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Transport for Wales - Trainee Train Drivers

craigybagel

Established Member
Joined
25 Oct 2012
Messages
5,827
Cardiff to Ebbw Vale
Cardiff to Maesteg
Cardiff to Cheltenham
Cardiff to Swansea
Cardiff to Bridgend via VOG

That's what you start on.

There's also milford haven
Carmarthen
Chester
Shrewsbury

That you sign from cardiff as you go up the links.
Although the last I heard they were planning on taking Swansea off the bottom link as they had so little work there. That might change though with the hoped for increase in Swanline services later this year.
 
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RailUK Forums

incognito

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2023
Messages
29
Location
Cardiff
Yes can’t wait to get started now :)

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Cheers :) I passed my dmi beginning of March.
Nice i’m still at doing the mmi and computer phase. Really want to get a place on a training course.
 

JackJones81

Member
Joined
2 May 2022
Messages
20
Location
Swansea
Yes can’t wait to get started now :)

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Cheers :) I passed my dmi beginning of March.
How long did you have to wait for the result of your DMI? I’ve got mine next week.

How did it compare to the MMI?
 

mpfol

Member
Joined
21 Jan 2023
Messages
46
Location
Port Talbot
Nice i’m still at doing the mmi and computer phase. Really want to get a place on a training course.
Good luck :) the waiting part is the worst after each stage waiting for results and more dates.

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How long did you have to wait for the result of your DMI? I’ve got mine next week.

How did it compare to the MMI?
Waited 4 working days to find out the result :) looking back I found the mmi harder but I was definitely more nervous sitting the mmi. Good luck for the dmi :)
 

Velocity93

Member
Joined
5 Mar 2023
Messages
16
Location
Little Sutton
Anyone had an experience with the medical process recently? what to expect ect...
Turn up, with your consent form.
Answer basic medial questions yes/no answers eg: ever had a head injury?
Weight measured
Height measured (I shrunk 3cm’s haha)
Colour perception test
Eye sight test
ECG
Hearing test
Drug & alcohol test
That’s about it,

Doctor will tell you if all okay or not there and then. You’ll hear back from company couple days later.
 

mpfol

Member
Joined
21 Jan 2023
Messages
46
Location
Port Talbot
Turn up, with your consent form.
Answer basic medial questions yes/no answers eg: ever had a head injury?
Weight measured
Height measured (I shrunk 3cm’s haha)
Colour perception test
Eye sight test
ECG
Hearing test
Drug & alcohol test
That’s about it,

Doctor will tell you if all okay or not there and then. You’ll hear back from company couple days later.
Good to know thanks :)
 

mpfol

Member
Joined
21 Jan 2023
Messages
46
Location
Port Talbot
I’ve still not heard anything after being told shortlisted in March. Is it the same for anyone else?
It’s a waiting game unfortunately. Once the process starts it takes time. I got shortlisted on the 23rd December and got put into the talent pool the beginning of March. Just be patient easier said than done I know :)
 

Jaylfc147

Member
Joined
5 Oct 2022
Messages
31
Location
Warrington
If it helps, once you get the dates for the testing, the process gets a little quicker, not massively but a lot better than the initial wait. I got paper tests end of Jan, Comp tests March and had DMI this week for Crewe. Did you apply in September last year?
 

Tricky1972

Member
Joined
27 Aug 2019
Messages
31
Location
Cheshire
If it helps, once you get the dates for the testing, the process gets a little quicker, not massively but a lot better than the initial wait. I got paper tests end of Jan, Comp tests March and had DMI this week for Crewe. Did you apply in September last year?
Yes
 

Jaylfc147

Member
Joined
5 Oct 2022
Messages
31
Location
Warrington
Wow! I thought I was towards the end, didn't realise they're still going through the earlier stages. I know it's hard but they will get to you, i've heard lots of rumours that they're taking on a lot of drivers in 2023/24 so keep positive - easier said than done
 

Tricky1972

Member
Joined
27 Aug 2019
Messages
31
Location
Cheshire
Wow! I thought I was towards the end, didn't realise they're still going through the earlier stages. I know it's hard but they will get to you, i've heard lots of rumours that they're taking on a lot of drivers in 2023/24 so keep positive - easier said than done
You mentioned software to practice certain tests. What did you use. Got Group Bourdon one. Been using How to Become website stuff. Anything else recommended?
 

Jaylfc147

Member
Joined
5 Oct 2022
Messages
31
Location
Warrington
I used the train driver book for the written tests by how to become and practiced for the computer tests with https://www.traindriver.org software. I used an old PS4 controller to practice the hand eye coordination. Can't say for definite if it helped me pass but it certainly made me relax on the day knowing what to expect.

For paper tests, not sure if the book helped much, main thing is print off a load of Bourdon tests and get used to scanning for the 4 dots. I searched this thread for all the info and it definitely helped me get this far. Good luck
 

Tricky1972

Member
Joined
27 Aug 2019
Messages
31
Location
Cheshire
I used the train driver book for the written tests by how to become and practiced for the computer tests with https://www.traindriver.org software. I used an old PS4 controller to practice the hand eye coordination. Can't say for definite if it helped me pass but it certainly made me relax on the day knowing what to expect.

For paper tests, not sure if the book helped much, main thing is print off a load of Bourdon tests and get used to scanning for the 4 dots. I searched this thread for all the info and it definitely helped me get this far. Good luck
Cheers for that. Did GB tests online but been advised to do written ones as it's a better reflection of actual test. Cheers again
 

Rail87

Member
Joined
1 Jul 2021
Messages
17
Location
Crewe
I used the train driver book for the written tests by how to become and practiced for the computer tests with https://www.traindriver.org software. I used an old PS4 controller to practice the hand eye coordination. Can't say for definite if it helped me pass but it certainly made me relax on the day knowing what to expect.

For paper tests, not sure if the book helped much, main thing is print off a load of Bourdon tests and get used to scanning for the 4 dots. I searched this thread for all the info and it definitely helped me get this far. Good luck
For the computer tests I used the how to become software and I connected my xbox controller through a wire to my laptop. Then isolated the thumb joysticks so they just operated in one direction of travel each. up and down on one, and the other left and right. I then, using a programme called "keysticks" i assigned the movements on the controller to each key. So changed "a" to move left and "s" to move right on the left thumb stick, then "up arrow" to up, and "down arrow" to down on the right thumb stick on the controller.

Then used a finger tip grip to operate them to move the dot through the course. Each hand was independent and this was the cheapest and most effective tool i used to get through the computer tests.

Did it take a lot of fiddling around? Yes
Was it worth it? Yes, a million times

If you get to computer stages and are worried about the hand eye coordination test dont worry. There is no time limit and you can repeat the practice example an unlimited amount of times. I did it honestly like 50 times untill I felt comfortable.

If you have any questions feel free to message me
 

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