I'll put some more info up after the weekend, but goto www.railchat.co.uk and ask on there aswell - the biggest railway employee based forum on the net

As for the pyscometric testing, do a google for "Group Bourdon Test" and you can download a piece of software that allows you to practice the concentration tests

The other tests are mechanical aptitude, co-ordination/reaction and trainability.

For the re-action/co-ordination, playing computer games helps a LOT as it is computer based using a special keyboard and foot pedals - your shins will kill you with pain after it aswell

The trainability test is you get to read a paragraph about a railway related subject and it is read out on a machine at the same time, you get to make notes on important stuff on the paragraph. You then get 5 mins to study your notes and the paragraph and then you have to answer a series of questions on the paragraph. - this tests your ability to retain knowlege

Mechanical aptitude, nothing out of the odinary really, questions on the lines of "if I pull this lever down, what way will the gears turn to raise the bucket" etc etc - easy enough.

But be warned - get it right first time, as you only have 2 attempts in your lifetime.

If you pass the tests, make sure you get on a training course within 12 months as the test is only valid for 12 months.

The railway is a very rewarding place to work and you will not regret joining. The driver training is very intense and each TOC has their own training programme which vary in length, but anything from 9 months to 18 months depending on the company, type of traction and route knowlege. It can be very difficult at times to take all the information in, but persevere and all will be golden.

Have a look at www.rgsonline.co.uk then goto Group Standard Rule Book Modules - not all of them are driver specific, but 70% are, and you will need to know these rules off the top of your head - and by the end of a 5 week intensive course you will do - you'll be amazed at how much you learn in such a short space of time


I've put most of what I wanted to here instead of on monday - I got carried away

Good luck and keep checking on your local TOC website for vacancies. and just to clarify, you need to be over 21 to become a driver