Good morning, I am due to start conductor training with Northern on the 31st of October and I was hoping there may be someone on here who is either currently undergoing similar training or that has done so recently that could give some advice as to what I can expect from it? I know its roughly 12 weeks but just wondering on any other specifics. Any help would be great.
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What To Expect : Conductor Training With Northern
- Thread starter Emilali
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Congratulations!
Although I'm with a TOC in the south I imagine it'all be broadly similar.
Weeks 1-8 will start off steady with customer service, disability awareness and other similar skills which will probably take about 10 days.
Next, after the nice fluffy stuff will come basic railway and understanding of it, such as signals, points and infrastructure, next will come PTS and railway safety, followed by emergency protection and what to do in the event of an emergency as well as any other sections of the rule book not covered. There will be periodic assessments, sometimes 2 or 3 in a week, followed by a final exam on rules, I believe mine was 180 questions in the final exams.
The next stage will be a combination of a commercial course (learning the ticket machine and processes and rules behind it) as well as traction training and route learning.
If you want any further info, feel free to ask either here or by PM
Although I'm with a TOC in the south I imagine it'all be broadly similar.
Weeks 1-8 will start off steady with customer service, disability awareness and other similar skills which will probably take about 10 days.
Next, after the nice fluffy stuff will come basic railway and understanding of it, such as signals, points and infrastructure, next will come PTS and railway safety, followed by emergency protection and what to do in the event of an emergency as well as any other sections of the rule book not covered. There will be periodic assessments, sometimes 2 or 3 in a week, followed by a final exam on rules, I believe mine was 180 questions in the final exams.
The next stage will be a combination of a commercial course (learning the ticket machine and processes and rules behind it) as well as traction training and route learning.
If you want any further info, feel free to ask either here or by PM
First off, well done! Now the hard work really begins!
I started training in April this year and am now fully qualified and working on trains. It's pretty much ad pompey fan says. Customer service is first, then Pts followed by signalling. You will also go out on the trains with an instructor performing door duties so it's a good chance to meet the people you will be working with. Then it's back to the classroom for revenue training before being back on the trains for a week with an instructor putting it all together before your passport. It is hard work and everyone learns differently. My method was to soak up ad much info during the day as I could then I would leave it until the next morning when I would spend an hour going over my notes ready for more.
It seems daunting the amount of info going in but the trainers know how to fit it all in and if you work hard you cannot fail.
It is the best job I have ever had and to be honest the hardest part is the training, but it will soon fly by and you will be a railway expert in no time!
I started training in April this year and am now fully qualified and working on trains. It's pretty much ad pompey fan says. Customer service is first, then Pts followed by signalling. You will also go out on the trains with an instructor performing door duties so it's a good chance to meet the people you will be working with. Then it's back to the classroom for revenue training before being back on the trains for a week with an instructor putting it all together before your passport. It is hard work and everyone learns differently. My method was to soak up ad much info during the day as I could then I would leave it until the next morning when I would spend an hour going over my notes ready for more.
It seems daunting the amount of info going in but the trainers know how to fit it all in and if you work hard you cannot fail.
It is the best job I have ever had and to be honest the hardest part is the training, but it will soon fly by and you will be a railway expert in no time!
metalmickey
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Literally just had an email from Arriva Trains Wales stating that I'm through the sift and have online assessments to complete by Monday 24th October, these being General ability test and Safer concentration and attention test, just got to wait for an email with a link for the practice tests. Never sat any tests like these before so really nervous, just want to get on practising now, so cant wait for the practice material, good luck to anyone else waiting to hear from ATW.
Congratulations!
Although I'm with a TOC in the south I imagine it'all be broadly similar.
Weeks 1-8 will start off steady with customer service, disability awareness and other similar skills which will probably take about 10 days.
Next, after the nice fluffy stuff will come basic railway and understanding of it, such as signals, points and infrastructure, next will come PTS and railway safety, followed by emergency protection and what to do in the event of an emergency as well as any other sections of the rule book not covered. There will be periodic assessments, sometimes 2 or 3 in a week, followed by a final exam on rules, I believe mine was 180 questions in the final exams.
The next stage will be a combination of a commercial course (learning the ticket machine and processes and rules behind it) as well as traction training and route learning.
If you want any further info, feel free to ask either here or by PM
Thanks very much for your response, some very useful info there which I am sure will be very helpful. Thanks again
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Are you working with Northern or a different TOC? Again thanks for your response, just trying to gather as much info as possible before starting to try and be as prepared as possible
Marc Stevens
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- 1 Aug 2016
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I start on 16/1/17 with gwr!! Could not be more excited!!
Whereabouts are you based? Did you do your training in Leeds? If so, do they provide accommodation for those people not particularly local? Also, what is the dress code as it doesnt say in the contract?
My training was in Manchester and we had people from Leeds and Liverpool on the course who commuted everyday. Train travel was included of course. There is also a training school in Leeds I believe. I would recommend smart office dress until you get your uniform.
That's great, where will you be based? Just wondering if you'll be coming down to Portsmouth, IE Fratton, Westbury or Bristol?
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Speaking to some guards recently that have only just passed out, they had to commute from Weymouth to Basingstoke every day.
Take it steady, listen to your instructor and never be afraid to ask questions if you're unsure. If you're out and about talk to people who are already working, they'll generally be happy to help a new colleague.
It's one of those jobs that is as hard as you make it. You'll have bad days but most are pretty good. Keep a cool head and think things through and you'll be fine.
Also route learning gets very boring very quickly. Put plenty of effort into or you *will* regret it when you get out there and it's dark, wet and you have a problem.
It's one of those jobs that is as hard as you make it. You'll have bad days but most are pretty good. Keep a cool head and think things through and you'll be fine.
Also route learning gets very boring very quickly. Put plenty of effort into or you *will* regret it when you get out there and it's dark, wet and you have a problem.
Kim_Badger
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- 27 Jun 2016
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I thought I had just found another that was starting with gwr other than you and me for a minute..
Hi All, I am starting Conductor training soon! Can anybody possibly give me a rough idea of the schedule for training as far as shifts go? How long will it be Mon- Fri 9-5, before going out on shifts? I have commitments in the evening of my third week so don't want any clashes! Can't wait to get started!
all TOCs will be slightly different but a rough outline i'd imagine would be 9-4 for the first 6 weeks to get through 'the school'. after that you'll be doing any of either traction, commercial or routes. All 3 need to be done but i'm not sure what order it'll be.
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