A career as a signaller

[Tom Quinne]

Question; do the network rail signaller tests count as part of the mainline driver two strikes if failed?
Are they done via the opc or is it internal to network rail?
Cheers

No, two very different and non connected assessment process looking to assess different skill sets.

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

Llandudno, Bangor, Chester would be ideal for you then I’d assume.

North Wales Coast occasional make it onto the external, not seen them on the internal for ages though.

There’s a few North West area jobs on at the moment, hopefully they’ll make it external for you guys.

I'll keep checking the external site. I wouldn't be surprised if many North Wales signallers stay in post here until they retire. It is a nice place to live and the house prices are reasonable.

My local station is Llanfairpwll. I walk there. Anything between Holyhead and Llandudno Junction would be a reasonable commute from home. Chester is at the extreme edge of what I'd consider without relocating. Debbie works in Bangor. We can't move too far east.

My "secret" plan is to take the Crossing Keeper post at Ty Croes to get access to the internal list. If I get an interview, I'd mention I would want to move up after a year or two.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Cheers. Do network rail have any limits on the number of times you can take their tests? Been sent numerical and verbal reasoning online tests. Fiirst time I’ll be taking those with network rail.

I think the old paper based assessment was two strikes as per driver and guard assessments - no idea about the new online tests as there are many ways to navigate round the rule if you needed to, depending how they confirm ID.

 

[Tom Quinne]

I'll keep checking the external site. I wouldn't be surprised if many North Wales signallers stay in post here until they retire. It is a nice place to live and the house prices are reasonable.

My local station is Llanfairpwll. I walk there. Anything between Holyhead and Llandudno Junction would be a reasonable commute from home. Chester is at the extreme edge of what I'd consider without relocating. Debbie works in Bangor. We can't move too far east.

My "secret" plan is to take the Crossing Keeper post at Ty Croes to get access to the internal list. If I get an interview, I'd mention I would want to move up after a year or two.

That would be anyone’s intention if they wanted a long term career, make no secret of your desire to progress within the Grade.

 

[Highlandspring]

I think the old paper based assessment was two strikes as per driver and guard assessments

That’s correct and there were also two pass marks, one for grades 1 to 5 and a higher one for grades 6 to 10.

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

Once you’ve done them I believe the results stay for a year or 6 months (someone might tell you 100%).

12 months for me.

I am pleased to advise that you have reached the required benchmark on your online assessment and your results will be held on file for 12 months.

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

That would be anyone’s intention if they wanted a long term career, make no secret of your desire to progress within the Grade.

Is there a mandatory retirement age for Signallers? I'm about 9 years away from State Pension age under the current rules.

 

[Tom Quinne]

That’s correct and there were also two pass marks, one for grades 1 to 5 and a higher one for grades 6 to 10.

That’s the one, pass marks 1 to 3, 3 being any grsde pass mark with 1 and 2 being upto a certain grade ?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Is there a mandatory retirement age for Signallers? I'm about 9 years away from State Pension age under the current rules.

Work until we drop mate, although I’m in the Pension Scheme which has be me going at 65, you pay in 40 years subs I think that’s how they measure you retirement age.

 

[LeGrimpeur]

Cheers @SignallerJohn @Tom Quinne
Verbal reasoning was straightforward.
Sjt mostly ok apart from a couple.
Numerical was going fine till the last 3 of 18. I didn’t do the last question and defo fluffed the other two.

Is the pass mark 100%? I’m applying for a grade 6 role.

 

[SignallerJohn]

Cheers @SignallerJohn @Tom Quinne
Verbal reasoning was straightforward.
Sjt mostly ok apart from a couple.
Numerical was going fine till the last 3 of 18. I didn’t do the last question and defo fluffed the other two.

Is the pass mark 100%? I’m applying for a grade 6 role.

So your marks will be used and marked against other people who have done the same tests. As far as missing some out we have all been there! They even say they would rather you not guess!

Is there a mandatory retirement age for Signallers? I'm about 9 years away from State Pension age under the current rules.

I’ve recently seen a passed out relief man who finished signalling school at the age of 57! What I’ve witnessed is that at a certain age, I believe 65 or 66 your medical becomes yearly. As long as you’re capable and your LOM is happy you can work until whenever!

 

[Sunset route]

We’ve got grade 9 signallers who are 68 at our location, although they are career signalman/lers.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Cheers @SignallerJohn @Tom Quinne
Verbal reasoning was straightforward.
Sjt mostly ok apart from a couple.
Numerical was going fine till the last 3 of 18. I didn’t do the last question and defo fluffed the other two.

Is the pass mark 100%? I’m applying for a grade 6 role.

Definitely not 100%, it believe it varies compares to the result of everyone else.

 

[Tom Quinne]

I can’t see why you could continue as long as you wanted as long as your body could put up with the stupid o’clock book on times.

 

[LeGrimpeur]

Just got an email saying I’ve passed the online tests. Thanks all for the advice!

 

[Tom Quinne]

Congratulations mate, best of luck with the next step !

 

[leomc1627]

So just looked on my online portal and have a job.sat at assessment 2 completed for a job I havnt interviewed for any ideas ???

 

[Lemonice21]

Good afternoon,

I have been reading this thread for a few months. 1st time posting today.
After interviewing at the end of October for WMSC got the unsuccessful email today.

By the way this thread has been invaluable even though I have received my first knock back. I know many of you have tried and tried again before getting a job and I will do the same.

Can anyone tell me what shift pattern Didcot have, 8 or 12 hour?

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

I’ve recently seen a passed out relief man who finished signalling school at the age of 57! What I’ve witnessed is that at a certain age, I believe 65 or 66 your medical becomes yearly. As long as you’re capable and your LOM is happy you can work until whenever!

I wouldn't want to work a safety critical post after failing a medical.

I'll be 58! I'm in good health. Need to wear glasses but that's about it. I go to the gym 3 to 5 days a week and can jog 5k without stopping. Debbie says age is just a number.

I've seen several of my neighbours retire early and get old. That isn't for me.

 

[SignallerJohn]

I wouldn't want to work a safety critical post after failing a medical.

I'll be 58! I'm in good health. Need to wear glasses but that's about it. I go to the gym 3 to 5 days a week and can jog 5k without stopping. Debbie says age is just a number.

I've seen several of my neighbours retire early and get old. That isn't for me.

After failing a medical you can’t work can you? That’s good though, it’s a 50/50 in the boxes I’ve seen where half of them are drinking out of the fountain of youth and are 60 but look like they are 40, and some that are the complete opposite because of lack of taking care of themselves and too many possession takeaways!

 

[nom de guerre]

Can anyone tell me what shift pattern Didcot have, 8 or 12 hour?

Didcot work 12s.

Shame re your interview result, but useful experience for next time. Ask for feedback, if you haven’t already.

 

[Llanigraham]

After failing a medical you can’t work can you? That’s good though, it’s a 50/50 in the boxes I’ve seen where half of them are drinking out of the fountain of youth and are 60 but look like they are 40, and some that are the complete opposite because of lack of taking care of themselves and too many possession takeaways!

As I know, you can't work after failing a medical.
I failed a "return to work" medical after being off sick, even though my own Dr said I was fit.
NR attempted to find me a suitable position, but there weren't any.
Medically dismissed after a period!

 

[Tom Quinne]

Good afternoon,

I have been reading this thread for a few months. 1st time posting today.
After interviewing at the end of October for WMSC got the unsuccessful email today.

By the way this thread has been invaluable even though I have received my first knock back. I know many of you have tried and tried again before getting a job and I will do the same.

Can anyone tell me what shift pattern Didcot have, 8 or 12 hour?

As my Lernard colleague has already said 12hrs, link 1,3 & 4 are 0700-1900-0700, with link 2 being 0600-1800-0600.

 

[Lemonice21]

Didcot work 12s.

Shame re your interview result, but useful experience for next time. Ask for feedback, if you haven’t already.

As my Lernard colleague has already said 12hrs, link 1,3 & 4 are 0700-1900-0700, with link 2 being 0600-1800-0600.

Thanks Tom Quinne and nom de querre for the info.
I have requested feedback from my interview, HR have forwarded my request to the hiring manager. Hope it is constructive

 

[haigwright]

Has anyone applied for the Denton signaller vacancy that was advertised on the Tyne valley line? Have you heard anything?
Feel like it was forever ago

 

[LeGrimpeur]

Anyone here at 3Bridges ROC? Cheers

 

[Danc87]

Hi guys seen new post come up for willensden carriage grade 3 any info on the box shift patterns etc would be great! Also can't seem to find where it is on the map I know London but not sure where

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

Grade 3 post Manchester North came up today. Bit far for me but maybe someone else will apply.

 

[Norm88]

Hi guys

Bit of a random one but a few (many) pages back on this thread it mentions Signaller jobs abroad. I understand not everywhere in the world operates the same system we do, but I'm looking at a move to UAE or Australia in the near future and I understand there may be vacancies for us guys in these locations? However, I've yet to find any vacancy list and they don't seem to be widely available. Any clues? I'm currently based in a ROC so I'm Westcad trained assuming this is how they operate.

Cheers

 

[headshot119]

Hi guys seen new post come up for willensden carriage grade 3 any info on the box shift patterns etc would be great! Also can't seem to find where it is on the map I know London but not sure where

It's a glorified shunting box basically. Grade 3, plus London allowance, 12 hour roster.