A career as a signaller

[Greatful]

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!

Thank you very much , very informative

Great forum

 

[Tom Quinne]

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

On my course of 7 we all passed our exams first time and completed the course as we started with 7.

However, the next course from my location 4 went sadly half came back at exam 1 on week 5.

I was on one of the last 9 week courses before the 12 week courses started, we had exams at WK2, WK5 and WK8 with our high risk simulation day in WK9.

WK2 pass mark was 70%, WK5 75% and WK8 80% you also had to pass the HRS to the satisfaction of the trainer who does put you through a interlinked series of incidents ramping up the pressure each time !

You do get one “talk up” for the whole course, don’t use it on WK2 exam !

Talk up is if you score within 5% of the pass mark of the exam you can talk up, use it on WK2 exam then score 74% at WK5 exam is bye bye time I’m afraid !

To be frank if you need your talk up on WK2 exam you shouldn’t be there, also WK5 exam REALLY is a steep step up content wise from WK2.

WK8 exam covers everything you hopefully learnt throughout the course.

You’ll be expected to manage your Simulator time, it think it was 25hrs across the 8WK course was advised to achieve suitable understanding of the system to manage your HRS in WK9.

I was at York, which had X2 AB Frame simulators, likewise X2 NX panels and X2 WestCad Sims.

If you put the work in, you won’t fail.
If you do fail your LOM can allow you to return at a later date but this is subject to finding a space on a suitable course.

 

[Tom Quinne]

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

Hello mate, surprisingly in signalling it isn’t seen as geeky to be into the mechanics of it, in fact we have a number of people who are signallers in Heritage railways.

Heritage experience in the role could be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your mindset to be honest.

Big railway signalling is very different to heritage operations.
Heritage experience could come in handy at the application stage as you can evidence experience in the field.

Best of luck mate

 

[Greatful]

On my course of 7 we all passed our exams first time and completed the course as we started with 7.

However, the next course from my location 4 went sadly half came back at exam 1 on week 5.

I was on one of the last 9 week courses before the 12 week courses started, we had exams at WK2, WK5 and WK8 with our high risk simulation day in WK9.

WK2 pass mark was 70%, WK5 75% and WK8 80% you also had to pass the HRS to the satisfaction of the trainer who does put you through a interlinked series of incidents ramping up the pressure each time !

You do get one “talk up” for the whole course, don’t use it on WK2 exam !

Talk up is if you score within 5% of the pass mark of the exam you can talk up, use it on WK2 exam then score 74% at WK5 exam is bye bye time I’m afraid !

To be frank if you need your talk up on WK2 exam you shouldn’t be there, also WK5 exam REALLY is a steep step up content wise from WK2.

WK8 exam covers everything you hopefully learnt throughout the course.

You’ll be expected to manage your Simulator time, it think it was 25hrs across the 8WK course was advised to achieve suitable understanding of the system to manage your HRS in WK9.

I was at York, which had X2 AB Frame simulators, likewise X2 NX panels and X2 WestCad Sims.

If you put the work in, you won’t fail.
If you do fail your LOM can allow you to return at a later date but this is subject to finding a space on a suitable course.

Appriciate the break down ,

I guess knuckle down and study hard .

Thank you

 

[Tom Quinne]

That’s the key mate yes.

 

[Sunset route]

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.

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.

Congratulations to you both and welcome to the team at the “ASC” I’ll catch up with you once you’ve completed signalling school.

 

[Roadster 7]

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

Hello mate, surprisingly in signalling it isn’t seen as geeky to be into the mechanics of it, in fact we have a number of people who are signallers in Heritage railways.

Heritage experience in the role could be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your mindset to be honest.

Big railway signalling is very different to heritage operations.
Heritage experience could come in handy at the application stage as you can evidence experience in the field.

Best of luck mate

Thank you for the replies.
That SHL website is very useful and I will have a work through it.
I think I will have a look into volunteering at nene valley railway in Peterborough.
Maybe a bit of a daft question but does anybody know if there is any vacancies coming up in the Leicester, Peterborough or Grantham area?
I guess it's just a case of waiting and keep checking Network Rail website.

 

[Colin178]

Thank you for the replies.
That SHL website is very useful and I will have a work through it.
I think I will have a look into volunteering at nene valley railway in Peterborough.
Maybe a bit of a daft question but does anybody know if there is any vacancies coming up in the Leicester, Peterborough or Grantham area?
I guess it's just a case of waiting and keep checking Network Rail website.

There is a Grade 2 signaller vacancy on Network Rail careers site that closes on 31st October. The vacancy is for Rauceby Signal Box which is quite near Grantham isn't it?

 

[Llanigraham]

Hi yea sure no problem,
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.

I would be very cautious with that approach. Whilst the resident might be willing to allow an unofficial visit, announcing it at the interview could easily drop them in the deep do-do!
If you want to visit then try and do it officially.

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Congratulations to you both and welcome to the team at the “ASC” I’ll catch up with you once you’ve completed signalling school.

thanks, I’m really looking forward to it.

 

[Greatful]

Congratulations to you both and welcome to the team at the “ASC” I’ll catch up with you once you’ve completed signalling school.

Thank you , see you soon can't wait

 

[Lmc1976]

WK2 pass mark was 70%, WK5 75% and WK8 80% you also had to pass the HRS to the satisfaction of the trainer who does put you through a interlinked series of incidents ramping up the pressure each time !

You do get one “talk up” for the whole course, don’t use it on WK2 exam !

Talk up is if you score within 5% of the pass mark of the exam you can talk up, use it on WK2 exam then score 74% at WK5 exam is bye bye time I’m afraid !

What format do the exams take please, multiple choice or something else?

And the one “talk up” you can have if you get within 5%, how does that work Please?

Many thanks

 

[Tom Quinne]

Exam 1 is 30 Questions IIRC with roughly 95% multi choice with the remaining 5% short written answer (70%).

Exam 2 increases in the number of questions with a decrease in multi choice with an increase (greatly) in short written answers (75% pass).

Exam 3 again is about 50 questions with a handful of multi choice with the majority short written, diagram based questions (80% pass).

The talk up option is for example if you score between 64-69% exam one, 69%-74% exam two and 74%-79% exam three You’ll be able to talk up your written answers that you dropped marks on to the required pass mark for the exam.

However, you can only use it once, once it’s besn used that’s it gone.

So if you use it on exam one, but then score 74% on exam two it’s bye bye time .

 

[Southernsig]

What format do the exams take please, multiple choice or something else?

And the one “talk up” you can have if you get within 5%, how does that work Please?

Many thanks

A few mtiple choice then some questions and scenarios, the firat test is more of a quiz where as the second test hanges format slightly and ramps up massivly in difficulty. Its the second test that catches people out!

The talk up is wherw the trainer will ask you some questions on what ypu got wrong in the exam in ordwr to give you the oppertunity to orally gain the marks required to reach the pass mark!

 

[uww11x]

Does anyone know how the 12 months Signalling Apprenticeship works? I notice it's still York for signalling school for 12weeks.

 

[Tom Quinne]

It sounds scary, believe me was ****ting it big time but the simple fact is if you pit the book work in during your evenings you’ll be okay.

I tended to read and make notes during my week evening, and leave it alone during home time on the weekend.

Make loads and loads of notes during class ! You will not get slides of the topics you cover during the day !

You’ll be told to have a look at a rule book module, again take notes, draw diagrams whichever works for you it really will help, not only in school but when you land back at your SB!

 

[Tom Quinne]

To echo what others have said the ramp up between exam one and two is huge !

It did catch one lad out on my course, who used his talk up for it.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Does anyone know how the 12 months Signalling Apprenticeship works? I notice it's still York for signalling school for 12weeks.

I didn’t do this format but, I understand it’s still the standard course but extended over 12 weeks to include more simulatior tests and basic maths and English exams on top of the Signalling exams 1,2 & 3.

The next bit is subejct to contention so probably best to ask your LOM - my understanding is that once you pass school and return to your box you’ll be on training grade (one below your appointed) for a whole year, regardless of how quickly you pass out.

 

[uww11x]

I didn’t do this format but, I understand it’s still the standard course but extended over 12 weeks to include more simulatior tests and basic maths and English exams on top of the Signalling exams 1,2 & 3.

The next bit is subejct to contention so probably best to ask your LOM - my understanding is that once you pass school and return to your box you’ll be on training grade (one below your appointed) for a whole year, regardless of how quickly you pass out.

Cheers for the reply, would that be grade 1 pay whilst training then? I am still on test completed for my Grade 2 so fingers crossed for an interview!

 

[Southernsig]

Yep I echo what tom Quinne says regarding school, its the extra work that makes or breaks people, extra time on the simulator is vital as well, thats certainly what made my rules stick for me!

Abd yes the secind exam is the one ro catch people out. My group lost 4!!! Although two deserved to go if I'm being completely honest as they where t*ssers with a sh*te attitude who expected the trainers to do all the work for them!!

 

[Sinistah]

A little bit further back in this thread you will find that you are not on a lower grade pay for the whole apprenticeship. Just until u pass out

 

[Tom Quinne]

Yep, the first year is training grade now sadly but you'll still the various premiums attached to the various extra bits.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Signaller 2018 pay matrix after the RPI November 2017 pay award in January 2018:

Figure (right) is your basic take home pay after tax, pension and union subs assuming 75% take home pay.

Signaller Pay Grades 2018:

Grade 1 £24,889 - £1435
Grade 2 £28,494 - £1643
Grade 3 £30,898 - £1782
Grade 4 £32,614 - £1881
Grade 5 £36,048 - £2079
Grade 6 £38,193 - £2203
Grade 7 £41,196 - £2376
Grade 8 £43,771 - £2525
Grade 9 £45,490 - £2624
Grade 10 £47,778 - £2756

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Signaller 2018 pay matrix after the RPI November 2017 pay award in January 2018:

Figure (right) is your basic take home pay after tax, pension and union subs assuming 75% take home pay.

Signaller Pay Grades 2018:

Grade 1 £24,889 - £1435
Grade 2 £28,494 - £1643
Grade 3 £30,898 - £1782
Grade 4 £32,614 - £1881
Grade 5 £36,048 - £2079
Grade 6 £38,193 - £2203
Grade 7 £41,196 - £2376
Grade 8 £43,771 - £2525
Grade 9 £45,490 - £2624
Grade 10 £47,778 - £2756

thanks for posting that. I saw this “Your next salary review will be January 2018.” in my offer letter, it’s nice to see what the increase actually looks like. who represents the signaller grade? RMT?

 

[Southernsig]

Yep, the first year is training grade now sadly but you'll still the various premiums attached to the various extra bits.

I've heard they are not going ahead with that idea and your getting your grade once you pass your box/workstation as per!

 

[Sinistah]

Yes it was a debate a few weeks back and someone kindly found out for us

 

[Sinistah]

Or else wats the poibt in advertising that salary if your not gonna get for at least a year

 

[Sinistah]

It does in brackets in some of the job adverts state the lower figure as in training though so i get why you would think that though

 

[Tom Quinne]

That's great news that you get your salary as soon as you pass out !

Yes signallers are represented by either RMT or TESSA, the latter aren't recognised by NWR for the grade though.

 

[mitch.swiggins]

That's great news that you get your salary as soon as you pass out !

Yes signallers are represented by either RMT or TESSA, the latter aren't recognised by NWR for the grade though.

right, so if you want to have a say in pay/contract negotiations you need to be a member of RMT - got it. thanks!