Jump to content
The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Anyone on here a train driver ?


Tyson

Recommended Posts

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

:scared:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. You might also be interested in our Guidelines, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.