medical to pass but that will be closer to the time.

Congrats mate. Mad to think i appied at the same time, yet still waiting for the MMI.

 

[MamaPara2]

Hey. Is anyone in the talent pool for Heathrow Express and heard anything?
I haven't heard anything since May when I was successful but sadly there are no training courses at the moment. It's getting me down as starting to wonder if any courses will ever become available. Thanks.

 

[d4r0]

I

I did. Unfortunately I lived 4 minutes too far away to progress however they confirmed I passed all assessments

Has anyone heard back yet from Oxford depot after the online assessments

Yes. My application made it through and is with a hiring manager for review. No clue on time frame for that part. Everyone successful or not has recieved an email
I believe. If in doubt check on your online account.

 

[lennie1]

Congrats mate. Mad to think i appied at the same time, yet still waiting for the MMI.

And that’s for Reading too? Bizarre how it works… do you have a date for your MMI?

 

[SmugStarlord]

And that’s for Reading too? Bizarre how it works… do you have a date for your MMI?

Yep, Reading depot. No, there's me and couple others awaiting the mmi dates

 

[moshah]

Yes. My application made it through and is with a hiring manager for review. No clue on time frame for that part. Everyone successful or not has recieved an email
I believe. If in doubt check on your online account.

Yh I had that email but haven’t heard anything since then

 

[d4r0]

Yh I had that email but haven’t heard anything since then

Good luck

 

[JLH1989]

Have used the forum since applying in October '25 for a Trainee driver role in BTM and the information has been invaluable! Just got the email that I was successful at DMI, so now the wait!

 

[IndegoMouse]

Have used the forum since applying in October '25 for a Trainee driver role in BTM and the information has been invaluable! Just got the email that I was successful at DMI, so now the wait!

Huge congratulations. Yes this forum is amazing, I wish I had discovered it when I had my first DMI as I would of done so much better! Fingers crossed for my next one though!

 

[NoTrainNoGain]

I got an email yesterday telling me I wasn't successful and won't be able to get feedback. This is after I got an email 3 weeks ago telling me my application is with the hiring manager (Paddington depot).

Any ideas why this might be the case?

 

[jakechamberlai]

No worries, RF has been helpful to me so trying give back where I can.

Start with GWR at Bristol Temple Meads on 13 July, so not long now.

Further details on my timeline here:

I'm starting training on 13 July for a Central Region course in Bristol. Anyone else?

For those wanting to know timelines:

I'm a Bristol Temple Meads applicant (external).

Note - already had psychometrics and MMI completed across 2024 and early 2025 courtesy of another TOC, which I'm still in the talent pool for. Unsure whether I would have ever been offered a start date.

Applied for GWR 10 Oct 25. Did 2 psychometric tests at this point. Situational judgement and error checking.
- Application with the hiring manager email on 27 Oct 2025.
- Invited to video interview 20 Nov 2025 by email (did it on 24th).
- Notified by email that passed video interview on 1 Dec 2025.
- Invite to DMI 5 Jan 2026 by email.
- DMI at Bristol Temple Meads 15 Jan 2026.
- notified by email that I passed DMI on 16 Jan 2026 and placed on the "Reserve" list.
- 19 Mar 2026 phonecall from GWR Recruitment with conditional offer pending medical, DBS etc. This was followed immediately with a conditional offer by email.
- 16 April 2026. Medical in Swindon. Told I'd passed there and then.
- 30 April 2026 phonecall from GWR Recruitment to confirm I was available to start in July.
- 13 May 2026 contract issued.

I'm aware that this timeline is fast and I'm fortunate but I have been chasing a trainee train driver job for a few years and know the feeling of being stuck in a talent pool with not much information as well as suffering setbacks in the psychometrics. My advice is whenever there is an opening with a TOC or FOC in your area then apply and give the application everything.

This thread and the forum in general is a wealth of knowledge and has been very helpful throughout this whole process for me so thank you.

If you're still waiting or in the process don't give up!

Hi @Reactor Scram

This message i have found very useful for my own information and good to know.

Can you recall how the TRP 2 test went with the gauges and dials etc. I recently took the Stage 1 assessments for SWR and passed them all except the TRP 2 where i was completely thrown off as the practice materials i found fairly easy and worked out the concept relatively quickly along with other practices i searched online. But when it came to the day the actual TRP 2 test i done which involved prioritising Heat, Oil, Lights and Air it seemed a whole lot more complicated for me to adapt and work out so i don’t know if GWR and SWR have identical tests.


But seeing as i also failed this a few weeks back this morning i received an invite to do the video interview with GWR (I applied for both vacancies as they both went up in a small time of each other) but seeing as they’re both National standards that therefor means I have to wait 12 months before proceeding with my 2nd attempt in becoming a Trainee train driver but still been given this stage with GWR.

I hope this makes enough sense.

 

[artrdr]

Have used the forum since applying in October '25 for a Trainee driver role in BTM and the information has been invaluable! Just got the email that I was successful at DMI, so now the wait!

Congrats!

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hi, I though it went well, despite the train i was going to get to it being cancelled at the last minute, though the proof will be in the email whenever i hear back from them. At the moment I'm just sitting with my fingers, toes, and anything else i can crossed.

For the questions it was a mix of normal job interview and MMI style. I think its structured as they had sheets with the questions on that they were filling in as we went along. I was in there about 1.5 hrs but the last 30min or so was sort of friendly back and forth with questions i was asking them. I got asked things like what I knew about the company / why i wanted to be a driver. As well as MMI style questions about procedures and customer service.
One question that threw me was they asked me about a time when i had received bad customer service. I couldn't think of an answer or how it would fit but apparently it was about if you would challenge things that weren't right. Like if you were in a restaurant and the food was cold, would you speak to a manager or just leave kind of thing.

If you want any more specific help drop me a DM. I'm happy to help.

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Click the little envelope at the top and click start new conversation. Then put me a the recipient at the top.


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Hey, congrats on the DMI! I am trying to find a way to message you but can't, could you DM me please as I'd love any advice you've got. Got my DMI coming up soon, thank you in advance

 

[Twin82]

Hi @Reactor Scram

This message i have found very useful for my own information and good to know.

Can you recall how the TRP 2 test went with the gauges and dials etc. I recently took the Stage 1 assessments for SWR and passed them all except the TRP 2 where i was completely thrown off as the practice materials i found fairly easy and worked out the concept relatively quickly along with other practices i searched online. But when it came to the day the actual TRP 2 test i done which involved prioritising Heat, Oil, Lights and Air it seemed a whole lot more complicated for me to adapt and work out so i don’t know if GWR and SWR have identical tests.


But seeing as i also failed this a few weeks back this morning i received an invite to do the video interview with GWR (I applied for both vacancies as they both went up in a small time of each other) but seeing as they’re both National standards that therefor means I have to wait 12 months before proceeding with my 2nd attempt in becoming a Trainee train driver but still been given this stage with GWR.

I hope this makes enough sense.

Not to be a party pooper, what you said about having to wait 12 months as it was done to national standard sounds accurate. It seems to me that GWR is not aware that you were unsuccessful in the trp2. From my knowledge, you cannot do any sort of testing for any TOC until that 12 months has elapsed. The question is, will you query it or will you proceed with taking it. They could still email you to say they won’t be progressing you for that reason….

 

[Reactor Scram]

Hi @Reactor Scram

This message i have found very useful for my own information and good to know.

Can you recall how the TRP 2 test went with the gauges and dials etc. I recently took the Stage 1 assessments for SWR and passed them all except the TRP 2 where i was completely thrown off as the practice materials i found fairly easy and worked out the concept relatively quickly along with other practices i searched online. But when it came to the day the actual TRP 2 test i done which involved prioritising Heat, Oil, Lights and Air it seemed a whole lot more complicated for me to adapt and work out so i don’t know if GWR and SWR have identical tests.


But seeing as i also failed this a few weeks back this morning i received an invite to do the video interview with GWR (I applied for both vacancies as they both went up in a small time of each other) but seeing as they’re both National standards that therefor means I have to wait 12 months before proceeding with my 2nd attempt in becoming a Trainee train driver but still been given this stage with GWR.

I hope this makes enough sense.

Hiya,

Glad you found the stuff useful.

Cables and dials - what you're describing sounds accurate and you likely struggled if you interpreted the rules incorrectly. If you search the forum there is definitely accurate images of something very similar to the test but you have also seen it now having done the real thing. Plenty of websites that'll sell you something that'll help for practice material. Just keep going with it until you've got it. I had a setback myself with the picture test but cracked it second time after I purchased some software that mimicked the test.

With your GWR application - if it was me I'd continue with the process and do the video interview. Hopefully you pass and then you need to hope that GWR will be slow doing a psychometric database check. From experience they really can be slow and with there being a slow down in recruitment at the moment I'd say it is certainly worth doing this. You have nothing to lose.

If they do the psychometric database check and you're inside the 12 month window then they'll just end the process by sending you an email. No big deal. You haven't done anything wrong because at the time you applied for GWR you hadn't done any psychometrics by the sound of it.

Best of luck!

 

[RobotBen91]

Long shot but has anyone in the talent pool for Exeter St Davids had any update recently?

 

[translucent88]

Stage 2 assessments at the OPC tomorrow - anxiety is through the roof!

 

[jakechamberlai]

Not to be a party pooper, what you said about having to wait 12 months as it was done to national standard sounds accurate. It seems to me that GWR is not aware that you were unsuccessful in the trp2. From my knowledge, you cannot do any sort of testing for any TOC until that 12 months has elapsed. The question is, will you query it or will you proceed with taking it. They could still email you to say they won’t be progressing you for that reason….

Hiya,

Glad you found the stuff useful.

Cables and dials - what you're describing sounds accurate and you likely struggled if you interpreted the rules incorrectly. If you I’m fully aware of the 12 month wait policy and believe it could be a waste of time going ahead with this stage knowing it could be a complete waste of time. BUT, As a previous member has also said. It may be worth just going ahead with it seeing as GWR are quite slow with moving forward. Obviously no 1 knows their time of progressing people should they be successful that is. search the forum there is definitely accurate images of something very similar to the test but you have also seen it now having done the real thing. Plenty of websites that'll sell you something that'll help for practice material. Just keep going with it until you've got it. I had a setback myself with the picture test but cracked it second time after I purchased some software that mimicked the test.

With your GWR application - if it was me I'd continue with the process and do the video interview. Hopefully you pass and then you need to hope that GWR will be slow doing a psychometric database check. From experience they really can be slow and with there being a slow down in recruitment at the moment I'd say it is certainly worth doing this. You have nothing to lose.

If they do the psychometric database check and you're inside the 12 month window then they'll just end the process by sending you an email. No big deal. You haven't done anything wrong because at the time you applied for GWR you hadn't done any psychometrics by the sound of it.

Best of luck!

I also agree that just going ahead with taking on the video interview may be the correct choice.

And absolutely, You’re spot on. The time i applied for this role I hadn’t progressed no more than just an automated email confirming my application being reviewed.

Going back on to the Psychometric part I’ve searched numerous times in different wording in the hope of finding an accurate comparison to the SWR Psychometric test that was laid out to me on the day but I’ve had no hope. I don’t suppose you’ve came across this in a search of your own and if so how did you search it in the search bar.

Thanks in advance mate.