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DRS trainee drivers.
- Thread starter spesh
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I had mine on Tuesday there. The day was pretty much identical to the descriptions posted all over this forum. There were 4 of us there. Day started with the Group Bourdon test after which we were given the question paper for the CBI to complete. 5 questions which you have to write answers to.
1/ describe a time when you dealt with an emergency situation
2/ Describe a time when you have followed rules and procedures
3/ Describe a time that you have dealt with a difficult situation
4/ Tell me about a time you have completed a training course which lasted more than 2 weeks OR describe a key acheivment you have made
5/ Describe a time where you have worked alone.
Once this was completed we did the TRP 1 and 2 which are the GLOP and dials tests. These were all marked and we were informed of the results there and then. If you failed any od these you were sent home. Fortunetly the 4 of us passed and we stayed for the DTG reaction test. This was done one at a time and again results were given straight away. We all passed this and stayed on for the CBI. This was just more detailed questions on the answers you had previously written. I can't think of a way to describe this interview other than weird. They keep asking the same questions over and over again. It makes you feel that you arent given the "right" answer but I think its more about making sure you are consistant with your answers and that you stay calm. I was aware of this before hand but when youre in there its very difficult to stay calm when you're already so nervous. All in all though it was a good day and nothing that I didnt expect. Just waiting to see if Ive passed the interview now. Keeping my fingers crossed!
1/ describe a time when you dealt with an emergency situation
2/ Describe a time when you have followed rules and procedures
3/ Describe a time that you have dealt with a difficult situation
4/ Tell me about a time you have completed a training course which lasted more than 2 weeks OR describe a key acheivment you have made
5/ Describe a time where you have worked alone.
Once this was completed we did the TRP 1 and 2 which are the GLOP and dials tests. These were all marked and we were informed of the results there and then. If you failed any od these you were sent home. Fortunetly the 4 of us passed and we stayed for the DTG reaction test. This was done one at a time and again results were given straight away. We all passed this and stayed on for the CBI. This was just more detailed questions on the answers you had previously written. I can't think of a way to describe this interview other than weird. They keep asking the same questions over and over again. It makes you feel that you arent given the "right" answer but I think its more about making sure you are consistant with your answers and that you stay calm. I was aware of this before hand but when youre in there its very difficult to stay calm when you're already so nervous. All in all though it was a good day and nothing that I didnt expect. Just waiting to see if Ive passed the interview now. Keeping my fingers crossed!
spesh
Member
Fingers crossed for you pal, and that interview is a toughy!!
So no real surprises then. Thanks for the info bud. Sounds as though you have nailed it
I hope so mate! It's just so hard to tell with that interview as its so different to any interview ive had before. Im actually just sitting watching my phone, waiting for the call!
As for time, she asked if we had specific trains booked and tried to acomodate everyone. I was last and got out at 5ish so it really was an all day event. Think the first guy that was interviewed left around half 2 so it really depends on how many get through to the interview and what order you are taken.
Im actually just sitting watching my phone, waiting for the call!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know you said they'd let you know in five days but I wouldn't have thought they'd ring on a Saturday. Probably meant five working days. Wait till Monday before you start staring at the phone. Best of luck, mate
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I know you said they'd let you know in five days but I wouldn't have thought they'd ring on a Saturday. Probably meant five working days. Wait till Monday before you start staring at the phone. Best of luck, mate
spesh
Member
No one is in the office today or tomorrow, Monday you can start phone watching. It's a killer, but hope you get the call you want!
156441
Member
Think the HR girl is on leave this week anyway folks (or so she told me) so maybe even longer to wait! 
Thanks for the info. Hope you hear soon. Fingers crosser I can pass everything.
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SkinnyDave
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Reading another forum about folk wanting to leave DRS makes me want to wish you all the best whoever is successful...
Has anyone asked if it will take you five years to get on full salary?
At least you will have new locos to drive
Has anyone asked if it will take you five years to get on full salary?
At least you will have new locos to drive
Willie mcbeath
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Reading another forum about folk wanting to leave DRS makes me want to wish you all the best whoever is successful...
Has anyone asked if it will take you five years to get on full salary?
At least you will have new locos to drive
Where did you read this
156441
Member
3 years to full salary apparently with a bonus if you stay to 5.
They told me it was 5 years to full salary when I asked during my structured interview.
27k start then 3k increments to 5year point when full salary would begin.
They might not have been right though.
The other forum makes DRS sound like a terrible place to work
It all depends on what you want from the job, the traction is mainly 66's, if you are wanting 37'7 etc. you will need to prise the cranks off them as they volunteer for all the old traction. The hours and the jobs in comparison to passenger work are somewhat horrendous however if that is what floats your boat so be it. I know quite a few drivers who work for DRS and they joined as qualified so know what the other side of the fence is like, so a new candidate you won't know any different so may well enjoy the experience. I actually had a chance of starting with DRS and the depot is 35 minutes from home and I opted to travel 1hr 45m each way a day to avoid working for them and still was out of the house for less hours than my mates are with the 3hrs 30m travelling a day.
Beveridges
Established Member
DRS at Crewe has two links so the bottom link gets most of the 66 / Intermodal work and the top link get all the best jobs
Most employers wouldn't entertain a driver with that sort of daily commute nowadays!
Beveridges, you make me chuckle - you actually think clean, reliable IM work with reliable, modern traction is worse than long,dirty diagrams with aged,stinking unreliable relics.
Spoken like a true shed driver without experience of either!
156441
Member
Can someone PM me the link to 'the other forum'
And me please.....
156441
Member
Thanks for the link a good read it has to be said. (Having spent the last two hours reading it all).
Does open your eyes. I'd say my opinion remains the same as someone has stated on there. If your new to the driving grade it's an ideal first step. There is clearly a lot of experience still at DRS and that can only help to build foundations for a good railway career even if you decide to move on after the honeymoon period!!
On a side note does anyone have any solid details on the newbie link for DRS at Crewe.
I know it's containers and mainly 66's
But I'm talking start finishes and rest day pattern?
Does open your eyes. I'd say my opinion remains the same as someone has stated on there. If your new to the driving grade it's an ideal first step. There is clearly a lot of experience still at DRS and that can only help to build foundations for a good railway career even if you decide to move on after the honeymoon period!!
On a side note does anyone have any solid details on the newbie link for DRS at Crewe.
I know it's containers and mainly 66's
But I'm talking start finishes and rest day pattern?
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Willie mcbeath
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I wouldn't let that put you off joining drs especially if its just to get you in the driver grade, that drs thread could be about any of the train company's, everyone loves a moan about the company they work for.
156441
Member
Doesn't put me off at all. Just every time you ask what Crewe men do you get the stock answer.
'Loads of lates, containers and 66's'
Just wondered if anyone could expand on that with a bit of reality.
'Loads of lates, containers and 66's'
Just wondered if anyone could expand on that with a bit of reality.
SkinnyDave
Established Member
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That's what they are saying on the thread and I think it applies to other freight companies, the diagramming and rest days don't necessarily have a pattern.
I would ask these questions at your final interview
I agree that you take things as you find them and although people like a good moan at least you are going in with your eyes wide open. There are two sides to every story and somewhere in the middle will be about right.
I know from various threads on here that Freight isn't for me but I wish everyone going into it the best of luck with their new career if successful
Willie mcbeath
Member
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On here it's all people that work for other company's saying what they've heard about Crewe, you really need to find a driver that actually works there.
You could also ask at the interview about it all.
There's a bloke on here called spesh, he's a trainman at grangemouth depot about to start training as a driver and he said they follow a roster etc there, maybe he knows a little about Crewe.
Fair comment but I will add there's a large diffence between an old git having a moan because a late change of diagram means he misses the pub and some of the things that have gone on at that company in the recent past.
Beveridges
Established Member
You'll be lucky to get away with doing "loads of lates". It's Nights and *very early* starts that f**k up your bodyclock badly. Can't say how often these appear on the roster, but from my observations, DRS run more than enough IM trains out of Crewe during the early hours of the morning.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Which is why the Classic traction diagrams are mainly in the top link and the bottom starter link is mainly IM 66 work ?
Spoken like a true GBRf driver with no experience of DRS.
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156441
Member
Thanks chaps. I did ask some relevant questions at the interview. But of course the answers may have been a bit 'gold plated' coming from 2 managers.
Like to hear from the men on the ground what it's like as managers are usually a little detached from reality.
Like to hear from the men on the ground what it's like as managers are usually a little detached from reality.
MuttleyBOT
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Can you pm me the link to the other forum please mate 
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