Passsed a Trainee Train Driver Assessment

[Stedman]

valiant said:

You finished training yet?

Had your sweat day then? Cue first trip going mad worrying about every creak, rattle and odd noise going 'what's that?', 'I've never heard THAT before' and 'Please,please no alarms today!!!'


Always fun watching the trainees and newly qualified stress out

Only a few weeks left in the classroom, and then out doing my hours!

Hahaha cheers for the words of encouragement, bd

[Stedman]

Spoof said:

Good stuff Stedders, which train, lines etc (can you tell I know very little of how trains operate?) will you be driving?

I work out of Selhurst, East Croydon and turn right a bit I'll be doing lots of London Vic/Bridge to Caterhams once I pass out, but am aiming to get down to Three Bridges as there's a big depot opening up there. 12min walking commute as opposed to over an hour

P5Nij said:

Well done Stedders.... it's a great feeling isn't it?

;O)

It is! I've been out driving for the past 5 days (mid-traction driving week) and it all went to pot. I'm really quite frustrated with myself I guess that's what all my actual hours are for.

(P.S - My manager has a Rover like yours, at first I thought you were him )

[Stedman]

Rick101 said:

Were you guys now working prior to applying or did you leave a job to be a driver?

I've considered it but worry i'm giving up a very good railway position to possibly end up failing the tests.

I was working but not on the railway.

As long as you pass the assessment then you really can't (afford!) to fail the rest. You'll be fine - go for it!

[Stedman]

Great to hear it. I did write a reply a few days ago, but evidently I didn't press submit!

Who are you working for again, and is it mainline?

It will all suddenly click. We were only talking about our first assessment today (all passed with excellent results ) and how we felt we hadn't learnt anything in the run up to it, and then we ran through the sample questions and knew it all!

Keep us updated - it will certainly fly by. I'm less than 4 weeks away from leaving the school and going out to do my hours! It seems like yesterday that I was doing my PTS in the snow

[Stedman]

Fantastic stuff!

[Stedman]

Just passed my second test (traction and TWs)

Only 2 wrong

And only 2 weeks left before I'm out doing my hours on the mainline. Or as others would say,'proper work'

[Stedman]

So I've just passed my final test at the school before I go out doing my hours. 97% in the first and third tests, 98% in the second. Obviously I'm pretty pleased and excited

[Stedman]

johno1 said:

hi im 21 and i am really intrested in becoming a train driver i have been most of my life because of my grandad been a driver. i was reading about you passing and wondering if you had any advice about the assessments ect would be really grateful

What kind of advice? If you have specific questions then get back to me, otherwise there is plenty of information freely available on railway forums.

[Stedman]

johno1 said:

Thanks for getting back to me i would like to know the best ways you prepared for assessments and is it best to pay for the assessments then apply for the trainee jobs because i see some advertising for passed trainees many thanks

I did loads of mental maths, lots of mechanical bits (although it wasn't needed in the end), and practised the group bourdon A LOT (dots and reaction test).

You should be able to find the reaction test online somewhere and print a bit of paper out. Something is better than nothing!

In response to the pay for assessments, no I don't think that's the way to go. I don't even know if you can 'buy the real deal' to be honest.

[Stedman]

Oh, and just an operational update;

I'm now 35-40 hours through my 225 (minimum) hours worth of driving. Loving it. Getting up at 2am for a 4-4:30 start is lovely

My DI (one has already gone on holiday) is very happy with my attitude, ability, risk management and general time keeping and people seem to speak to me now that i'm seen around the depot a lot more

One more thing - I never thought i'd meet a hot woman train driver. I have now. And she's hot to the outside world, not just the male dominated industry that would chase a chubby bird after a 9 hour shift alone in a cab

All in all, best move i've ever made. Worked for it. Competed against a lot of people for it. Making the most of it!

[Stedman]

tight5 said:

its good this time of year , just wait till December though !

the guys will talk to you more once they know you a little .
so go talk to them .

Yeah....i'm keeping that in mind! I have always said hello etc. I'm glad i've been spare a few times as it's given me the opportunity to get to know a few of the blokes a bit more

[Stedman]

Had my first squeaky bum moment where I actually screwed up. It was nothing major, but enough for me to feel crap and knock me a bit, naturally. My DI was really cool about it and quite supportive. I'm making this out like it was a wrong-side door release or a reset and go, but it wasn't! I wont go into details but I will say I STILL can't believe I get to do this as my job and the feeling that i'm chipping away getting closer and closer to conscious competence is incredible.

I'm about half way through my driving hours now, so having to start my preparation for the final assessment.

Edited by Stedman on Sunday 4th August 19:30

[Stedman]

I'm coming towards the end of my training now, not too many hours left. I think the company expect me to be a train driver soon

The shift work has taken its toll over the last few weeks, rest is necessary! I woke up at 3:50am today (a lay in!) and I'm walking to the station in the rain - the sacrifices you make for 911 GT3s...

[Stedman]

Spoof said:

Cheers chum

P5Nij said:

That's one of the nicest things about the job these days - it does pay for the 'toys'!

Ah yes it certainly does! Or maybe it pays for a lot of crazy nights in Vegas in 2 weeks time

[Stedman]

What questions did you get asked at your past interview?


Back to me... I can't believe I get to drive 12 car 377s full of punters! Fair enough I haven't passed out yet, but it's now with minimal instruction and feels awesome

[Stedman]

Fergie87 said:

For those guys who have had the medical what does the eyesight test actually involve? Is it just a read the letters on a snellen chart and then the ishihara colour blindness test which is a pass/fail exercise? Or are they going to say you wear glasses so we need an opticians report?

If it is going to be just the snellen chart then i wont go to an opticians before hand to get a check up and copy of my details. I don't want to get there an they examine my eyes and decide I need a write up from an optician which will prolong the process.

Give them a call mate, they'll be more than happy to help i'm sure. All I remember doing (back in November last year) was the snellen chart and numbers in red and green.

[Stedman]

The reaction test is in two parts but they only differ slightly.

One part is at YOUR pace. They're looking for accuracy and consistency and a decent pace. I just took it steady maaaaan, chill out

The other part has three speeds. They are of course looking for both A+C and speed, but bear in mind that a wrong answer is much worse than a missed one. When it got too fast for me I just took a step back, calmed my self and got back in there!



As the OP, i really should update this thread anyway seeing that I started it nearly a year ago to the day!! I am now in the final few weeks of my training (about to do my 5 weeks routes) and then will take my final - week long- assessment. CHOMPING.AT.THE.BIT

[Stedman]

Lets start with what questions YOU have thought up etc

Haha, totally worth it but I didn't really get stressed, weirdly. Stressed since I started though, now that's a different story

[Stedman]

It's only fair I update this.

Tomorrow is my last day with my Driving Instructor, and i've got mixed feeling about it really. On one hand I feel a little despondent as i've really enjoyed the varied work he does, and we've had a good laugh together since July. On the other hand I of course feel very excited and proud to think that my company, managers and DI are happy to sign me off into the big wide world of the railway and tackle it alone (pending my final assessment result ). I have been driving since the first week of June, but in reality didn't do much until July. I was ready to start my 5 weeks of route learning about a month ago, but wanted some leaf-fall experience. I haven't had a great deal of this, but at least i've had an insight which is better than nothing. For the past 8 weeks I really have felt like a 'proper' train driver, sorting things out as and when I've needed to and using my initiative when required.

Next week is the start of my 5 weeks route learning. This includes 1 week back with my DI and a few days learning the shunts in the depot.

All being well, I should have a drivers' key and a lovely pay rise as of the 21st of December

[Stedman]

Pwig said:

Congrats

If I didn't have a bloody great job doing what I do now then I would love to be a train driver

I think it's absolutely brilliant for now. I'm finding it difficult when on lates trying to chat to woman/have a social life (single man now!), but I should be all good

tight5 said:

good luck .


I know it's not the most glamorous part of the job , but have you got a pension sorted out ?
don't know if you can still get into brass 2 .
worth getting done for your pay rise so you don't miss it .

I'm looking into it mate. It's not glamorous at all, but i'm a bit more switched on than some people my age so looking to max the brass, I would be silly not to!

Thanks chaps