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A career as a signaller

Highlandspring

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Joined
14 Oct 2017
Messages
2,778
The assessments are administered by an external companyand they have a nu,ber of practice examples online - https://www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests

You’re looking for the Situational Judgement Test, the Verbal Reasoning Test and the Numerical Reasoning Test.

Ps. As a signaller the only percentage you’ll ever work out is your flexibility premium.
 
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R

RailUK Forums

Joined
1 Mar 2018
Messages
988
Thank you MostlyHarmless.

That is a great help.

The time for the verbal reasoning worries me though, I am not a quick reader. The maths one is more in my comfort zone as that has always been a strong point for me.

Your comment about Flash Player has me worried though, I only have a Chromebook and know it can be a little quirky sometimes. Looks like a trip to see my daughter to use her PC to make sure I can complete everything correctly.

You're welcome...

The practice tests will show if flash is working or not so give those a try first of all.

As for the verbal reasoning, I'm not sure if you're expected to complete them all or not. I managed to with seconds to spare but then I didn't finish the numerical tests!
 

galaxynew

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2017
Messages
128
If you get chance and as others have suggested do try the practice tests a few times, preferably over 2 or 3 days.

This 100% helps and gives you a good idea of the type of questions and how to get the correct answers, not sure if this is good advice or not but on the verbal reasoning i found it was not always necessary to read it thoroughly first. Look at the question, see where it refers to that in the text and determine which of the multiple choice answers is relevant.

I am also pretty sure that the practice tests are more difficult than the live tests
 

karlos

Member
Joined
29 Sep 2018
Messages
16
Not sure if this has already been posted but there's a Grade 3 post up for Fiddlers Ferry.

It's main purpose is controlling access to the power station. The station has already had 3 of its 4 generating sets shut down and it can't be long before the other goes as we further abandon coal.

If the station closes fully how likely is it that the box goes as well or would it live on as a block post?
 

Chaz T

Member
Joined
6 Jun 2019
Messages
41
Location
The Shire
Many thanks to Highlandspring, MostlyHarmless, and Galaxynew

Your advice and guidance has been invaluable.

I will get cracking with the practice test as soon as I can shift this bloody headache.
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
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8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
Not sure if this has already been posted but there's a Grade 3 post up for Fiddlers Ferry.

It's main purpose is controlling access to the power station. The station has already had 3 of its 4 generating sets shut down and it can't be long before the other goes as we further abandon coal.

If the station closes fully how likely is it that the box goes as well or would it live on as a block post?


I think until such a time arrives when the line is removed the SB will stay open and be manned, there’s locations around the country fully manned that don’t see a train, Claydon NE on the old East / West Line in Buckinghamshire spring to mind.

Probably reduced to day and Mon-Sat turns into but still staffed.
 

nr_signaller

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Joined
6 Feb 2011
Messages
94
My partner works at claydon tho is due to start in a much busier box but yes it is a quiet box still manned on a Nightshift but closed on a weekend
 

Chris R

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Joined
6 Jun 2019
Messages
7
Can anyone tell me what sort of unsocial hours enhancement a grade 3 signaller job would likely attract?
 

Highlandspring

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Joined
14 Oct 2017
Messages
2,778
Can anyone tell me what sort of unsocial hours enhancement a grade 3 signaller job would likely attract?
Nightshift premium works out as £14.14 for a grade 3 paid as a single payment for each turn worked between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00.
 

Rockhopper

Member
Joined
29 Apr 2019
Messages
736
My partner works at claydon tho is due to start in a much busier box but yes it is a quiet box still manned on a Nightshift but closed on a weekend
Could you ask him how he keeps focused during his shifts with nothing much to do?
 

Habitat

Member
Joined
17 Nov 2016
Messages
88
Hi all. Just come across this forum after applying for a Grade 2 position at Heckington in Lincolnshire and then deciding to do a little more research about the role.

I had already read a number of posts on other sites that generally rate the company and the job as good.

I have seen a couple of people on here have already applied for this post earlier in the year. I can't quite figure out why the job advert has been running for so long. Surely it isn't that difficult to find a suitable candidate in Lincolnshire?

I apllied for it earlier this year.
Passed the online tests but didn't get offered an interview.
Then Hubberts Bridge box came up, so I applied for that and got it (medical next week).

I have obviously seen that the Heckington box has been readvertised, but don't know why.
One guess would be that the chosen candidate failed on disclosure checks, medical, etc or changed their mind.
Are you local to it?
Best get on your daughters PC this weekend and smash the online tests!
Good luck!
 

Chaz T

Member
Joined
6 Jun 2019
Messages
41
Location
The Shire
I apllied for it earlier this year.
Passed the online tests but didn't get offered an interview.
Then Hubberts Bridge box came up, so I applied for that and got it (medical next week).

I have obviously seen that the Heckington box has been readvertised, but don't know why.
One guess would be that the chosen candidate failed on disclosure checks, medical, etc or changed their mind.
Are you local to it?
Best get on your daughters PC this weekend and smash the online tests!
Good luck!

Thanks Habitat.

Yes, Heckington is local to me. Well, local in Lincolnshire terms - about 20 miles away, but I see that as acceptable as I used to travel further in the past. 20 miles each way from just the other side of Horncastle up over the Wolds, past Cadwell, and out to Manby. An interesting drive in the winter when the snow was down.

The sums add up OK with regards to the travelling costs and the route out past Metheringham is not a bad drive even in the winter. I can even opt to go though Kyme if I get bored of the A17.

As you are going in the Hubberts Bridge box do you know what the shifts are like and the level of traffic? If I can get an interview I would like to be able to demonstrate that I have done my homework about the role and line I hope to be on.

I take it that the medical is the last bit before training?
 

Rockhopper

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Joined
29 Apr 2019
Messages
736
Don’t forget when looking at fairly remote locations that you could be changing shifts at stupid o’clock in the morning or dark o’clock at night when road conditions could be significantly worse than they might be during rush hour. Also public transport might not be an option at those times.
My most recent application is easily within cycling distance for me but my first one is 20 miles away through fairly isolated countryside - lovely in summer but a nightmare in snow!
 

Habitat

Member
Joined
17 Nov 2016
Messages
88
Thanks Habitat.

Yes, Heckington is local to me. Well, local in Lincolnshire terms - about 20 miles away, but I see that as acceptable as I used to travel further in the past. 20 miles each way from just the other side of Horncastle up over the Wolds, past Cadwell, and out to Manby. An interesting drive in the winter when the snow was down.

The sums add up OK with regards to the travelling costs and the route out past Metheringham is not a bad drive even in the winter. I can even opt to go though Kyme if I get bored of the A17.

As you are going in the Hubberts Bridge box do you know what the shifts are like and the level of traffic? If I can get an interview I would like to be able to demonstrate that I have done my homework about the role and line I hope to be on.

I take it that the medical is the last bit before training?

Hubberts Bridge is 8hr roster with no nights and two trains per hour.
It's a 5 minute drive for me or a bit longer by bike.
If you get an interview, ask to visit Heckington as part of your research.

Yes the medical is the last part of the application process.

Good luck with the online tests!
 

Jaysub

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
151
Anyone get interview for haslemere and bognor...received the unsuccessful email today
 

Chaz T

Member
Joined
6 Jun 2019
Messages
41
Location
The Shire
Don’t forget when looking at fairly remote locations that you could be changing shifts at stupid o’clock in the morning or dark o’clock at night when road conditions could be significantly worse than they might be during rush hour. Also public transport might not be an option at those times.
My most recent application is easily within cycling distance for me but my first one is 20 miles away through fairly isolated countryside - lovely in summer but a nightmare in snow!

Rockhopper - This is Lincolnshire. What's public transport? Travelling a distance in all weathers is just part and parcel of living in a very rural county. I grew up with it. The main initial shock for me will be actually having to get in the car to go to work. Although I live in a village miles from Lincoln, I have been walking to work for nearly 20 years.
 
Joined
23 May 2019
Messages
61
Thanks Habitat.

Yes, Heckington is local to me. Well, local in Lincolnshire terms - about 20 miles away, but I see that as acceptable as I used to travel further in the past. 20 miles each way from just the other side of Horncastle up over the Wolds, past Cadwell, and out to Manby. An interesting drive in the winter when the snow was down.

The sums add up OK with regards to the travelling costs and the route out past Metheringham is not a bad drive even in the winter. I can even opt to go though Kyme if I get bored of the A17.

As you are going in the Hubberts Bridge box do you know what the shifts are like and the level of traffic? If I can get an interview I would like to be able to demonstrate that I have done my homework about the role and line I hope to be on.

I take it that the medical is the last bit before training?
The shifts are approximately 6-2 and 2-22hrs
 

Chaz T

Member
Joined
6 Jun 2019
Messages
41
Location
The Shire
Does anyone have any insight as to why the 3 x Grade 2 roles at Kirton Lime Sidings are not on the Network Rail careers site? I can only find them being advertised on Indeed but the application process takes you back to Network Rail.
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
I’ve found the same thing. Just shows how shambolic the whole process is!

No less shambolic than being placed in a talent pool for 18 months then being dumped like a hot rock with literally nothing at the end (trainee driver positions).

At least with NWR if your talent pooled you will get a job - maybe if you find the process so rubbish the job isn’t for you ?

Beware Recruitment bods have been known to watch these threads....
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
Does anyone have any insight as to why the 3 x Grade 2 roles at Kirton Lime Sidings are not on the Network Rail careers site? I can only find them being advertised on Indeed but the application process takes you back to Network Rail.

The only recruitment site that is 100% reliable is the official Network Rail portal.
 

Garion

Member
Joined
5 Jun 2019
Messages
6
Does anyone have any insight as to why the 3 x Grade 2 roles at Kirton Lime Sidings are not on the Network Rail careers site? I can only find them being advertised on Indeed but the application process takes you back to Network Rail.

If you search by location, they don’t seem to appear however if you search all signaller jobs, it is there.
 

Jaysub

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
151
Hey everyone,i want to re-take 2 of my tests,is that something anyone has done before...

My scores are not high enough and every job im applying for,im always getting unsuccessful after wait for ass 2???
 

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