DB Cargo - Trainee Train Driver (2021/2022)

[Canonite]

Literally yesterday. Had my medical on 2nd September! I'd imagine you'd hear something soon.

Many congratulations. What was your previous role?
Two friends of mine have worked for DB for 20yrs, and they have never looked back. Love every minute and although he said the shifts can be a pain at times, the rostered in downtime more than makes up for it.
Both started in the yard and worked up to Mainline Drivers.

 

[FlyingVixen]

Many congratulations. What was your previous role?
Two friends of mine have worked for DB for 20yrs, and they have never looked back. Love every minute and although he said the shifts can be a pain at times, the rostered in downtime more than makes up for it.
Both started in the yard and worked up to Mainline Drivers.

Thank you! I'm a Midwife at the moment so this a massive but welcomed change! Ah that's good to hear! I can imagine the shifts being a pain, but I had that being a Midwife.I appreciate the downtime more than anything.

 

[Eddie77]

Thank you!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Sep 2022 ==

Trying to order the uniform is a bit of a pain! What do the blouses look like over the polo shirts?

Book as many polos as you can , that’s your basic classroom attire.

Get your safety boots a half size bigger

 

[FlyingVixen]

Book as many polos as you can , that’s your basic classroom attire.

Get your safety boots a half size bigger

Thank you! I have a choice of short and long sleeve blouses and polo shirts. I have opted for 4 of the blouses with the mix of long and short sleeve.

Boots are one size up from what I normally wear so I prepped already for that one haha!

 

[Eddie77]

I’d

Thank you! I have a choice of short and long sleeve blouses and polo shirts. I have opted for 4 of the blouses with the mix of long and short sleeve.

Boots are one size up from what I normally wear so I prepped already for that one haha!

get some polos as well as it gets pretty dirty during traction and you’ll blast through blouses

 

[FlyingVixen]

I’d

get some polos as well as it gets pretty dirty during traction and you’ll blast through blouses

Thank you! Someone said to get the polo shirts. I’ve emailed them to change it to 3 polos and a blouse at least. We will see!

 

[NorthernTech]

I have an official course start date! 21st November at Toton!!

Congratulations! Well done!! You have flown through the various parts of selection. No looking back, a new exciting career ahead

 

[FlyingVixen]

Congratulations! Well done!! You have flown through the various parts of selection. No looking back, a new exciting career ahead

Thank you so much!! I know!! I applied for the post in May 2021 then I waited until June 2022 for my assessment day! Had my interview in August and my medical and start date in September!! I don't know how I have managed to get through so quick! I'm super excited for a new start!! Literally nervous as hell but I can't wait!

 

[ThePeakNed]

Anybody for Warrington got an interview this month?

 

[Lj08]

Anybody for Warrington got an interview this month?

I’m waiting for an interview for Warrington. Although I’ve only recently had my assessment day and, judging by the length of time most people have been waiting, I’m not expecting it any time soon ☹️

 

[Eddie77]

I’m waiting for an interview for Warrington. Although I’ve only recently had my assessment day and, judging by the length of time most people have been waiting, I’m not expecting it any time soon ☹️

It’ll be sooner than you think

 

[FlyingVixen]

They pushed me through quite quickly so you never know and I’m going to be based at Warrington!

 

[Lj08]

I hope so, I’ve had enough of my current job and can’t wait to start

 

[FlyingVixen]

I’m exactly the same!! Wanted to do this for a long time now so I’m excited to start!

 

[NorthernTech]

I hope so, I’ve had enough of my current job and can’t wait to start

Just to give you a heads up, incase you haven’t seen one inside. A class 66 loco, the main engines used by db are more like a dirty noisy Hercules transport aircraft inside than a nice clean modern Airbus or Boeing. I only say this as comparison as i assume you work as passenger aircraft crew currently. Freight locos are old, with very old looking desks in the cab, a grubby old seat, and quite hot and noisy. If you know this, and it’s still what you fancy, then I think you won’t be waiting long. It seems they are pushing along with courses regularly.

 

[Lj08]

Just to give you a heads up, incase you haven’t seen one inside. A class 66 loco, the main engines used by db are more like a dirty noisy Hercules transport aircraft inside than a nice clean modern Airbus or Boeing. I only say this as comparison as i assume you work as passenger aircraft crew currently. Freight locos are old, with very old looking desks in the cab, a grubby old seat, and quite hot and noisy. If you know this, and it’s still what you fancy, then I think you won’t be waiting long. It seems they are pushing along with courses regularly.

Don’t worry, I’ve had a little look at what to expect from it. As long as there’s no passengers then I’ll be happy!

 

[NorthernTech]

Don’t worry, I’ve had a little look at what to expect from it. As long as there’s no passengers then I’ll be happy!

That is a definite plus for the freight side!

 

[supercally]

Hello! Brand new here, have just applied for a junior driver role in the Oxfordshire talent pool. This thread has been great resource to find out more about the role and journeys with your applications.

Quick question for any of you that already work for or are familiar with DB Cargo - is the role compatible with family life? I'm a new dad of a 9 week old daughter, and I want to play an active role in her caring responsibilities. Was wondering how far in advance you know about shifts and what some of your shift patterns and rest days are like? I think I read somewhere about 13 week patterns with a block of time off, then 13 'floating days' off to use throughout the year, is that right? ?

Appreciate that things will differ from depot to depot, but any insight is welcome so thanks in advance. If I'm lucky enough to get through to the end of the process, my daughter may well be a toddler by then!

 

[1867Blue]

Hello! Brand new here, have just applied for a junior driver role in the Oxfordshire talent pool. This thread has been great resource to find out more about the role and journeys with your applications.

Quick question for any of you that already work for or are familiar with DB Cargo - is the role compatible with family life? I'm a new dad of a 9 week old daughter, and I want to play an active role in her caring responsibilities. Was wondering how far in advance you know about shifts and what some of your shift patterns and rest days are like? I think I read somewhere about 13 week patterns with a block of time off, then 13 'floating days' off to use throughout the year, is that right? ?

Appreciate that things will differ from depot to depot, but any insight is welcome so thanks in advance. If I'm lucky enough to get through to the end of the process, my daughter may well be a toddler by then!

If you manage to get in and you do your training in didcot the first 10 weeks you will have a lot of time off but there’s no guarantee you will be doing the course at didcot. If you do it at Toton that’s 10 weeks away from your family returning home only for your home hub visit and at weekends.

After that you’re right 13 week rota with 2 weeks off each 13 week. Week AL and week of rest.

I think there’s a good work life balance I get to drop my kid off or pick them up from school most days. Shift work isn’t for everyone but I wouldn’t want anything different.

 

[supercally]

If you manage to get in and you do your training in didcot the first 10 weeks you will have a lot of time off but there’s no guarantee you will be doing the course at didcot. If you do it at Toton that’s 10 weeks away from your family returning home only for your home hub visit and at weekends.

After that you’re right 13 week rota with 2 weeks off each 13 week. Week AL and week of rest.

I think there’s a good work life balance I get to drop my kid off or pick them up from school most days. Shift work isn’t for everyone but I wouldn’t want anything different.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, that's some really useful insight to be aware of.

 

[Lenny_1986]

Hello! Brand new here, have just applied for a junior driver role in the Oxfordshire talent pool. This thread has been great resource to find out more about the role and journeys with your applications.

Quick question for any of you that already work for or are familiar with DB Cargo - is the role compatible with family life? I'm a new dad of a 9 week old daughter, and I want to play an active role in her caring responsibilities. Was wondering how far in advance you know about shifts and what some of your shift patterns and rest days are like? I think I read somewhere about 13 week patterns with a block of time off, then 13 'floating days' off to use throughout the year, is that right? ?

Appreciate that things will differ from depot to depot, but any insight is welcome so thanks in advance. If I'm lucky enough to get through to the end of the process, my daughter may well be a toddler by then!

I started the 10 week course when my daughter was only 4 weeks old, best time of my life with all the peace and quiet haha. Jokes aside though, I feel that with this job I get to spend so much time with family, I’m forever dropping the kids at school or picking them up.
The time off is also great, the Wife asks if I actually have a job I’m at home so much. Other Drivers from other areas may see this differently but that’s how I feel.

 

[supercally]

I started the 10 week course when my daughter was only 4 weeks old, best time of my life with all the peace and quiet haha. Jokes aside though, I feel that with this job I get to spend so much time with family, I’m forever dropping the kids at school or picking them up.
The time off is also great, the Wife asks if I actually have a job I’m at home so much. Other Drivers from other areas may see this differently but that’s how I feel.

Thanks for the reply. Know what you mean about the peace and quiet! Great to hear that from your experience the role is compatible with a young family.

 

[EastLDN786]

Hi Guys

Brand new on here. Have applied for the trainee driver role at Barking as an external candidate.

Passed my assessments in Doncaster in August and DMI a few weeks ago. Things seemed very positive, just the gruelling wait for a medical (hopefully) and then a start date.

Congrats to all on here who have secured their places and good luck to the rest of us.

Thank you to all who have contributed to the forum as it really helps keeping expectations realistic and morale positive!!

 

[kmp]

Hi everyone,

I applied for the talent pool for Scunthorpe recently, I understand it closed on the 16th September, just wondering if anyone's heard anything yet?

Thank you

 

[BobCratchit]

Hi everyone,

I applied for the talent pool for Scunthorpe recently, I understand it closed on the 16th September, just wondering if anyone's heard anything yet?

Thank you

Hi,

I applied for the South Yorkshire talent pool advertised at the same time, not heard anything back yet either but keeping fingers crossed and checking emails every day.

 

[Orange08]

Hi,

I applied for the South Yorkshire talent pool advertised at the same time, not heard anything back yet either but keeping fingers crossed and checking emails every day.

Have you checked on the online portal? I applied for South Yorks, had no emails but the online portal now says end of process as opposed to application in process.

 

[Lima_Golf]

I have an official course start date! 21st November at Toton!!

Class news! Just awaiting mine now . Been a very enjoyable process from applying 09/03/22 till now.

 

[FlyingVixen]

Class news! Just awaiting mine now . Been a very enjoyable process from applying 09/03/22 till now.

Thank you! Yeah it has been in the last few months! I applied in May 2021! Waited over a year to even get an assessment day!

 

[BobCratchit]

Have you checked on the online portal? I applied for South Yorks, had no emails but the online portal now says end of process as opposed to application in process.

Still saying ‘application in process’ but unsure what the difference would mean? Maybe I put mine in later on and it’s still to be processed? Good luck anyway!

 

[jacey]

Hi All a quick question,

i have a medical booked for a Junior Driver role with DB cargo.

I have also just been invited to Train driver assessments with Transport for wales because they only accept 2 years and my passes are 3 years ago.

Do you think if i were to fail the assessments with Transport for wales it could have an impact on my Junior driver role with DB cargo or with the medical booked do i no longer need to worry about that.

Hope that makes sense.