Tyson Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 As above interested to hear your opinion on doing it for a living Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Yep. Awesome job. You have to be pretty switched on constantly, be it a 3am start or a 3am finish. You need to be able to cope with MASSIVE pressure, when it goes wrong it goes very wrong, and you've got 500 people behind you. Also be prepared to see some pretty nasty sh1t! We had a terrible one last week, 16yr old girl. Exam pressure. Very difficult to get into as a trainee though, but generally a well paid job with lots of perks. Which operator are you thinking of trying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 I've tried before, but as said, it's all really close nit. You basically have to be in the industry already to stand a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 I've tried before, but as said, it's all really close nit. You basically have to be in the industry already to stand a chance. Not true. It's just very competitive. 1000 applicants for every 1 trainee position. I'm a train driver instructor, and most new drivers are off the street. The days of 'who you know' stopped at privatisation in the 90's. The British rail dinosaurs are gradually retiring, and they all have to be replaced. Lorol, GTR, and GWR all take on trainees regular. Crossrail is a whole new railway, so they are in the process of training 200 'off the street drivers' too. Every applicant has the same chance as the next guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Not true. It's just very competitive. 1000 applicants for every 1 trainee position. I'm a train driver instructor, and most new drivers are off the street. The days of 'who you know' stopped at privatisation in the 90's. The British rail dinosaurs are gradually retiring, and they all have to be replaced. Lorol, GTR, and GWR all take on trainees regular. Crossrail is a whole new railway, so they are in the process of training 200 'off the street drivers' too. Every applicant has the same chance as the next guy. I'm only going from what my friend has told me, who has been driving for circa 10 years now In fact, my brothers friend is a tube driver, and he said a very similar thing. I guess it's maybe luck of the drawer what the individual operators are like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 I guess it's maybe luck of the drawer what the individual operators are like That's spot on. You tend to find the newer operators easier to get into as a trainee. Who did you try with out of interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 Yep. Awesome job. You have to be pretty switched on constantly, be it a 3am start or a 3am finish. You need to be able to cope with MASSIVE pressure, when it goes wrong it goes very wrong, and you've got 500 people behind you. Also be prepared to see some pretty nasty sh1t! We had a terrible one last week, 16yr old girl. Exam pressure. Very difficult to get into as a trainee though, but generally a well paid job with lots of perks. Which operator are you thinking of trying? Northern rail, how long have you been doing it ? What's the selection process like ? Where are you based ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Northern rail, how long have you been doing it ? What's the selection process like ? Where are you based ? I'm with Chiltern Railways. Selection process is application form sift, then you'll get invited to attend the psychometric testing. 5 or 6 tests specific to the role. This is where 90% of people fail. They're quite tough. You can only take these twice before its game over for life. If you're successful you'l attend a managers interview, then medical prior to starting. Training course is around 8 - 12 months. Usually 10 max on one course. 3 - 4 months classroom then 280hrs out with an instructor. You stand a good chance with Northern. They're taking on quite a few trainees I believe. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 I'm with Chiltern Railways. Selection process is application form sift, then you'll get invited to attend the psychometric testing. 5 or 6 tests specific to the role. This is where 90% of people fail. They're quite tough. You can only take these twice before its game over for life. If you're successful you'l attend a managers interview, then medical prior to starting. Training course is around 8 - 12 months. Usually 10 max on one course. 3 - 4 months classroom then 280hrs out with an instructor. You stand a good chance with Northern. They're taking on quite a few trainees I believe. Good luck! What are the test based on ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Couldn't you get a job with EMT, they are always using the shortage of drivers as an excuse for late trains during peak times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 It varies, but most operators do reactions and coordination, trainability... Lots of info on tests in here... http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=75158 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Yep. Awesome job. You have to be pretty switched on constantly, be it a 3am start or a 3am finish. You need to be able to cope with MASSIVE pressure, Wet leaves? Wrong sort of snow? Lightning strikes (of the "all out lads, meet down the pub in an hour" variety).... Nightmare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 I challenge you to sit at the front of a 5000hp class 68 towing 6 carriages with 500 people in, doing 100mph, put the brake on, and nothing happens due to the teflon like coating on the rails from leaves, and NOT shit yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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