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ReWind
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« on: December 31, 2013, 19:02:59 » |
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Hello all. Not a regular contributor to this brilliant forum, but a regular browser and a semi-long periodic member.
Earlier this year I applied for the position of Trainee Train Driver with FGW▸ . With my interest in the railways ever growing and with railway experience elsewhere behind me, it was a position that interested me very much.
I was invited to partake in both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the assessment process to which I am pleased to say I comfortably passed. I was then invited to a Driver Managers interview at SPM▸ earlier this month. A very welcoming manager and his accomplice interviewed me and I walked out feeling bewildered but excited.
Just before Christmas I was contacted by FGW HR▸ and was conditionally offered the position, pending a successful medical examination.
What a Christmas present that was. I was overjoyed and almost in tears. I couldn't believe that out of the thousands of people that presumably applied, I was one of a select few to be successful.
I had my medical yesterday at Bupa, Bristol. It went very well, as I expected as I consider myself a fit and healthy young man, and I was considered fit and capable by the consultant. I now await the contract for me to sign and a formal start date (I've been penciled in to start on the 7th April although this has to be confirmed by FGW HR).
Therefore, fellow FGW travellers (especially around the Bristol suburban area) to beware. I will soon be undergoing training for this exciting new role and by years end, will be driving west DMU▸ 's around the Bristol area (under close supervision of an instructor of course).
I haven't been this excited for a long time. It's an amazing turning point in my life and one I will appreciate for a long time. I look forward to conveying some of you around the Bristol network in the future, off course, in a safe and professional manner.
Rewind.
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Here, there and Everywhere!!
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bobm
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« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2013, 19:08:16 » |
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Very many congratulations.
I'd have been worried about over indulging at Christmas with a medical so soon after! (That said I think it would have been a forlorn cause in my case!)
Personally I don't use many unit services around Bristol but I am sure once you've completed the training we will have nothing to fear.
Look forward to hearing how your training goes.
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2013, 19:24:23 » |
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May I add my congratulations to those of bobm, ReWind! A lot of work to come before you get let loose alone, but I'm sure it will all work out well. Keep us posted.
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Now, please!
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JayMac
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« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2013, 19:27:41 » |
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Looking forward to having you transporting me between Avonmouth/Shirehampton and Bristol Temple Meads, ReWind. Congratulations.  |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2013, 22:02:40 » |
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Hello all. Not a regular contributor to this brilliant forum, but a regular browser and a semi-long periodic member.
Hello to you, too, ReWind!  There is no requirement that I know of that says anyone has to be a regular or frequent poster on the Coffee Shop forum to become a valued contributor to our discussions. I haven't been this excited for a long time. It's an amazing turning point in my life and one I will appreciate for a long time. I look forward to conveying some of you around the Bristol network in the future, of course, in a safe and professional manner.
And I shall look forward to being so conveyed, ReWind - with my congratulations on your getting through that very rigorous selection process!  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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anthony215
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« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2013, 23:54:17 » |
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Congratulations for making it this far especially as you said out of so many people who applied including myself.
Sadly although I passed stage 2 my score was not enough compared to othert candidates.
Anyway I do look forward to you transporting me around Bristol in the near future
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Electric train
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« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2014, 08:56:54 » |
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Congratulations Rewind ............... try not to smash up the infrastructure ..... too much ............ its very fragile you know |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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trainer
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« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2014, 13:07:34 » |
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I shall take particular care to look through the cab window to see the face of the driver when a train with 'L' plates pulls in at Yatton. Congratulations, and may 2014 be the beginning of an enjoyable and fulfulling career. |
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ReWind
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« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2014, 09:08:15 » |
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Thankyou for all your kind words.
I have now received and signed the contract and it's all now official. I will be commencing in April with many a week at SPM▸ .
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Here, there and Everywhere!!
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2014, 15:46:45 » |
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Well done, ReWind! |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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wabbit
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« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2014, 14:55:13 » |
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Many congrats ReWind, and welcome to the forum (I'm only a few weeks newer than you on here). They're a nice bunch, you'll feel right at home, just as long as you don't go too heavy on the brakes!!  |
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Cynthia
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« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2014, 16:35:16 » |
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Thankyou for all your kind words.
I have now received and signed the contract and it's all now official. I will be commencing in April with many a week at SPM▸ .
Can I add my congratulations to those already posted, Rewind, well done! You don't say what date in April you start..... I wouldn't want to start waving randomly at passing cabs on the wrong date! By the way, your signature has had me singing along to the Lennon/McCartney song of the same name ever since I read it! (From the 'Revolver' album, for the benefit of all you youngsters out there) I'm sure they weren't the inspiration for your signature though! |
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Trying to break ones addiction to car travel is much harder than giving up ciggies!
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GBM
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« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2014, 12:54:36 » |
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Welcome (back) ReWind. As a First rubber-wheeled driver 'down far West', it's unlikely our paths will cross, but you might well meet some of our rail replacement drivers who frequently work north of the Tamar. I always hankered after train driving (even taking a Longmoor Military Railway operations course when a cadet - in the days when it was a railway)! Events took their course & I'm finishing off my working life with busses, but still enviously glance to the Longrock yard when I drive past. Good luck for your future. Forum-wise, I've only managed one strong rebuke (so far) |
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Personal opinion only. Writings not representative of any union, collective, management or employer. (Think that absolves me...........)  |
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ReWind
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« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2014, 08:22:38 » |
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An update on the course a week and a bit into it.
Just going through the corporate process really, with the mandatory First Aid, Fire, Disability etc courses. Just starting PTS▸ too so this could be an interesting end to the working week.
Got to say it has been very organised so far. Got my uniform now which helps make me feel a part of the company.
We are constantly reminded, and rightly so, of the importance and detail ahead of us though. Start rules next week. Eeeeeek.
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Here, there and Everywhere!!
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Cynthia
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« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2014, 20:33:46 » |
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Sounds like quite heavy going to me, Rewind, good luck with the rest of the course!
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Trying to break ones addiction to car travel is much harder than giving up ciggies!
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