Scotrail - Trainee Train Driver Dumfries - Manager Interview - Advice

[Craig Kennedy]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and have recently been for an Assessment Day part one in Glasgow for the advertised role of Trainee Train Driver based at the Dumfries Depot. I'm happy to say I passed and have been invited to an interview with the Manager at the Yoker Depot on the 28th of July and I'm trying to get a head start on doing as much preparation as possible.

As Scotrail is now under Abellio rather than FirstGroup, has anybody actually undertaken an interview with them since the franchise change that could give me an insight into what to expect? I've read some various topics on this wonderful and insightful forum but most of them date back to 2009 - 2012 and thus the information on the interview process might be a little dated. We were given pointers at the end of the Assessment Day such as "do your research about the company" because apparently that's where most people fall short. So I'm trying to learn all I can about the Dumfries route along the Glasgow Western South Mainline and about the Station and Depot itself, as well as the Abellio Scotrail's rail network and as much as I can on Abellio and their core values as well as researching the history or Scotrail from the British Rail days to the current Abellio days. Plus everything I can find out on Serco - Abellio, Nederlandse Spoorwegan and the Class 156 "Super" Sprinter as according to Wikipedia, I think that's what Scotrail operate along that route. Plus I was in Central last weekend and noticed a 156 waiting to depart for Carlisle.

One of the common bits of advice I see coming up is 'know about the Depot structure', can someone simplify this for me please? Does it mean know about the building and how many trains are housed there and how many drivers operate out of there etc.? Or is there a lot more to it than that? I'm planning on taking a trip up to the station next weekend and hoping to get a feel for the place and speak to the staff and learn a good bit about it after this upcoming week of soaking up information and learning about Abellio and Scotrail history.

I'm also toying with taking a trip up to Glasgow Central next weekend along that line for a look at the route and hopefully be able to grab a quick word with the driver upon arrival at Central.

Any advice anyone can give me would be truly appreciated and I thank anyone who can give me any insight or help on this matter.

Thank you.

 

[Unstoppable]

I hold some knowledge of the depot. From what I overheard there are 22 drivers at Dumfries. It is one of the easiest depots considering the lack of routes and traction. So it is perfect for beginners as both Conductors and Drivers. I believe the routes signed are Carlisle - Glasgow Central Via Dumfries where most of the work will be held and I seem to be inclined to believe the dreaded East Kilbride line is part of their working day as well. The earliest book on should be around 04:30 with the latest finish being around 01:20. Dumfries is one of the depots I know least about but I can't see the shifts being overly long considering break restraints and the way services appear to operate. It's a good fast line to drive and you very rarely hear of Dumfries being involved in an operating incident. Taking a jolly up the South West could prove beneficial for knowing what the basics of the line is like for the future but a knock on the door at Dumfries wouldn't cause any issues.

 

[Craig Kennedy]

Thank you very much Unstoppable (great film by the way). You've been a big help man, and thank you for all your contributions dude. You've gave me a lot more to look in to and your knowledge has proved to be a big help because the only information I'd been able to find on the Depot thus far was that it operated about 17 drivers out of there, but that was back in 2009 I believe.

If I make it up to the Station next weekend for a poke around and a socialise I could confirm some of this information for you but I'm sure it'll all be spot on. Thank you once again for your informative reply man it really means a lot. Have you travelled the South West Main Line a lot then? I live about 32 miles from Barrhill and about 34 miles from Stranraer so mainly travel the Stranraer end of the line from Barrhill to Ayr and up the Ayr Coast Line to Glasgow. So it'll be a new line experience for me. Thanks for all your help though, it really means a lot, I appreciate it.

Cheers

 

[TDK]

Thank you very much Unstoppable (great film by the way). You've been a big help man, and thank you for all your contributions dude. You've gave me a lot more to look in to and your knowledge has proved to be a big help because the only information I'd been able to find on the Depot thus far was that it operated about 17 drivers out of there, but that was back in 2009 I believe.

If I make it up to the Station next weekend for a poke around and a socialise I could confirm some of this information for you but I'm sure it'll all be spot on. Thank you once again for your informative reply man it really means a lot. Have you travelled the South West Main Line a lot then? I live about 32 miles from Barrhill and about 34 miles from Stranraer so mainly travel the Stranraer end of the line from Barrhill to Ayr and up the Ayr Coast Line to Glasgow. So it'll be a new line experience for me. Thanks for all your help though, it really means a lot, I appreciate it.

Cheers

if your ID is your real name I would change your ID

 

[Donachie]

Thank you very much Unstoppable (great film by the way). You've been a big help man, and thank you for all your contributions dude. You've gave me a lot more to look in to and your knowledge has proved to be a big help because the only information I'd been able to find on the Depot thus far was that it operated about 17 drivers out of there, but that was back in 2009 I believe.

If I make it up to the Station next weekend for a poke around and a socialise I could confirm some of this information for you but I'm sure it'll all be spot on. Thank you once again for your informative reply man it really means a lot. Have you travelled the South West Main Line a lot then? I live about 32 miles from Barrhill and about 34 miles from Stranraer so mainly travel the Stranraer end of the line from Barrhill to Ayr and up the Ayr Coast Line to Glasgow. So it'll be a new line experience for me. Thanks for all your help though, it really means a lot, I appreciate it.

Cheers

How did interview go Craig ?