TransPennine Trains - Trainee Driver Recruitment Discussion

[SCDR_WMR]

I didn’t get a submit button the screen just closed down! Neither did I get an email so clearly didn’t pass.

Neither did I, just changed to a time ran out screen.

 

[NLB]

At least it’s not just me who’s application doesn’t say unsuccessful even though they having received this email

What station have you applied for?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I did have issues. But I didn’t cry about it. I just worked through it. Traits you’d probably need to have as a train driver when you encounter problems. But if you want to email them for a cry or a loan feel free.

You had to scroll to answer, as has pretty much everyone so far. That's not what people have an issue with, as much as it was annoying. There are many on here where the full page didn't load or the tables haven't loaded etc which obviously has a greater impact on their scoring.

Funnily enough, some of the traits advertised for were friendly and helpful. And I would also add that if you get to drive a train and have a TMS fault or similar, you call fleet and ask for assistance, you don't just work through it, even if you've reset that exact fault a hundred times before.

 

[tulip]

I never received an email and it sounds like a very generic email. I’m not worried about it until I get an email telling me otherwise. I feel confident that I have done enough on the assessment and will remain that way until I get told otherwise.

People who didn’t receive the email, don’t throw the towel in just yet and be disheartened you didn’t get one.

It’s potentially based on the depot/station you applied for unless I get told otherwise. Out of those who got this email, which depot/station did you apply to?

I’ve applied Preston. I got the email as soon as the test had finished so I thought it was generic. You’re right, everyone should just wait and see until next lot of emails.

 

[mattybed21]

What station have you applied for?

Preston

 

[NLB]

Preston

Me too!

 

[tucker86]

Seems a lot for Preston how many r they realistically going to take on ? 3 or 4

 

[tulip]

Seems a lot for Preston how many r they realistically going to take on ? 3 or 4

No idea prob lots applying not on this website. Has anyone ever applied to tpe before? My first time and haven’t a clue what to expect. Glad I got through to the online test

 

[Azzer88]

No idea prob lots applying not on this website. Has anyone ever applied to tpe before? My first time and haven’t a clue what to expect. Glad I got through to the online test

No idea prob lots applying not on this website. Has anyone ever applied to tpe before? My first time and haven’t a clue what to expect. Glad I got through to the online test

Don’t worry! will be plenty more tests! That was one of the easy ones.

 

[tulip]

Don’t worry! will be plenty more tests! That was one of the easy ones.

That’s if I get through to any more ha. Hopefully my application answers are ok. Good luck!

 

[mattybed21]

Seems a lot for Preston how many r they realistically going to take on ? 3 or 4

No idea, but even if they did have three or four vacancies, most of them would get filled by internal candidates. That’s how the railway works these days.

 

[tucker86]

No idea, but even if they did have three or four vacancies, most of them would get filled by internal candidates. That’s how the railway works these days.

So why apply then ?

 

[Iddy015]

Not necessarily mate, it is a Sunday. Give it till tomorrow or the day after buddy.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2025 ==

They will probably take on some more and keep them in the talent pool mate, im a signaller thats what they did for my area when i got the train signaller job, they hired roughly 6 people and some more just for the talent pool.

 

[tulip]

Not necessarily mate, it is a Sunday. Give it till tomorrow or the day after buddy.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2025 ==

They will probably take on some more and keep them in the talent pool mate, im a signaller thats what they did for my area when i got the train signaller job, they hired roughly 6 people and some more just for the talent pool.

I’m so sorry what is the talent pool? How did you find the recruitment for the signaller job?

 

[JDAWC]

it’s probably only 1 or 2 at Preston. Also guys do note the railway loves to recruit within

 

[Fokx]

It’s 1 at Preston. Unless that’s changed.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2025 ==


I don’t want to dampen anyone’s spirits but this statement is quite true, especially at TPE. The last two cohort of trainees of which there was around 30 drivers in total were all internal. Obviously externals should be taken on if they meet the criteria, but who knows what they’ll do

That's because the last cohort of trainees were internal only vacancies .

This is the first external advertisement for trainee driver roles for around two years.

 

[Iddy015]

Quick question on the application it says you need to live within 60 minutes, i put in my address which is roughly 2 hours away from Manchester, but i am willing to relocate would that affect my application?

 

[tucker86]

Yeah? Preston is a retirement depot so that fact they’re even recruiting a trainee is something in of itself really!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2025 ==


Ah right didn’t even realise Whoops!

Well that’s toss, so basically at best if you pass everything you will just sit in a talent pool for years praying you get a training spot 1 day but in reality it’s more than likely never going to happen at Preston

 

[JDAWC]

Well that’s toss, so basically at best if you pass everything you will just sit in a talent pool for years praying you get a training spot 1 day but in reality it’s more than likely never going to happen at Preston

Talent pools are a natural part of the railway unfortunately, and it all depends on the hiring manager and whether they think creating/adding to a talent pool is relevant

 

[mattybed21]

How do people know that’s these vacancies are all for external and that Preston is a retirement depot

 

[tucker86]

Talent pools are a natural part of the railway unfortunately and it all depends on the hiring manager and whether they think creating/adding to a talent pool is relevant

I hope you are right, the station is only 15 mins from my house, don’t fancy going anywhere else.

 

[JDAWC]

How do people know that’s these vacancies are all for external and that Preston is a retirement depot

Most likely people internally.

 

[mattybed21]

I hope you are right, the station is only 15 mins from my house, don’t fancy going anywhere else.

Do you work on the railways?

 

[tucker86]

Do you work on the railways?

No trying to get on

 

[mattybed21]

I sure do hope it’s not just one vacancy we are all fighting for at Preston

 

[Jacko1986]

I think you have to wait a few days for an invitation to do the concentration test? I am also waiting after doing the first AI bit.

My online portal also says To do 0 Completed 1 - which I believe means we've done the AI bit. Please correct me anyone if I am wrong.

I emailed recruitment and a few hours later they sent a new link and I was able to complete it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2025 ==

I sure do hope it’s not just one vacancy we are all fighting for at Preston

Don't worry about it. Just do your best, that's all you can do.

 

[Azzer88]

We can only just do our best. Luckily I have a good job that I enjoy so won’t be too downhearted if it doesn’t come off. But the little bit of extra money for a train driver would be very good!

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I sure do hope it’s not just one vacancy we are all fighting for at Preston

These recruitment drives are almost never to fill current vacancies due to the time it takes to hire and then train.

It's common for talent pools to be filled to cover vacancies they expect to have within the next 2 years. That way you can fill all DIs with trainees back to back.

 

[tulip]

These recruitment drives are almost never to fill current vacancies due to the time it takes to hire and then train.

It's common for talent pools to be filled to cover vacancies they expect to have within the next 2 years. That way you can fill all DIs with trainees back to back.

I hope this is the case. I’m not expecting to get through this sift. Can always hold out hope.

Now I’m gonna be stalking my emails

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I hope this is the case. I’m not expecting to get through this sift. Can always hold out hope.

Now I’m gonna be stalking my emails

Hopefully you'll find out first hand that railway recruitment requires patience of a saint! Some bits go super quick, others bits can take months!