Chiltern - Apprentice Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[dilwar04]

Hi guys, finally I got a response from chiltern. Since I applied back in February for Marylebone trainee. For the longest My status had been stuck on 1.7 OPC TEST. they just sent an email to do the OPC test near Watford on the 13th. Can anyone give me some materials to practice on, if you’ve already done it and passed could you help me out guide me on what’s sort of questions you got

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Aug 2025 ==

Same here. I have been trying to get in touch for quite a while. Any news?

Yeah just got an email to attend OPC test at Watford on the 13th

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Aug 2025 ==

Hello,
For the group Bourdon test, I was given a pdf file with loads of practice materials, and my family would help me with the timings and marking....I was consistently achieving 9-12 rows with no mistakes.

The Tea-Occ I was given a software package with this test on it....it was exactly the same test but on a computer rather than on paper....this really helped me with my preparation.... again, I practiced it loads to the point where I was getting 100% for all three parts...the test is in 3 parts...

TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b);
I didn't have any practice materials...but I managed ok...only got through half of the questions and the 8 minutes were up....I thought I had failed..but fortunately I passed....but I took my time and ensured all my answers were right...I think accuracy over speed helps here....

TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part
2)
I didn't practice this test as I had no practice materials...but what I did was read 2 pages book and try and ask myself questions about what I have just read

Hope this helps...

Would you be able to send me the materials you used. I’ve got this coming up on the 13th. I’d like to prepare as much as possible.

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)

 

[topfisher]

Hi guys, finally I got a response from chiltern. Since I applied back in February for Marylebone trainee. For the longest My status had been stuck on 1.7 OPC TEST. they just sent an email to do the OPC test near Watford on the 13th. Can anyone give me some materials to practice on, if you’ve already done it and passed could you help me out guide me on what’s sort of questions you got

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Aug 2025 ==


Yeah just got an email to attend OPC test at Watford on the 13th

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Aug 2025 ==


Would you be able to send me the materials you used. I’ve got this coming up on the 13th. I’d like to prepare as much as possible.

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)

Hello
I haven't got any practice materials for

• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)

But I can share Group Bourdon and Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention practice materials

Hope this helps

 

[flying_gerry]

Apologies if this has already been answered- but why is the apprentice period stated as 12-18 months and not a fixed length of time?

Also, does anyone know if the stated salary of approx £27k for Aylesbury increases across the apprentice period or is that it?

Does your annual leave entitlement increase with length of service at Chiltern? Would be giving up 49 days annual leave ‍

 

[HeelBurton]

Apologies if this has already been answered- but why is the apprentice period stated as 12-18 months and not a fixed length of time?

Also, does anyone know if the stated salary of approx £27k for Aylesbury increases across the apprentice period or is that it?

Does your annual leave entitlement increase with length of service at Chiltern? Would be giving up 49 days annual leave ‍

Many moving parts. instructor availability, how long it takes to get the required 275 mandatory driving hours and then also actually being ready for the various assessments along the way including your drivers final, your own annual leave etc. rather than quote a fixed length of time; there’s a mention of an average based on how long it can take.

The rate increases after you pass your rules which takes about 3-4 months then stays that way for the duration of your training.

The annual leave does not increase throughout length of service either.

 

[flying_gerry]

Many moving parts. instructor availability, how long it takes to get the required 275 mandatory driving hours and then also actually being ready for the various assessments along the way including your drivers final, your own annual leave etc. rather than quote a fixed length of time; there’s a mention of an average based on how long it can take.

The rate increases after you pass your rules which takes about 3-4 months then stays that way for the duration of your training.

The annual leave does not increase throughout length of service either.

Do you know what the rate is after the 3,4 months? Have the Group Bourdon etc on the 14th just weighing up whether I can afford to proceed or give up my current t&cs

 

[Ridetherails]

Apologies if this has already been answered- but why is the apprentice period stated as 12-18 months and not a fixed length of time?

Also, does anyone know if the stated salary of approx £27k for Aylesbury increases across the apprentice period or is that it?

Does your annual leave entitlement increase with length of service at Chiltern? Would be giving up 49 days annual leave ‍

That’s only something you can answer.

Would be somewhere around the 33day mark, but don’t forget bank holidays aren’t included and you’ll be working then unless you book them off and you’ll also be working some Saturdays

 

[HeelBurton]

Do you know what the rate is after the 3,4 months? Have the Group Bourdon etc on the 14th just weighing up whether I can afford to proceed or give up

i posted this from before.

31,600
34,436 after completion of rules

 

[flying_gerry]

i posted this from before.

31,600
34,436 after completion of rules

Thanks very much, really helpful

 

[gatters]

Apologies if this has already been answered- but why is the apprentice period stated as 12-18 months and not a fixed length of time?

Also, does anyone know if the stated salary of approx £27k for Aylesbury increases across the apprentice period or is that it?

Does your annual leave entitlement increase with length of service at Chiltern? Would be giving up 49 days annual leave ‍

there is no 27k. that is an old figure which needs updating if it's still in the advert

 

[OneTrackMind]

Is it likely that depot requirements may change with the MK5A’s being announced today? In other words, those depots that don’t sign 68’s might do so in the future?

 

[HeelBurton]

Is it likely that depot requirements may change with the MK5A’s being announced today? In other words, those depots that don’t sign 68’s might do so in the future?

loco knowledge will return to Birmingham.

as they will be stored at Banbury, Banbury depot drivers will learn them. I am attempting to sneak onto a depot course, but I suspect I will not have the time to do so!

I am unsure about Banbury mainline drivers. But if I was a gambling man….

Aylesbury and Bletchley I can stick my neck out and say they will not go near them

 

[E B]

Is it likely that depot requirements may change with the MK5A’s being announced today? In other words, those depots that don’t sign 68’s might do so in the future?

I can confirm Birmingham are signing them.

 

[stephanjm]

Has anybody had any luck applying for the trainee driver job at Chiltern Railways - Aylesbury.

I have applied in June and not heard anything and on the online portal there is nothing listed under application status, so I have tried emailing the recruitment email address and not had a reply. Has anyone managed to successfully get hold of them?

Cheers!

 

[FhdNet]

Hello
I haven't got any practice materials for

• TRP1b (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures, Part 2)

But I can share Group Bourdon and Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention practice materials

Hope this helps

Can you share with me the Tea Occ material please. My assessment on 13th Aug

 

[aesha2905]

Hello,
Is there anyone available to answer my question. I have stage1 tomorrow. If I will pass, when can I get invitation for stage2? Is it on same day or next day or at least after one week ?

 

[HeelBurton]

Hello,
Is there anyone available to answer my question. I have stage1 tomorrow. If I will pass, when can I get invitation for stage2? Is it on same day or next day or at least after one week ?

Stage 2 will not be the same day or the next day and will probably be dependant on the availability of the staff at the OPC. Usually this would be a few weeks after you pass but I understand they are in high demand at the moment.

 

[aesha2905]

Stage 2 will not be the same day or the next day and will probably be dependant on the availability of the staff at the OPC. Usually this would be a few weeks after you pass but I understand they are in high demand at the moment.

Thanks for clarifying my doubts

 

[topfisher]

Can you share with me the Tea Occ material please. My assessment on 13th Aug

Sorry, just seen your post now.
I hope your assessment went well?

 

[maf]

Has anyone who didn't make it past the DMI ever get any feedback? Still waiting on mine from June - I have emailed them.

 

[Ridetherails]

As in sat the Dmi and failed? Or passed opc tests but never heard back from Chiltern about DMI?

 

[OneTrackMind]

A reasonably good day today at The OPC I would say but the time on the tests goes so quickly! How many vacancies are there? There was circa. 30 in the room, split around 25 men and 5 women.

 

[Ridetherails]

A reasonably good day today at The OPC I would say but the time on the tests goes so quickly! How many vacancies are there? There was circa. 30 in the room, split around 25 men and 5 women.

Which stage did you do? Was it a full day?

Vacancies is unknown but also depot dependant.

Presuming you were at the Hilton? As they would severely struggle to have 30people in the opc office

 

[maf]

As in sat the Dmi and failed? Or passed opc tests but never heard back from Chiltern about DMI?

Sat DMI and failed or 'unsuccessful this time'

 

[Hot rod]

Has anyone who didn't make it past the DMI ever get any feedback? Still waiting on mine from June - I have emailed them.

was the DMI interview difficult? What kind of things did they ask you?

 

[OneTrackMind]

Which stage did you do? Was it a full day?

Vacancies is unknown but also depot dependant.

Presuming you were at the Hilton? As they would severely struggle to have 30people in the opc office

Stage 1 only, so not a full day. We was at the Leonardo in Watford.

 

[maf]

was the DMI interview difficult? What kind of things did they ask you?

Depends on your experience with interviews. Fortunately or unfortunatly depending on how you look at it I havent had many interviews in my career (1 at age 17 and then just the MMI with OPC) so I don't have a lot of experience.
Basically they asked me about myself, my experience and what I currently do for work. They will ask you what you know about Chiltern, why you want to work for Chiltern and then they will ask you 6 questions similar to the MMI, and lastly any questions for them. It was quite relaxed and they were friendly and offered drinks etc.
I had the dreading mind blank on a few questions and struggled - again, probably down to my lack of experience in interviews and something I've been working on so if I get another chance I'll be ready. But hopefully I'll eventually get some feedback to help me as well.

If you need any more info send me a PM

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Aug 2025 ==

Also, I've noted that if you don't get a call/email on the day of your DMI with an offer then you will most likely have not passed.

* This is from my experience and speaking to 3 other people, all of whom got an offer the same day.

 

[Ridetherails]

That sucks but at least you have the opc passes for the next number of years to put you ahead of people.

I’m in the same boat as you, the only interview I’ve ever had was for my current employer as been self employed my entire life until fairly recently.

Im sat in that dreaded OPC completed awaiting DMI offer.

 

[maf]

Yeah absolutely, just like so many here it's playing the waiting game now and checking online everyday waiting for that advert to pop up!

 

[RailForM145]

Thank you for your kind words
Passed everything...just MMI now at 14:45

Congratulations on passing! Do you mind sharing what kind of questions were asked in the DMI? Is it completely different to the MMI?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Aug 2025 ==

Hi guys, I've got my DMI coming up in a few days and was wondering if anyone could share some light on any of questions that get asked? Would me much appreciated. Will it be different from the MMI questions we filled out on our pre-interview form sheet? I've filled out a personality questionnaire also, which apparently forms the basis of the questions they ask in the DMI.

 

[Ridetherails]

Congratulations on passing! Do you mind sharing what kind of questions were asked in the DMI? Is it completely different to the MMI?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Aug 2025 ==

Hi guys, I've got my DMI coming up in a few days and was wondering if anyone could share some light on any of questions that get asked? Would me much appreciated. Will it be different from the MMI questions we filled out on our pre-interview form sheet? I've filled out a personality questionnaire also, which apparently forms the basis of the questions they ask in the DMI.

Generally very similar to MMI questions but usually a lot more relaxed.

Congrats on the Dmi interview, which depot?