[EM2]

I often hear of this mythical place called Control and it sounds like it would be an interesting place to work.
But what job titles should I be looking for and what do they involve? Just looking for 'Control' on various TOC sites really doesn't seem to help!
I also hear of Train Control and Route Control. Are they different sections of the same place?
Finally what do they pay and what experience or qualifications would I need?

Thanks!

Er...I've just realised this is in the wrong section. Could someone move it please?

[DescendingSadly]

A complete disregard for the rulebook should just about cover it!

[Coxster]

Another title is 'Information Controller'. They deal with things like sending out pager messages to train crews etc.

[EM2]

Originally Posted by Coxster

Another title is 'Information Controller'. They deal with things like sending out pager messages to train crews etc.

Ah-ha! That sounds a bit more like it. Arranging train patterns in times of disruption, moving sets to different diagrams and all that kind of stuff is all done higher up, I guess?

[Coxster]

Not sure if it's a hierarchy as such - just different jobs for different people in the control room. I'm sure one of the railway staff members here will expand on that when they read this thread.

[Metroland]

TOC control:

Job: Train diagrams, set swaps, crew changes, minute-to-minute changes in timetables due to disruption/problems, organising special moves, organises replacement transport.

Liaises with: Train crew managers, Shunters, Signalling staff, PSB supervisors, Key station staff, Route control.

Experience: Usually Train crew managers, or from the timetables department. Need several years of operational experience or entry via junior control grades.


Route control:

Job: Short time timetable changes, planning around non-booked disruptions (emergency engineering work/Single line working), delay attribution, gets involved with some traffic regulation decisions and collects incident information. Directs field/movement managers.

Liaises with: Signalling, TOC control, PSB supervisors, Field/Movements managers, Electrical controllers also utilities and government agencies: Water, Gas, electricity, Police, fire, Environment agency, Met office.

Experience: Usually recruited from PSB supervisors, Signalling staff, Signalling managers and sometimes from timetabling functions. Need several years of operational experience or entry via junior control grades.

[O L Leigh]

From experience, working "in Control" means that you should be "in control", but in fact they rarely are.

I wouldn't expect you would be able to just go straight into a job in Control without a reasonable amount of railway experience. You need to know the rules for one thing.

O L Leigh

[EM2]

Thanks for that chaps.
I used to know the rules a *long* time ago so it looks like this might not be a goer
Still, a bit of research won't hurt.

[AlexS]

Controllers tend to be recruited from within as it were - I have a mate who does it who used to be a signalman before moving to control for various reasons.

I can't remember his exact job title but it's longer than either Controller or Route Controller, although as a Network Rail man that's his general department.

I don't think it's exclusively recruited from internally - but previous railway experience is generally a must. Ironically of course they will happily recruit managers in that department straight from university as a graduate programme.

MOMs however are a different ball game in the same kind of area, and are most definately only recruited internally. I believe however that the grade may well be abolished at some point.

As for being 'in control', there's only so much you can do from the end of the telephone - a good controller will know when to be hands off and let local staff deal with it and report to them rather than making lots of direct orders and seemingly having their hands in the pie to one group of people, while seriously annoying another group of people by telling them how to do things locally, when they're a lot of miles away!

[driver9000]

The main parts of control I deal with as a driver are:

Units: These deal with train movements and getting them back on diagram in times of disruption.

Delays: These deal with delay attribution and cause of delay

Maintenance: These deal with unit faults and authorise use of isolating equipment such as EBS, AWS in times of unit failure. They also send out fitters to meet trains that begin to feel unwell in traffic.

Hold: An annoying recorded message that tells me my call is important and will be answered shortly!!

In general they are good at what they do but can come across like they've never spent time near a train at times. A working knowledge of railways and certain secions of the rulebook and traincrew working documents (DRI, CRI etc) is a must. Ive never known them recruit to a TOC straight off the street for operations control positions - but you never know when they will start.

[EM2]

Well, I have quite a bit of railway knowledge and experience. I started in S&T years ago and now work on a station plus of course, all the stuff I've learnt as having it as a hobby!
I think I might send off a few speculative CVs.

[Metroland]

Yes most of the daily nuts and bolts of running the railway is done by signallers, who look after the safety of the line and do most of the regulating and platform changes (if required) - if they are any good.

Drivers obey signals, but are the other key coal face member of staff, who look after the safety of the train and drive it punctually as far as possible to the signals and speed restrictions. Driving is about concentration and obeying instructions, combined with skilful operating of machines.

They are the two teams key to running the railway, but guards and station staff are also very key to running a punctual railway. Station staff and guards are 'the face' of the passenger railway, and passengers tend to make up their mind based on the actions and service of these people.

A good permanent way and Signalling and Telecomms team are essential to prevent failures and keep delays down.

The controllers overlook all this, giving a careful nudge where required, and collect all the information which is presented to management at later dates: Safety, delay information.

Railway managers tend to be 'hands off', but it depends on the local management style. The lower grades, tend to act as administrators, but they will have a say on local issues and hiring and firing.

Middle and upper management do the long term planning and strategic decisions, and support staff as required. Clearly there are different areas: Engineering, Finance etc. Government is having more and more of a say on strategic decisions, and management get given 'budgets' to perform within at all levels.

Lets not forget also the railway is principally engineering led and its the Civil, Electrical, Signalling and mechanical engineers that design, and install the equipment. Good design, is key to a cost effective, punctual and safe railway.

Then there's the all important retail side: Advertising, selling tickets in booking offices, strategic direction with offers and tickets, looking after customers, buying and selling services.

In conclusion the railway is team effort, and nobody can do their job without the skill and dedication of the other teams - which requires co-operation and understanding. It is incorrect to suggest anyone is 'completely in control', and professionalism of staff at all levels is essential.

Edit

On the MOMs/field managers. Its a strange grade, they tend to go out to act as handsignalmen, wind points under the instructions of the signalling staff, act as pilotmen, fill out forms as required for incidents to present to controllers. They were created when the railway was privatised and took on the work of other staff: Such as station staff/Train crew supervisors, who were often qualified to wind points or as pilotmen.

The railway is not like the road, where you get into your car, and drive with only you in control, obeying the rules of the road - although at the mercy of the other users who may get in your way or crash into you. It is the complex interactions between many staff and machines, the nearest other form of transport like this is airlines.

[devon_metro]

The ability to make awful decisions is crucial.

[TheSlash]

Originally Posted by DescendingSadly

A complete disregard for the rulebook should just about cover it!

and total lack of Railway knowledge and experience

[First class]

Sandhills control is fantastic. Network rail/merseyrail operated, loads of TV screens everywhere, live views of ALL the stations on the ME network, level crossings being controlled like 50miles away... fully automatic, (until something goes wrong)!

Also found out about ESR today- interesting init!