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First Rail London - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter greatkingrat
- Start date
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20atthemagnet
Member
As explained. New Cross is the most intensive depot in the whole operation seconded probably by Willesden. Most people who join LO spend very little time there and immediately put a transfer to another depot. Having worked alongside many ex NXG drivers after they transferred, the consensus is generally the same. High intensity tiring work, and because of its unique location, poor transport links meaning that it’s an absolute pain to get to and from work by car or by rail unless you live on top of the depot. At certain times it can take up to 2 hours by car depending on which direction you are coming in from especially if you are living north of the river. Thus NXG has always and will always be the feeder depot of London Overground. So as people retire or leave to go to other TOCs and lateral transfers are granted, NXG recruits to fill the vacancies. For the past 10 years there has never been a lateral transfer in to NXG so they have to recruit aggressively to keep up with the gaps left. It doesn’t mean it’s a bad job, but definitely something to consider if you drive. Many people have put lateral transfers to depots further away from home geographically to cut their commute, simply because they are easier to get to. Watford, Stratford, Euston and Chingford are the places where most people want to get to now, much better diagrams and very easy to get to via public transport or car for Chingford/Watford…although the waiting list for some span several years. A lot of people are now moving out of London to Essex and Hertfordshire etc for better quality of life and cheaper housing at which point a depot like Chingford or Watford becomes very desirable.
This isn’t to put anybody off, but just make sure you understand your commute and contingencies too. Spending 8hr45 doing intensive commuter work and then having 2 hours either side of the day will get very tiresome very quickly. You can pass the distance criteria for an application, but the reality of your route in for a lot of the time can be completely different.
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Unfortunately so. Ethical recruitment would say allow anyone with open applications to finish them and not close job adverts early, but as these jobs are so in demand, I have yet to find a company that actually gives a stuff, but I must say my experience with Southeastern was probably amongst the best more generally speaking.
Thankfully I got a "continue your application" email this morning and was delighted to find I could finish it. To say I went through it at lightning speed is an understatement!
Now just a waiting game!
First Tram Operations were very quick to handle my application so we'll see!
akaMcMonagle
Member
Just in case anyone is still interested, the Trainee Driver advert has gone back up for New Cross!
careers.firstgroup.co.uk
Trainee Train Driver - New Cross, Greater London, United Kingdom
Who are we First Rail London (FRL) is the train operating company responsible for running the London Overground network under a concession agreement with Transport for London (TfL). The concession began in May 2026. First Rail London is part of FirstGroup, one of the leading rail operators and...
careers.firstgroup.co.uk
Twin82
Member
Hi. Can anyone give me some insight on what the online assessment entails please? And how many different assessments do you have to complete before you get to the in person assessment. Please and thanks in advance.
v16ull
Member
Got my email to say I have to do an online assessment within the next 48 hours, no pressure! Bit cheeky I know but has anyone got any idea what it involves?
Twin82
Member
Lol I literally just asked that
I think so yes
v16ull
Member
I’ve had an email inviting me to do an online assessment within 48 hours, no real clues as to what it is……. bit cheeky but has anyone been brave enough to do it? What was it?
Alex_09
Member
- Joined
- 10 Aug 2018
- Messages
- 47
Hi all I’ve just done the 1st test it’s a driver sjt test around 18 questions pick the most or lest answer out of the 4 possible answers
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I just got another email passed the 1st test now need to do the next part
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I just got another email passed the 1st test now need to do the next part
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How was the second test?
Alex_09
Member
- Joined
- 10 Aug 2018
- Messages
- 47
It was an error checking test not to bad just got a response my application is now with the hiring manager so fingers crossed
How many questions do you think you managed to do?
rail graft
Member
I just completed the first part awaiting results, how long should I expect to receive them?
Idk, the guy above seemed to have received his within 20mins. I’m yet to receive anything..
If you’re successful should only be a handful of minutes, they got back to me with the second part in 5mins
Have you heard back after the 2nd part?
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Any luck?
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rail graft
Member
Literally just got the email about the second part, anyone know what to expect
Not yet.
The 1st test is a filter test so if you reach the pass threshold you get an email letting you know after you complete it. The second one again has a set criteria that needs to be met.
If successful you’ll then be contacted about the upcoming steps, it will likely take a while longer as next steps could be booking in with the OPC!
Alex_09
Member
- Joined
- 10 Aug 2018
- Messages
- 47
I wasn’t counting but got quite a lot done hopefully its enough
rail graft
Member
yeah I focused on the detail, hopefully accuracy beats speed, like in the group bourdon but who knows
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did you get far in the second part ?
Over 30 under 40 but yes accuracy is the most important thing.
I haven’t got anything back after the 2nd part. Has anyone got the same email after completing 2nd part? ( now with hiring manager)
PufferFish
Member
Been over a hour since I done the first test, taking it as I’ve not passed 
v16ull
Member
I haven’t been brave enough to do the second part yet, I’m so scared of messing it up!