SmugStarlord
Member
I always check SWR and GWR on the daily anyway, I never saw the Waterloo one. Wouldnt be interested in it anyway as its not close to me, but not suprised it was only up for a couple of hours
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
GWR - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion
- Thread starter JT97
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Train Me Up
Member
Ahh you're right! Apologies will find the right forumThis thread is for great western. They dont serve between Waterloo and Twickenham. Are you sure you meant to post in the SWR thread?
As for trainee driver alerts, as far as im aware, the last time they posted for them was back in December for Paddington, Reading and Oxford.
Im not aware of any other positions that have been advertised since.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
How annoying, I checked at about 6pm and must've already been taken downSWR actually had a vacancy for Waterloo today around 1530. But as expected, it was closed after a few hours. And the only 2 TOC’s to send me job alerts are first rail and gwr. I set a job alert for Waterloo just last night and didn’t get any updates.
Twin82
Member
It really is. I caught it by chance. That’s the only toc I haven’t been able to apply to bc of the same reason. I missed out twice earlier this year. This was the third time(to my knowledge) that they have recruited for Waterloo depot. Job alerts simply doesn’t work with them unfortunately.Ahh you're right! Apologies will find the right forum
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
How annoying, I checked at about 6pm and must've already been taken down
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
That’s a good move. I tend to do that as well. You must of checked after they took it down. I have 48hrs to do the online assessment.I always check SWR and GWR on the daily anyway, I never saw the Waterloo one. Wouldnt be interested in it anyway as its not close to me, but not suprised it was only up for a couple of hours
SmugStarlord
Member
I wish you luck with the applicationIt really is. I caught it by chance. That’s the only toc I haven’t been able to apply to bc of the same reason. I missed out twice earlier this year. This was the third time(to my knowledge) that they have recruited for Waterloo depot. Job alerts simply doesn’t work with them unfortunately.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
That’s a good move. I tend to do that as well. You must of checked after they took it down. I have 48hrs to do the online assessment.
Twin82
Member
Thank youI wish you luck with the application
SmugStarlord
Member
Not yet mate, still waiting but hopefully not too long now
Any luck? Ive had my email this morning saying ive passed and I will be contacted for stage 2.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Those that have been successful with the stage 1 assessments, how long did you guys wait until being contacted for stage 2. And what does stage 2 consist of?
Last edited:
Same as you mate! Got the email just now and waiting for the stage 2 inviteAny luck? Ive had my email this morning saying ive passed and I will be contacted for stage 2.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Those that have been successful with the stage 1 assessments, how long did you guys wait until being contacted for stage 2. And what does stage 2 consist of?
SmugStarlord
Member
Congratulations mate. Let me know when you're booked inSame as you mate! Got the email just now and waiting for the stage 2 invite
Congrats to you too mate! And I will keep you posted if I hear anythingCongratulations mate. Let me know when you're booked in
hi, i passed my stage 1 at the beginning of March. Then took about 1 month to be invited for the stage 2, so beginning of April. The stage 2 date was booked for 1st June, which i thankfully also passed.Any luck? Ive had my email this morning saying ive passed and I will be contacted for stage 2.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Those that have been successful with the stage 1 assessments, how long did you guys wait until being contacted for stage 2. And what does stage 2 consist of?
In terms of what the stage 2 consists of, its the MMI. A structured interview based around 6 questions/topics which you can find on these forums. The ones given further up the thread are the same as the ones i got so they are still valid i think.
SmugStarlord
Member
Hi Brenfield, thanks for that. Would it include the DMI also or is it just the MMI?hi, i passed my stage 1 at the beginning of March. Then took about 1 month to be invited for the stage 2, so beginning of April. The stage 2 date was booked for 1st June, which i thankfully also passed.
In terms of what the stage 2 consists of, its the MMI. A structured interview based around 6 questions/topics which you can find on these forums. The ones given further up the thread are the same as the ones i got so they are still valid i think.
Also, was the MMI at Swindon or was that at Reading depot?
I also saw you applied for Reading, which is the same one I applied for, so im keeping an eye out for your posts.
hi, just the MMI. The DMI is the last step which will be at reading depot with a couple of driver managers. I'm currently waiting to be invited to this but since I only passed the MMI a couple of weeks ago i'm not expecting to hear anything for a while.Hi Brenfield, thanks for that. Would it include the DMI also or is it just the MMI?
Also, was the MMI at Swindon or was that at Reading depot?
I also saw you applied for Reading, which is the same one I applied for, so im keeping an eye out for your posts.
The MMI is at Swindon, in the same building as the stage 1 assessments although its on a different floor. Its also smaller in terms of people. There was only 1 other candidate there when i did it, unlike the stage 1 where there was half a dozen. When you get your invite it will say in the timings something like: MMI1 9am-10:30am MMI2 10:45am - 11:15am. When i saw it i though i'd have to do two separate MMIs but its actually one for you and one for the other candidate.There's only one interviewer so they do them in turn. They let you decide between you which one goes first so if you go second you'll be hanging around in the waiting room for about 1hr - 1hr:30min.
Also, your mileage might vary but the interview told me i passed about 10min after we finished so there wasn't a long agonizing wait.
Also nice to see another going for Reading, looking though the thread there doesn't seem to be many of us here and i didn't meet any on the assement days either.
SmugStarlord
Member
hi, just the MMI. The DMI is the last step which will be at reading depot with a couple of driver managers. I'm currently waiting to be invited to this but since I only passed the MMI a couple of weeks ago i'm not expecting to hear anything for a while.
The MMI is at Swindon, in the same building as the stage 1 assessments although its on a different floor. Its also smaller in terms of people. There was only 1 other candidate there when i did it, unlike the stage 1 where there was half a dozen. When you get your invite it will say in the timings something like: MMI1 9am-10:30am MMI2 10:45am - 11:15am. When i saw it i though i'd have to do two separate MMIs but its actually one for you and one for the other candidate.There's only one interviewer so they do them in turn. They let you decide between you which one goes first so if you go second you'll be hanging around in the waiting room for about 1hr - 1hr:30min.
Also, your mileage might vary but the interview told me i passed about 10min after we finished so there wasn't a long agonizing wait.
Also nice to see another going for Reading, looking though the thread there doesn't seem to be many of us here and i didn't meet any on the assement days either.
Ah cool. I shall book a hotel the night before then to make sure im prepared.
How come one was an hour and a half and the other slot only half an hour?
Including myself, there was 2 others who applied for Reading on assessment 1. 1 of which was successful like me. Hopefully less candidates means less of a wait in the talent pool if all goes well.
When did you first apply?
I applied beginning of December 2025Ah cool. I shall book a hotel the night before then to make sure im prepared.
How come one was an hour and a half and the other slot only half an hour?
Including myself, there was 2 others who applied for Reading on assessment 1. 1 of which was successful like me. Hopefully less candidates means less of a wait in the talent pool if all goes well.
When did you first apply?
sorry I was only trying to give an illustration of the times from memory i don't remember the exact times. Both slots were the same length but there was some time given for paperwork before and breaks in between.
Hotel is a good shout, there's a holiday inn express just down the road from the building, like 3 min walk, which i used. Has complimentary breakfast which is handy.
SmugStarlord
Member
Ah I applied the same time as you then. I had to pick one of the later assessment 1 dates due to shifts at my current workplace.
Will look into the holiday inn, thanks for the recommendation bud.
Let me know how you get on with your DMI.
As for the MMI, im guessing you followed STAR?
Will look into the holiday inn, thanks for the recommendation bud.
Let me know how you get on with your DMI.
As for the MMI, im guessing you followed STAR?
Yeah, have STAR answers ready for each of the questions and also good to have a couple of backup answers/examples. Though i think i mentioned in another post, there is a lot more back and forth in the discussion. Virtually as soon as you get into the S and T part they will start asking you questions and clarifications. I think its partly to help them understand and also to make sure you're not bull****ting. When i started i launched right into my answer and the interview told me to hold on while he was writing stuff down. By the end i was just giving the introduction and letting him ask the questions.Ah I applied the same time as you then. I had to pick one of the later assessment 1 dates due to shifts at my current workplace.
Will look into the holiday inn, thanks for the recommendation bud.
Let me know how you get on with your DMI.
As for the MMI, im guessing you followed STAR?
If you're not making stuff up then it shouldn't be too difficult to answer the questions. Just keep it concise and have in mind the qualities of a train driver and think about what things a good one would focus on in your examples. Mainly around safety, following rules, anticipating risk, communication etc.
Hey everyone.
I am just seeing that GWR is still actively doing assessments, MMI and DMI
I recently passed all and got an email to say the courses won't be running until 27/28. I just can't understand why they are still actively recruiting with no courses available and loads already in the talent pool it seems?
Many thanks x
I am just seeing that GWR is still actively doing assessments, MMI and DMI
I recently passed all and got an email to say the courses won't be running until 27/28. I just can't understand why they are still actively recruiting with no courses available and loads already in the talent pool it seems?
Many thanks x
Different depots maybe?Hey everyone.
I am just seeing that GWR is still actively doing assessments, MMI and DMI
I recently passed all and got an email to say the courses won't be running until 27/28. I just can't understand why they are still actively recruiting with no courses available and loads already in the talent pool it seems?
Many thanks x
SmugStarlord
Member
What depot did you apply for? That could be why?Hey everyone.
I am just seeing that GWR is still actively doing assessments, MMI and DMI
I recently passed all and got an email to say the courses won't be running until 27/28. I just can't understand why they are still actively recruiting with no courses available and loads already in the talent pool it seems?
Many thanks x
Im awaiting my MMI which should be soon.
SmugStarlord
Member
I'm starting my course in September this year - already signed the contract - I've only heard off one other person on this course though (I'm Swansea depot)
How long was your application process in the end sam?
How long was your application process in the end sam?
It was in two parts as I withdrew at one point due to family circumstances
I initially applied in August 2024, did my assessment centre in Feb 2025, MMI in April 2025, offered my DMI in June 2025 but withdrew.
I reapplied in September 2025, skipped the stages before and DMI in Feb 2026, offered place in April, occ health check in April, contract through end of May.
HEXWhat depot did you apply for? That could be why?
Im awaiting my MMI which should be soon.
SmugStarlord
Member
Is that reading depot too or is it its own entity?
For those who have recently undergone your MMI, does anyone know what a CDF and a PIF is? Something to be completed just before MMI. Is it the brief written answers you give to questions you will be asked during the interview? Also maybe something to do with ID checking? Also, are the questions you write brief answer to the same as the ones they ask verbally? Thanks lots and sorry if this has been answered before!
hi, the PIF is the personal information form where you write your name, details, national insurance number and some other admin stuff etc. This is also where the they check your ID and National insurance number like with the part one assessments. The CDF is the sheet they give you with the 6 questions where you write one or two sentences about your example. you get this sheet back when you start the interview for reference and the 6 questions on it are the same as the ones you'll be discussing.For those who have recently undergone your MMI, does anyone know what a CDF and a PIF is? Something to be completed just before MMI. Is it the brief written answers you give to questions you will be asked during the interview? Also maybe something to do with ID checking? Also, are the questions you write brief answer to the same as the ones they ask verbally? Thanks lots and sorry if this has been answered before!
It's Heathrow expressIs that reading depot too or is it its own entity?
Thank you!!!!hi, the PIF is the personal information form where you write your name, details, national insurance number and some other admin stuff etc. This is also where the they check your ID and National insurance number like with the part one assessments. The CDF is the sheet they give you with the 6 questions where you write one or two sentences about your example. you get this sheet back when you start the interview for reference and the 6 questions on it are the same as the ones you'll be discussing.
SmugStarlord
Member
It's Heathrow express
Well in which case, I would say GWR are actively recruiting for their main depots, hence the recruitment phase. and HEX is over subscribed. Hope the wait isn't too long
Hi mate,hi, just the MMI. The DMI is the last step which will be at reading depot with a couple of driver managers. I'm currently waiting to be invited to this but since I only passed the MMI a couple of weeks ago i'm not expecting to hear anything for a while.
The MMI is at Swindon, in the same building as the stage 1 assessments although its on a different floor. Its also smaller in terms of people. There was only 1 other candidate there when i did it, unlike the stage 1 where there was half a dozen. When you get your invite it will say in the timings something like: MMI1 9am-10:30am MMI2 10:45am - 11:15am. When i saw it i though i'd have to do two separate MMIs but its actually one for you and one for the other candidate.There's only one interviewer so they do them in turn. They let you decide between you which one goes first so if you go second you'll be hanging around in the waiting room for about 1hr - 1hr:30min.
Also, your mileage might vary but the interview told me i passed about 10min after we finished so there wasn't a long agonizing wait.
Also nice to see another going for Reading, looking though the thread there doesn't seem to be many of us here and i didn't meet any on the assement days either.
I also passed my MMI 2 weeks ago and just waiting to hear back regarding DMI for Reading depot!
Do you have any idea of when it could be? I know it could be while.
Cheers