A career as a train driver

[ungreat]

Just dont get your hopes up..80% failure rate

 

[HST Power]

Just dont get your hopes up..80% failure rate

Unfortunately, that's true. For every one driving vacancy put up, there are hundreds of applications. And even if you pass the tests, the interviews and the medical, you can still fail in training.

 

[387star]

Realistically though I can't imagine someone who has got as far as training later failing.

Train driving must be one of the hardest jobs to attain and presumably this is regardless of operator.

 

[strange6]

Realistically though I can't imagine someone who has got as far as training later failing.

Train driving must be one of the hardest jobs to attain and presumably this is regardless of operator.

Absolutely! The competition is so fierce; the TOC's can have the pick of the crop! I don't envy anybody going for this position at all. You must find some way of standing out from the crowd in my opinion.

 

[GB]

Realistically though I can't imagine someone who has got as far as training later failing.

It does indeed happen.

 

[387star]

All I can say is they must be erm gutted?!

Train Driving has always been a dream job for me as it has for countless others and it will always be sought after. For me it is not the money (whilst for some people I'm sure it is) Not to mention once your a train driver your in demand, have a pension for life, fantastic benefits and a relatively stress free job. To me these potential attractions are extras and not why I want to become one but I will keep that a secret.

It is certainly a job where you need many contingency plans because one must come to terms with the reality of succeeding.

I half expect these train drivers to be supermen and am often surprised they seem so down to earth looking. Of course that's why they are where they are!

Train Drivers seem to be changing though. It seems to be becoming a second career choice for the already wealthy with ex Lawyers etc looking to it if I am not mistaken
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Absolutely! The competition is so fierce; the TOC's can have the pick of the crop! I don't envy anybody going for this position at all. You must find some way of standing out from the crowd in my opinion.

I take it at some stage in your life you have considered becoming one though?

 

[Eng274]

All I can say is they must be erm gutted?!

Train Driving has always been a dream job for me as it has for countless others and it will always be sought after. For me it is not the money (whilst for some people I'm sure it is) Not to mention once your a train driver your in demand, have a safe pension, fantastic benefits and a relatively stress free job. This is not why I want to become one either but I will keep that a secret.

It is certainly a job where you need many contingency plans because one must come to terms with the reality of succeeding.

I half expect these train drivers to be supermen and am often surprised they seem so down to earth looking. Of course that's why they are where they are!


Train Drivers seem to be changing. It seems to be becoming a second career choice for the already wealthy with ex Lawyers etc looking to it if I am not mistakern

Lothian Buses have adverts for bus drivers, but they show many different previous occupations (e.g. Quantity Surveyors, lawyers, biological scientists, human resource managers, media consultants.... all these have become bus drivers for us yadah yadah)

I;'m sure TOCs must do the same, which reduces the likeliness of those of us keen on the rail industry to ever get a job driving trains. Not to detract from those seeking a bloody amazing career, just a bit of a bitter blow to those looking to do that for a living straight out of the gate!

Best advice? Gwet a serious qualification if you can; if not, work your toushe off and earn yuor superiors/colleagues respect!

 

[strange6]

All I can say is they must be erm gutted?!

Train Driving has always been a dream job for me as it has for countless others and it will always be sought after. For me it is not the money (whilst for some people I'm sure it is) Not to mention once your a train driver your in demand, have a pension for life, fantastic benefits and a relatively stress free job. To me these potential attractions are extras and not why I want to become one but I will keep that a secret.

It is certainly a job where you need many contingency plans because one must come to terms with the reality of succeeding.

I half expect these train drivers to be supermen and am often surprised they seem so down to earth looking. Of course that's why they are where they are!

Train Drivers seem to be changing though. It seems to be becoming a second career choice for the already wealthy with ex Lawyers etc looking to it if I am not mistaken

Well, quite a lot of people can become train drivers in my opinion. If you're intelligent, have common sense, can keep your cool and think well under pressure, good reaction times etc, then you'll make a pretty good driver. The problem for people is that the job is so popular; you really must stand out from the crowd which is where I think the interview is the most important part of the process.

 

[387star]

That's what I mean. You can't base your life around this career University won't prepare you for it. It is unique in that it attracts one of the strongest characters imaginable (and I don't mean that in a thugish sense)

I wonder if there is resentment between guards and drivers or do they mostly get on? According to one site becoming a guard is a good way to become a driver because you become intimate with them but I wonder how true this is.

I'm sure becoming a bus driver is a bit easier than a train driver and I have considered this job myself. I do not plan to be in Retail management all my life and I love public transport!

 

[strange6]

All I can say is they must be erm gutted?!

Train Driving has always been a dream job for me as it has for countless others and it will always be sought after. For me it is not the money (whilst for some people I'm sure it is) Not to mention once your a train driver your in demand, have a pension for life, fantastic benefits and a relatively stress free job. To me these potential attractions are extras and not why I want to become one but I will keep that a secret.

It is certainly a job where you need many contingency plans because one must come to terms with the reality of succeeding.

I half expect these train drivers to be supermen and am often surprised they seem so down to earth looking. Of course that's why they are where they are!

Train Drivers seem to be changing though. It seems to be becoming a second career choice for the already wealthy with ex Lawyers etc looking to it if I am not mistaken
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I take it at some stage in your life you have considered becoming one though?

Absolutely! I'm absolutely convinced I have what it takes but I'm a qualified engineer, doing quite nicely thanks very much, so I'm quite happy with my lot. However, I still don't feel I have that extra something that would make me stand out from the crowd apart from going head-to-head with the DI's and whipping their butts on all of the assessment tests and then impressing those very same people at the interview stage. Yes, you can do well in the tests, like a lot of people could, but you must stand out in someway at the interview stage. Just don't ask me how you could do that!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That's what I mean. You can't base your life around this career University won't prepare you for it. It is unique in that it attracts one of the strongest characters imaginable (and I don't mean that in a thugish sense)

I wonder if there is resentment between guards and drivers or do they mostly get on? According to one site becoming a guard is a good way to become a driver because you become intimate with them but I wonder how true this is.

I'm sure becoming a bus driver is a bit easier than a train driver and I have considered this job myself. I do not plan to be in Retail management all my life and I love public transport!

I'm no expert in train crew relations but with what I know, guards and drivers get on pretty well with each other although you don't see them working that closely with each other due to the nature of their jobs. But if you could get any sort of job with a TOC, you would be in a more advantageous position to become a driver in my non-expert opinion; even if that meant sweeping platforms etc

 

[387star]

Absolutely! I'm absolutely convinced I have what it takes but I'm a qualified engineer, doing quite nicely thanks very much, so I'm quite happy with my lot. However, I still don't feel I have that extra something that would make me stand out from the crowd apart from going head-to-head with the DI's and whipping their butts on all of the assessment tests and then impressing those very same people at the interview stage. Yes, you can do well in the tests, like a lot of people could, but you must stand out in someway at the interview stage. Just don't ask me how you could do that!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I'm no expert in train crew relations but with what I know, guards and drivers get on pretty well with each other although you don't see them working that closely with each other due to the nature of their jobs. But if you could get any sort of job with a TOC, you would be in a more advantageous position to become a driver in my non-expert opinion; even if that meant sweeping platforms etc

I imagine a large percentage of the staff aspire to become drivers.

You say a lot of people pass the tests but they are clearly a challenge. I wish to challenge myself to the max and pay to take the tests just because it will be the second best thing I could achieve

How many people apply to become conductors for each job that arises? I imagine this will be much reduced compared to the train driver?

 

[strange6]

I imagine a large percentage of the staff aspire to become drivers.

You say a lot of people pass the tests but they are clearly a challenge. I wish to challenge myself to the max and pay to take the tests just because it will be the second best thing I could achieve

How many people apply to become conductors for each job that arises? I imagine this will be much reduced compared to the train driver?

I don't know about conductors but if you show a lot of enthusiasm with regard to the job, and you've a pleasant personality, then you should be able to get a conductor interview in my opinion. The important thing is to fill in your application form well and to do your research before you fill it in. There's an awful lot of great advice in these forums from experienced railway men so make the most of it!

 

[387star]

I have had an assessment before but failed underestimating the power of the Bourdon test.

Looking back at my Application I noticed I could have filled it in a lot better than I did despite getting through to Assessment and I know I can try much harder next time.


When one comes out of Uni you can feel this tremendous sense of urgency to achieve but far better to take your time. The comprehension test was much easier than I expected because I presumed I would have to memorise which wasn't the case. I will definately look to becoming a conductor again.

Can anyone confirm if you only have two chances for this role regardless of TOC

 

[CarterUSM]

Two chances is correct, though if the test changes ,i.e group bourdon to SCAAT, then i think you get another couple of shots?

 

[HST Power]

You can alternatively take the tests beforehand with DB Schenker. I think the cost now is about £130.

 

[387star]

Thanks I may do that! Do you wear formal clothes and are you interviewed plus how near is test centre from doncaster station? I presume any certificate is only valid for certain period of time and no harder to pass than toc tests
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
What's SCAAT

 

[HST Power]

Thanks I may do that! Do you wear formal clothes and are you interviewed plus how near is test centre from doncaster station? I presume any certificate is only valid for certain period of time and no harder to pass than toc tests

From what my train driving friends tell me, DB Schenker only do the tests. They are exactly the same as with any other TOC, so you'll still be doing the likes of the Group Bourdon and the dials test. The interviews are done with the TOC you are going for the job with, not with DB Schenker.
The certificate will expire after a certain amount of time, but I'm not sure when.
I'd strongly, strongly advise dressing smartly for tests and interviews. You wouldn't want to employ somebody who turns up in an Arsenal shirt and jeans!

Good luck!

 

[GB]

A word of warning if your thinking about paying for the test yourself...

If you fail the test then that is one of your attempts gone.
A pass does not guarantee a job at the end of it.
Even if you pass the TOC you apply for may not accept it and may send you on it again.

 

[HST Power]

Definitely worth bearing in mind.

You only get two shots at passing the tests.

And there are hundreds of applications for every one vacancy.

 

[387star]

Ah don't think i will bother then what if pass tests but fail interview? I might still take driver tests at doncaster though just not guard as failed once. Do you have two interviews for conductor like driver?

 

[HST Power]

Ah don't think i will bother then what if pass tests but fail interview? I might still take driver tests at doncaster though just not guard as failed once. Do you have two interviews for conductor like driver?

If you fail, you try again. The main thing to pass is the training. I know if you fail twice you can't try again, but what if you get the DB Schenker certificate but fail twice in interviews? Can you go again? That's what I'd like to know.

 

[GB]

If you fail, you try again. The main thing to pass is the training. I know if you fail twice you can't try again, but what if you get the DB Schenker certificate but fail twice in interviews? Can you go again? That's what I'd like to know.

If you pass the assessments but fail the structured interview (the one you do at the assessment center), it usually counts as a fail but can be left up to the discretion of the TOC in some circumstances. The assessment is the railway standard of which you MUST pass, the interview is just a company standard. The same with the signallers assessment. The line managers interview there is no limit IIRC.

I passed the assessments lasts year but failed the interview, however my FOC has stated that it is acceptable for depot driving. Strange that it is acceptable for that but not mainline driving.

 

[HST Power]

Thanks for the clarification.

I don't think there's anything else I can do to help.

Best of luck to ml (and everyone else who's trying to become a train driver!)

 

[notadriver]

If you pass the assessments but fail the structured interview (the one you do at the assessment center), it usually counts as a fail but can be left up to the discretion of the TOC in some circumstances. The assessment is the railway standard of which you MUST pass, the interview is just a company standard. The same with the signallers assessment. The line managers interview there is no limit IIRC.

I passed the assessments lasts year but failed the interview, however my FOC has stated that it is acceptable for depot driving. Strange that it is acceptable for that but not mainline driving.

Is depot driving similar to main line driving? Some depot drivers seem to go on the main line. Others don't.

 

[GB]

Is depot driving similar to main line driving? Some depot drivers seem to go on the main line. Others don't.

No not where I am, just within the confines of private infrastructure.

 

[387star]

Thanks! Btw where do island line drivers go for assessment being such an unusual op? Depot driving involves same assessments then and these would be taken again to become msinline driver? Perhaps these are advertised internally havent seen posts

 

[strange6]

You may find this manual concerning train driver training useful. I have only just come across it

http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Railway_...ent/RSSB Good Practice Guides/RS221 Iss 1.pdf

 

[HST Power]

Thanks! Btw where do island line drivers go for assessment being such an unusual op? Depot driving involves same assessments then and these would be taken again to become msinline driver? Perhaps these are advertised internally havent seen posts

A lot of TOC's advertise internally nowadays.

 

[Jack in England]

normally you work your way up in railways, but you can sometimes get in at the top straight away, it all depends, some companies are very hard to get into at the drivers grade nxec is one of these, not sure about t&w metro. could always give it ago. just remember the age restrictions 21 is the minimum for driving trains in the uk.

Worked in the railway industry for 20 years and with 14 years expirence as a signaller. I applied for train drivers job with SWT and didn't even get a an assessment (those questions give me an example......) I blew them out of the water with derailed trains,Pilotman working,emergency working....etc so it really is an open invite

 

[387star]

Can anybody confirm SCATT is letters and Bourdon pattern based?

Regarding the infamous 'How2become' guide would 'Concentration tests' mean SCATT as opposed to Bourdon?

Thanks

PS sorry if spelt the acronym wrong