GWR Drivers from Exeter - Advice please

[Jimmyrn85]

Good afternoon!

I live close to Exeter and have my DMI there soon.

Just a question please for any drivers who are currently based there. Are there any routes that are particularly short on drivers? I.e. Exeter -> Padd?
If you do Exeter -> Padd what is the turn around like there, i.e. do you get an hour break then drive back to Exeter?

Please can I get a little more detail on the work routines to be expected?
What are your routines, hours, shift patterns, i.e. are you averaging a 37hour week etc. Some good points, some bad points?
Are Sundays or bank holidays classed as normal days or are they overtime?

In regards to training, I read it is roughly a year of training till you're competent... Please can I have a small breakdown of that?

3 months classroom (rules and regs etc)
9 months out on the line with a DT?
What is the leave booking situation during the first year?

Any info would be much appreciated. Apologies if they aren't very sensible questions!! Cheers

 

[irish_rail]

Too be clear, as a new starter at Exeter you will be confined to the "square of despair" encompassing Paignton, Barnstaple, Exmouth and Okehampton. I guess you sign the depot too. As time goes on you will add Plymouth Bristol London and Penzance, afraid I've no idea how long it takes to do the intercity work, but it certainly isn't immediate (unlike Plymouth where core traction is IET).

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Thanks for the info! That's quite funny, square of despair haha.
Sign the depot, so basically just move trains around and in and out of sheds for the engineering crew to work on them? Do you not have depot drivers/shunters do that? Does it have to be a qualified train driver (coming from a place of no knowledge here, I assumed Hitachi techs would be allowed to shunt around a depot).

 

[si_145653]

There’s drivers who have been at Exeter for years waiting to get out of the square of despair.

You will sign the depot and night depot shirts will be part of your rotation

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Thanks Si

 

[Gunny]

This made me chuckle! I’m starting at Exeter later this year. I honestly can’t wait to start on the square of despair!

 

[class ep-09]

This made me chuckle! I’m starting at Exeter later this year. I honestly can’t wait to start on the square of despair!

You’ve been warned … ))

 

[Gunny]

haha I believe you. The main thing I’m looking forward to is causing the traffic through topsham at the crossing rather than being stuck in it

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Hopefully will join you Gunny! When did you pass your tests/interviews (MMI) and your DMI? Just interested in the timing you've experienced. Any good pointers for the DMI?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Thanks for the info! That's quite funny, square of despair haha.

It was the Triangle of Doom until Okehampton re-opened! One you escape the branch link you will have a choice of whether to go into an East or West link,that’s Plymouth-Cardiff and Westbury or Bristol - Penzance. Both still include branch work. Once chosen that is generally where you will stay unless a vacancy arises in the London link. I’m not a driver but this gives a brief description. Somebody may point out some errors.

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Thanks!
Triangle of doom to the square of despair! Love it! Someone should make a rail poster style with this.... Perhaps a chatGPT job!

Wonder what is preferrable or what difference it makes, East or West. I've recently moved from near Looe, Cornwall up to Exeter, so I know the South West line well as a passenger.

 

[bramling]

Thanks!
Triangle of doom to the square of despair! Love it! Someone should make a rail poster style with this.... Perhaps a chatGPT job!

Wonder what is preferrable or what difference it makes, East or West. I've recently moved from near Looe, Cornwall up to Exeter, so I know the South West line well as a passenger.

Can’t help but smile at the notion of square of despair, given that all of these routes are pretty scenic. Whilst I’m sure even the likes of Exmouth to Paignton will become pretty samey once driven over enough times, if these routes are despair territory then one wonders what people would make of the Bakerloo or Northern lines? Edgware to Kennington 5.5 times is commonplace on a weekend especially…

 

[godfreycomplex]

Can’t help but smile at the notion of square of despair, given that all of these routes are pretty scenic. Whilst I’m sure even the likes of Exmouth to Paignton will become pretty samey once driven over enough times, if these routes are despair territory then one wonders what people would make of the Bakerloo or Northern lines? Edgware to Kennington 5.5 times is commonplace on a weekend especially…

Quite. Especially considering all of the routes are guarded

Presumably it’s at least partially tongue in cheek…

 

[Gunny]

Hopefully will join you Gunny! When did you pass your tests/interviews (MMI) and your DMI? Just interested in the timing you've experienced. Any good pointers for the DMI?

Mines be a little different because I have one of the longest notice periods known to man and I’ve worked away a lot over the application process but I did my DMI in September last year. I was still to do my MMI which I managed to do in December. Then had a medical in January. And signed my contract April. They offered me a start date of June but my notice is too long so it’s later this year for me.

With that in mind I’d say on the back of your DMI if you’re yet to do an MMI like I was you can probably expect a couple of weeks then a medical a week or two later and then start date offered on successful completion of medical. So 4-6 weeks after DMI. If you’ve already done MMI then even quicker.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 May 2025 ==

Also for the DMI be confident and honest. I would highly recommend practicing by using one of those free websites I.e “60 common interview questions” if you can answer that many questions that are “describe a time when you did this, experienced this or that” then you’re on for a winner. It’s not about making up answers but allows you to think about the type of questions you’ll get and have those experiences fresh in your mind. It really helped me dont try and assess your own answers just answer honestly. Start a rapport early. The Exeter interview team were really friendly and seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say it wasn’t a grilling at all.

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Thanks gunny! Hope it isn't a years notice period leaving the mob....!! I had the MMI on the same day as the tests in Plymouth. I too applied about a year ago, not because of the mob anymore, oil and gas time away. Cheers

 

[Gunny]

Thanks gunny! Hope it isn't a years notice period leaving the mob....!! I had the MMI on the same day as the tests in Plymouth. I too applied about a year ago, not because of the mob anymore, oil and gas time away. Cheers

It is mate yeah I figured you would have rn gave it away!

You’re lucky I had to go to Swindon for my assessments and MMI! Definitely use those practice questions it’s amazing what you’ll recall of prior experience especially being in the MOB lean heavy on your experiences but remember to not go to the most extreme example every time as I’m sure youre aware describing a “stressful situation” in the forces is a different world to outside.

You should know a couple of days later how it’s gone so let me know how you get on we might end up starting at the same time.

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Sounds good, cheers! Couple weeks yet till I have it.

 

[vc99]

It is mate yeah I figured you would have rn gave it away!

You’re lucky I had to go to Swindon for my assessments and MMI! Definitely use those practice questions it’s amazing what you’ll recall of prior experience especially being in the MOB lean heavy on your experiences but remember to not go to the most extreme example every time as I’m sure youre aware describing a “stressful situation” in the forces is a different world to outside.

You should know a couple of days later how it’s gone so let me know how you get on we might end up starting at the same time.

Hi Gunny

Are you in the RN?
I have got through to doing MMI, but no date yet, is it still 6 questions? Was you grilled? Was you there long? Did u feel it went OK on the day?

 

[Gunny]

Hi Gunny

Are you in the RN?
I have got through to doing MMI, but no date yet, is it still 6 questions? Was you grilled? Was you there long? Did u feel it went OK on the day?

I am still just about haha. Stuck my notice in the day after my MMI as that was the last stage for me.

MMI followed the format that has been mentioned on here. Use what people said they were asked on this forum to base your answers around. And if you find more than 6 different questions practice answers to all of them as I’m not sure if there’s any variation but practice both writing them down and talking about them.

Really chilled out I was in a one to one interview and we talked about a lot of other stuff not just the set questions I’d imagine to make me feel comfortable but also to gauge my character so as for the DMI I mentioned above be honest and act natural don’t try and hide who you are.

I felt it was going ok throughout as it was made very comfortable and was told the result immediately after. It did last a while but that’s probably because the conversation was flowing it can probably be quite quick if all you talk about is the 6 questions but try not to worry about it just be prepared by practice writing down the answers as well as talking about them. Allow yourself enough knowledge of the event to be asked multiple questions about it. So don’t use something you barely remember.

 

[vc99]

I am still just about haha. Stuck my notice in the day after my MMI as that was the last stage for me.

MMI followed the format that has been mentioned on here. Use what people said they were asked on this forum to base your answers around. And if you find more than 6 different questions practice answers to all of them as I’m not sure if there’s any variation but practice both writing them down and talking about them.

Really chilled out I was in a one to one interview and we talked about a lot of other stuff not just the set questions I’d imagine to make me feel comfortable but also to gauge my character so as for the DMI I mentioned above be honest and act natural don’t try and hide who you are.

I felt it was going ok throughout as it was made very comfortable and was told the result immediately after. It did last a while but that’s probably because the conversation was flowing it can probably be quite quick if all you talk about is the 6 questions but try not to worry about it just be prepared by practice writing down the answers as well as talking about them. Allow yourself enough knowledge of the event to be asked multiple questions about it. So don’t use something you barely remember.

Yeh nice one... thanks for that appreciate it.... off topic lol what do u do in the mob? If u don't wanna say i understand... or where yam based? How long you done? Can't u get out any quicker than a year? Esp if you hagr something to go into or is it a case of manning and they can't replace you till then?

It's a long process isn't it, I applied in August last year... so hoping to hear something soon with dates but I am preparing already

 

[Gunny]

I’m in Plymouth currently. Done 12 years. Haha no, early release is a myth. I know countless people that have lost jobs because they won’t get early release from the notice period but it’s plain and simple in the contract you sign that you’re not entitled to it and it depends on service need. Depending on time served you get a bit of time at the end where you can start work so it never really ends up a full 12 months but you’re looking at 10 minimum really.

When I first told the recruitment team I had a 12 month notice they laughed and said they doubt they’ll hold a job for me. Luckily back then I had no real intention of leaving and I was just applying to see how far I got so it didn’t phase me and I just cracked on.
I started my application 2 years ago almost to the day. It was a long time nearly a year before they got in touch with me after all the online stuff but it seemed to move quite quickly after that.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jun 2025 ==

I probably could of been done with everything by summer last year but I was away with work so had to keep postponing

 

[BartM]

Hey all.
Thank you all for posting information about trainee driving role in Exeter. Gives me a good insight into what is involved. Square of despair...ha! I'm very familiar with one route.. anywho,
I've passed all modules, assessments.. MMI and DMI... That was mid June. But not heard anything yet about training dates or medical.
Any ideas as to how often people are put through training in the year? Be nice to know if I got to wait a year, 2 months or 10 months (if you catch my drift!). I can plan around that better.

Thanks for any input

 

[Gunny]

Hey all.
Thank you all for posting information about trainee driving role in Exeter. Gives me a good insight into what is involved. Square of despair...ha! I'm very familiar with one route.. anywho,
I've passed all modules, assessments.. MMI and DMI... That was mid June. But not heard anything yet about training dates or medical.
Any ideas as to how often people are put through training in the year? Be nice to know if I got to wait a year, 2 months or 10 months (if you catch my drift!). I can plan around that better.

Thanks for any input

Congrats mate! I was told by one person talent pools weren’t a thing anymore but perhaps they still are. That being said mine was MMI December, medical January job offer came end of April after a couple months of silence. They offered me 3 dates with one being early next year. Might be worth touching base with recruitment every now and then.

 

[PlayedRex]

Congrats mate! I was told by one person talent pools weren’t a thing anymore but perhaps they still are. That being said mine was MMI December, medical January job offer came end of April after a couple months of silence. They offered me 3 dates with one being early next year. Might be worth touching base with recruitment every now and then.

I’ve just got into the talent pool at Exeter myself, sounds like it’s moving but not too quickly? Hopefully not too long of a wait.

 

[BartM]

Congrats mate! I was told by one person talent pools weren’t a thing anymore but perhaps they still are. That being said mine was MMI December, medical January job offer came end of April after a couple months of silence. They offered me 3 dates with one being early next year. Might be worth touching base with recruitment every now and then.

Thank you!
Yeah, I'm in the talent pool. I've contacted recruitment and said they're plotting courses and be back with an update (at some point!) this was last week... Just literally waiting for a medical date and training date...
Yeah I mean... Perhaps once a month I'll be dropping recruitment an email...
Just, would love a time scale. Got hols to plan... Birthdays... Amongst other things you know.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

I’ve just got into the talent pool at Exeter myself, sounds like it’s moving but not too quickly? Hopefully not too long of a wait.

That's it, heard it's moving but not hearing much

 

[Gunny]

Thank you!
Yeah, I'm in the talent pool. I've contacted recruitment and said they're plotting courses and be back with an update (at some point!) this was last week... Just literally waiting for a medical date and training date...
Yeah I mean... Perhaps once a month I'll be dropping recruitment an email...
Just, would love a time scale. Got hols to plan... Birthdays... Amongst other things you know.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==


That's it, heard it's moving but not hearing much

Yeah I wouldn’t sweat too much if they’re plotting courses. And you’ve got no need to worry about about plans because the medical is your availability not a set date. It was 3 months after my medical I got offered a job and the earliest date they offered me was 2 months from that point so if the timelines the same you’ll be looking at least 5 months after medical.

 

[BartM]

Thank you!
With me scratching around for information, that's the sort of timelines that keep coming up. Sort of 2-6months post DMI interview...
Hopefully, see you out there!

 

[PlayedRex]

Thank you!
With me scratching around for information, that's the sort of timelines that keep coming up. Sort of 2-6months post DMI interview...
Hopefully, see you out there!

I hope that’s the timeline for me, that would work out quite nicely with holidays and stuff coming up.

 

[BartM]

Hey all. Anyone know what the backlog is for trainee drivers at Exeter, in the talent pool? Just curious..

 

[Lmc1976]

Hey all. Anyone know what the backlog is for trainee drivers at Exeter, in the talent pool? Just curious..

I don’t think anyone would be able to answer that with any certainty at all except recruitment.
I am aware of a few people who are waiting.