Hello Char41,
I've recently just been through this whole process- Had interview with Northern, went for the Psychometric Tests (and passed!, still cannot believe it) I start on the 20th January next year as a Trainee Train Driver.
Now back to you. The Train Driver Interview is based around competency questions and passed experiences and how you dealt with them. The person interviewing you will probe the answers you give i.e. "Why did you do it like that?" "Why not this way?" "Why was your way a good decision?"
Remember to use "STAR" when answering your questions.
Off the top of my head I can remember a few questions as follows;
What do you know about the role of the train driver?
The Train Driver role is classed as Safety Critical- which means if the job is done incorrectly, someone could be seriously injured or worse.
The general role includes: keeping to the timetable, getting passengers to where they need to be on time and safely, operating the controls of the train according to your training, knowing what to do when something goes wrong with the train and in an emergency situation. Abide all time by the Railway laws, railway speed limits and rules etc. The role also includes preparing the night before- do you know what you're working tomorrow? are you able to? have you had enough rest etc.
Tell me about a time when you dealt with an emergency situation? Why did you deal with it that way?
Tell me about a time where you have had to follow rules and procedures?
Tell me about a time where you have dealt with an angry person? What was the outcome? What did you do? How did you react?
Remember- the railway is BIG on safety- and if ever there was a role which safety matters, it is being a train driver. So always ALWAYS mention safety as much as you can when answering your questions.
Hope this helps and good luck!
