theageofthetra
Established Member
Just heard from a mate who has applied for one of the western depots that he got an email today saying that all the positions were now full. I have still had no news regarding Paddington.
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First Great Western - Trainee Drivers
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Twoonthebuzzer
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Just had the contract come through the post. All signed and official now. Start in Bristol in April.
Can't wait!
Can't wait!
Excellent news! To quote part of your forum name... You must be buzzing!
ultra4
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Well done!
I am not very far off, hoping to join April's course, although June would be not bad either.
As each day goes by and I don't hear anything the more I'm convinced I'm not going to get an interview which, if I passed, would mean getting on a course this year. From everything I've read it seems that June is likely to be the last one for a while. I've just e mailed again to see if they've heard anything from the stage 2 assessment day.
Wfmeredith
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- 22 Nov 2013
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What depot did you apply for oxoneil
Oxford.
Congrats twoon as I stated previously I was under the impression that I was going to be on the same course but alas not to b. have given up chasing them my end now. Jus still really ****ed that I have passed everything to find out there was no actual job. I wish you all the best anyway twoon
Are you on hold or have they actually told you thanks but no thanks, there's the door?
If the first then all is not lost, if its the second then I am really sorry to hear that.
Dont forget your pass is valid for every other TOC (and obviously FGW if they advertise again). Hang in there sunshine all is not lost. Rail recruitment is demoralising at best but dont let it beat you now after all your hard work!
Nope just recycled the same rubbish they have always done since late November.succesful at interview and that I would be on the first course in the new year. Even denied that there is an April course which I have been overlooked for. As I said numerous times if they would give me a scrap of info I could get over it.
Just disappointed that I have let other opportunities slide between dec and now holding on for these.
Just disappointed that I have let other opportunities slide between dec and now holding on for these.
Hey guys, after spending hours and hours reading 100's of pages on here I thought i'd sign up and share my experiences so far.
I started the application process to become a trainee train driver back in April 2013, had part 1 in June, part 2 in October, dm interview in November and medical in Jan 14.
In my opinion the worst part by far was the criteria based interview as this was a total grilling/interrogation, I found the dm interview a much more friendly and what I would call a normal interview.
The whole process is very slow and as you can see its taken me 12 months from original application to actually starting.
I have now received my contract and feel very lucky to have made it through the whole process, my start date is 7th April in Bristol - it would be great to hear from any fellow trainees!
I started the application process to become a trainee train driver back in April 2013, had part 1 in June, part 2 in October, dm interview in November and medical in Jan 14.
In my opinion the worst part by far was the criteria based interview as this was a total grilling/interrogation, I found the dm interview a much more friendly and what I would call a normal interview.
The whole process is very slow and as you can see its taken me 12 months from original application to actually starting.
I have now received my contract and feel very lucky to have made it through the whole process, my start date is 7th April in Bristol - it would be great to hear from any fellow trainees!
Congratulations Madeit. I remember getting my contract through for Connex SE back in 1999. I only lasted 2 years as I was fed up with start / stop type suburban driving. I'm sure your routes will be far more enjoyable than the Catford loop, lol. Enjoy your new career. The training is awesome, very enjoyable. Actually I had my rules exam on the same day as the Ladbrooke Grove rail crash.
Thank you! I am really looking forward to it, just want to crack on and get started now. Im assuming that everyone starts off on the local slow lines? I would love to drive the HST's to Plymouth eventually. Are the exams really tough? I understand that you only get two attempts
hock:Thank you! I am really looking forward to it, just want to crack on and get started now. Im assuming that everyone starts off on the local slow lines? I would love to drive the HST's to Plymouth eventually. Are the exams really tough? I understand that you only get two attempts
Congrats.
I am sure to bump into your at St Phillips marsh where all the training happens. You will start off on the 'west' side driving Diesel multiple units (DMU's) on the local lines to taunton, severn beach, gloucester and eventually cardiff, Portsmouth etc.. After 2 years you can put your name on the list to move over to the high speed side. As part of the training I had a week front end riding in HST's and it was great! however with IEP and electrification there will not be many HST's after 2017. As far as I am aware currently Bristol high speed drivers don't sign plymouth. I may be mistaken but i have not heard of anyone going down there from bristol so that route is most likely covered by plymouth and exeter drivers.
Good luck.
Thank you! I am really looking forward to it, just want to crack on and get started now. Im assuming that everyone starts off on the local slow lines? I would love to drive the HST's to Plymouth eventually. Are the exams really tough? I understand that you only get two attempts
Hi Madeit. The only advice I can give is to spend an hour each evening going over the work that you've covered that day so that it sinks in, because you will move onto a different subject the next day. It makes it easier to recall the info during your rules and traction assessments. I believe the rule book has been re-written since my course to make it easier to understand, which will help, I'm sure.
Another Paddington Depot applicant waiting for a DM date here. Passed stage 2 in late December (and got the results in under a week, which got my hopes up for a speedy turnaround), but I haven't heard a peep for the last two months. The applications contact phone number is just a "leave your name and we'll get back to you" line, but I'll report back if I actually hear anything from them.
Hi, I'm the same! I was told last week that paddington had been pur on hood because of the recent weather etc and that we would hear off them as soon as they had the dates. I also passed stage 2 back in December. The reason why I contacted HR was, my application had changed to " withdrew self from consideration for the role" I was gutted because I hadn't been in my application for weeks! She said "it was an admin error and that I was still on their system" ??????. I did my stage 2 in Swindon. There was only 4 of us on the day.
Had my medical today which has passed pending drug test results so hopefully won't be to long before I get to sign on the dotted line! I've been told I should be on the May training course. Does anybody know if there are any leave periods during training??
To hopefully offer a bit of optimism for those that are on hold, I got the e mail after my DM interview saying I wasn't successful but that I would be kept on hold.....shortly after I had a call saying another person was needed and I was next in line. Good luck to everyone.
To hopefully offer a bit of optimism for those that are on hold, I got the e mail after my DM interview saying I wasn't successful but that I would be kept on hold.....shortly after I had a call saying another person was needed and I was next in line. Good luck to everyone.
irish_rail
On Moderation
Correct, Bristol men only come as far as Exeter, not Plymouth, though we at Plymouth do go to Bristol
However, major changes ahead as posted, and its unlikely you will ever drive HSTs im afraid, as they should all be gone by the end of the decade....
Bullybully18
Member
Congrats Neil! Talk about leaving you hanging!!! Was convinced you'd pass but bet you feel great to have it confirmed!!!
Indeed, thanks. Have you had your interview yet?
Appreciate the quick response, thanks
Hi Edz,
You heard anything back....? Stage 2 completed on 17th Dec in Watford, told on day I passed, then emailed 2 days later congratulating me. I have emailed twice in 2 months, to be told I will be contacted shortly about my DM... (Paddington)...
theageofthetra
Established Member
Same here. Now have a full set of passes & heard nothing since Jan. I suspect the massive disruption to their services over the winter has meant DM's being dragged into cover other roles
There was a chap in fTPE ID/ hi viz directing people onto the coaches at Exeter last week, he had been sent down for a week (I think) to help out, so I would think that other Managers are being dragged into other stations to help out.
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