Train Driver Tells how to become a train driver. Pathways to train driving Jobs. Career Advice
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- Опубликовано: 13 июн 2024
- Do you want to be a train driver, but are not sure how to apply for a train drivers job? In this video I talk about the career pathways you can take to become a train driver, as well as the qualifications and medical requirement's of the job. The Railway is a great place to work, and train driving can be an exciting career opportunity.
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My dad's plaque was unveiled at King's Cross station last week as 'BRITAIN'S FIRST BLACK TRAIN DRIVER'. Great video and advice, my dad would have loved watching your videos 👍🏾
Wow that’s amazing! Where abouts is it at Kings X?
@@tyronealaka6537 It's what YOU call racism. You are part of the trouble it seems.
@@tyronealaka6537 saying someone’s skin colour is not racist at all
In the steam days all drivers were black
I respect what you are saying and congrats to your dad but my cousin an his friend have been driving trains for 25 years this years and he is retiring this year hence I don’t believe your dad was the first but maybe at king cross I’m guessing
Hi, and thanks for a great video. I applied in 2020 and did all the assessments, which I passed! (I will be passing out in 8 weeks!) I can confirm they are quite intense tests, and the assessors were poker faced and didn't give anything away at the time. I left the assessments thinking I did awful, but I was wrong. The classroom side of it is a LOT of headwork and homework, and when you finish the classroom part and get out driving with an instructor, you don't just finish work and switch off, go home, read rules, make notes, get prepared for the next day and then go to bed. Expect to pretty much cancel your social life for the next year! It will be so worth it in the end though. Its not a criticism, just advising to anyone that is interested the reality of dedication needed to succeed. I'm 48, I wish I started this many years ago. Thanks again for the videos!
Thx for that heads up!
Just signed up for a traineeship in Australia
Hi Mark, great advice cheers, how’s it going 3 or so months down the line now ? Only just started researching getting this so I’m just trying to get an idea of how long it takes ect, I’m 45 so a similar age to you.
Cheers
Hi , thanks for the helpful information . Please I need more information on how to apply for a train driver position from outside the UK … also the cost , how long it will take and the requirements. Thanks
@@simmon81au hello, can i get your email or twitter ? i also wanna be a trainee in Australia.thank you !
My Dad drives for TPE and has been on since the back end of 2004 - early 2005 ish. I’ve just joined the railway this year having spent 7 years trying and landed a shunting role for DB Cargo with the aim of working up to being a driver. Got to be very patient! But it’s so worth it in the end.
Does your dad enjoy driving for TPE? Ive applied to them
@@Steven-qi4gm Yeah, he’s happy with it. There’s good bits and not so good bits just like with every job.
He keeps telling me to apply. But truthfully I’d rather stay on freight, more laid back.
@@jameswingrove7421 Is there pros and cons to freight drivers? Are the salaries much different.
@@Steven-qi4gm who wouldn’t be happy on £80,000 per year lol
I’ve been seeking advice and yesterday i came across your RUclips channel. Thank you tons for this and I will definitely be looking for a train career soon.
I've worked in the industry since I left school.I went solo as a Traindriver nearly 28 years ago.It's not for everyone but I'm glad that I found my nieche when I did.I honestly couldn't imagine doing else for a living.Go for it!
You literally read my mind. Thank you so much man 👍🏿
I’m interested in becoming a train driver, I’ve always thought about it but never really thought it would pay off. This has been the most in depth video, all my questions were answered thanks so much for this it help out me 1 step closer. Amazing.
Hi Dvon, thanks so much for your comment! Good luck with it all.
Thanks for the help and advise mate. I'm very grateful
Oh my gosh! So helpful! I’m an A-level student aspiring to be a train driver, and you’ve given me so much helpful advice!
Glad it was helpful!
Almost impossible to get a job
@@phantombigballs8165 How long have you been trying and ant luck?
any luck?
Thanks Richard :)
21 years ago I applied to be a train driver with Chiltern, I was 19. I passed the interview, the isometric & Scaat tests and the final interview. Got to the medical annnnnnnd.....partially colourblind 🤦♂️
Sorry to hear that, such a shame having got so far.
Kinda sad and I must say very bright to apply at such a young age. Hope you are doing something you enjoy for work.
It was a lot easier to get a job as a train driver in the 1970-80's than it is today. The pay was so bad then. When the average wage in Britain was £100 a week, train drivers were on £60 a week. My dad used to have to work overtime to get his salary up to a decent level. The train companies were forced to increase train drivers basic pay or they would eventually have no drivers to drive their trains.
This is very true from what some of the old boys tell me. Although the job isn’t what it was back then.
I passed my psychometrics testing and both interviews earlier this year.
Got medical soon and a start date towards the end of the year.
22+ years in light rail
And 4 years as guard to back to my application helped
Certainly getting in anyway you can will help .
Be good to see a psychometrics video
Granted not all are the same but overall they're very similar and the info I found certainly helped prep me for the days testing.
Great video
How are you finding it? And what is the starting salary. Thinking of a change.
@Samsung starting is about 24k
But I'm ex guard so retain my 29k for first 12 months until it rises
It isn't alien to me I've spent 26 years in light then heavy rail in some capacity so things are very familiar . There's a lot of knowledge and rules retention that's for sure.
Thank you so much for this lovely advice.
3 months on the railway and one thing i can't get over, is abbreviations we love them
I've now given up on becoming a driver, I've watched all the videos, have a very good education, CV is spot on, been in current job 20 years, 44 years old, fit as a fiddle, no medical issues, I never hear a thing when I apply 14 times now. I have friends who are drivers they have helped with my application forms etc. Can't be bothered anymore
Pretty much the same as me .
@@Algorithm347 its a joke. Don't even get feedback, ever.
Phantom. Take the psychometric test yourself (I think it is around £300, and DB Schenker run the test centres). Once you have passed, tout yourself around to ALL the companies within 50 miles and I would be amazed if you don't get something.
Need experience maybe get an apprenticeship your still in the age range bro
I’ve given up as well, I’m a qualified commercial pilot and struggle to find jobs
Excellent video really fascinating. I've always wanted to get into this field thanks for such an amazing video
My dad was a 2nd man on numerous freight locos like Class 66’s and 73’s back in the 80’s and he loved it! He had to quit though which was a shame.
Nice video and it was a pleasure to see you working for south-eastern when 😅was driving 375'a and me on the gateline Richard
Good video mate, great tips
Excellent, very helpful.
I'm a train and I approve this informative video!
Getting psychologically tested for DB in 3 weeks, that helps me a lot, thank you!
No worries Ben, good luck with it!
Fantastic video very good advice
Loving your videos, currently going though the application process with LNER
Thanks Chris and good luck with it!
This is very helpful thank you so much for your time
I did the test in May this year (and thankfully passed) and I can confirm it’s still as intense as it’s always been! It’s a lot more refined than it’s previous guises but the core tests are still there. Reaction, memory, interview etc.
Any maths tests pal?
I got my psychometric day coming up for trans pennine express.
I’m already a tram driver and have passed then before but not sure if they are different on the trains.
@@Steven-qi4gm no maths tests as such, no. I’m not sure what the tram tests involve but these will certainly be different. I’m sure similar themes will appear though.
@@Chris-Gallagher-92 yeh we operate on heavy rail tracks using block signaling in some areas so the memory and observation ones are very similar, just wants sure if maths was included in trains but glad to hear it isn’t 😆
Thanks for the help pal.
hi im looking to pursue a career as a train driver, how was the memory test like?
I tried to get into the train industry here in America it is hard I wanted to get into the train industry but sadly my disability wont let me but I do enjoy the train sims and keep up the work and be safe out there
Just what video I needed to see. Leaving school next year so it's a big year as to wether I get my dream Job.
Glad I could help!
Hi, I'm nearly 43 and currently Class 1 HGV driver. I've always had a dream of wanting to be a train driver since being a kid. Getting to end of high school I learnt that you had to start off on platform duties and work your way up, which more or less put me off as I don't really like dealing with the general public. As for starting in this career now I don't think I would do well in any competency tests as I'm not good at expressing things in writing etc. I still would love to do the job, but I think in reality that I would be better at just sticking to my Train simulator games (less stress and responsibility). Great video though, thumbs up!
That’s not how it works now, half of the trainees come directly ‘off the street’. You don’t pass the competency assessments on paper, they are in the two interviews, mainly the structured interview. There is a comprehension test but it’s fairly straightforward as are the reaction and concentration tests. The assessments are tough but you’ll never know until you give it a go. I was 43 when I started, I’d previously worked for myself, I’ve been a driver and instructor for more than 20 years now and still love the job.
Thank you Sir.
Very interesting video, I worked for 10 years on A derailment gang, Truely well done video lighting audio working off a tripod and attention to your surroundings, when I applied for my position I was brought in as a 90 day recruit, quite simply my co workers voted if they wanted me in that gang,
Again I'm a first time viewer and now a subscriber,
Safe travels.
Thank you very much!
I was thinking about joining the rail way like 2 days ago then I find this, good timing
Go for it, and good luck!
Thanks very much for the information! I'm currently waiting to be allocated a date for psychometric testing - getting increasingly nervous to be honest... It sounds like a dream for someone like me who thrives on a bit of solitude.
Good luck with your psychometric testing. I'm a passenger train driver in NSW, Australia. The dreaded hoops the rail industries get you to jump through. 🤦♂️😩
@@1mach28914u1 Thank you! Fingers crossed. You must have some beautiful scenery out there.
Good luck with it, Drop me a message on my socials and let me know how you got on.
Yeah, good luck with the psy test. Keep us posted on the outcome. If they still do the reaction test, when you get behind with the colours, and you will. Stop. Let a couple go by and then compose and restart. Don’t try to keep up. It is a dream job for solitude. I’m a solo person and it’s great. 😁
I started with BR as a fireman at eastfield traction depot Glasgow in 1974 my uncle was a mainline driver in the same depot after 6 weeks at BR training collage I went straight to mainline work within 3 months I was in the drivers seat of class 37s going up the west coast line too Oban with my uncle sitting in the Fireman’s seat loved the job but hated the shifts plus at the time was told it would be at least 8 to 10 years before I would become a mainline driver spent 3 years in the job then changed careers
Bet you’re regretting it now with £100,000 per year wages
Hi richard, really enjoying these vids and looking forward to future content. I'm looking to change careers from a bricklayer to passenger train driver hence my interest, in the medical examination do both eyes get tested together or separately?
Hi Sam, glad your enjoying the content. This is from the current standards document:
"Visual acuity must be at least 1.0 (6/6
Snellen) with both eyes open and 0.5
(6/12 Snellen) in the weaker eye when
the eyes are tested individually. Testing
performed with permitted correction if
worn."
I work as an engineer for GWR and also went for a driver job. I passed all of the relevant tests but unfortunately failed the final interview. I shall definitely apply again once jobs are advertised,hopefully soon. Great video, thanks.
No worries. Stick at it and try again.
I failed an interview with GWR. Of all the interviews I've had in my life, and that's a lot, GWR was the toughest. Three people, two hours. Keep applying, don't give up. I am now training with a freight company and love it. Best thing I've ever done.
If you only failed the company interview you can use your assessment results to apply for another company.
Greetings from a train driver in Sweden!
Hello Sir, What a beautiful country to drive around.
We need more people like him because dad rail is the best
I was a train guard in Victoria Australia for 12 years. We were in the traffic branch and they (drivers) were in the rolling stock branch , and there was no crossover . You either started as a station lad and a shunter as I did or you started cleaning locos then fireman if you wanted to be a driver . We even had different unions .
I've just applied for a traineeship in Melbourne
@@simmon81au what branch , Loco?
That was the old BR way too, it’s all very different in the UK now. Anyone within the company can apply and will already have passed their medical and drugs tests as well as the company interview but they still have to successfully complete all the assessments and the structured interview. We also get thousands of applications from non railway workers and about half of our trainees are new to the industry.
1000% agree, I’m a shunter for a very large TOC, I joined as revenue in our more northern based counterpart with some flashy new trains
I’m now with the green boys and loving my job! Shunting is such a great lead up to driving and that’s my ultimate goal
I’ve been a shunter with a South Western train operator for the last 18 months and I’ve passed driver assessments and the multi modal interview just waiting for a driving job to come up now
good luck chap hope one comes along soon
congratulations fella good luck with the job hunting
I came in via the shunting grade , basically at the time loads of drivers retiring and they needed new blood . You could say the timing was good , worked for the biggest freight operator back then EWS now with the Blue team.
Snap :-)
Wow! What difference from my experience back in 1961 when I was 14. I went to see this guy in an office in Hull for a job as an steam engine cleaner, the start on the ladder to an engine driver. He asked for my school report & leaving certificate of which I had neither. He then said I don't know you and you don't know me so tell me why I should give you a job. I said my dad works on the railway, he said that will do for me, medical next week then start soon as your 15. I stayed on the footplate for 46 years as a fireman then driver on all types of traction including HSTs/91s. THANKS DAD.
There are a lot of families on the railway even now. I am the opposite to you, I started and then my family members followed including my dad!
Love hearing about hull! I have a trainee driver interview tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Love hearing about hull! I have a trainee driver interview tomorrow. Wish me luck!
@@calvinsmithkhayat758 How did it go? 🙂
@@sweety1009 I didn’t get it. I was super prepared but I melted in the seat… couldn’t string a sentence together. Nerves got the best of me. Oh well, it’s all experience!
I’m second generation at the job, following my uncle. He encouraged me to graduate Uni before applying. As Richard said, who knows what the future holds. It isn’t all warm and cozy. The he bosses don’t just get cross and forget about it like on Thomas the Tank Engine. The responsibility is real.
With that said, my class was comprised of uni grads and military veterans. I guess that the company thought that the commitment, following directions, and adapting to new ideas were good attributes in prospective employees. They also look at people who’ve had other safety critical jobs.
You make a good point, although a university education is required if you have got one then it will be looked upon favourably.
@@DadRail My brother followed me onto the railways, but not on the footplate. He started off as a station announcer and within a couple of years applied for management grade training. He was accepted and did various junior ands middle management roles around the country. However there came a point when he could go no higher without a degree. Fortunately at that time BR did support him doing a part-time degree whilst still carrying out his management role.
After a few years he gained the degree and was able to move further up through the grades to senior management roles and into the BRB.
Whether the privatised TOC's would pay for their management staff to do degree courses whilst still working I don't know, but I suspect not. It's cheaper to take on staff who already have been through university and come out with a degree.
So the moral of this tale is yes do get a degree first, because if you want to progress in probably any large industry it will open doors later on.
As you said, a driving role doesn't require a degree, and having been a driver for 40 years I cannot see any necessity for one if you don't want to progress up the slippery slope of management, which I never did. The ability to concentrate for very long periods alone in the cab, the ability to learn and put into practice often very complicated and detailed rules without assistance, and the ability to work around the clock, often with little sleep but still following the rules and approved driving techniques without exception, that's the basis of a good successful driver.
@@peterstorey8158 Well put! I agree that management can be a slippery slope. It requires doing things which I wouldn’t feel good about doing.
Ex police are the current flavour of the month, any of these jobs that require discipline, calmness under pressure and the following of rules and procedures is a good grounding for a train driver.
Brilliant - 1st time found you so this might be out of date, can you possibly tell us your career on the rails please?
I started as a platform dispatcher, then progressed to platform shunter, shunter driver, passenger driver, freight driver. - my ambition is to become a driving instructor / mentor driver and then either ops manager or work in the training school
Wow you really open my eyes on this point yeah I want to pursue this course. I want to become locomotives 🚂 engineer sir so I need more advice from you sir.
I did my assessment centre earlier this week and have just found out that I'm through to the driver manager interview! Just got to lose some weight ahead of the medical if I'm lucky enough to get that far :)
Hey congratulations! Don’t worry too much about the weight as long as your weight doesn’t affect your mobility it’s not a problem. I asked this question at my last medical as my weight is never heading in the right direction.
@@DadRail 😂
How did it go Megan? That's great to hear you were successful at the assessment stages😀
How it's changed. Father was a steam engine driver and I went onto the railways in the seventies. As a secondman worked with the old steam engine drivers and former fireman who were now drivers and carried on the tradition. Some of those drivers were so in so but looking back they were gentlemen. It was great. Of course the hours were bad but the pay was good. You made a mistake and the inspector would say '' tell me the truth and we'll sort it'' so you did as they worked through the ranks. 1982, and the ASLEF flexible rosters strike seem to change it all. There was a station master nicknamed ' Snuff' cause he got right up our noses. Then came the university students. I remember being at Eastleigh when it came through they were ' off the road at Botley'. The Area Manager who came from British Gas said '' what does that mean'' ? To think when I joined they couldn't recruit the staff to today where the job is the most sought after. So with all things modernisation and technology but that cannot over ride the characters , memory's and banter. Yes, I am an old BR man but a proud one.
Money much better than when I started.We all worked(Southern) 13 days out of 14 just to pay the mortgage! Different now as less camaraderie, messroom banter limited,as all on tablets, mobile phones and headphones.A lot of staff make no effort to integrate with the older experienced colleagues.Times change and there's always positives and negatives I guess!
@@TheMisterB2u Thank you for your reply and an insight into today's railway. Glad I worked in the era that I did. I started in the seventies and as you know it was after the Clapham train crash that the Hidden report was brought in. Sadly, I knew the drivers and one of the guards of that incident. True things move on but I wouldn't swap my memories. Oh those night shifts relieving a Saltley man and on a cold winter nights on a class 47 with a blanket around your legs and the tea heater on.
Likewise
Sadly, luck plays a big role if you are successful. My experience was much of the testing is not relevant to the job. It just there to cut down the applications from say a 1000 to a more manageable number. I think the testing is design for 90% of the applicant pool to fail. My pathway in was my career in public transportation. I started off as a taxi driver and then became a transit bus driver. I was also working train substitute services in the bus. This experience gave me a good opportunity to network so I had good reference from current train driver supervisors. The rail network here was restructure and basically nearly all the drivers were replaced (long story) so about 100 train driver roles were vacant. With the demand for driver at a all time high the testing requirement was seriously reduced. I passed with no problems and was hired. I had failed the old testing requirements a year earlier. I am now a qualified mainline, first year train driver and my train driving has been assed multiple times by the driver mangers and senior drivers. I been told my driving is A+ and they are very happy with it. I think that show how none relevant the old testing was. So sadly guys much of it comes down to luck. Make sure you make a plan B if you are not successful. If you are successful it is the best job in the world. The pay is also insanely high. The only downside is this job will give you nightmares. I regularly have nightmares about SPADs and people jumping in front of my train. That is pretty much the only downside is those regular nightmares. Do not feel bad if you fail the pre testing. It design so 90% of people will fail and it really say nothing about what type of train driver you could be.
Luck is where hard work and opportunity meet, if you put in the work, do the research, have the health you'll get the job!
The testing definitely isn't designed for 99% to rock up and fail, quite the contrary! In the past if you didn't have a grasp on mechanics or physics then you wouldn't pass and it wiped out loads of good applicants.......the tests nowadays are literally designed so anyone can rock up and take them! And they're much more relevant to the role as well.....the thing with assessments is if you're good at them and know the answer you'll pass, if you're not you won't, that's not luck either it just is what it is.
The only thing in the process remotely designed to whittle down numbers is the paper sift right at the beginning....but once again that's not really down to luck....if you don't get through that it's because you didn't read the question properly, your grammar
was poor, you live too far away, your answers weren't detailed enough or were just poor, you have a criminal record etc etc etc....none of that is really luck....you get out of applications what you put into them.
Also, this job will not give everyone nightmares! That's purely an individual thing, I've had multiple near misses where people have run out in front of me but not one of them has given me a fatality nightmare.
The only correct thing you've said here is that the testing doesn't determine what kind of train driver you'll be.....it'll be how much hard work and dedication people put into the training and the role that determines that.
Hi richard, i'm mad about trains and am a train spotter, for now the nearest i've been to train driving is at an open day at derby maintenance depot sat in the cab of my favourite train the hst 125, unless model rail counts, but i am thinking about what i want to do as my health gets sorted, i have struggled with heart failure issues but thanks to a recent operation i'm a lot better than I was. Anyway I'm thinking the only way I might get the chance to be a train driver is as a volunteer at a preservation railway, I know that I would still need to pass as a licence train driver to do so, but would I need the same level of training considering I would be looking to drive BR diesel engines which thanks to the Train Sim World game I was able to impress my Mum and others when at an open day at Crewe on the cab of a class 86 electric loco and in the cab of the APT I recognise and had full know-how of how to set the controls ready to drive the train and thats was when I decided I what to be a preservation railway engine driver. Any tips? 👍
Companies add extra tests, the latest is fault finding then there's the enhanced element that baffles me.. I've failed testing twice, firstly lift chimes and phone book together then the 32 minute grey box all other tests passed to enhanced standard. Unsure if I get another go without going private?
Recently applied to Irish rail. There were a total of 76,000 applications apparently for a total of 60 positions. I got through to the final 100 and had an interview panel (after all the written, online, and computer program tests). Shame I didn’t get the job, but was an interesting experience.
Congrats on getting that far! Tempted to try again?
@@DadRail I was initially thinking of trying again but they had said that as I had got as far as the interview that they would keep my records on file and would contact me if a position became available. When I saw them advertising for jobs again I got disheartened and decided not to.
If you were interested in what tests you go through these were what I had to complete 2 years ago.
Medical questionnaire
Online problem solving (at home)
Online problem solving (at home timed)
Information retention and communication (listening to report of an accident and writing details down)
Problem solving (abcd) exam conditions
Focus retention (half an hour watching a coloured dot move around a “train line” at a certain rate and pressing a button when anything out of the ordinary happened.
And finally the interview
@@Steppestyou shouldn't get disheartened as lots of companies have rolling recruitment and that wouldn't mean that your application is forgotten in the slightest! Railway recruitment is a strange entity at the best of times and can be extremely time consuming.
Remember who'll be losing out if you don't apply again for something as daft as being disheartened and remember this is a job where hundreds go for each position, no one has a divine right to get the job no matter if they agree or disagree with how they recruit.
One of the key qualities required to obtain a train driver job is perseverance, yes lots of people do get in with their very first application but given the numbers that don't it's very much the exception rather than the rule.....all not applying again proves is that you didn't actually want the job enough.
Ask yourself did you literally do all you could to prepare for the testing and interviews etc? Also, did you consider what would happen if you didn't get in and what else you could do for next time to make sure you're candidate they take on?
Remember, you wouldn't just scrap your car if it failed it's MOT on a bald tyre would you? You'd work out what the problem was, rectify it and take it back to pass.....this is no different.....another key thing they look for is how positive you are and can you turn negatives into positives.
For example, when you go back next time you'll have this experience where you didn't make it through in the bank, you'll have taken your feedback on board, realised where you fell short and you'll put it right!....you don't lose, you learn.
Most railway interviews are competency based and done via a scoring method, have you considered starting in another role on the railway? Like a conductor? .....they work to the same rules and regulations, provide customer service and work within a safety critical role....using examples in interviews with that experience behind you generally leads to better replies to questions within the interview......this is why you find a lot of ex emergency services or military personnel thrive in these interviews.
Don't be disheartened because of one bump in the road, it took me 7 years of applying and falling short before I got the job.
DO NOT GIVE UP!
Best of luck
Hi Richard, great video, I'm just about to leave my current role with a TOC and start my career as a (trainee) train driver for Team Green freight company based in the South, hopefully our paths will cross at some point in the future, all the best.
Good luck with it, Freight is like marmite you either love it or hate it! Last person I knew who went through training with team green, told me they were using a couple of my videos for training :-)
Team Green never heard of them.Lots of small companies trying to muscle in on freight work,but better to stick with the larger boys i.e GBrF,Colas,DB Schenker,Direct Rail,still if Team Green don't succeed,will be a way into other driving jobs!
@@TheMisterB2u Team Green is code for one of the "larger boys" 😉 but thanks all the same
I've spent three years on a Railway maintenance apprenticeship by a certain infrastructure stakeholder.... I'm now looking at moving my expertise over to being an OTM operator/driver for a tamper. Hopefully it's an easier time getting one of these roles. Worried about passing any kind of testing
Hi its been a 9 months in England. I love railway jobs it doesnt matter its cleaning or train driving i just want to take advice from you sir ..please recommend me any position so i can search and put my years in it. BTW i love that people who checked tickets near barricades ..
The railway is its own world and it's hard for people from the street to understand easily.Thats why getting a railway job first(station staff, conductor,etc) is the best way for you and management to get the best applicant.Previous experience on railway goes a long way towards becoming a driver.Passenger train driving is more intense than freight because of course you have responsibilities for passengers on board(especially D.O.O ), timetable committment and more pressure from management.Freight is more relaxed,just you and the train and less management intensity.Worse part about job is shift work.i.e weekends,nights,early morning starts(0400) and late finishes (0100/0200).Money is excellent and a lot of camaraderie (less than old days though).Keep a good record(safety,sickness, attendance) and you'll have a job for life!Not many train drivers leave once qualified (except to work for other rail companies).
agree 100%
I'm very interrested in becoming a train driver. Reason is a change of career.
Currently a security guard and, working all nights is absolutely killing me. My dream job is working in northern Australia, hauling from the mines to the ports, for 3 main reasons.
1: I work nights and I crave sunlight.
2: its damn cold down here (south-west Victoria) so I crave warmth.
3: money, I wanna buy a house someday abd anything less than a very high paying job makes that impossible.
Just say all that at the interview....you're guaranteed to get it
It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know!
I’d have to disagree. It certainly helps if you know somebody on the inside, but it’s not a closed shop at all, at least not in the companies I have worked for.
I did the GWR, then FGW, driver assessment day back in 2004. It was OK but the engineering comprehension test was solid. I don't think any of us at that day were successful. I was a network rail signaller a year later and now a grade 7 in a ROC.
Signalling has to be a great career as well
I passed all my tests and interview and was awaiting depot managers interview 2 years ago but the job application was stopped by the FOC. Ive applied to many TOC's but fall short on the customer services questionnaire. Any tips to pass this?
Great information. Will like to know if it is possible to be considered as a foreigner to work in UK as a trainnee train driver and eventually as a train driver?
It will be down to your English language ability I suspect. There are VERY complicated rule books which have to be learnt in the classroom, and examined upon, before any real practical training starts. You have to be able to communicate over the radio in clear precise English so that there are no misunderstandings, and in some passenger companies make public announcements to passengers on your train.
There are quite a few people driving these days whose first language is not English so it's quite possible.
I’d love to drive a train, but time is running out due to automation. Also, I have a red-green colourblindness, however I can see red/green signals perfectly fine. Don’t know if his would be an issue.
Have you made a video on British train signals and signs? I am aiming to become a driver and would like a ahead start and more knowledge if a vacancy arises.
This is on my list of to do videos. If you want to know anything about the railway and train driving then there are lots of railway staff and helpful people in my discord server. discord.gg/YWUSvxxu
You tube has lots of actual videos with railway inferstructure subtitles or computer train videos can provide useful insite !
Out here in the States the railroads are begging for employees....They are even giving sign on bonuses...I am a Locomotive Engineer for BNSF Railway and have been an Engineer for 32 years.
I'm a train technician Apprentice with Alstom - while I'm not a train driver we still get to drive them around the depot haha!
Still counts :-)
Hi mate, just recently found your series. I’m currently working in a corporate job as a senior QS, which I hate, and have recently started to consider train driving as a feasible “way out”. Looking at the video, I see the pros and cons of both passenger and freight. Do you know if it’s relatively easy to switch career paths between the two as the only vacancies I have found to date are for freight, which wouldn’t work for me in the long term with family commitments etc., but I do think I would enjoy. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers, Billy
Hi Billy, Starting in freight in a door opener in my experience and is sought after by tocs, If you're still considering then freight is a great place to start. Skills are transferable. I have done both freight and passenger.
@@tonyallenby7508 thanks for the feedback, Tony. Still on the look out but definitely considering the job change. I’ll keep an eye out for freight opportunities.
Train Driving, mmm, 25 years a train driver from BR to about 10 years ago, the money is good, the shifts are horrendous, lonely job on the freight side at least, the managers are mostly incompetent, only no longer working for the railway did I realise how soul crushing the shifts were, If you can't get up at 03:00 and survive starting at 20:00 when your friends are going out then think on, still a good job, good luck to anyone who wants to be a train driver.
Wow I thought the demand for train drivers is as high as in germany. But with so many applicants for one position i am driving trains in germany, but i d also like to do that abroad for a certain time.
Ok, with becoming a driver, and you apply and you get in to training, what are the tests like? is it like a GCSE retake sort of thing alongside the concentration tests etc. Or is it just your medical, concentration and simulators?
Reaction test, trainability test, concentration test,mechanical knowledge test, comprehension test, situational awareness test, some companies have their own additional tests and some only accept ‘enhanced passes’, structured interview and managers interview, it’s tough. If you get through all of that you have a medical and drugs testing then around a year’s training, basic pts, some in the classroom, some learning traction in the yard and around 225/240 hours one on one with a DI.
Hi sir
I really like your video.
I want to ask as i m international student of bsc buss management can i able to perform this job ??
got a question u know with trainsimworld 4 when u create your own train how do u put them into service
Im a 40 year old floor layer and condindering a change of emplotnent ( no one can lift heavy things for ever ) one question . As you get near retirment age how does thay work with being a train drive ? At 67 would you have the reactions do drive a train ?
Suppose you have heard about new rail operators including Lumo. Which they are to create new jobs and to run a direct service from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross which starts from 25/10/21 (25th October) this year. And have ordered 5 Class 803 AC Electric only IETs.
I love the idea of open access operators. Its good to create some competition in the marketplace.
@@DadRail Totally agree :)
Unfortunately I won't make a train driver and my dream was working for freight as it looks awesome to drive 66s and Gbrf 73s but hopefully I'll get a job on the railway not driving but how ever I remember you from Tonbridge and you the mountfield to Southampton a few month's ago
some freight shunters are permitted to drive in the yards. Maybe this is something you could look at?
@@DadRail yeah I was thinking that. Thanks
Hey there, I am Canadian and do not have a high school education, or will be getting a ged likely, if I move to Wales what chance do I stand at being able to drive trains? I’m fine shunting or something like that just want to know what chance I stand.
What if you have allergies ? Do they care and how tall SHOULD you be minimum?
Ive found people who can get me to work on railways hoping i get grade 4 english and maths and pass the interviews and trainings when im older 🤞🤞
Great vid ill leave the driving to the professionals and stick with train sim world 2 lol
How many routes does an average mainline passenger driver need to learn? I know it will depend on who you drive for and their route network, I just want to get a rough idea. The details you need to learn for each route sounds like a lot. How long do they give you to learn each route?
You start with a core route which you drive over for around 140/150 hours from a total of between 225 and 240 hours driving, this is all done with an instructor who will teach you the necessary route knowledge as well as handling, faults and failures, applying rules and dealing with degraded working. It’s structured so that you learn as you drive and your instructor should teach you how to learn routes and what to look for. Once you’ve passed out and started driving then you start to build up more routes, freight drivers tend to learn on their own, front ending with route learning tickets as they learn longer distances but less in depth (they don’t have to learn braking areas for every station), passenger drivers usually learn intensively with an instructor and both are assessed before they can sign off a new route.
I cant currently see any vacancies on TRAINEE TRAIN DRIVER APPRENTERSHIPS, how long does it take for a company to display an advertisement for a vacancy? I want to apply asap
Hi its been a 9 months in England. I love railway jobs it doesnt matter its cleaning or train driving i just want to take advice from you sir ..please recommend me any position so i can search and put my years in it. BTW i love that people who checked tickets near barricades ..
I’m a signalman at present and going to the dark side….(driver) lol. Have my assessment centre tomorrow, most of the psychometric tests I’m good with, although the interview part I’m dreading as I’m hopeless at interviews. Fingers crossed it’s not to stressful….at least I’m in a good position, I already earn the same as drivers and the Working Hours aren’t too bad either. But I would like the challenge so I’ll give it my best, if I don’t get it then every drivers is getting yellows for a day or two when I go back into work. 😂
Hey how did you get on?
@@DadRail hey, well I passed all the written and computer tests, I found them quite manageable, although I found the multi modal interview quite tough as i didn’t have long to prepare after giving my answers, and I’m not great at interviews as it is. But there was shortage of talking on my part so hopefully they got enough info from me, and at very least if I’m not successful then at least for 5 years my test results stand and I will only have the MMI to do again if I reapply. I should find out in 7-10 days, for now I shall carry on signalling. 😂 thanks for the reply. 🙏
Don’t admit to being a spotter or enthusiast. They don’t like it. We all are to some extent but keep it to yourself.
I do really enjoy the vedio motivate me. Please l like to become train a driver, but I don't know where to start and I don't know which company I can apply for and train me.
Please advise me
How realistic is it to become a shunter driver first on the path to becoming a trainee train driver? How many years are you likely to spend shunting? Should you hold out for a trainee train driver position or take the shunter route?
I was a shunter driver prior to becoming a Mainline driver. It’s a very realistic career path and in my opinion a good one. The experience you gain as a shunter will provide you with a good foundation for moving into mainline driving. It’s hard to say how long you will need to spend shunting. It depends on what vacancies your company has and what there policy is on changing jobs. As a guess I would say between 1 and 5 years with an average of about 3. If you wait for a trainee drivers job then you will be up against a lot of competition. Applying as an internal applicant is always the best route.
Why did you pick freight over passenger?
I wanna work for Southern Railway, and im learning the routes :)
Good Luck, are you using train sim to learn the routes?
@@DadRail yep, i got Train Sim World 2, and the route East Coastway is helping me and soon the Brighton Mainline is coming out so that would help me, also in the game you can turn the hudd off and on, i can play with Hudd off and its amazing, im hoping they add more southern routes for me to learn :)
@@DadRail i also would like to get a PC to play Train Simulator and get all the Southern routes
@@WCML730 Just remember that the routes in the sims are not 100% accurate. It will give you a rough idea and help you with things like station names and junction locations ect. But if you go for a drivers job and say I know the route because I played train sim they will not normally look upon that as a positive thing. Its certainly not a bad thing, and as long as your enjoying it then you carry on.
@@DadRail im enjoying it, but sometimes i would like to go out and see the real route :) and it's helping out with The Stations
Have you come across any Aussies working as train drivers in the UK? I'm a passenger train driver in Australia.
Yeah, there are a couple of Aussies that I know. We’ve also had a couple of drivers head to Australia to drive trains in the sun
Hi there Iam thinking of applying for a role as one of the Trainee drivers positions but have a spent drink driver charge on my License from 5 yrs ago
Would this be a massive NO to the TOC or is there still a chance ?
I’m not 100% sure but I don’t think it would be an issue as it is spent and a number of years ago. We all make mistakes at the end of the day
As I 'might' have my chance of a freight driver position in 2022 can I'm curious to know when driving into direct sunlight or extreme fog....are there any measures to help drivers from missing signals ? also do you have any methods to keep alert as I'm sure there are many times you might be feeling 'noddy donkey' :-D
Good questions Andy. You have sun blinds in the cab that can help, and the Audible AWS warning that can indicate if I signal is green or adverse. Love the term noddy donkey :-) research non technical skills and use the information at your interview. Railway companies love NTS. Things like commentary driving, and managing your lifestyle correctly all help with combatting fatigue.
@@DadRail
Lots of aids to help in fog,but when you think you know a road like the back of your hand,fog will prove you probably don't!
Fortunately these days thick fog is not so common!
I don’t want to be anything ,just want an easy job that pays well ,,,or slightly hard but not too stressful
Dear Cor. Train driver of Bangladesh you will go from Dhaka Cantonment Railway Station to Chitpur Railway Station.
So can you apply for a driver’s job without ever having driven a train and just assume that training will be given? As I can’t seem to find a job with training and just driver’s jobs.
All training is provided by the train companies. It’s not possible to pay to get your license privately. The jobs don’t come up very often but keep checking.
Best advice I can give to anyone is to make sure that your initial application is the best it can possibly be! I know that sounds almost obvious but you'd be surprised how many people try to wing it.
Unfortunately that won't work, an application for a driver role requires a lot of effort and small things such as a spelling mistake or the misreading of a question make massive differences.
Also, do plenty of research on the role, so many people see the pound signs combined with the "romantic part of the story" where the driver pulls into the platform looking like he/she is doing very little and think it's an absolute breeze.......that couldn't be further from the truth.
If you like a lie in, I'd reconsider. If you like your weekends, I'd reconsider. If you like drinking heavily, I'd reconsider. If you don't like missing family functions such as birthdays and weddings, I'd reconsider. If you don't like dealing with the public, I'd reconsider as the nature of the work dictates all of these would be difficult or a real possibility (missing family function)
Long story short it's not a walk in the park and it's not just pulling leavers like some seem to think, you have to make sacrifices.
HOWEVER
It's still the best job in the world! The skills you learn, the people you meet, the opportunities to push on within the industry make all those sacrifices worth it if you're strong enough!
Just please please please don't just think about the money! You have to work for it and everything including money has a novelty factor and novelty factors generally wear off.
Best of luck to all that go for it.
cheers for the advice lad
Some time ago I applied with Southern and was invited to an assessment day, at the time my life circumstances weren’t right for. However, I want to go for it again but I am wondering if being 50, more life experience could be valued over a mediocre school education? Also is there some recognised courses that are taken in to consideration by train companies? I have seen some adverts regarding prep work for a train exam as it was put, and other materials geared to towards prep work for assessments. Some I imagine is dubious, but is there an actual reliable course that can be done pre assessment day?
Id say go for it. Im not sure about any of the prep courses and packages that are offered. I've not looked into them at all.
@@DadRail Thank you. Is the actual content of assessment tests generally the same between companies do you know?
I'm 50 this year and am 2 months into my trainee driver role. Being older you are more sensible and have more life experiences. Age won't hold you back. As Richard said... Go for it!
@@gonch72 Thank you. Did you do anything to prepare yourself for the assessment?
@@kungfuwitcher7621 they should send you some practice stuff. Also print off some group bourdon sheets. You can use the same sheet four times just by turning it around. I also did a day with some people from How To Become a Train Driver. They get mixed reviews, but I found it very useful as someone not from the railway world. And go on the rail uk forum. Loads of tips on there. Good luck.
Not first, but I just saw this
Hello Maxwell :-)
i dont even want to become a train driver im just watching this video to support dad rail
Do you know anything about driving steam locos on heritage lines? As in do you need to already be trained as a mainline driver before driving on a heritage line. I'd love to be able to do that in my spare time, however I'm more interested in different full time jobs than being a train driver. Great video as always!
Hi Jasper, No you dont need to be a mainline driver to drive on heritage lines. Get in contact with your chosen line and ask what the process is. Many will require you to work through the grades to become a driver. This can take many years but will be worth it.
@@DadRail brilliant, thanks for the help
I hope the train companies over there are better. Here in the USA they suck. I'm a train driver for a major company here and I would not recommend my worse enemy to take this job. Either way this is a great video though.
Hiya Richard, I have a concern about colour-blindness, I am very slightly colour-blind but still struggle with the colour-blindness tests, is it possible to become a train driver even if you are infact colour-blind, is there a minimum requirement to how many you can get wrong and are colour-blind glasses in particular permitted?
That would be up to your employer, I'm not 100% sure. I've been trying to find out for somebody else who asked a similar question but have not had much luck.
Alright, thanks for the effort anyway
Does being a bus driver help with becoming a train driver? Currently bus driving for First Group and want to apply to the TOC First Great Western which is owned by First Group. Do you know any one that has successfully become a train driver from bus driving? Thanks in advance loved the video.
I'm training currently and there are two former bus drivers and a lorry driver on my course.
I come from an office background so anyone can get through but you have to be able to apply your experience to the job specifications to show that you understand what they are looking for.
Being a bus driver deffo stands you in good stead though.
To reiterate what @microcuts29 said, There are many ex bus drivers on the railway. My manager use to be a bus driver.
Im a Trainee with WMT and was a bus driver for First Bus for five years prior.
There were a lot of safety incidents I could site as an example, having dealt with the public during emergencies on the bus. I think it gives you a lot of relevent experience.
At least two other colleagues of mine have made the transition from buses to trains.
Nice videos. Thank you very much. I was train driver for over the 17 years and I tried to aply so many times and got rejected. To be honest I gave up. Don't know where is the problem. I try to aply for apprentice jobs and same thing. I was driving passenger and cargo trains on one of the most demand rail line in Europe with 30 promiles grade and high wind and snow in the winter and hot weather with 40c in summer. One hour of braking on this grade and temperature or going up on slippery tracks covered with leafs. Also I was working on shunting on really bussy places, shunting containers, coal and all type of fuel cars. I was also mentor for more than 20 train drivers which pass the test with excellent grades. When I was 21 I wrote the book and I was also graduate like the best on whole school 2003. And I don't know where's the problem. I'm working like facilities manager now and living in UK for more than 3 years and my English shouldn't be a problem. 😉
Hi its been a 9 months in England. I love railway jobs it doesnt matter its cleaning or train driving i just want to take advice from you sir ..please recommend me any position so i can search and put my years in it. BTW i love that people who checked tickets near barricades ..