A career as a train driver

[Raybatesman]

Hey guys, after a month of assessments and tests I've finally made the cut bar a medical standing in my way. I just wanted to know if there are any books or any material out there worth reading to get me ready for the classroom training part? I already work on the platform so have knowledge of a few things which will help but want to be ahead of the game and get my brains used to studying again as it's been a while

Thanks

 

[TreacleMiller]

Hey guys, after a month of assessments and tests I've finally made the cut bar a medical standing in my way. I just wanted to know if there are any books or any material out there worth reading to get me ready for the classroom training part? I already work on the platform so have knowledge of a few things which will help but want to be ahead of the game and get my brains used to studying again as it's been a while

Thanks

I'd recommend against it and this was the official advice of the training team too. What you know you'll find already puts you ahead of those of us who were brand new coming in.

Better to prep yourself with notepads, find out and practice how you learn best etc.

 

[Raybatesman]

I'd recommend against it and this was the official advice of the training team too. What you know you'll find already puts you ahead of those of us who were brand new coming in.

Better to prep yourself with notepads, find out and practice how you learn best etc.

Thank you for the advice

 

[Kendo]

No need for any revision prior to starting training. Best bit of advice work/study hard and you'll be absolutely fine. Also keep a low profile if that makes sense they training school don't particularly like people with big egos who know it all. Good luck and well done

 

[Newapplicant]

Congratulations and good luck with the medical.

I can only mirror what others have said. Whilst I don't work on the railways (I am trying) I do work the police and this is told to new recruits, don't start revising things before you've started the training as you don't want to learn something incorrectly and then get to training only be told that you need to relearn it. Just take training one day at a time and I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

[richfoz84]

I too would say don’t worry about studying before you start. The classroom part is geared up to teach you everything you need to learn.

I came from outside the railway and found it no issue learning and passing - albeit with plenty of studying at home too!

Best of luck

 

[Shunted]

Hey guys, after a month of assessments and tests I've finally made the cut bar a medical standing in my way. I just wanted to know if there are any books or any material out there worth reading to get me ready for the classroom training part? I already work on the platform so have knowledge of a few things which will help but want to be ahead of the game and get my brains used to studying again as it's been a while

Thanks

The only thing I’d suggest is the phonetic alphabet unless you already know it. Would save a few hours getting your head around it.

 

[EMAA]

Hi all. Can anyone point me in the direction of information regarding the group assessment days. Specifically what might be discussed and expected to be presented by a group. Thanks.

 

[DMckduck]

I’ve always wondered, with the paper tests. What is to stop the person in charge of the testing if they were to make a mistake from potentially messing up peoples chances? Not saying it does happen, but with feedback being so vague and not knowing how you did or the pass/fail rate. How do you truly know

 

[badger85]

I’ve always wondered, with the paper tests. What is to stop the person in charge of the testing if they were to make a mistake from potentially messing up peoples chances? Not saying it does happen, but with feedback being so vague and not knowing how you did or the pass/fail rate. How do you truly know

I sat my paper tests today and we were told that they are marked and then cross checked so unlikely for them to make a mistake from the sounds of it

 

[ComUtoR]

I’ve always wondered, with the paper tests. What is to stop the person in charge of the testing if they were to make a mistake from potentially messing up peoples chances?

What kind of mistake ? A mistake in the marking of it or somehow accidentally spoiling the paper ?

Not saying it does happen, but with feedback being so vague and not knowing how you did or the pass/fail rate.

The failure rate is in the low 90s. I did read some figures recently but I cannot recall the specifics.

How do you truly know.

I suppose you just have to trust the system. If you had a genuine concern then I would hope there was a right of appeal.

I watched the dots test get marked a few weeks ago and the chance for error was pretty well mitigated against. The people who administer these tests tend to be very skilled and are audited on a regular basis.

I don't doubt mistakes happen. No system is perfect.

 

[gmayo777]

Hi all! Fairly new to this, have wanted to apply for ages but haven't had the opportunity to before. Got invited to a trainee driver interview with Northern, and have a couple weeks before it. I've been preparing answers to questions I've seen on here, aswell as some others, but does anyone have any tips on conduct?
Can I take documents like a job description printout to the interview or will that be seen as 'not great memory'?
Anything is appreciated!

 

[st1995]

I have not long had my DMI with Avanti and it states on their career prospectus that notes are ok to bring along, just dont read from the sheet, just use it for reminders. I wouldnt know if thats the case for northern though.
It terms of things there looking for, read up on NTS, The OPC have a survery of the top 26 and its most likely to pop up in the interview as TOC's are quite focused on those lately. You dont have to remember all 26, just the top 6, if you can remember more then great! Learn about their rolling stock and routes, their values and their future plans. Having knowledge about their company is always a winner, it shows you have invested time into learning about them and it shows your interest.

 

[clarets2005]

Hi all! Fairly new to this, have wanted to apply for ages but haven't had the opportunity to before. Got invited to a trainee driver interview with Northern, and have a couple weeks before it. I've been preparing answers to questions I've seen on here, aswell as some others, but does anyone have any tips on conduct?
Can I take documents like a job description printout to the interview or will that be seen as 'not great memory'?
Anything is appreciated!

Hi there,

First of all, best of luck, you've got through the most difficult stages of the application process and the DMI is usually a more relaxed affair compared to the MMI or CBI you'll have done with the OPC.
As with most interviews the focus should be on yourself for starters, just to break the ice, then it'll go onto the company, why you want to work for them and be a driver specifically, and a number of competency based questions after that. One thing I will say, is resist saying how much you love trains, playing Train Sim, it just isn't worth mentioning.
Sorry if some of these seem obvious to you, but hope they help, as they certainly did me.

Preparation:

• Not necessarily easy for everyone to do, but eating, sleeping and exercising well all help to make sure you're at your best for the interview
• Learn about the company, their routes, traction, values, vision, current projects, their leadership team, look at their socials (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube etc) and think outside the box
• Think about the sort of competency based questions you're usually asked in an interview, and what questions you're likely to be asked in a DMI based on that
• Think about non-technical skills and what you feel are the ones most important to driving trains safely - where does your experience evidence having those?

On the day:

• Don't be nervous, again, easier said than done given what's at stake, but usually DMs and others in the interview are very personable people, and they are there to get the best out of you
• Get to the interview location in good time, do a little final prep, perhaps have a walk round at the site and look at operational material if you get the opportunity
• Dress smart and get the little details right with an outfit that fits nicely, shirt that's nicely ironed, tie tied at the right length etc, all make small difference

 

[DMckduck]

What kind of mistake ? A mistake in the marking of it or somehow accidentally spoiling the paper ?



The failure rate is in the low 90s. I did read some figures recently but I cannot recall the specifics.



I suppose you just have to trust the system. If you had a genuine concern then I would hope there was a right of appeal.

I watched the dots test get marked a few weeks ago and the chance for error was pretty well mitigated against. The people who administer these tests tend to be very skilled and are audited on a regular basis.

I don't doubt mistakes happen. No system is perfect.

From what I’ve heard it’s very easy to make a mistake on the tests taking them yourself, so I imagine it’s also very easy if the marker/examiner was having an off day for it to happen. At my TOC the tests are supervised and marked by only one person. It was just a general question really I guess you have to take it with a pinch of salt. I think it’s just the vague feedback system from posts on here which made me wonder

 

[Stigy]

What kind of mistake ? A mistake in the marking of it or somehow accidentally spoiling the paper ?



The failure rate is in the low 90s. I did read some figures recently but I cannot recall the specifics.



I suppose you just have to trust the system. If you had a genuine concern then I would hope there was a right of appeal.

I watched the dots test get marked a few weeks ago and the chance for error was pretty well mitigated against. The people who administer these tests tend to be very skilled and are audited on a regular basis.

I don't doubt mistakes happen. No system is perfect.

I thought that the Group Bourden test specifically, was marked by a computer these days?

 

[ComUtoR]

I thought that the Group Bourden test specifically, was marked by a computer these days?

Probably at other TOCs but I was down with recruitment a few weeks ago and watched them marking papers.

 

[Andywen]

A general enquiry gents and ladies. Is it essential to have GCSE maths grade A-C? Considering I'm in my 40s now. I have all other GCSEs grade A-C, but only D in maths.

 

[Stigy]

A general enquiry gents and ladies. Is it essential to have GCSE maths grade A-C? Considering I'm in my 40s now. I have all other GCSEs grade A-C, but only D in maths.

At TOCs/FOCs who use apprenticeships, A-C in Maths and English are necessary, but if you don’t have them, most companies will put you through “functional skills” tests to qualify for said apprenticeships (essentially the equivalent of grades A to C).

 

[Andywen]

At TOCs/FOCs who use apprenticeships, A-C in Maths and English are necessary, but if you don’t have them, most companies will put you through “functional skills” tests to qualify for said apprenticeships (essentially the equivalent of grades A to C).

Thanks for clarifying

 

[RyanC87]

Thanks for clarifying

As mentioned above. You do a college course at the end of the initial classroom training. Nothing too difficult and the tutor gives you everything you need to get through the tests

 

[Andywen]

As mentioned above. You do a college course at the end of the initial classroom training. Nothing too difficult and the tutor gives you everything you need to get through the tests

Thank you

 

[Maher59]

Good afternoon,

I have an interview for the trainee train driver position for Northern based out of Sheffield, just wondering if any body has any potential tips ? I want to make sure I am well prepared so just wondering how much I need to know about Northern and Sheffield Station as well as been prepared for the competency questions?

Thank you

 

[baz962]

Good afternoon,

I have an interview for the trainee train driver position for Northern based out of Sheffield, just wondering if any body has any potential tips ? I want to make sure I am well prepared so just wondering how much I need to know about Northern and Sheffield Station as well as been prepared for the competency questions?

Thank you

I'm not a Northern driver , but in the two interviews I had for trainee driver and the one since for qualified I was asked the routes they cover and the traction they use. Also why do you want to be a driver. In one I was asked what I would do if tired and also mentioned how many services they run , how many customers they carried and how many staff they employ.

 

[LoogaBarooga]

Got to the depot and speak to a DTM, they will tell you most of the stuff you need to know. They might end up being one of the people doing your interview so it's instant brownie points too.

 

[Dazzer390]

Hello,
Been a while since I've posted on here...life's been busy for me lately.
I've had a question....I'm just about to graduate from High School in the US and I'm thinking (in the long run) of moving back to the UK to drive Passenger Trains. (I'm not fond of the US Trains to be honest, not to mention I'm used to the Trains over in the UK)
My question is: "Is a C in Maths acceptable to become a Train Driver over there?"
Daz

 

[RyanC87]

Hello,
Been a while since I've posted on here...life's been busy for me lately.
I've had a question....I'm just about to graduate from High School in the US and I'm thinking (in the long run) of moving back to the UK to drive Passenger Trains. (I'm not fond of the US Trains to be honest, not to mention I'm used to the Trains over in the UK)
My question is: "Is a C in Maths acceptable to become a Train Driver over there?"
Daz

Yes. Alot do the apprenticeship scheme now whereby you have a c in maths English. Some allow you to do a college course in house, but if you have it then you'll be fine.

 

[richfoz84]

Hello,
Been a while since I've posted on here...life's been busy for me lately.
I've had a question....I'm just about to graduate from High School in the US and I'm thinking (in the long run) of moving back to the UK to drive Passenger Trains. (I'm not fond of the US Trains to be honest, not to mention I'm used to the Trains over in the UK)
My question is: "Is a C in Maths acceptable to become a Train Driver over there?"
Daz

I had a D in Maths. This didn’t stop me getting the job. With the new apprenticeship standard I had to sit Maths “key skills” and obtain a C or above which I got. However I was reminded a few times that not passing my apprenticeship wouldn’t stop me driving trains for a living.. so I wouldn’t worry too much mate!

 

[cebz9]

Good afternoon,

I have an interview for the trainee train driver position for Northern based out of Sheffield, just wondering if any body has any potential tips ? I want to make sure I am well prepared so just wondering how much I need to know about Northern and Sheffield Station as well as been prepared for the competency questions?

Thank you

Im currently in training for northern, to be based in Sheffield. I would suggest you find out as much information about the company as possible. There’s quite a bit of info on their website (that’s what I used). Why you want to be a driver, and if you understand the role. You’ll be asked questions about how you deal with certain situations, it can be from how to prepare yourself for work; to what you’d do if you see someone being bullied. From my own experience, it wasn’t overly stressful, likely because I prepared for it, but really think about what you can bring to the role. What key skills that drivers need and that you also possess.

I wish you the best of luck

 

[LoogaBarooga]

There are videos on YouTube of mock DMIs. I had an interview recently and the questions were more or less identical to the ones on the videos. I didn't discover this until after my interview!