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West Midlands Trains (inc. LNWR) - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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JM2001

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2026
Messages
10
Location
lichfield
I have my stage 1 upcoming.

Been sent the practice materials, with alot of testing types within it.

Just to confirm, is stage 1 just the group bourdon, tea-Occ, and TRP1&2?
 

JM2001

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2026
Messages
10
Location
lichfield
Thank you.

Does anybody have an idea of what to wear? I feel as though suit attire is too much, but also do not want to not appear smart at the same time. What did people who have already sat stage 1 assessments wear?
 

Ludus

Member
Joined
11 Mar 2020
Messages
89
Location
UK
Thank you.

Does anybody have an idea of what to wear? I feel as though suit attire is too much, but also do not want to not appear smart at the same time. What did people who have already sat stage 1 assessments wear?
Shirt, chinos and smart shoes is what I wore and pretty much everyone else was wearing the same on my assessment days. There was nobody in a suit if that helps.
 

JM2001

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2026
Messages
10
Location
lichfield
Does anybody know whether or not the stage 1 assessments last the entire 4 hour allocated slot time for those who have previously done it? Cheers.
 

Kaeyby

Member
Joined
26 Jan 2024
Messages
7
Location
Shoreditch High Street
Does anybody know whether or not the stage 1 assessments last the entire 4 hour allocated slot time for those who have previously done it? Cheers.
Yes it does last for around 4 hours. Mine started at 08:45 but we didn't actually start any tests until 09:30 and finished around 12:30.
 

ZLA1711

New Member
Joined
9 Jul 2026
Messages
3
Location
Midlands
Thank you.

Does anybody have an idea of what to wear? I feel as though suit attire is too much, but also do not want to not appear smart at the same time. What did people who have already sat stage 1 assessments wear?
I wore a full suit for stage 1 and I shall be doing the same for my stage 2.

I personally see it as still part of the job interview.

That's just me though, im old school.

1 dude on my stage 1 rocked up like he had just been surfing....shorts, vest and backwards cap!
 

1369phil

New Member
Joined
16 Aug 2026
Messages
3
Location
St. Albans
I passed stage 2 on the 1st Sept, applied for Bletchley. I'm pretty sure the application was for a start date in Spring 27 and not just a talent pool
 

Subutai001

Member
Joined
5 Oct 2023
Messages
5
Location
Northamptonshire
If it helps anyone - I passed both stages with the OPC earlier this year with another TOC - applied for Bletchley in May, passed the WM Trains sift in July and entered the Talent Pool. Then got the no further vacancies for chosen depot this year email end of July, then invited to DMI late September, and now passed DMI and hoping that means I'm now waiting for a course date/medical rather than being in another pool! Found out I passed the DMI the day after it took place.
 

chris2288

Member
Joined
12 Nov 2025
Messages
17
Location
Bedford
If it helps anyone - I passed both stages with the OPC earlier this year with another TOC - applied for Bletchley in May, passed the WM Trains sift in July and entered the Talent Pool. Then got the no further vacancies for chosen depot this year email end of July, then invited to DMI late September, and now passed DMI and hoping that means I'm now waiting for a course date/medical rather than being in another pool! Found out I passed the DMI the day after it took place.
Very similar situation. I passed my OPC stage 2 in May and got my invite for my DMI 2 weeks ago for Bletchley. Had my interview on Friday found out I passed today.
 

xenomorth45

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2025
Messages
80
Location
dudley
Has any other June 26 online sift peeps heard anything yet for Wolverhampton? Keep getting worried I have missed an email.
 

chris2288

Member
Joined
12 Nov 2025
Messages
17
Location
Bedford
Amazing well done! What was the DMI like?
Thank you. It was tough but I found it more relaxed than the MMI. It was split into two parts. First part was about the company and why you want to be a train driver then they score you and if you pass you get on to do a further 6 scenario based questions similar to the MMI. I got the invite about 10 days before so hopefully you will hear soon.
For the company make sure you know the main routes the rolling stock and traction. The two brands LNW and WMR and their values. That's what they were mainly looking for that you had done your research. For scenarios just bring it back to safety and scenarios of where you've done shift work or how you stay calm in certain situations
 

1369phil

New Member
Joined
16 Aug 2026
Messages
3
Location
St. Albans
Thank you. It was tough but I found it more relaxed than the MMI. It was split into two parts. First part was about the company and why you want to be a train driver then they score you and if you pass you get on to do a further 6 scenario based questions similar to the MMI. I got the invite about 10 days before so hopefully you will hear soon.
For the company make sure you know the main routes the rolling stock and traction. The two brands LNW and WMR and their values. That's what they were mainly looking for that you had done your research. For scenarios just bring it back to safety and scenarios of where you've done shift work or how you stay calm in certain situations
Very useful, thank you and well done
 

Welshp88

Member
Joined
31 Jul 2020
Messages
10
Location
Telford
Thank you. It was tough but I found it more relaxed than the MMI. It was split into two parts. First part was about the company and why you want to be a train driver then they score you and if you pass you get on to do a further 6 scenario based questions similar to the MMI. I got the invite about 10 days before so hopefully you will hear soon.
For the company make sure you know the main routes the rolling stock and traction. The two brands LNW and WMR and their values. That's what they were mainly looking for that you had done your research. For scenarios just bring it back to safety and scenarios of where you've done shift work or how you stay calm in certain situations
Great advice! Thank you. I applied November 2025 so I’m fairly patient with the whole process. I’m hopeful I’ll hear something before the end of the year but we’ll see.
 

rjmoy

New Member
Joined
8 Sep 2026
Messages
2
Location
redditch
Sadly had my feedback that I had met the national standard on group bourdon but not the enhanced…. Unsure where to go from here! Is there an unofficial list of what each TOC accepts?
 

BHMGuard

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2025
Messages
40
Location
Birmingham
Sadly had my feedback that I had met the national standard on group bourdon but not the enhanced…. Unsure where to go from here! Is there an unofficial list of what each TOC accepts?
XC accepts standard if you are BHM based. Chiltern and WMT are enhanced, obviously. Avanti also enhanced. FOC wise FL is enhanced, believe GBRf MAY be standard but you need a full pass of stage 1 and 2 before applying.
 

DaveChooChoo

Member
Joined
5 Nov 2024
Messages
22
Location
Crewe
No still waiting, its frustrating. I don't know whether to prepare for a DMI that may or may not happen.
I know I’m the same!! And if we don’t hear anything or our depot isn’t taking on should we apply elsewhere?? Very unclear.
 

BHMGuard

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2025
Messages
40
Location
Birmingham
I know I’m the same!! And if we don’t hear anything or our depot isn’t taking on should we apply elsewhere?? Very unclear.
In my honest opinion, if you have passes and aren’t applying elsewhere at the same time to get your key, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
 

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