Chiltern - Train Manager - Recruitment Discussion

[izzy167845]

I haven’t heard anything yet either, my invitation to the assessment centre said if we’re successful then we would be invited back for an interview so I wasn’t expecting one on the day anyway.
I was there on 3rd and they also said within a week so hopefully hear on Monday too Which post have you applied for

Hey, i applied for Birmingham. Hopefully we hear something next week. Good luck!

 

[jake8092]

Hi all, does anyone know what questions they will ask in the interview, thank you

 

[traintee]

Will be information about the role what you know about it and also situational stuff name a time where you did this etc.

 

[Sapra]

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently been invited to an assessment day for the Trainee Train Manager role with Chiltern Railways (Birmingham), and I’m hoping to get some advice from anyone who has been through the process.

The email says the day will involve two stages:

1. OPC testing
2. A group exercise

Candidates who pass both stages will then be invited back for a formal interview at a later date.

I’d really appreciate any insight into what to expect on the day — especially:

• What type of OPC tests are usually used
• What the group exercise involves
• Any examples of the kinds of scenarios or questions they use

If anyone has been through the Chiltern process recently, or has general experience with Train Manager assessments, any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LT90]

Hi all. I've recently applied for the train manager role for Stourbridge. Does anyone know how many positions they are looking for and how long it takes to hear anything back? Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Dragon88]

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently been invited to an assessment day for the Trainee Train Manager role with Chiltern Railways (Birmingham), and I’m hoping to get some advice from anyone who has been through the process.

The email says the day will involve two stages:

1. OPC testing
2. A group exercise

Candidates who pass both stages will then be invited back for a formal interview at a later date.

I’d really appreciate any insight into what to expect on the day — especially:

• What type of OPC tests are usually used
• What the group exercise involves
• Any examples of the kinds of scenarios or questions they use

If anyone has been through the Chiltern process recently, or has general experience with Train Manager assessments, any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I have been through the process in November 2025, and I have been successful. I’m waiting to start so I can’t comment on the day to day role itself but in terms of assessment centre my experience was as follows:

Half day (8-12) at a conference centre in Birmingham, we began with OPC tests which consisted of the SCAAT & Ticket selling & checking.
The SCATT you have to cross out shapes/numbers row by row, line by line as per the instructions. Take your time, don’t rush I don’t believe the goal is to complete the papers but they want accuracy from the ones you do manage to complete in the timeframe.

The ticket selling & checking is in 2 parts, firstly you are to read the statement which is a customer(s) requesting tickets to certain destinations and you have to add up the ticket cost & work out the change required. And then ticket checking is about determining whether someone’s ticket would be valid, and then if it’s not identify the fault.

Chiltern will send you practice papers before your assessment day, or if you’re really keen I believe you can pay for them from the OPC website beforehand.
There’s a free online SCAAT test you can do just google it, but remember you will do it for real on paper & not the computer.

The group exercise has nothing to do with the railway and is just a fun simple exercise you do in a large group. Of course I’m not privy to their marking system but all I did was ensured I spoke clearly and not interrupted others, made my opinions heard & allowed others the time to speak.
You don’t have to be the leader of the group to pass, I know I certainly wasn’t.

We were then told to head home and if we were successful we would be notified within a week. A week later I was invited for an interview and a week later I found out I was successful in the role.

All the best

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jan 2026 ==

Hi all. I've recently applied for the train manager role for Stourbridge. Does anyone know how many positions they are looking for and how long it takes to hear anything back? Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

I applied in October 2025, assessment day in early November, interview in late November & I commence the role in March.

All the best

 

[Sapra]

I have been through the process in November 2025, and I have been successful. I’m waiting to start so I can’t comment on the day to day role itself but in terms of assessment centre my experience was as follows:

Half day (8-12) at a conference centre in Birmingham, we began with OPC tests which consisted of the SCAAT & Ticket selling & checking.
The SCATT you have to cross out shapes/numbers row by row, line by line as per the instructions. Take your time, don’t rush I don’t believe the goal is to complete the papers but they want accuracy from the ones you do manage to complete in the timeframe.

The ticket selling & checking is in 2 parts, firstly you are to read the statement which is a customer(s) requesting tickets to certain destinations and you have to add up the ticket cost & work out the change required. And then ticket checking is about determining whether someone’s ticket would be valid, and then if it’s not identify the fault.

Chiltern will send you practice papers before your assessment day, or if you’re really keen I believe you can pay for them from the OPC website beforehand.
There’s a free online SCAAT test you can do just google it, but remember you will do it for real on paper & not the computer.

The group exercise has nothing to do with the railway and is just a fun simple exercise you do in a large group. Of course I’m not privy to their marking system but all I did was ensured I spoke clearly and not interrupted others, made my opinions heard & allowed others the time to speak.
You don’t have to be the leader of the group to pass, I know I certainly wasn’t.

We were then told to head home and if we were successful we would be notified within a week. A week later I was invited for an interview and a week later I found out I was successful in the role.

All the best

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jan 2026 ==


I applied in October 2025, assessment day in early November, interview in late November & I commence the role in March.

All the best

Thank you so much for that detailed reply. You've been very helpful. Really appreciate your help! Hopefully will see you soon on the railway. I will look out for a Dragon

 

[railwayman1973]

I've recently (January 2026) applied for the trainee Train Manager role at Stourbridge, but nothing much happening as yet. Just wondering if anyone has received any response yet.

 

[D1015]

They've just put up Bham Moor Street again for the fourth time in six month....is there something off about CR now, managementwise, or that depot specifically or something?

 

[tmmf]

They've just put up Bham Moor Street again for the fourth time in six month....is there something off about CR now, managementwise, or that depot specifically or something?

All Loco Hauled Stock must have a TM on board. By December there will be at least 10 (with the potential of 13) in service, instead of the current 3. All depots are increasing in staff numbers by the end of the year in readiness for big December timetable changes.

 

[D1015]

All Loco Hauled Stock must have a TM on board. By December there will be at least 10 (with the potential of 13) in service, instead of the current 3. All depots are increasing in staff numbers by the end of the year in readiness for big December timetable changes.

Which is fair, and the gen very much appreciated. Just can't fathom why they've called for BMS four times in the last six months while rejecting applicants who've already done the job.

 

[Sapra]

I was there for the Birmingham assessments. Haven't heard anything yet either. Really hoping for something early this week

Yeh same here I was there for the Birmingham assessments, I did have an interview about 17 days ago but haven't heard back since.

 

[HeelBurton]

They've just put up Bham Moor Street again for the fourth time in six month....is there something off about CR now, managementwise, or that depot specifically or something?

High number of unsuccessful pass rates of the OPC assessments unfortunately

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Feb 2026 ==

Yeh same here I was there for the Birmingham assessments, I did have an interview about 17 days ago but haven't heard back since.

If i work out the timeline, this would be too soon for the next course. I would expect contact to be made soon for the subsequent course. Perhaps chase up with recruitment?

 

[D1015]

High number of unsuccessful pass rates of the OPC assessments unfortunately

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Feb 2026 ==


If i work out the timeline, this would be too soon for the next course. I would expect contact to be made soon for the subsequent course. Perhaps chase up with recruitment?

Tempted to try for this one then as I have a full set of passes for all four, let alone the two CR make people sit!

 

[Sapra]

High number of unsuccessful pass rates of the OPC assessments unfortunately

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Feb 2026 ==


If i work out the timeline, this would be too soon for the next course. I would expect contact to be made soon for the subsequent course. Perhaps chase up with recruitment?

Hi I did email them today HR and Recruitment in the morning but still havent heard anything. Do you know what the process is? Or when the courses will be running I think I heard March, June and October but can't be sure. I am constantly checking emails and waiting for a call but each day passes and I don't hear nothing.

 

[HeelBurton]

Hi I did email them today HR and Recruitment in the morning but still havent heard anything. Do you know what the process is? Or when the courses will be running I think I heard March, June and October but can't be sure. I am constantly checking emails and waiting for a call but each day passes and I don't hear nothing.

Don’t expect both inboxes to give you a reply immediately. Both snowed under.

Those months sound plausible right but I’m reluctant to say too much on a public forum

There’s a few projects going on as a priority which means some things may have slipped through the net. Be patient if you can. I know it’s hard though as you really want to know what’s going on.

 

[Sapra]

Don’t expect both inboxes to give you a reply immediately. Both snowed under.

Those months sound plausible right but I’m reluctant to say too much on a public forum

There’s a few projects going on as a priority which means some things may have slipped through the net. Be patient if you can. I know it’s hard though as you really want to know what’s going on.

They got back to me and they said I'm not successful. I really have no words. I was one of the few that did good on the OPC and I did well on the interview. I'm an ex Senior Conductor for WMT so I would have been the ideal person for the position. I'm gutted!

 

[HeelBurton]

They got back to me and they said I'm not successful. I really have no words. I was one of the few that did good on the OPC and I did well on the interview. I'm an ex Senior Conductor for WMT so I would have been the ideal person for the position. I'm gutted!

Get feedback

 

[D1015]

They got back to me and they said I'm not successful. I really have no words. I was one of the few that did good on the OPC and I did well on the interview. I'm an ex Senior Conductor for WMT so I would have been the ideal person for the position. I'm gutted!

Join the club....

And then people are asking why I am squinting eyes at the constant recruitment?

 

[HeelBurton]

Join the club....

And then people are asking why I am squinting eyes at the constant recruitment?

Get feedback, and apply again?

I understand peoples frustrations at not being successful, but just because you already do a certain role, it doesn't sadly make you a shoe in for the similar role elsewhere, and with this attitude going into an interview, this could potentially be the wrong mindset.

I have interviewed people for operational jobs throughout the last year in my current role. I give the same advice each time.

Do your research into the role and the company, some of the people in it
Use the STAR method for your answers
Think of the right examples per questions, do not rush an answer, if you need to, ask for more time or come back to a question
Let your personality show. Do not think so much as to what the person on the other side of the desk wants to hear, because its not a true reflection on you. We need to know what YOU would do in a situation, especially when the probing questions come in. We know if there are lies told. A prime example of this would be I have interviewed someone who said they were learning a new language to develop a new skill. They had been learning for 3 years. I asked them in the said language if they speak english? And they couldn't answer the question. All it needed was a yes or a no....
Finally, overconfidence will cost you. If you go in with the wrong mentality, you often come out with a negative result. If you do not get the result you are looking for. Get feedback. And let me tell you something. If a question pops up next time round or any role which says
"Give us a time when you received constructive criticism from a manager or a colleague? How did you take it? What did you do differently?" You've got your perfect answer....
I hope some of this helps. Yes its disheartening. But turn a learning experience into a learning curve. You will be better equipped next time.

 

[D1015]

Get feedback, and apply again?

I understand peoples frustrations at not being successful, but just because you already do a certain role, it doesn't sadly make you a shoe in for the similar role elsewhere, and with this attitude going into an interview, this could potentially be the wrong mindset.

I have interviewed people for operational jobs throughout the last year in my current role. I give the same advice each time.

Do your research into the role and the company, some of the people in it
Use the STAR method for your answers
Think of the right examples per questions, do not rush an answer, if you need to, ask for more time or come back to a question
Let your personality show. Do not think so much as to what the person on the other side of the desk wants to hear, because its not a true reflection on you. We need to know what YOU would do in a situation, especially when the probing questions come in. We know if there are lies told. A prime example of this would be I have interviewed someone who said they were learning a new language to develop a new skill. They had been learning for 3 years. I asked them in the said language if they speak english? And they couldn't answer the question. All it needed was a yes or a no....
Finally, overconfidence will cost you. If you go in with the wrong mentality, you often come out with a negative result. If you do not get the result you are looking for. Get feedback. And let me tell you something. If a question pops up next time round or any role which says
"Give us a time when you received constructive criticism from a manager or a colleague? How did you take it? What did you do differently?" You've got your perfect answer....
I hope some of this helps. Yes its disheartening. But turn a learning experience into a learning curve. You will be better equipped next time.

Appreciate the tips given in the good spirit intended, thank you. However, most TOCs do not and will not respond to requests for feedback, even from 'final level' (assessment centre / interview attendee) candidates.

 

[HeelBurton]

Appreciate the tips given in the good spirit intended, thank you. However, most TOCs do not and will not respond to requests for feedback, even from 'final level' (assessment centre / interview attendee) candidates.

“Most” not all. I know if candidates have asked for feedback, I do my best to get it to them, and so do some colleagues I work with. Transition is slowly changing.

 

[Groovychick69]

High number of unsuccessful pass rates of the OPC assessments unfortunately

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Feb 2026 ==


If i work out the timeline, this would be too soon for the next course. I would expect contact to be made soon for the subsequent course. Perhaps chase up with recruitment?

Any idea what the pass rate is for the scaat tests? Realised after I’d made a really silly mistake and worried it’s going to affect my score!

 

[HeelBurton]

Any idea what the pass rate is for the scaat tests? Realised after I’d made a really silly mistake and worried it’s going to affect my score!

Cannot help. OPC mark the tests. Sorry

 

[Groovychick69]

Cannot help. OPC mark the tests. Sorry

Thanks - should find out this week! Applied for Stourbridge

 

[djapp]

Hey Groovy I've applied for Stourbridge too not heard anything or my application status when I log in hasn't changed. I noticed with Chiltern they don't ask too many screening question they just want your CV usually. Hoping for some success this time as I heard nothing last time I applied for Stourbridge I'll let you know if anything changes.

 

[HeelBurton]

Thanks - should find out this week! Applied for Stourbridge

Good luck

 

[Groovychick69]

Good luck

Passed my assessments and now onto interview next week!

 

[gigglygoose21]

I passed my opc test now onto the interview, does anyone know questions they may ask

 

[trainswitheddy]

Any idea what the pass rate is for the scaat tests? Realised after I’d made a really silly mistake and worried it’s going to affect my score!

Did you have to take the tests online? Curious if you have any tips

I hated mine