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Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

johnb32

Member
Joined
27 Jan 2025
Messages
17
Location
dundee
Is there anyone on here who has started training and who travels and stays in a hotel? I'd be keen to learn how it works. Do you go down Sunday night, or is it an early train on Monday. Got a few questions if someone would message me. Ta
I haven’t started yet but got my hotel info sent today for the first 6 weeks, mine are booked for Sunday nights until Thursday night, breakfast included and £30 to use in hotel restaurant per day!
 
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tallpaulself

Member
Joined
25 Jul 2024
Messages
36
Location
Argyll
I haven’t started yet but got my hotel info sent today for the first 6 weeks, mine are booked for Sunday nights until Thursday night, breakfast included and £30 to use in hotel restaurant per day!
Thanks so much for this! The breakfast included is more than I thought. Thanks for clarifying the Sunday as well, bit less stressful than leaving at 5am on Monday morning. Great stuff!
 

mbkid

Member
Joined
1 Oct 2015
Messages
9
Hi folks I’ve had an email from recruitment today to ask if I’m within 45 mins of depots. Can anyone advise me of depots on the south side of Glasgow? I know Corkerhill is one.
 

adr2024

Member
Joined
9 Jun 2024
Messages
5
Location
Dundee
Hi all, Due down in Glasgow next week for assessments. Any info on what to expect and where to find study material would be great. Ta.
 

henke7

Member
Joined
13 Sep 2018
Messages
232
Hi all, Due down in Glasgow next week for assessments. Any info on what to expect and where to find study material would be great. Ta.
This full thread is full of information, have a read through it and good luck.
 
Joined
10 Feb 2023
Messages
8
Location
Glasgow
Hello received an e-mail today informing myself of my first assessment date coming up shortly. Just wondering if anyone could message me any tips for the passage exam how best to retain the information? thanks
 

Dk1992

Member
Joined
9 Mar 2023
Messages
16
Location
Glasgow
Hello received an e-mail today informing myself of my first assessment date coming up shortly. Just wondering if anyone could message me any tips for the passage exam how best to retain the information? thanks
It’s better to figure out for yourself how you retain information as everyone differs. Practice reading anything at home and then trying to recall key parts of what you’ve read after 5 mins of reading. Take notes of anything you think will be of importance or interest, scan the notes before being asked to answer the questions
 

380101

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2015
Messages
1,137
Hi folks I’ve had an email from recruitment today to ask if I’m within 45 mins of depots. Can anyone advise me of depots on the south side of Glasgow? I know Corkerhill is one.

Shields and Corkerhill are the 2 depots on the southside. If you've applied for Glasgow area, you'll probably end up in Central, as that is where most of the trainees seem to be going to.
 

CvB1512

Member
Joined
20 Mar 2024
Messages
11
Location
ML1
Hello received an e-mail today informing myself of my first assessment date coming up shortly. Just wondering if anyone could message me any tips for the passage exam how best to retain the information? thanks
Everyone is different and we retain info in different ways but on the day, you will given the passage, some blank paper and a pen. To begin with they will play the passage out loud on a CD player. You have access to the passage in front of you as it’s being read out loud. I chose not to listen to the audio and started reading and taking notes straight away. It meant once the passage was finished on the CD player, I was well into taking notes in bullet point form. I got through the passage and then just continually read over my bullet points until the time was up. When the time is up you put the passage and any notes away and you then have a series of multiple choice questions.

As I say, each person is different and what worked for me might not work for you. Just download some passages and practice taking relevant information from them. I’d suggest setting a timer to put yourself under some pressure too although I can’t remember how long you get on the day.

Good luck!
 

J1mbay

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2025
Messages
56
Location
edinburgh
Just got my uniform form but there doesn’t seem to be a size guide for jackets etc, are these normal sizing? Cheers
 

bluesfromagun

Member
Joined
12 Jul 2010
Messages
95
What is the drivers uniform ?? Is it a shirt and tie setup or like polo shirts and jumpers.
It's been a mess for a while now. Its whatever you ask for, it seems.
The default now seems to be polo shirt and cargo pants, unless you specifically ask for collar / tie & smart trousers. I still ask for a shirt and tie etc because I guess I'm a bit old fashioned that way!
Don't even get me started on folk cutting about in shorts, horrific.
 

J1mbay

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2025
Messages
56
Location
edinburgh
Can anyone confirm what the training days and hours are Monday to Friday ?
It doesn’t actually say anything on my contract/starter pack thing.

Many thanks.
 

tackleberry43

Member
Joined
12 Mar 2024
Messages
26
Location
glasgow
It's been a mess for a while now. Its whatever you ask for, it seems.
The default now seems to be polo shirt and cargo pants, unless you specifically ask for collar / tie & smart trousers. I still ask for a shirt and tie etc because I guess I'm a bit old fashioned that way!
Don't even get me started on folk cutting about in shorts, horrific.
Cheers for the info. After spending almost 30yrs on a building site. Shirt and tie everyday gives me the fear
 

Kuksoolgirl

Member
Joined
30 Aug 2019
Messages
131
Location
Inverness
Can anyone confirm what the training days and hours are Monday to Friday ?
It doesn’t actually say anything on my contract/starter pack thing.

Many thanks.
Atrium court was generally 9-3 mon to Thurs, then 9-12/1 but could be later if you have the SIM on a Friday. Friday is also dress down day
 

Dk1992

Member
Joined
9 Mar 2023
Messages
16
Location
Glasgow
Atrium court was generally 9-3 mon to Thurs, then 9-12/1 but could be later if you have the SIM on a Friday. Friday is also dress down day
How long does this period of being at atrium court for training non - fri, 9-3 last before moving in to shifts? I’m still trying to get an idea of what this training period looks like
 

Kuksoolgirl

Member
Joined
30 Aug 2019
Messages
131
Location
Inverness
How long does this period of being at atrium court for training non - fri, 9-3 last before moving in to shifts? I’m still trying to get an idea of what this training period looks like
The training format has changed since I started in Nov. I think you get traction earlier than previously, which if you're glasgow will probably be Glasgow or Edinburgh (but dont quote me on that). We had 6 weeks at Atrium, 5 weeks of traction and 3 weeks of cab turns at our depot (1 week of cab turns after every 2 weeks at atrium, followed by the traction weeks). But like I said it's changed now. They will still be mon- Fri, traction probably still finish by 3pm, but cab turns could be whatever they can get a driver to agree to take you (that's if you still do all 3 weeks cab turns).

Maybe someone on here who has started the new training format can help you more with this.
 

Chris96

Member
Joined
2 Jul 2025
Messages
36
Location
glasgow
Morning everyone

I applied on March of last year, done all
my online tests about October, November last year. Just got an email on monday to ask if im 45 minutes of various locations (presuming depots) once done the said they’d book me in for my first assessment centre visit, with the way recruitments been going just wondering if anyones got an idea on timescales of application i know everyones different just doing some digging

cheers
 

stushe86

Member
Joined
18 May 2024
Messages
30
Location
Cumbernauld
I got the below, does this mean I'm getting close to getting to 1st stage testing?


Thank you for advising that you are still interested in becoming a Trainee Driver with ScotRail.

Please be advised that we have received a high volume of applications for these roles and we appreciate your continued patience throughout this process.

To continue with your application, we need you to confirm if you reside within a 45-minute commutable distance from the following locations:

Inverness
Yoker
Motherwell
Edinburgh
Glasgow area

Please confirm which of the above locations are applicable no later than by 12pm on Monday 7th July 2025.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Morning everyone

I applied on March of last year, done all
my online tests about October, November last year. Just got an email on monday to ask if im 45 minutes of various locations (presuming depots) once done the said they’d book me in for my first assessment centre visit, with the way recruitments been going just wondering if anyones got an idea on timescales of application i know everyones different just doing some digging

cheers
Did you get same email as I've just posted below?
 

J1mbay

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2025
Messages
56
Location
edinburgh
Morning everyone

I applied on March of last year, done all
my online tests about October, November last year. Just got an email on monday to ask if im 45 minutes of various locations (presuming depots) once done the said they’d book me in for my first assessment centre visit, with the way recruitments been going just wondering if anyones got an idea on timescales of application i know everyones different just doing some digging

cheers
Congrats so far!

it’s a long haul that’s for sure.
I applied in march 2024 and start in July 24th 2025.

Nothing goes quickly that’s for sure!
Just ride it out in the background.

But yes I’d imagine if your within 45 mins to the station you’ll be starting the process shortly.
 

LeeTaffT

Member
Joined
27 May 2025
Messages
12
Location
Motherwell
Has anyone got else got their induction for Motherwell on the 18/9?
I think Motherwell is quite slow in all aspects by the looks of things - I know myself and others had our DMI at different locations due to backlogs.
When did you start the process if you don't mind me asking?
 
Last edited:

ljmill

Member
Joined
12 Jul 2024
Messages
8
Location
Ayr
Im still waiting for my MMI. I applied March 24. I think Motherwell is quite slow in all aspects by the looks of things - I know myself and others had our DMI at different locations due to backlogs.
When did you start the process if you don't mind me asking?
I was March 24 as well. I was originally supposed to be at ayr and completed my mmi in April but there was no vacancies. I asked to change to Motherwell for personal reasons in June and was booked for my medical that week with a start date of 18th September. I know some people in the railway and I believe there are 12 vacancies at Motherwell to fill so would imagine it wouldn’t be too long before there’s another class
 

stushe86

Member
Joined
18 May 2024
Messages
30
Location
Cumbernauld
Well hopefully we hear back after Monday, I'm available for Glasgow, motherwell as there 20min commute and Edinburgh is a 40min commute. So I'm easy to go to any if the 3.
 

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