GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Wyvernforged]

Anyone who's been offered the role. I passed medical near 3 weeks ago now and am yet to be offered a contract. Is this normal? Start date 5th Jan and patiently waiting now.

Did you receive your contract?

 

[kuklakolduna3]

Hello guys.
So I have a quick one - I finally got to the last bit, passed my DMI, but initially it was a talent pool for GWR. On my DMI day I’ve been told that at the same day they starting a new course with 5 starters for my depot.
DM also told me that I’ll get a result in a week time after my DMI but I actually got an email 2 days after I had DMI saying we are pleased to tell you that you have been successful and we added you to reserve list.
No time scales were given but bearing in mind that information about 5 new starters for same depot I’m afraid I won’t get a job any time soon. Or ever.

have anyone had any similar experience when you guys knew that there is a new course just started for your depot and you just got to talent pool, how long have you waited?
Thanks for any info. Much appreciated

 

[Pabl007]

Ah right thanks for letting me know. I guess as long as I don’t hear anything then it’s good news lol. Appreciate it

Yes that’s what I take from it. Have you done the medical yet? I’m still waiting to hear on course start date and medical. Reckon I might have been a bit late to the party for the Feb course as I had my DMI the start of Oct.

 

[PlayedRex]

Hello guys.
So I have a quick one - I finally got to the last bit, passed my DMI, but initially it was a talent pool for GWR. On my DMI day I’ve been told that at the same day they starting a new course with 5 starters for my depot.
DM also told me that I’ll get a result in a week time after my DMI but I actually got an email 2 days after I had DMI saying we are pleased to tell you that you have been successful and we added you to reserve list.
No time scales were given but bearing in mind that information about 5 new starters for same depot I’m afraid I won’t get a job any time soon. Or ever.

have anyone had any similar experience when you guys knew that there is a new course just started for your depot and you just got to talent pool, how long have you waited?
Thanks for any info. Much appreciated

I don’t know what depot you’ve applied for but I was in the reserve pool for ~4 months for Exeter St David’s.

 

[kuklakolduna3]

I don’t know what depot you’ve applied for but I was in the reserve pool for ~4 months for Exeter St David’s.

I’ve applied for Reading.
Initially when job was advertised it was saying for 2026/2027 vacancies. And the course itself will be in reading - that’s what I’ve been told. So I assume since 5 new trainees started this December there will be no courses for the next year.

 

[PlayedRex]

I’ve applied for Reading.
Initially when job was advertised it was saying for 2026/2027 vacancies. And the course itself will be in reading - that’s what I’ve been told. So I assume since 5 new trainees started this December there will be no courses for the next year.

Ah ok, I know there’s a course in February as that’s what a couple of us in this thread are on. As to Reading I don’t know if they’re on the same timetable as the rest of us. All I would say is it might feel like an eternity but from my experience you hear nothing then suddenly you get a call and it all goes at 1000mph so try not to get too disheartened.

 

[kuklakolduna3]

Ah ok, I know there’s a course in February as that’s what a couple of us in this thread are on. As to Reading I don’t know if they’re on the same timetable as the rest of us. All I would say is it might feel like an eternity but from my experience you hear nothing then suddenly you get a call and it all goes at 1000mph so try not to get too disheartened.

Well I’m currently working on railway anyway so no rush on my side. Just wanted some clarity, but as I understand it can take1 month for one person, and 4 years for another

 

[Reetzaboi]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone knows what traction/links trainee drivers go into at Gloucester and start/finish Times too? Any travelling in taxis too?

Thank you

 

[halfajob]

Not sure about the links but you will sign three tractions. 158s, 16x and the 800s.

There will be travelling in taxis to and from Gloucester to Stoke Gifford.

 

[bas32]

Yes that’s what I take from it. Have you done the medical yet? I’m still waiting to hear on course start date and medical. Reckon I might have been a bit late to the party for the Feb course as I had my DMI the start of Oct.

Yeah done the medical and received my contract by the end of the day. I had my DMI in August and then found out last month that I’m out the pool. You are probably in the next batch so I’d assume you’d hear something in January or February now on getting out the pool.

 

[Pabl007]

Yeah done the medical and received my contract by the end of the day. I had my DMI in August and then found out last month that I’m out the pool. You are probably in the next batch so I’d assume you’d hear something in January or February now on getting out the pool.

That’s what I figured (and hope!) Good luck and all the best. If I get there I’ll seek you out in Paddington….

 

[jrh]

At what point in the process do they contact your references? Could be awkward if they contact your current employer but you don’t get a course start date for 6-12 months for example?

 

[Frenchy7119]

Usual not till offer !!

 

[Horizon22]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone knows what traction/links trainee drivers go into at Gloucester and start/finish Times too? Any travelling in taxis too?

Thank you

You will find much of this information here - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/different-driver-depot-route-and-traction-cards.205085

 

[bas32]

At what point in the process do they contact your references? Could be awkward if they contact your current employer but you don’t get a course start date for 6-12 months for example?

They contacted my employer now, and I start in February. I had not told my current employer so it was a bit awkward lol but they understand. But yeah not until you get an offer and start doing your medical etc

 

[trainguard0701]

Does anyone have any insight into whether GWR will be recruiting for trainee driver at either Cardiff or Swansea anytime soon?

 

[bas32]

Does anyone have any insight into whether GWR will be recruiting for trainee driver at either Cardiff or Swansea anytime soon?

Doubt it. Just went through a massive recruitment wave for trainees in Swansea. There are still people awaiting interviews and in talent pools.

 

[Bastoo32]

They contacted my employer now, and I start in February. I had not told my current employer so it was a bit awkward lol but they understand. But yeah not until you get an offer and start doing your medical etc

Can i ask what the criteria was for references ? did it need to be existing your existing employers ?

could it be from last 12 months ?

i don’t think my current employers will be as understanding

 

[bas32]

Can i ask what the criteria was for references ? did it need to be existing your existing employers ?

could it be from last 12 months ?

i don’t think my current employers will be as understanding

Must be:

1. Current/last employer

And another reference from
2. Last 3 years worth of employment

 

[Bastoo32]

Must be:

1. Current/last employer
2. Last 3 years worth of employment

Perfect - thanks for this

 

[jmes]

Ah ok, I know there’s a course in February as that’s what a couple of us in this thread are on. As to Reading I don’t know if they’re on the same timetable as the rest of us. All I would say is it might feel like an eternity but from my experience you hear nothing then suddenly you get a call and it all goes at 1000mph so try not to get too disheartened.

I've just been offered a start date of Feb 16th based in Reading - I was also told they have a coursed planned for April/May too

 

[Ddaggs]

Out of curiosity, for the "non-commutable shift times", does anyone know if GWR Paddington and/or HEX Paddington have staff parking and/or a taxi agreement in place?

Also, do either have a london weighting as part of their remuneration package?

I’m just going off what I’ve read on here that there is staff parking for Paddington, not sure about the taxi agreements but I believe they’d help you if you were late back and didn’t have any other means of getting home.

Someone I know has an interview for London Paddington in a couple weeks (I think he said it is on 8th or 9th December).
He applied for Heathrow Express in their recent campaign last month. Apparently on the day of his interview he has to wait under a clock on a specific platform
All seems a bit Harry Potter-ish the way he described it.

Thought exactly the same when I was waiting under the clock there too

 

[LouMel]

Anyone got any info on current wait/screening times between online interview and notification email to say whether successful or not? Thanks lots

 

[Mins]

Anyone got any info on current wait/screening times between online interview and notification email to say whether successful or not? Thanks lots

i got an email 2 weeks after i completed the online interview

 

[LouMel]

i got an email 2 weeks after i completed the online interview

Thanks lots. How long ago did you do the interview?

 

[Reactor Scram]

Anyone got any info on current wait/screening times between online interview and notification email to say whether successful or not? Thanks lots

7 days for me. Successfully outcome, thankfully. Did it 26 Nov.

 

[Mins]

Thanks lots. How long ago did you do the interview?

about 1 month ago - i booked my assessment center for February 2026 - i did see many dates for assessment center : Feb to April

 

[Ddaggs]

Must be:

1. Current/last employer

And another reference from
2. Last 3 years worth of employment

I'm kinda screwed with this because I've got my medical next Thursday, issue I have is if I pass i'll need to get a reference from my current work that I'm in probation in, as my last place went into liquidation.
Hoping they don't kick me out as soon as they get the reference request as I still need the job up until Feb lol

 

[bas32]

I'm kinda screwed with this because I've got my medical next Thursday, issue I have is if I pass i'll need to get a reference from my current work that I'm in probation in, as my last place went into liquidation.
Hoping they don't kick me out as soon as they get the reference request as I still need the job up until Feb lol

Bit of a pickle there. Either let them know once you pass medical or simply do nothing and notice how one day they start being cold with you lol. Nah most companies are fine with it, especially a job like this that most people would bite your hand off for. They will understand

 

[Pabl007]

I've just been offered a start date of Feb 16th based in Reading - I was also told they have a coursed planned for April/May too

Hi, do you mind if I ask when you had your DMI with GWR?
Thanks