GWR Trainee Train Driver - Heathrow Express (Paddington)

[amalek]

Hi all, anyone here waiting in a pool or still in the recruitment stage of HEX. Struggled to find a lot of information for HEX so thought it would help it having its own thread.

 

[HZM19]

Hey mate,

I'm in the pool too. Thanks for starting a thread as there's not a lot of information on this forum regarding HEX. This should be useful.

 

[amalek]

Yeah was hard to filter through main line comments. How long you been in the pool for ?

 

[HZM19]

I attended the assessment day at Watford on 05 Feb. Has my DMI on 17 march and was told I was successful on 09 April. So I guess I've been in the pool since 09 April.

How about you?

 

[amalek]

Applied 23rd Oct 25
Video interview 31st Oct 25
OPC 3rd Feb 26
DMI 11th Mar 26

So it’s been pretty smooth running to be honest but now it’s the waiting game. I’m hoping because its HEX there wouldn’t be as many people on the talent pool as Main line.
But a little worried with the HEX contract running out 2028 and Sadiq Khan trying to end the service

 

[HZM19]

Hey mate. Did you get the email today?

 

[karail]

Hey mate. Did you get the email today?

Hey mate. Just thought I’d chime in here seeing as I am also in the HEX pool. Was the email referring to spaces for 2026/27 being filled? If so, I also received the same email. What could this mean for the people still in the reserve pool?

 

[HZM19]

Hey mate.

Gutted to receive the email this morning as I was hopeful HEX was separate from the normal pool. It has been a quick process so far going by industry standards, but to receive the email today was a downer.
I honestly don't know what to expect now. Could be a year or two before we hear back. Not sure. It does say 'should things change' so fingers crossed we hear back sooner rather than later.

Cheers

 

[amalek]

Hi mate yeah I’ve just seen that email. Absolutely gutted. Won’t be considered till 2028 and that’s also when GWR contract with HEX ends. With Sadiq Khan wanting to end HEX services it isn’t looking good

 

[Tram Inn SB]

Hi mate yeah I’ve just seen that email. Absolutely gutted. Won’t be considered till 2028 and that’s also when GWR contract with HEX ends. With Sadiq Khan wanting to end HEX services it isn’t looking good

The Mayor has no control over HEX so don’t worry about that.

If I was you I would use my assessment pass to look for other opportunities in your area, “talent pools” are notorious for keeping people in limbo for years then dropping you with a generic email like a stone.

 

[MamaPara2]

I am also waiting for a Hex start date following the devastating email received on Thursday.
Do you really think we will be waiting until 2028? I'm gutted.
Am I pinning all my hopes of finally being successful at my dream job on potentially nothing? Honestly gutted.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jun 2026 ==

Anyone have any answers to my above questions please

 

[amalek]

We are all in the same position so I don’t think anyone here has any answers as everyone is as unsure as you are.

 

[MamaPara2]

I understand. Thank you for replying x

 

[traineeyh]

I am also waiting for a Hex start date following the devastating email received on Thursday.
Do you really think we will be waiting until 2028? I'm gutted.
Am I pinning all my hopes of finally being successful at my dream job on potentially nothing? Honestly gutted.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jun 2026 ==

Anyone have any answers to my above questions please

I get why you’re gutted, but honestly I don’t think you’ll be waiting anywhere near that long.

I did my interview late Jan and got given a start date for November, so there is movement, it just takes time.

When you factor in medicals, training courses, and the fact drivers are always leaving or retiring, things do start to open up. Plus with the government pushing for more services, there’ll likely be more movement across companies as drivers shift around.

Also, you’ve already passed the hard part by getting through, so even if this takes time, you’re in a strong position and can apply to other TOCs as well.

 

[MamaPara2]

Thank you so much for getting back to me. Really hoping for something soon.

 

[MamaPara2]

I see lots are still doing MMI and DMI. How comes they're still actively recruiting with no courses available?

 

[SmugStarlord]

I see lots are still doing MMI and DMI. How comes they're still actively recruiting with no courses available?

Again, it depends on the depot you applied for, same as the post you made in the other thread.
Have you applied for HEX or a GWR depot?

 

[transportphoto]

Given there’s no active recruitment for Heathrow Express drivers, I’m going to bring this thread to a close for now. Please do pick up conversation in the ongoing more general GWR thread.