Train Driver Tells how to become a train driver. Pathways to train driving Jobs. Career Advice

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.

Id love to see you in the discord server:

[Josie.JFitness]

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 👍🏾

[markwaters]

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!

[semajttam]

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 colourblind 🤦‍♂️

[jameswingrove]

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.

[phantombigballs]

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

[rplayretro]

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.

[shaneryan]

3 months on the railway and one thing i can't get over, is abbreviations we love them

[imcadam]

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!

[ReNewReViews]

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

[thomasshepard]

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

[thebalticbuckeneer.]

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.

[pingu]

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!

[Chris-Gallagher-]

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.

[timosha]

I'm a train and I approve this informative video!

[joinmeonthedarkside]

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

[johnward]

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.

[datboidvon]

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.

[carmattvidz]

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.

[Cam]

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

[Red-tmbs]

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 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.