A career as a signaller

[Meister]

under consideration. Keep me posted mate and good luck

Thanks mate. Will do. Good luck to you

 

[Tom Quinne]

I noticed a role for delay attributor pop up x5 Crawley and London. Not sure if its worth doing for a year of so just to get into the industry. Im seriously considering it but I heard its not such a nice job to do

Yes, it is worth it !
It’ll give you’ve a very useful insight into the Network and industry, it’ll also allow you access to the internal vacancy list that is worth its weight in gold !

As for not being a nice job, you will be looked at as a blame placer, you won’t always be welcomed with open arms but hey ho that’s there problem.

 

[Southernsig]

I noticed a role for delay attributor pop up x5 Crawley and London. Not sure if its worth doing for a year of so just to get into the industry. Im seriously considering it but I heard its not such a nice job to do

May not be such a nice job to do, but that depends generally on how you approach it, some of the delay guys who are reasonable and try to work with the signallers etc seem to get less of a hard time, whereas some who seem intent on making life hard get the same attitude back! I'm certainly less cooperative with a few of the delay guys round my way!

And as for considering applying to get your foot in the door. I would, it gives access to the internal job board!

 

[Train182]

Morning guys! Thanks for all the information in this thread, it is extremely helpful!

I have applied for a Grade 2 position in my local area, I've passed the online test and am now hoping I'm shortlisted for interview. No dramas if not, it's nice to now have a understanding of what sort of jobs I would like to apply for in the future, should anymore oppurtuines arise

Is a Grade 2 signaller position a good position to get your foot in the foot in the door at NR?

 

[Highlandspring]

edited

 

[Train182]

Thank you for that, Highlandspring!

Let's see what happens, this looks like very rewarding career to get into. I've seen that is can take a number of weeks to receive a response, so I will just have to be patient. I do consider myself ambitious and keen to learn as much as I can! But ultimately it's down to whoever is in charge of reviewing the applications to decide whether I can move on to the next stage!

 

[gareth386]

Good evening guys, I've been following this thread for a while and finally decided to say thank you to all of you for your helpful hints and tips on here.
I applied for a G2 position in Cardiff a few months ago and after a lot of waiting I've had the interview, and then after a lot more waiting I've had an offer, just waiting for medical now then to get my start date. So hopefully be starting in the next few months, depending on signalling school dates.
Cheers again and hope you all have a great Christmas

 

[High Dyke]

Good evening guys, I've been following this thread for a while and finally decided to say thank you to all of you for your helpful hints and tips on here.
I applied for a G2 position in Cardiff a few months ago and after a lot of waiting I've had the interview, and then after a lot more waiting I've had an offer, just waiting for medical now then to get my start date. So hopefully be starting in the next few months, depending on signalling school dates.
Cheers again and hope you all have a great Christmas

Top banana mate. Welcome to the dark side. All the best.

 

[High Dyke]

Just a word of caution to anyone about to go to signalling school, or even there now. If you go for a drink to relax after a day studying do be careful of your alcohol intake. A student for a location on the eastern side of the country has just been sacked from the course for failing the Drugs & Alcohol policy.

 

[gareth386]

Top banana mate. Welcome to the dark side. All the best.

Cheers

 

[nom de guerre]

Not the only one recently, either. A student bound for the SE was recently sacked in similar circumstances.

 

[Saracen_83]

Whilst I appreciate you fancy a beer after a hard day, why risk it???? You’ve got a job that you have waited months for and have worked so hard for, and you throw it away for a few pints!!!????

 

[mitch.swiggins]

how does this happen? do they carry out regular drug and alcohol testing at the signalling school?!?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Yes, you’d be surprised how plain stupid some people can be !

 

[Richie P]

Good evening guys, I've been following this thread for a while and finally decided to say thank you to all of you for your helpful hints and tips on here.
I applied for a G2 position in Cardiff a few months ago and after a lot of waiting I've had the interview, and then after a lot more waiting I've had an offer, just waiting for medical now then to get my start date. So hopefully be starting in the next few months, depending on signalling school dates.
Cheers again and hope you all have a great Christmas

Hi Gareth....i too have been following this thread for a while. I'm looking at applying for a couple of signaller vacancies advertised at the moment. I live in South Wales and just missed the Cardiff ones. Can you offer any advice as to what they are looking for on application forms or what they asked you in interview? What job have you left to join? Any advice about your experiences through application would be appreciated. Cheers.

 

[nom de guerre]

how does this happen? do they carry out regular drug and alcohol testing at the signalling school?!?

I don't think students are routinely tested.

The individual I mentioned was medscreened following a tip-off.

 

[mitch.swiggins]

I don't think students are routinely tested.

The individual I mentioned was medscreened following a tip-off.

I'm not concerned as I'm teetotal, I just find it interesting(and crazy) that this could happen to someone while at signalling school.

 

[Llanigraham]

Just a word of caution to anyone about to go to signalling school, or even there now. If you go for a drink to relax after a day studying do be careful of your alcohol intake. A student for a location on the eastern side of the country has just been sacked from the course for failing the Drugs & Alcohol policy.

We were advised to have NO alcohol at lunch time and only 1 pint of an evening when I was at Leeds.
We were also told that like any employee we could be tested at any time, student or not.

 

[Highlandspring]

I'm not concerned as I'm teetotal, I just find it interesting(and crazy) that this could happen to someone while at signalling school.

Happens more often than you would think. At least 2 or 3 signalling trainees test positive "for cause" a year at the school. Anyone in NR can be randomly screened at any time when at work. In 13 years I've been selected for random screening 3 times.

 

[mitch.swiggins]

Happens more often than you would think. At least 2 or 3 signalling trainees test positive "for cause" a year at the school. Anyone in NR can be randomly screened at any time when at work. In 13 years I've been selected for random screening 3 times.

I’m off to signalling school at the end of February after nearly 13yrs of driving trains. I’m used to the strict drug and alcohol policy as well as random screening but I’m still surprised to hear this as I don’t remember it being an issue at drivers training school.

 

[Saracen_83]

What made you make the switch from driving to signalling Mitch??

 

[mitch.swiggins]

What made you make the switch from driving to signalling Mitch??

driving trains is a brilliant way to earn a living and I am very lucky to have had the opportunity. that said, I began exploring other opportunities on the railway approx 5yrs ago when I started thinking about what I felt were a lack of opportunities for advancement from the driving grade. and then a year and a half ago I started to actively pursue a career as a signaller. I’m very happy with my decision and I’m really looking forward to starting a new chapter in my railway career.

 

[Cavan]

Anyone know what shifts the crossing keepers at lancing work?

 

[Sunset route]

Anyone know what shifts the crossing keepers at lancing work?

When i worked on the Coastway East many years ago we had a roster like this and i believe the Coastway West including Lancing either work this roster or something very similar.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

wks 1&5 Off RD RD N N N N

wks 2&6 12N N N RD L L L

wks 3&7 Off L L L RD E E

wk 4 12D E E E E RD RD

wk 8 12D E E E RD RD RD

Off = Sunday Off
RD = Rest Day Off
E = 0600-1400
L = 1400-2200
N = 2200-0600
12D = 0600-1800
12N = 1800-0600

Some parts of Sussex work 8hr Sundays instead of 12Hrs.

 

[Saracen_83]

When i worked on the Coastway East many years ago we had a roster like this and i believe the Coastway West including Lancing either work this roster or something very similar.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

wks 1&5 Off RD RD N N N N

wks 2&6 12N N N RD L L L

wks 3&7 Off L L L RD E E

wk 4 12D E E E E RD RD

wk 8 12D E E E RD RD RD

Off = Sunday Off
RD = Rest Day Off
E = 0600-1400
L = 1400-2200
N = 2200-0600
12D = 0600-1800
12N = 1800-0600

Some parts of Sussex work 8hr Sundays instead of 12Hrs.

Can see why people prefer 12 hour Rota’, that looks tough!!!

 

[Sunset route]

Can see why people prefer 12 hour Rota’, that looks tough!!!

It’s been nearly 20 years since I’ve worked an 8 hour roster that was based on multiples of 4 weeks. My current roster is multiples of 5 weeks and is nowhere near as harsh as that and my new roster is multiples of 11 weeks, all 8hr based and I’m looking forward to that one as the rest day pattern has a nice even spread. Virtually all rosters are locally agreed within the national guidelines so there are very few areas or signalling centres that have the same roster.

 

[Richie P]

Hi everyone. My apologies if this has been asked before but I have scoured this thread to see if it has and can't find a conclusive answer. Could those in the know please shed some light on the following situation..

I apply for an external vacancy for a grade 7 post and after having completed the online test await to hear the results. I then hear that I haven't made the required percentage pass mark for grade 7.

Would they say to me that although I haven't met the grade 7 pass mark...i have for example..met the pass mark for a grade 4? Or would I need to sit the online test in a different application specific to that grade?

I hope this makes sense people...i am trying to figure out which grade is best to apply for as I have read on here that you only get a limited amount of attempts.

Please help if you can.

 

[Lasbrisas]

You can only do the online tests once, I believe they last for 6 months and will be what you have to live with for any application. You can apply for as many jobs as you want and any grade available. I applied for 10, had interviews for 4 and got a grade 3, but did have an interview for a grade 9 which obviously I didn't get. I am currently at signalling school but off for the Xmas break, Oh and the application process and getting the job is just the start, school is not easy and they are very strict on assessments and practicals.

 

[Richie P]

You can only do the online tests once, I believe they last for 6 months and will be what you have to live with for any application. You can apply for as many jobs as you want and any grade available. I applied for 10, had interviews for 4 and got a grade 3, but did have an interview for a grade 9 which obviously I didn't get. I am currently at signalling school but off for the Xmas break, Oh and the application process and getting the job is just the start, school is not easy and they are very strict on assessments and practicals.

Thanks Lasbrisas..that's the info i was after. Do the online tests differ for each grade application or is it the same test no matter which grade you apply for? I'm just wondering whether to apply for a grade 7 which i would need to relocate for or a grade 2 which is quite local. Could you offer what they asked you in your interviews? What is signalling school like and which one are you at? Cheers.

 

[Southernsig]

Thanks Lasbrisas..that's the info i was after. Do the online tests differ for each grade application or is it the same test no matter which grade you apply for? I'm just wondering whether to apply for a grade 7 which i would need to relocate for or a grade 2 which is quite local. Could you offer what they asked you in your interviews? What is signalling school like and which one are you at? Cheers.

Its the top 5 scores who get taken through to interview, so even though your scores were not enough to get you through this time they may well be next time. Jist keep applying and eventually luck will be on your side! Multiple vacancies will obviously take more than 5 people through to interviee as well so you will have a better chance with those. Worth bearing in mind!