Freightliner Candidate Pool.

[Seejwalker]

I'm setting up this thread as I don't believe there's a current one in existence, I'm currently in the Freightliner Candidate pool and know I'm not alone on this.
This is a place to keep each other updated on what we know and for anyone still going through the process to ask any questions to those of us through. Good luck to everyone at whatever stage they may be at.

 

[Timpg]

I'm setting up this thread as I don't believe there's a current one in existence, I'm currently in the Freightliner Candidate pool and know I'm not alone on this.
This is a place to keep each other updated on what we know and for anyone still going through the process to ask any questions to those of us through. Good luck to everyone at whatever stage they may be at.

Hi mate, congratulations on your progress. I’m awaiting a course date for ipswich intermodal. Completed my assessments in the June/July trainee train driver intake.

 

[Seejwalker]

Hi mate, congratulations on your progress. I’m awaiting a course date for ipswich intermodal. Completed my assessments in the June/July trainee train driver intake.

I hope you hear back soon bud, I'm giving it another week until I contact HR for an update.

 

[Timpg]

I hope you hear back soon bud, I'm giving it another week until I contact HR for an update.

Cheers mate, Iv had all my medical etc so I’m ready to go. Been informed the next course for my area is in feb/March next year.

 

[Seejwalker]

Cheers mate, Iv had all my medical etc so I’m ready to go. Been informed the next course for my area is in feb/March next year.

Oh wow, you're sorted then mate. I'm yet to have a medical or be informed as to when a course is available for my depot.

 

[Seejwalker]

Cheers mate, Iv had all my medical etc so I’m ready to go. Been informed the next course for my area is in feb/March next year.

What happens during the medical?

 

[Timpg]

What happens during the medical?

Not a lot to be honest, it takes longer to fill out the forms than the actual medical itself lol!!
But you do an ECG, urine test, hearing test, eye test ( read the eye chart and colour blind test), blood pressure, then a quick check over with the doctor and your on your way. Nothing to worry about at all!

 

[StuFreight]

I'm currently in the talent pool for Crewe.
Is this a guaranteed job offer ?
I was told it could be weeks or months before the training starts so it's just a waiting game for a medical first.
Good luck everyone.

 

[Seejwalker]

Not a lot to be honest, it takes longer to fill out the forms than the actual medical itself lol!!
But you do an ECG, urine test, hearing test, eye test ( read the eye chart and colour blind test), blood pressure, then a quick check over with the doctor and your on your way. Nothing to worry about at all!

Just standard stuff then.

 

[Pete C]

Not a lot to be honest, it takes longer to fill out the forms than the actual medical itself lol!!
But you do an ECG, urine test, hearing test, eye test ( read the eye chart and colour blind test), blood pressure, then a quick check over with the doctor and your on your way. Nothing to worry about at all!

Sounds exactly the same as the PTS medical I had earlier this year. Is the hearing test the one in the soundproof booth with the faint tones?

 

[Stigy]

Sounds exactly the same as the PTS medical I had earlier this year. Is the hearing test the one in the soundproof booth with the faint tones?

I may be wrong here, but I think they test for alcohol and drugs in the urine test for drivers, whereas all other medicals are just testing for drugs? I have a current medical for my PTS, but heard that’s how it works? Happy to be corrected of course!

I recall the hearing test to be as you describe. The last eye test I had (they weren’t retested at my last medical for some reason?) I recall the machine was so archaic it looked like it was straight out of 1986....it wasn’t 1986 by the way

 

[Pete C]

I thought they tested for both drugs and alcohol but let's face it, who is going to be stupid enough to go in there still drunk!

 

[Seejwalker]

I'm currently in the talent pool for Crewe.
Is this a guaranteed job offer ?
I was told it could be weeks or months before the training starts so it's just a waiting game for a medical first.
Good luck everyone.

From what I've heard others say and from what HR has said, yes, you will get a job. Of not this year then the beginning of next.

 

[tiptoptaff]

All medicals I've had for TOCs, safety critical and not, and none so far for driver, have had both drug testing in the form of pee in a cup and breathaliser for alcohol. The railway requires all but absolute 0 on the breathaliser with only a tiny margin of error allowed for alcohol based mouthwashes

 

[Stigy]

All medicals I've had for TOCs, safety critical and not, and none so far for driver, have had both drug testing in the form of pee in a cup and breathaliser for alcohol. The railway requires all but absolute 0 on the breathaliser with only a tiny margin of error allowed for alcohol based mouthwashes

Never had a breathalyser for a medical but know they do so for drivers. I assumed the breathalyser was only used after railway incidents for drivers? If I get to this stage I’ll no have a beer for at least 30-minutes...maybe 24-hrs

 

[Lendog2012]

Hi guys, I emailed the Trainee Train Drivers address the other day just to ask for some clarity on dates (nicely worded of course) as my company were asking. They responded quite quickly to say they had no details at the moment. Has anyone else had any other confirmation of sorts?

seejwalker - nice idea for a thread!

 

[Seejwalker]

Hi guys, I emailed the Trainee Train Drivers address the other day just to ask for some clarity on dates (nicely worded of course) as my company were asking. They responded quite quickly to say they had no details at the moment. Has anyone else had any other confirmation of sorts?

seejwalker - nice idea for a thread!

Are you in the candidate pool mate, what depot?
I have spoken to HR over the phone, all they could really say at this stage was that, there will be a job and they're unsure on when a course for my depot will be (reading).

 

[StuFreight]

Has anyone in the pool heard back and got a date?

 

[4F89]

I don't think any dates are going to be known until the previous group is nearing its end stages of it's course. But it will happen lads.

 

[Lendog2012]

Are you in the candidate pool mate, what depot?
I have spoken to HR over the phone, all they could really say at this stage was that, there will be a job and they're unsure on when a course for my depot will be (reading).

Yes mate, they emailed me to confirm I am in the pool. I am down for either BHM or CRE because of where I live but heard nothing so far. Its good you were able to speak with them over the phone.

 

[Westcoast-ting]

When I sat my dmi they were in the planning stage for this years course and next years was still work in progress.

They said the issue wasn’t training course dates and numbers it’s making sure there was enough mentor drivers to spend with the trainees after rules.

I think the standard is 225 hours so you can imagine how long that would take somebody to work through.

They said they were running courses every month next year through to summer.

Hard part is done, got reassurances that if your in a pool your guaranteed a job, enjoy the time.

If you really can’t wait without doing something have a read through a few rule book modules ?

 

[Lendog2012]

When I sat my dmi they were in the planning stage for this years course and next years was still work in progress.

They said the issue wasn’t training course dates and numbers it’s making sure there was enough mentor drivers to spend with the trainees after rules.

I think the standard is 225 hours so you can imagine how long that would take somebody to work through.

They said they were running courses every month next year through to summer.

Hard part is done, got reassurances that if your in a pool your guaranteed a job, enjoy the time.

If you really can’t wait without doing something have a read through a few rule book modules ?

Thanks for the extra info and I think we all just sit tight until the email/call comes.

Rule Book amendments due for Dec so will be refreshing anyway......... Looking forward to getting in the class room now!

 

[Seejwalker]

When I sat my dmi they were in the planning stage for this years course and next years was still work in progress.

They said the issue wasn’t training course dates and numbers it’s making sure there was enough mentor drivers to spend with the trainees after rules.

I think the standard is 225 hours so you can imagine how long that would take somebody to work through.

They said they were running courses every month next year through to summer.

Hard part is done, got reassurances that if your in a pool your guaranteed a job, enjoy the time.

If you really can’t wait without doing something have a read through a few rule book modules ?

Best place to get hold of these, that are up to date?

 

[Westcoast-ting]

https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/rulebooks/GERM8000-traindriver Iss 2.pdf

Have a look.

Lots of stuff which won’t apply but if your non railway you can understand some of the terminology etc

If you get bored of rules try routes
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/indus...anies/national-electronic-sectional-appendix/

At the bottom is the pdf’s For routes. You will probably learn of TAP maps which show more info but these will show track speeds and layout.

 

[Lendog2012]

Best place to get hold of these, that are up to date?

If you work for a TOC or FOC then your safety or training team might be able to help you. If not, I would head over to the RSSB website and look to download the modules. Lots of info so be careful you don't blow your mind! lol

Edited - Westcoast-ting beat me to it. lol

 

[4F89]

When I sat my dmi they were in the planning stage for this years course and next years was still work in progress.

They said the issue wasn’t training course dates and numbers it’s making sure there was enough mentor drivers to spend with the trainees after rules.

I think the standard is 225 hours so you can imagine how long that would take somebody to work through.

They said they were running courses every month next year through to summer.

Hard part is done, got reassurances that if your in a pool your guaranteed a job, enjoy the time.

If you really can’t wait without doing something have a read through a few rule book modules ?

Is that 225 for traction AND routes?

 

[Westcoast-ting]

Is that 225 for traction AND routes?

Is a figure quoted to me by an instructor at vt this morning and 1/4 should be in the dark.

Not sure if that industry standard but won’t be far off

That’s just for rules I believe. Set number of driving hours to complete before competent.

At vt they sign 390 first and complete hours then after add 221.

As for routes, this is much much longer, not even sure how long the agreed minimums are

 

[Seejwalker]

https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/rulebooks/GERM8000-traindriver Iss 2.pdf

Have a look.

Lots of stuff which won’t apply but if your non railway you can understand some of the terminology etc

If you get bored of rules try routes
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/indus...anies/national-electronic-sectional-appendix/

At the bottom is the pdf’s For routes. You will probably learn of TAP maps which show more info but these will show track speeds and layout.

Cheers to both

 

[WirralWanderer]

I was led to believe the next 3 courses are Nov, Feb and May. These are 11-12 weeks apart, so would suggest this is due to initial training. I think the wait is to see where and who is in each course. Mentor drivers may be a hinderance but I would be surprised if they didn’t already have in place a number of these to support projected numbers in each depot. I think patience is key.

 

[Seejwalker]

I was led to believe the next 3 courses are Nov, Feb and May. These are 11-12 weeks apart, so would suggest this is due to initial training. I think the wait is to see where and who is in each course. Mentor drivers may be a hinderance but I would be surprised if they didn’t already have in place a number of these to support projected numbers in each depot. I think patience is key.

Totally agree, the only difference in what I heard is that they are running around 4 courses next year.