A career as a signaller

[nom de guerre]

On the other hand if you're in a 12 hour location, it's much easier.

You’re quite right. I should have clarified that I was talking about 12s.

I tend to do anywhere from 5 to 8 OT days per 4 week period (12 hour rota)

Respect - that's proper grabbing! I couldn’t do that many...

 

[galaxynew]

In what way?

I meant a list of all signal boxes that are still active and operational?

 

[Llanigraham]

I meant a list of all signal boxes that are still active and operational?

That isn't relevant to this section.

 

[exsignalman]

Thanks for the info, i did park up next to it a few weeks ago as was passing and certainly was busy yes. I did read somewhere it is double "manned", is that correct do you know?

Are you still with NR, bit strange that have heard nothing at all since October and when i called HR they just said the application is still live and in the hands of the recruiting manager, the listing was for 2 positions on an 18 month secondment which i presume is due to plans for it to close and move to the ROC.

Cheers

No mate, I left the railways altogether to work as an investigator in the civil service.
Back when I worked Deansgate it was double manned..well kind of, because although there was two actual signalmen on duty, only one was actual rostered as 'Signalman in charge' to work the panel.
The other was rostered as 'Signalman's assistant'.

The 'Signalman's assistant at Deansgate was there primarily because the Metrolink service was so intense & in the event of an operating problem their main duty was to be instantly on site ASAP to deal with failures & keep the job moving (bit like a very local mini MOM) & also to provide a bit of ad hoc meal relief if need be.

Both were qualified for each others jobs, be it Signalman Or Signalman's assistant (it just all depended on what you were rostered to work that day).

Was single manned on nights though.

On the Metrolink side Altrincham station was equipped with A.R.S. (Auto Route Setting) which meant that the trams could "press" to depart Altrincham, so if we had the A.R.S in auto mode the trams would operate the T.R.T.S & this would clear the platform departure signal for them.

It would also signal an approaching tram into Altrincham.

Although there was a pitfall with this A.R.S because if you just left it in auto mode & the Manchester bound tram hadn't yet "pressed" to exit Altrincham then the next one bound from Manchester could get signalled in to the same platform permissively & in effect trap the tram in the platform & then have the Metrolink service out of sequence.

Oh the lines on the Metrolink side are not classified as Up Main/Down Main but Inbound (Manchester Direction) & Outbound (Altrincham Direction)

All points clamp lock operated.
CCTV level crossings at Hale Crossing & Navigation Road Crossing
MCB Crossing at Deansgate
(All above equipped with auto raise facility).

I'm pretty sure it's all ran via T.D.M. (Time Division Multiplexing).

An interesting box to work.

Good luck in your application, any questions I'll try to answer although it's been a good 15 years since I was last in there.

Sorry don't know if it's still double staffed anymore.

 

[bb21]

I meant a list of all signal boxes that are still active and operational?

You'd be better off asking that in a suitable section on the main forum.

 

[SignallerJohn]

Lots of Fixed Term Contracts and secondments floating around now especially on the internals.

What are fellow signallers opinions on these?

 

[galaxynew]

Lots of Fixed Term Contracts and secondments floating around now especially on the internals.

What are fellow signallers opinions on these?

Do they tend to list internally first and then go external if not enough applications?

 

[galaxynew]

You'd be better off asking that in a suitable section on the main forum.

No problem, will have a look in the main forum now

 

[SignallerJohn]

Do they tend to list internally first and then go external if not enough applications?

Yeah although the bigger grades generally get taken before they have a chance.

 

[galaxynew]

Yeah although the bigger grades generally get taken before they have a chance.

That makes total sense yes, do you know if there are any in the North West on the internal list at the moment?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Lots of Fixed Term Contracts and secondments floating around now especially on the internals.

What are fellow signallers opinions on these?

Stupid question however I’d assume with a fixed term or secondment you’d revert to you previous grade / location once if finished ?

I’d be interested in returning to my former SB on secondment but would want fo ensure I would be going back after.

As for the morality of it, there seems to be a rapid slowing down of Resignalling schemes which would put our colleagues in danger of losing their jobs so that’s a positive in my mind.

But on the other hand if you’ve planned to leave the job upon a planned scheme closing your location, then it’s postponed it does leave you high and dry with regards to severance like the scheme up north.

Personally all I can see it permanently short staffed rosters (in reality) but not on paper, which makes everyone else work twice or three times as many turns. I know you can got NA but the getting a AL or CL day when your so understaffed it touch and go whether you’ll get minimum breaks on a 12hr turn.

The grade is running on a huge amount of very good Will and money grabbing from us at the moment, but this only goes to keep the underlining issue confining.

But try getting Signallers to work to rule of no rest days lol

 

[Tom Quinne]

That makes total sense yes, do you know if there are any in the North West on the internal list at the moment?

I’ve seen Manchester ROC jobs recently (in the last 4/5 months).

 

[SignallerJohn]

Stupid question however I’d assume with a fixed term or secondment you’d revert to you previous grade / location once if finished ?

I’d be interested in returning to my former SB on secondment but would want fo ensure I would be going back after.

As for the morality of it, there seems to be a rapid slowing down of Resignalling schemes which would put our colleagues in danger of losing their jobs so that’s a positive in my mind.

A secondment I believe they must keep your old job open whereas a fixed term, once the time is up they can let you go.

There’s also a time limit that a secondment becomes a permenant job too.

 

[nom de guerre]

Lots of Fixed Term Contracts and secondments floating around now especially on the internals.

What are fellow signallers opinions on these?

Secondments? Make sure you know your rights (particularly with regards to pay) and are given a contract at all times.

Sounds obvious, but unfortunately our current/future secondees have had a few... difficulties.

Eg I didn’t realise that a signaller/SSM moving to a lower-graded secondment has the possibility of retaining their ‘parent’ grade.

I’d also be interested to hear from any internals who’ve retained a higher secondment grading after returning to their original box (I gather this is possible under certain circumstances).

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

I’ve never seen a job higher than grade 4 at SWCC go external.

Did anyone notice the Grade 9 at York that very briefly appeared on the external list? It was there for a few hours the week before Christmas. It vanished before I could get an application together.

I'm assuming it was posted external in error.

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

In other news...

My October Grade 1 crossing keeper application is still sat at Application under consideration for assessment 2. I'm happy to let this drag out.

My current post survived the latest round of redundancies. There are more on the way but no details from management yet.

 

[bouff34]

Get to know the eight none technical skills, and have a scenario ready to demonstrate a time you have shown that none technical skill. Use the STAR technique when answering all questions.

An overview of what area the location controls, and which operators run in the area is good to have.

Be prepared to talk about the safety vision, and to explain why you want the position.

Are there 8 Non-Technical Skills? If so what are they? I found a link from this forum somewhere to the RSSB site and the leaflet I have lists 7 skills? Am I looking at the wrong leaflet??

Thanks

 

[headshot119]

Are there 8 Non-Technical Skills? If so what are they? I found a link from this forum somewhere to the RSSB site and the leaflet I have lists 7 skills? Am I looking at the wrong leaflet??

Thanks

There are 8 none technical skills at Network Rail :-

Conscientiousness – the ability to work diligently, with a positive attitude and be willing to take responsibility for their own actions.
Relationships with People – the ability to work with others in the team in a positive, respectful and supportive manner; providing support and help when needed and managing conflict when required.
Communications – the ability to communicate both verbally and in written format clearly and concisely and to stand your ground as necessary.
Willingness and Ability to Learn – the ability and motivation to be trained, retain information, apply it in the work environment and learn and develop on the job.
Planning and Decision Making – the ability to anticipate, plan and prioritise activities.
Multi Task Capacity – the ability to successfully carry out more than one task at a time.
Controlled Under Pressure – the ability to cope in emergency or degraded situations.
Attention Management – the ability to remain alert and focussed, to manage distractions, and keep an awareness of the overall situation.

 

[Seishin]

Hi, how long to the online assessment test results stand? I’m sure I read somewhere that it’s 12 months but I’ve applied for a grade 2 in York and been asked to complete the tests again despite passing them in May. Not particularly keen on doing them again as I felt I did well first time around.

Thanks

 

[Narom]

I’ve seen Manchester ROC jobs recently (in the last 4/5 months).

At least two have made it on to the external list. I applied for them both, one got considered for interview and the other never made it past the first stage despite being identical!

Would have been a commute though, my eventual box is 20 mins away. Stroke it luxky.

 

[Cavan]

Didcot G7 jobs now have a closing date of 19/11/19 (and have been open for weeks too), a mistake of course, or is Didcot impossible to staff/that bad

 

[Cavan]

That makes total sense yes, do you know if there are any in the North West on the internal list at the moment?

As an external it doesn't really matter what is on the internal list - remember you would have to do 12 months at least at any location you take a job (some exceptions maybe if on a FTC) - so what is on the internal list today is irrelevant for 12/18 months down the line.

 

[galaxynew]

As an external it doesn't really matter what is on the internal list - remember you would have to do 12 months at least at any location you take a job (some exceptions maybe if on a FTC) - so what is on the internal list today is irrelevant for 12/18 months down the line.

Hi, i understand that yes but was more thinking of what "might" come on the external list in the coming weeks, so anything internal now that does not attract enough interest would then presumably get listed externally?

 

[Trickytree]

Hi all

Great forum!

Seen this advertised and really looking if anyone can offer me some information...

Signaller
Grade: Signaller Grade SIG.2
Salary: £27,705 per annum
Location: Dorrington SB

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this signal box?

I have worked for the civil service for over 12 years and have a well paid secure job, what is the future of the Shropshire signal boxes?

Thanks everyone

 

[bouff34]

There are 8 none technical skills at Network Rail :-

Conscientiousness – the ability to work diligently, with a positive attitude and be willing to take responsibility for their own actions.
Relationships with People – the ability to work with others in the team in a positive, respectful and supportive manner; providing support and help when needed and managing conflict when required.
Communications – the ability to communicate both verbally and in written format clearly and concisely and to stand your ground as necessary.
Willingness and Ability to Learn – the ability and motivation to be trained, retain information, apply it in the work environment and learn and develop on the job.
Planning and Decision Making – the ability to anticipate, plan and prioritise activities.
Multi Task Capacity – the ability to successfully carry out more than one task at a time.
Controlled Under Pressure – the ability to cope in emergency or degraded situations.
Attention Management – the ability to remain alert and focussed, to manage distractions, and keep an awareness of the overall situation.

Thank you

 

[Tom Quinne]

Didcot G7 jobs now have a closing date of 19/11/19 (and have been open for weeks too), a mistake of course, or is Didcot impossible to staff/that bad

Very difficult to retain staff, it’s a great place to work - but it’s proximity to London and it’s stupidly expensive house prices ensure people have to commute from afar.

Of the 7 on my course, 24 months later only 2 remain at TVSC everyone else has moved on to closer locations to home.

On the last course at least 2 have also left Inside 18 months to move closer to home.

TVSC is probably your next chance of going in at least Grade 7 on the external list working your ticket the moving on.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Hi all

Great forum!

Seen this advertised and really looking if anyone can offer me some information...

Signaller
Grade: Signaller Grade SIG.2
Salary: £27,705 per annum
Location: Dorrington SB

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this signal box?

I have worked for the civil service for over 12 years and have a well paid secure job, what is the future of the Shropshire signal boxes?

Thanks everyone

No plans in CP6 2019-2024 to close any of the boxes on that line, I’d put money on them seeing out the next decade with ease.

 

[Llanigraham]

Hi all

Great forum!

Seen this advertised and really looking if anyone can offer me some information...

Signaller
Grade: Signaller Grade SIG.2
Salary: £27,705 per annum
Location: Dorrington SB

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this signal box?

I have worked for the civil service for over 12 years and have a well paid secure job, what is the future of the Shropshire signal boxes?

Thanks everyone

Was the Box I was taken on for but was moved to Bromfield before I started training.
8 hour shifts with the Box generally closed at night when it "switches out".
Absolute Block manual levers .
There is a cross over but I don't think it has ben used for sometime.
Open 7 days a week generally.

 

[Sugarpuff]

Very difficult to retain staff, it’s a great place to work - but it’s proximity to London and it’s stupidly expensive house prices ensure people have to commute from afar.

Of the 7 on my course, 24 months later only 2 remain at TVSC everyone else has moved on to closer locations to home.

On the last course at least 2 have also left Inside 18 months to move closer to home.

TVSC is probably your next chance of going in at least Grade 7 on the external list working your ticket the moving on.

Is it 12hrs there

 

[galaxynew]

That isn't relevant to this section.

In your opinion maybe, it is relevant to me and that is what a forum is for.

Not everything posted in it will be relevant or of interest to everyone using the forum, if it isn't just ignore it rather than post an irrelevant reply.