A career as a signaller

[Llanigraham]

Hi all. I applied for Crossing Keeper vacancy last week. Looking at the salary in the job description it's Level 1.

I got an email yesterday saying I have met the benchmark for the SJT. The vacancy closes for applications tomorrow so I'm guessing I may be waiting a few weeks to see if I'll be invited to interview.

Doing some research the signal box I've applied for has been downgraded to a Gate Box and it's sole purpose now is to supervise the pedestrian crossing and protecting signals.

Is there anyone who has done a similar job in the past or present and give any feedback as to what it's like? If its Level 1 i assume i wont have to attend signalling school?

I think you have to attend a shortened course.
(I stand corrected reading the above reply)

 

[Colin178]

Hi there,

I currently work as a grade 1 crossing keeper. I will be moving on to a higher grade soon but i can give you some insight.

No you wont have to go to signalling school.
You are on your own which i think is great. Depending on how many trains you will have an hour u May have to entertain yourself.
Its a great step in the door to network rail and future signalling positions.
Dont be fooled by the salary 24,000 its more like 30,000- 32,000 if you are doing 2 sundays a month

If u have anymore questions im happy to answer.

Thanks very much Clydefrog for that. I have a few more questions if you don't mind?

1/ How long does the training take and what does it involve?
2/ Is supervising the pedestrian crossing literally locking the gates and opening them again?
3/ How long did the whole recruitment process take for you, from application to first day on the job?
4/ How long did it take you to get a higher grade position?
5/ Would you go and visit the Box prior to interview to show your keen?

Thanks
Colin

 

[Clydefrog]

Thanks very much Clydefrog for that. I have a few more questions if you don't mind?

1/ How long does the training take and what does it involve?
2/ Is supervising the pedestrian crossing literally locking the gates and opening them again?
3/ How long did the whole recruitment process take for you, from application to first day on the job?
4/ How long did it take you to get a higher grade position?
5/ Would you go and visit the Box prior to interview to show your keen?

Thanks
Colin

Hi yea sure no problem,

1)my box took about a month as its a little bit of a quircky set up. A week learning the controls and getting used to the service. Then went round looking at diffrent signal boxes etc went out with a MOM. Filled out a training manual which i suppose you would do. Its very easy to learn it all so i wouldnt worry about that.

2)As you only operate gates im guessing you close the gates and call the signaller in control of that crossing to tell them the gates are closed the crossing is clear and its ok proceed the signal for the train. There may be a diffrent set up in place. It may be all done by switches so u dont have to call i cant be sure. In which case it will prob take even less time to learn.

3) when i was going from external to network rail i think it was around 2 months but i will have to double check that. Its so different for every different position so theres no point in gauging times. unfortunately u just have to be patient u will get a reply.

4)7 months

5)if it was me knowing the Loms now as i do i would not bother them with asking. I would go to wherever the box is and knock on the door and see if the person is willing to have a chat with u about the box and if u can have a look. If there nice they will let u have a look if they are new they might not let you in without ID and permission from the LOM. Once u have looked u can then say in the interview that u went there and blah blah blah it was great lol. If the person in the box turns u away and u really want to check it out then yea try and contact the LOM.

 

[Colin178]

Hi yea sure no problem,

1)my box took about a month as its a little bit of a quircky set up. A week learning the controls and getting used to the service. Then went round looking at diffrent signal boxes etc went out with a MOM. Filled out a training manual which i suppose you would do. Its very easy to learn it all so i wouldnt worry about that.

2)As you only operate gates im guessing you close the gates and call the signaller in control of that crossing to tell them the gates are closed the crossing is clear and its ok proceed the signal for the train. There may be a diffrent set up in place. It may be all done by switches so u dont have to call i cant be sure. In which case it will prob take even less time to learn.

3) when i was going from external to network rail i think it was around 2 months but i will have to double check that. Its so different for every different position so theres no point in gauging times. unfortunately u just have to be patient u will get a reply.

4)7 months

5)if it was me knowing the Loms now as i do i would not bother them with asking. I would go to wherever the box is and knock on the door and see if the person is willing to have a chat with u about the box and if u can have a look. If there nice they will let u have a look if they are new they might not let you in without ID and permission from the LOM. Once u have looked u can then say in the interview that u went there and blah blah blah it was great lol. If the person in the box turns u away and u really want to check it out then yea try and contact the LOM.

Thanks for that mate, much appreciated. It all sounds great but don't want to get my hopes up yet. I'll just wait it out and see if i get an invite for interview. Could you offer any tips for interview or shall i just base it around the 8 non technical skills?

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Is anyone starting at Three bridges on November 24th? and then starting at Westwood signalling school on the 27th? Regards

I just received an email stating that I should receive my formal offer within 48 working hours. I don't know when I would be starting but with background checks and medicals I'd imagine that it would be after your start date. when were you actually offered the position?

 

[cherryslt]

Hi I applied in Feb for a grade 3 Newhaven and grade 6 & 8 at Three Bridges, Got interviewed in May for all 3 positions and got offered all three positions in August. They asked me to pick between the 3 positions which was a bit of a shock .

 

[Sinistah]

Hi I applied in Feb for a grade 3 Newhaven and grade 6 & 8 at Three Bridges, Got interviewed in May for all 3 positions and got offered all three positions in August. They asked me to pick between the 3 positions which was a bit of a shock .

Well done good work

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Hi I applied in Feb for a grade 3 Newhaven and grade 6 & 8 at Three Bridges, Got interviewed in May for all 3 positions and got offered all three positions in August. They asked me to pick between the 3 positions which was a bit of a shock .

thanks for the reply. I applied for Newhaven in May and didn’t get an interview. applied for Three Bridges ASC in July and interviewed for it at the end of September. they assured me that I wouldn’t hear from them before November so I was surprised to get that pre-offer email the other day. I’m just trying to to get an idea of when I might actually start.

 

[Cavan]

What is the difference between grade 1 and 2 crossing keepers? Many more tph?

 

[ten7]

thanks for the reply. I applied for Newhaven in May and didn’t get an interview. applied for Three Bridges ASC in July and interviewed for it at the end of September. they assured me that I wouldn’t hear from them before November so I was surprised to get that pre-offer email the other day. I’m just trying to to get an idea of when I might actually start.

So it’s possible to get a pre-offer email without a call first?

 

[Clydefrog]

I just received an email stating that I should receive my formal offer within 48 working hours. I don't know when I would be starting but with background checks and medicals I'd imagine that it would be after your start date. when were you actually offered the position?

Is that three bridges ROC or the ASC?

 

[Clydefrog]

Thanks for that mate, much appreciated. It all sounds great but don't want to get my hopes up yet. I'll just wait it out and see if i get an invite for interview. Could you offer any tips for interview or shall i just base it around the 8 non technical skills?

Yea just have a scenario ready in your head for each no technical skill. Try and give as much information for them to write down as u can so that you dont get asked probing questions as much. That what i try and do. Just keep waffeling on if you can subject relevent of course lol.
Oh and make sure u have an answer for every one.
because if u say u have not had that or not been in that situation before u wont get a very good score for that skill.

 

[Sunset route]

What is the difference between grade 1 and 2 crossing keepers? Many more tph?

Or it could mean that you are responsible for more than one crossing by remotely using CCTV

 

[mitch.swiggins]

So it’s possible to get a pre-offer email without a call first?

the pre-offer email was the first I’d heard from them since my interview on the 28th of September. I received the formal offer email this morning.

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Is that three bridges ROC or the ASC?

ASC

 

[Clydefrog]

ASC

Cool are you internal applicant or external.

 

[ten7]

the pre-offer email was the first I’d heard from them since my interview on the 28th of September. I received the formal offer email this morning.

Cool, congratulations. I’m guessing your status changed to “Assessment 2 complete” on the same day or a few days earlier too.

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Cool are you internal applicant or external.

thanks. I’m an external candidate, but I’m joining from a different part of the railway. not that that matters. I received the formal offer today but haven’t had a chance to look at it properly yet as I’ve 2 kids home on half term break that need constant attention and entertainment! I have a feeling that once I do sit down and look at it properly that I’m going to have a few questions for this message board(working time regulations opt out form?)!

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Cool, congratulations. I’m guessing your status changed to “Assessment 2 complete” on the same day or a few days earlier too.

I hadn’t actually checked until you mentioned it, it appears to have changed on 18th Oct, 7 days before they contacted me.

 

[ten7]

What was everyone’s interviews like? Were they informal and friendly? Mine was very formal and the interviewers were very serious throughout, not much smiling.

 

[Sinistah]

What was everyone’s interviews like? Were they informal and friendly? Mine was very formal and the interviewers were very serious throughout, not much smiling.

Mine was formal but I was made to feel really relaxed

 

[Greatful]

Hi, everyone

Great to see others who got the ASC Three bridges 11 position.I am another applicant who recived an offer letter in October 2017 , sent mine back having gone throw the contract which is very generic contract and a fair one i say . My question is Regarding medical appointment how long does that take to invite to a medical centre once you agree to the contract. Next question what's the likely chance that starting signal school in December.

 

[Sinistah]

I would have thought quite unlikely

 

[ten7]

Mine was formal but I was made to feel really relaxed

That’s great. How do you feel it went? I always find it hard to tell with scored competency interviews.

 

[Sinistah]

Well I had a good feeling after the interview. I am still waiting to find out as I did the interview on the 12th October. I did not get asked any probing questions which I thought was a good sign as they liked my answers. They were not overly talkative but were still friendly. Will just have to wait and see really

 

[Tom Quinne]

I got my offer, contract and medical roughly this time of year last year.

I started in late January, then went to signalling school in mid February.

It could be quicker for you guys going go Three Bridges, but you defiantly won’t start school before Xmas.

 

[Greatful]

I got my offer, contract and medical roughly this time of year last year.

I started in late January, then went to signalling school in mid February.

It could be quicker for you guys going go Three Bridges, but you defiantly won’t start school before Xmas.

Thank you , TOM

Could I ask , sorry if you answered this many times I'm new on here . How likely do people fail signal school what's the common reason. And why do they allow people to go onto the course knowing money and time has been wasted on individual to fail the course. Other than the reason below
Bad behivior etc.

Thank you

 

[Southernsig]

Thank you , TOM

Could I ask , sorry if you answered this many times I'm new on here . How likely do people fail signal school what's the common reason. And why do they allow people to go onto the course knowing money and time has been wasted on individual to fail the course. Other than the reason below
Bad behivior etc.

Thank you

One of the main reasons people fail is they do not work hard enough, admittedly school has become longer now by a week or two so I imagine that will help but the content comes thick and fast. You really need to put the time and effort in during your free time on the simulator and revision. But at the same time making sure you find a bit of time to unwind. Also those who isolate themselves from the group tend to struggle, teamwork is key. That being said if you work hard and show a good and willing attitude even if you do fall short at one point your LOM will very likely put you through again!

 

[Roadster 7]

Hi all,
First time poster, I've have read this thread from start to finish, so thank you to all the contributors it has been so helpful and answered a lot of questions.
After coming to the realisation engineering isnt really for me, I have been looking at a career change and being 40 in 2 months time feel like time is pressing on!
The railways have always peaked my interest as my Grandad worked at Leicester train station for years and I used to love visiting him and listening to the stories!
I am now just waiting for a signalling position to be advertised near me, I live in Rutland so something around Leicester, Peterborough, Stamford, Grantham area would be realistic travel time. Derby ROC could be possible it comes out at 1 hour 4 mins travel time.

Is there any preparation I can do to assist me in the application process?

I'm thinking of brushing up on my maths skills but not sure how I can practice for the verbal reasoning test?

Are there any practise questions on any websites I can do?

Would volunteering on my days off at a heritage railway be any help or is it seen as a bit 'geeky' or even a little knowledge is worse than none? I know when I was in the RAF if anyone showed any interest in aircraft they got a good ribbing and labelled a 'spotter'!

Thanks in advance
Dean

 

[uww11x]

Hi all,
First time poster, I've have read this thread from start to finish, so thank you to all the contributors it has been so helpful and answered a lot of questions.
After coming to the realisation engineering isnt really for me, I have been looking at a career change and being 40 in 2 months time feel like time is pressing on!
The railways have always peaked my interest as my Grandad worked at Leicester train station for years and I used to love visiting him and listening to the stories!
I am now just waiting for a signalling position to be advertised near me, I live in Rutland so something around Leicester, Peterborough, Stamford, Grantham area would be realistic travel time. Derby ROC could be possible it comes out at 1 hour 4 mins travel time.

Is there any preparation I can do to assist me in the application process?

I'm thinking of brushing up on my maths skills but not sure how I can practice for the verbal reasoning test?

Are there any practise questions on any websites I can do?

Would volunteering on my days off at a heritage railway be any help or is it seen as a bit 'geeky' or even a little knowledge is worse than none? I know when I was in the RAF if anyone showed any interest in aircraft they got a good ribbing and labelled a 'spotter'!

Thanks in advance
Dean

SHL website has all the tests on there! More practise the better especially as they are timed tests!

https://www.cebglobal.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests