• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

CrossCountry - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

SparrowC

Member
Joined
1 Aug 2026
Messages
6
Location
Derby
Hello, Derby
Oh amazing well done

I also applied for Derby in Feb but I'm still waiting in the talent pool for a course and apart from being told I'm in the talent pool I haven't had any contact from recruitment.

Out of curiosity when did they contact to give you a start date
 

milkyjoe120

New Member
Joined
7 May 2026
Messages
4
Location
Derby
Oh amazing well done

I also applied for Derby in Feb but I'm still waiting in the talent pool for a course and apart from being told I'm in the talent pool I haven't had any contact from recruitment.

Out of curiosity when did they contact to give you a start date
It will have been a couple of weeks ago now. I was initially told it'd be 2027 before I heard anything.

Hopefully they get you on a course soon!
 

BongCups34

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
47
Location
Bristol
Hi
Does anyone have any info on the initial training course up at derby? Such as the actual length of time on the course and if the course is fully full time in derby? Or do you come down to depot for set weeks?

Thanks
 

ChooWoo

Member
Joined
1 May 2026
Messages
51
Location
Wolverhampton
Hi
Does anyone have any info on the initial training course up at derby? Such as the actual length of time on the course and if the course is fully full time in derby? Or do you come down to depot for set weeks?

Thanks
You do 10weeks classroom, odd day out, full time residential.
Then 1 or 2 weeks off in leave, then another 6 residential with few more days out.
Get put up in hotel, can go home but not ideal as people who perform best tend to stay over for sim time, and revise together on evenings
 

BongCups34

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
47
Location
Bristol
Hi thanks for the response!

So is it 16weeks in derby all together?
I’m from Bristol so I will be staying in hotel.
Buzzing for it!
 

ChooWoo

Member
Joined
1 May 2026
Messages
51
Location
Wolverhampton
Hi thanks for the response!

So is it 16weeks in derby all together?
I’m from Bristol so I will be staying in hotel.
Buzzing for it!
17 technically as they don't count the induction week which is at Wyvern House.
You starting in October? If so our course will still be there for 2 weeks before we do our first big assessment
 

MrPopo2468

Member
Joined
1 Mar 2026
Messages
10
Location
Birmingham
Hi
Does anyone have any info on the initial training course up at derby? Such as the actual length of time on the course and if the course is fully full time in derby? Or do you come down to depot for set weeks?

Thanks
Hi all,
I just received my course start date as being Jan 4th after doing my dmi back in April. In regards to the training course at derby, Kirsty who has taken over from Andy at recruitment mentioned that it would be classroom based jan-april with preplanned holidays throughout. There will then be some sort of break before continuing the last stretch of training down at whatever station you originally applied for. Birmingham New Street applicants will also receive the lodging option too for the training at derby
 

Wawooweewa

Member
Joined
4 May 2026
Messages
5
Location
Birmingham
Hi all,
I just received my course start date as being Jan 4th after doing my dmi back in April. In regards to the training course at derby, Kirsty who has taken over from Andy at recruitment mentioned that it would be classroom based jan-april with preplanned holidays throughout. There will then be some sort of break before continuing the last stretch of training down at whatever station you originally applied for. Birmingham New Street applicants will also receive the lodging option too for the training at derby
Hiya, that’s amazing news, well done!

I am in a similar boat and I’m waiting for a call back. Did they say anything about whether they had any other calls to make or was it quite vague?
 

Rapture

Member
Joined
24 May 2025
Messages
15
Location
England
Hi all,
I just received my course start date as being Jan 4th after doing my dmi back in April. In regards to the training course at derby, Kirsty who has taken over from Andy at recruitment mentioned that it would be classroom based jan-april with preplanned holidays throughout. There will then be some sort of break before continuing the last stretch of training down at whatever station you originally applied for. Birmingham New Street applicants will also receive the lodging option too for the training at derby
I’ll probably be on this course too :)
 

ZxcLx3

New Member
Joined
15 Apr 2026
Messages
3
Location
York
Hi all,
I just received my course start date as being Jan 4th after doing my dmi back in April. In regards to the training course at derby, Kirsty who has taken over from Andy at recruitment mentioned that it would be classroom based jan-april with preplanned holidays throughout. There will then be some sort of break before continuing the last stretch of training down at whatever station you originally applied for. Birmingham New Street applicants will also receive the lodging option too for the training at derby
Hi, was it an email or call you got? When I got my call after my Dmi I was told I scored top so was next in line for the January course just wondered which I need to keep my eye out for…

Congratulations also by the way!
 

ZxcLx3

New Member
Joined
15 Apr 2026
Messages
3
Location
York
Yeah course, was end of april, and is for Leeds. Hopefully you aren’t for Leeds also or that would be confusing! It was Andy that called at the time but from above there’s clearly been a change at recruitment.
When did you do your DMI, please? And if comfortable sharing, which depot? I ask as I was told the exact same thing on both counts, so interested to see how the January course fills up, especially as I'm still awaiting medical and DBS
 

ZxcLx3

New Member
Joined
15 Apr 2026
Messages
3
Location
York
Ah, ace, thanks - nope, not Leeds haha! Seems I'm a few months behind you guys, hopefully you hear soon.

Have you had your medical yet?
Nope nothing like that, someone will be able to advise better, but I’m guessing once they make contact and you can go on the course they’ll book the medical in etc etc.
 

Massen

Member
Joined
22 May 2026
Messages
6
Location
Worcestershire
Hi all,
I just received my course start date as being Jan 4th after doing my dmi back in April. In regards to the training course at derby, Kirsty who has taken over from Andy at recruitment mentioned that it would be classroom based jan-april with preplanned holidays throughout. There will then be some sort of break before continuing the last stretch of training down at whatever station you originally applied for. Birmingham New Street applicants will also receive the lodging option too for the training at derby
Mega congratulations mate, good luck.

That would be why I haven’t had an update from Andy regarding my DMI (I’m hoping)
 
Last edited:

timmy827

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2025
Messages
29
Location
Devon
Hi all,
I just received my course start date as being Jan 4th after doing my dmi back in April. In regards to the training course at derby, Kirsty who has taken over from Andy at recruitment mentioned that it would be classroom based jan-april with preplanned holidays throughout. There will then be some sort of break before continuing the last stretch of training down at whatever station you originally applied for. Birmingham New Street applicants will also receive the lodging option too for the training at derby
I’ve also been given a start date of Jan 4th pending medical etc. Hopefully see you there!
 

Top