GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[officewalla]

Ok thank you so 4 years before full rate.

No 2 after qualifying

 

[Supersod]

No 2 after qualifying

Ok sorry I meant to say 3 years from start to finish thank you for letting me know appreciate it

 

[jwac89]

Hi everyone. Apologies, I have asked this before but I didn't get any replies. I wanted to ask if anyone has ever changed depots during the recruitment process? A different location is better for me and I'm not sure if I want to rock the boat by asking if I can switch locations. I don't mind staying with the one i have originally selected but I know I would want to transfer to this other place in the future.

 

[Reactor Scram]

Hi, I know somebody that asked to be considered for Bristol Temple Meads after applying for Gloucester. He already had full psychometric passes for train driver and passed the video interview. He was awaiting DMI for Gloucester and he asked recruitment to switch via email to Temple Meads. They then contacted the Bristol driver managers on his behalf and they had to accept it. Once they accepted, recruitment moved him into the hold for Temple Meads and he is no longer considered for Gloucester.

If he sees this then he might add any more details.

So might depend where you are in the process and more importantly if the Driver Managers at the place you want to go agree for you join their recruitment for their depot.

 

[LouMel]

Hi. Thanks to all who have answered my questions during this process. I found out this morning that I passed the psychometric tests and have been invited to an MMI which I have booked. the schedule says there will be a CDF and and PIF, then MMI 1 and MMI 2. Has anyone recently done this? What is a CDF and a PIF and what is the difference between the 2 MMIs? I thought you did 1.

Thanks again!

 

[officewalla]

Hi everyone. Apologies, I have asked this before but I didn't get any replies. I wanted to ask if anyone has ever changed depots during the recruitment process? A different location is better for me and I'm not sure if I want to rock the boat by asking if I can switch locations. I don't mind staying with the one i have originally selected but I know I would want to transfer to this other place in the future.

Yes on my course two people swapped planned depots as they were both on the edge of 1 hour travelling time to their allocated depots at the point of recruitment. this had to be done during the classroom training as once out handling the normal rules about moving depots would have been applied. Had to be a swap though as no extra spaces were magiced up to facilitate the move.

 

[Supersod]

Morning all after class room training and you go into the next part with a DI and follow they shift patterns what are they like what are the rosters like.

 

[officewalla]

Morning all after class room training and you go into the next part with a DI and follow they shift patterns what are they like what are the rosters like.

Depot dependent but earliest start could be 0330ish (a bit either side is possible) and latest finish could be around 0200. Turn length varies massively and is timed to the minute. Expect turn lengths to be 7:?? to 9:?? and anything in between. 2 days off a week with a long weekend every 3 weeks where Friday Sat rest days align with Monday Tuesday rest days of the next week. Currently Sundays are committed (compulsory overtime in practice) for new entrants and are usually 1 in 3 or 2 in 3 depot dependent.

 

[Supersod]

Depot dependent but earliest start could be 0330ish (a bit either side is possible) and latest finish could be around 0200. Turn length varies massively and is timed to the minute. Expect turn lengths to be 7:?? to 9:?? and anything in between. 2 days off a week with a long weekend every 3 weeks where Friday Sat rest days align with Monday Tuesday rest days of the next week. Currently Sundays are committed (compulsory overtime in practice) for new entrants and are usually 1 in 3 or 2 in 3 depot

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Depot dependent but earliest start could be 0330ish (a bit either side is possible) and latest finish could be around 0200. Turn length varies massively and is timed to the minute. Expect turn lengths to be 7:?? to 9:?? and anything in between. 2 days off a week with a long weekend every 3 weeks where Friday Sat rest days align with Monday Tuesday rest days of the next week. Currently Sundays are committed (compulsory overtime in practice) for new entrants and are usually 1 in 3 or 2 in 3 depot dependent.

Thanks mate I'm gonna be out of paddington. So hopefully it's similar to what you're saying

 

[BartM]

Hi! I applied for the trainee role. It covers main line and branch line. When did you have your DMI?

Yeah so did I. Applied in September '24.. had assessments in Feb '25... And DMI in June '25. Haven't had any info yet as to when I'll join the ranks

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It’s just a waiting game, that’s just the way the railway works unfortunately.

Yeah it does
I work different part of the railway ATM, and yes its a waiting game for everything

 

[RobotBen91]

Yeah so did I. Applied in September '24.. had assessments in Feb '25... And DMI in June '25. Haven't had any info yet as to when I'll join the ranks

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Yeah it does
I work different part of the railway ATM, and yes its a waiting game for everything

Yeah i think everyone who's had their DMI in Exeter in June 25 onwards haven’t quite been contacted yet. I think you're probably near the top of the waiting list so you'll probably be the first to ve contacted when vacancies come up again.

 

[Neonburger]

Hi all, for those who have had their medicals how long after this did you receive your formal contract? Thanks

 

[LondonRrd]

I think that can vary quite a bit. I’ve seen some people on here have their contract in their inbox by the time they get home from their medical, some the next day. For me it was 2 months from passing the medical to getting the contract but it sounded like they were trying to juggle training places.

 

[jwac89]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the people on here that take time out of their day to help people with questions, advice etc on here. It's been invaluable. Sadly I failed my assessment day on the traffic scene memory test but passed everything else, very disappointed to have failed that one as I felt I did ok in the moment. Got 12 months to practice now I guess!

 

[Reactor Scram]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the people on here that take time out of their day to help people with questions, advice etc on here. It's been invaluable. Sadly I failed my assessment day on the traffic scene memory test but passed everything else, very disappointed to have failed that one as I felt I did ok in the moment. Got 12 months to practice now I guess!

Keep your head up, I didn't get through that one first time either - it gets a lot of people. Got through 6 months later (old system) on my final life and now in 2 talent pools. It's a tough test for some but there's plenty of useful software out there. I used this and it really helped: https://traineetraindriverinfo.com/product/enhancing-attention-short-term-memory-visual-test/

When I started doing the practice after I'd got it, I was terrible at it but got better with practice and got through it on the day. Keep an eye out for job openings later in the year.

 

[Colly103]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the people on here that take time out of their day to help people with questions, advice etc on here. It's been invaluable. Sadly I failed my assessment day on the traffic scene memory test but passed everything else, very disappointed to have failed that one as I felt I did ok in the moment. Got 12 months to practice now I guess!

Sorry to hear this buddy - I'm in the same position! I failed my ATAVT test on 1st April for Northern and have the year long wait. Hopefully it is something I can get better at with practice although I found the images disappear faster than I thought on the day! Maybe nerves not sure - all the best going forward

 

[azg1122]

Cheers. Looking forward to getting started. Thanks for the reply.

Hi mate quick one just wanted some tips what sorta questions did they ask during the DMI? Was it casual? Did it test your rail knowledge? Thanks mate

 

[Pabl007]

Hi mate quick one just wanted some tips what sorta questions did they ask during the DMI? Was it casual? Did it test your rail knowledge? Thanks mate

Hi, some similar to MMI but more relaxed and some more personal to gauge the type of person/character you are. They asked what I knew about GWR and the role nothing technical. Hope that helps.

All the best

 

[samdj]

Hey!

How long did you have to wait for results of medical?
I had min last week and haven’t heard back yet, the doctor said everything was fine at the time though!

 

[WillPlym]

Hey!

How long did you have to wait for results of medical?
I had min last week and haven’t heard back yet, the doctor said everything was fine at the time though!

I had mine last week. Passed everything but something was picked up on my ECG. Doctor said he was 99% sure there was nothing to worry about but needed to send it for a cardiologist review first. Was told I would hear back within 7 days.

Fingers crossed he is right. I’m checking my emails every 10mins.

 

[Sotac464]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the people on here that take time out of their day to help people with questions, advice etc on here. It's been invaluable. Sadly I failed my assessment day on the traffic scene memory test but passed everything else, very disappointed to have failed that one as I felt I did ok in the moment. Got 12 months to practice now I guess!

Hello mate, just wanted to say I done exactly the same with Southeastern 2 years ago, not enough information, I then passed last week. If the same as me, this time I made sure I clicked on enough information, if i was unsure if I saw a pedestrian I clicked anyway, I thought I'd rather fail by clicking too much than not enough.

Good luck you can come back.

 

[RobotBen91]

Has anyone who's had their DMI for Exeter St David's on or after July heard anything yet? Seems to have all gone very quiet with people going through and new training groups there.​

 

[Jam248]

You stay on trainee salary until you qualify. Then the current progression is 80% from qualifying for 1 year, then assuming no issues, 90% for another year the full amount after another 12 months. No enhancements.

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My MMI was just over 2 hours. A bit unusual but we just seemed to have a very long chat.

How did you find the interview? Was it structured/formal or formal/friendly? And how many did you have interviewing you? Thanks

 

[Reactor Scram]

Has anyone who's had their DMI for Exeter St David's on or after July heard anything yet? Seems to have all gone very quiet with people going through and new training groups there.​

Hi, I know the feeling of waiting. Been in the XC system for over 2.5 years with no call but have had better luck with GWR.

Just ignore the following if you already know this - just trying to help, where I can...
GWR operate in a regional system. Central region have had a drumbeat of courses over the last few months. This covers, both Bristols, south Wales, Gloucester, Westbury and Fratton. Must be retirements etc.

Where you are for Exeter is the West Region and they probably don't have requirements right now, I understand a lot of qualified drivers like to move to Devon and Cornwall. I saw somebody wrote a comment for a medical for Plymouth, which is west region, but they are in for a depot driver role, not mainline like you.

Hang in there, if you're after an update I've found GWR recruitment pretty responsive on email. No harm in asking what the latest is about once a quarter, in my opinion.

 

[Zugaga]

Hi, I know the feeling of waiting. Been in the XC system for over 2.5 years with no call but have had better luck with GWR.

Just ignore the following if you already know this - just trying to help, where I can...
GWR operate in a regional system. Central region have had a drumbeat of courses over the last few months. This covers, both Bristols, south Wales, Gloucester, Westbury and Fratton. Must be retirements etc.

Where you are for Exeter is the West Region and they probably don't have requirements right now, I understand a lot of qualified drivers like to move to Devon and Cornwall. I saw somebody wrote a comment for a medical for Plymouth, which is west region, but they are in for a depot driver role, not mainline like you.

Hang in there, if you're after an update I've found GWR recruitment pretty responsive on email. No harm in asking what the latest is about once a quarter, in my opinion.

Thanks v much for this. I must say that I too have found that, when it comes to email tennis, GWR recruitment return serve relatively well.

 

[officewalla]

How did you find the interview? Was it structured/formal or formal/friendly? And how many did you have interviewing you? Thanks

Mine was some years ago now and the recruitment format has evolved. The MMI and DMI still serve the same functions. My MMI was structured and thorough but my DMI was less structured but more friendly with an HR person inattendance I assume to make sure that key points were covered and to have a third person view of each candidate.

 

[RobotBen91]

Hi, I know the feeling of waiting. Been in the XC system for over 2.5 years with no call but have had better luck with GWR.

Just ignore the following if you already know this - just trying to help, where I can...
GWR operate in a regional system. Central region have had a drumbeat of courses over the last few months. This covers, both Bristols, south Wales, Gloucester, Westbury and Fratton. Must be retirements etc.

Where you are for Exeter is the West Region and they probably don't have requirements right now, I understand a lot of qualified drivers like to move to Devon and Cornwall. I saw somebody wrote a comment for a medical for Plymouth, which is west region, but they are in for a depot driver role, not mainline like you.

Hang in there, if you're after an update I've found GWR recruitment pretty responsive on email. No harm in asking what the latest is about once a quarter, in my opinion.

Yeah the popularity of Devon and Cornwall with the internals probably does make a difference as it only seems to be the talent pool for mainline Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance which contains the people who wait for very long periods after DMI. I did hear from a relative who's friend waited 3 years before being given a start date.

 

[BartM]

Yeah the popularity of Devon and Cornwall with the internals probably does make a difference as it only seems to be the talent pool for mainline Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance which contains the people who wait for very long periods after DMI. I did hear from a relative who's friend waited 3 years before being given a start date.

3 years.. oh maan

 

[LondonRrd]

Hi all, I can’t find the post to quote but a while ago there was a conversation about a possible electric car scheme for GWR employees being considered. Does anyone know if this has progressed at all?

 

[Pugland53]

Hi all, I can’t find the post to quote but a while ago there was a conversation about a possible electric car scheme for GWR employees being considered. Does anyone know if this has progressed at all?

Yes, starts June 1st.