GWR - Train Manager / Conductor Recruitment and Discussion

[Frenchy7119]

Jonny sorry to hear that mate, surprised they didn’t give you option to relocate seeing as progressed so far! And yea waiting on Swansea but they just pulled all their host on to the last few courses to move up to TM so not expecting any jobs any time soon, so may have to cut my loses and go else where which is a shame put a lot of work into it !

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2025 ==

Hi it was back last summer I went into the talent pool. Have recently passed TFW train manager too so also in the talent pool there for Cardiff mainline (only since March) so wondering which will come up first. Hoping GWR won’t be too long now, they did estimate a year or so at the time when I passed.

Where was the GWR role for mate if don’t mind me asking

 

[bair26]

Got a course date and just awaiting medical etc now.

Hoping it will all be well as I have Crohn’s disease that is really well managed but I do have treatment in hospital at regular intervals for it. Fingers crossed!

 

[LocoS]

Got a course date and just awaiting medical etc now.

Hoping it will all be well as I have Crohn’s disease that is really well managed but I do have treatment in hospital at regular intervals for it. Fingers crossed!

Good luck for the medical!

Which station will you be based at? I am still waiting on Bristol Parkway

 

[bair26]

Cheers!

Glos for me. Fingers crossed for a course soon!

 

[Frenchy7119]

O good luck let us know how the course goes

 

[bair26]

Yes will do!

 

[LocoS]

Cheers!

Glos for me. Fingers crossed for a course soon!

Good to see there is movement in the pools how much notice do they give you ahead of the course start date? If you don’t mind me asking?

 

[bair26]

Successful email in May, course date for October given in August - hope that helps!

 

[LocoS]

Successful email in May, course date for October given in August - hope that helps!

Great stuff all the best for the course!

 

[Frenchy7119]

Successful email in May, course date for October given in August - hope that helps!

O that was quick well done good luck

 

[bair26]

Yes they had said it could be up to 12 months but they were hoping that there would be a slot before Christmas… I guess each and every station is different!

 

[Frenchy7119]

Yes they had said it could be up to 12 months but they were hoping that there would be a slot before Christmas… I guess each and every station is different!

Well better then me be well over 12 months and no light at the end of the tunnel lol!!! Enjoy mate

 

[Kay Dee]

Hello Family,
just wanted to know if anyone has any idea of what individual and group assessment entails plus interview as I have applied for Conductor for GWR and dealt with all online assessment.

 

[Frenchy7119]

When I went through which was last September after the on line test if short listed it was straight to local interview with Line Manager. This was a usual Skills based interview tell us a time you did XYZ etc. But I though some this year had said they were called in for group assessment so no sure if they have brought that back in. Good luck

 

[klop24]

Hi can someone explain how does TM medical assessment work for GWR in reading?
Like how long it takes and what they do step by step.

 

[rob wright]

Hi can someone explain how does TM medical assessment work for GWR in reading?
Like how long it takes and what they do step by step.

hearing and sight tests, blood pressure, any conditions and a drugs test. about an hour

 

[bair26]

I did find a previous thread from 2019 but it was closed to replies hence the new thread!

Does anybody know what the TM training looks like in terms of days of the week whilst in classroom initially and how far in advance some sort of schedule is provided? Aware it is all subject to change of course but a vague outline or any info much appreciated at this point!

Thanks!

 

[thelongestroad]

From off the street to being productive I'd say a good four - six months. Including corporate induction/training, guards rules classes, retail training, shadowing, route learning etc.

 

[Lmc1976]

You get a schedule about two weeks before you start, certainly for the classroom side of it which will be Monday to Friday. There’s a little bit of shift work in it aswell where you will be “shadowing” a qualified TM out and about for a few weeks
There’s a bit more flexibility when it comes to route learning.

 

[DougSouthWest]

Hi,

I am applying for a conductor role with GWR and I was wondering how people found the OPC tests? Also how did you find the interview?

 

[Railway1642]

Hello,

Does anyone know how long the GWR talent pool is for Train Manager?
Wondered when Swansea depot was likely to be recruited for again. TIA

 

[thelongestroad]

Hello,

Does anyone know how long the GWR talent pool is for Train Manager?
Wondered when Swansea depot was likely to be recruited for again. TIA

Someone else on the forum is waiting for Swansea too. The answer is, no one knows.

 

[Robbiern]

Had my interview in May which I passed, got my dates to start (Nov) yesterday so spent around 6 months in the pool, not bad as was quoted 9-12 months. Was told you stay in the pool for 3 years.

 

[LocoS]

Had my interview in May which I passed, got my dates to start (Nov) yesterday so spent around 6 months in the pool, not bad as was quoted 9-12 months. Was told you stay in the pool for 3 years.

Well done, good to see courses running. Which depot/base is this for?

 

[bigmike148]

I’ve just passed the 4 online assessments, any idea what the next stage is in the recruitment process?

 

[LocoS]

Can anyone advise what the current training salary is for the 6 months before qualified as Train Manager with GWR? I know the final salary is 44,342 according to the job ad but cannot remember the starting salary whilst training. Thanks

 

[Frenchy7119]

Can anyone advise what the current training salary is for the 6 months before qualified as Train Manager with GWR? I know the final salary is 44,342 according to the job ad but cannot remember the starting salary whilst training. Thanks

It was around 30k mate for about 6 months

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Sep 2025 ==

Hello,

Does anyone know how long the GWR talent pool is for Train Manager?
Wondered when Swansea depot was likely to be recruited for again. TIA

Hi mate I applied in August last year was placed in talent pool in October. Still waiting, I know they promoted a few Hosts to TM in Swansea in January, so think it’s still going to be 6 months + unfortunately ! But well done for getting this far !!

 

[LocoS]

It was around 30k mate for about 6 months

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Sep 2025 ==


Hi mate I applied in August last year was placed in talent pool in October. Still waiting, I know they promoted a few Hosts to TM in Swansea in January, so think it’s still going to be 6 months + unfortunately ! But well done for getting this far !!

Cheers, just had my start date confirmed the salary isn’t mentioned on my conditional offer. I assume it will come through with the rest of my contract after my medical next week.

 

[Frenchy7119]

I see TM for Cardiff have also been released so think I will also put in for Cardiff in case any quicker movement than Swansea !!

 

[TM2025]

I did find a previous thread from 2019 but it was closed to replies hence the new thread!

Does anybody know what the TM training looks like in terms of days of the week whilst in classroom initially and how far in advance some sort of schedule is provided? Aware it is all subject to change of course but a vague outline or any info much appreciated at this point!

Thanks!

Successful email in May, course date for October given in August - hope that helps!

Successful email in May, course date for October given in August - hope that helps!

Hi Bair26

Have you started the course yet? I'm due soon and was wondering if you could pass me on any info on the curse, the training material etc.
Thanks in advance