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York Signalling School

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J-P

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28 Sep 2019
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12
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Kent
I came from 'off the street' when I joined...sat in a class with people who were throwing around train acronyms for fun...at the time I even had to ask what the 3rd rail was! But after I spoke up that I had no train knowledge, others opened up too! And as previously stated, if you take notes in class and apply yourself at a normal standard, and do some after school revision back at the hotel and go to your simulator sessions...the course is fine! I too was worried about losing the job and being unemployed...guys don't worry. They want you to pass and have a career...network rail invest ALOT of money to each candidate, it's in their best interest you pass, but they won't do it without you applying yourself and working hard.

Another great bit of advice - set up a WhatsApp group the first week you are there...then when going over your notes, ask questions, test your colleagues and don't struggle in silence!

Good luck to all going through it, or due to start soon!

This is a fantastic response TRain87
For someone starting next month this is exactly what I was hoping someone would say so thanks
 
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JohnGannon4

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5 Nov 2019
Messages
11
Location
Doncaster
I came from 'off the street' when I joined...sat in a class with people who were throwing around train acronyms for fun...at the time I even had to ask what the 3rd rail was! But after I spoke up that I had no train knowledge, others opened up too! And as previously stated, if you take notes in class and apply yourself at a normal standard, and do some after school revision back at the hotel and go to your simulator sessions...the course is fine! I too was worried about losing the job and being unemployed...guys don't worry. They want you to pass and have a career...network rail invest ALOT of money to each candidate, it's in their best interest you pass, but they won't do it without you applying yourself and working hard.

My daily routine was shower, breakfast with other signallers in hotel, walk to school (clear the head before it was crammed), school and taking notes in a way I understood, walk home (again to de-clutter your brain), then nap/shower/gym/chill, go for dinner with other signallers from your course then after dinner go and read my notes or rewrite them so they were fresh, iron my clothes for the next day and repeat...for 9 weeks! Now I know its 12 weeks.

Another great bit of advice - set up a WhatsApp group the first week you are there...then when going over your notes, ask questions, test your colleagues and don't struggle in silence!

Good luck to all going through it, or due to start soon!
Thanks, that’s a great bit of advice. I am looking forward to a start date but I have this massive fear of failure mentality at the minute and can’t stop worrying about losing the job. I know when I get started I’ll be very passionate about it, so I’ll certainly be trying my best to succeed.
 

Dave 5-5-5

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Joined
23 Sep 2019
Messages
21
Location
Grimsby
Hi Dave.

How are you finding the course? I’ve heard it’s really intense and rather information overload at times. It is a little concerning for me as I’m worried about not passing the exams in the signal school and then not having a job. Is it a hard course would you say?

Hi, it's a hard course, but as Tom Quinne said, if you pay attention and do the revision, it's fairly easy.

I worry about being booted out even if you fail twice - I don’t recommend trying it though!

If you work hard in class, do the required after class revision you’ll be fine.

There is a certain degree of leniency depending on your instructor. If you make a minor slip up, they'll an extra bit of test at you. I made a minor error on assessment two but as I'd demonstrated that I knew it and had done it several times, they threw an extra bit at me to check and passed. If you pass on something heavy, they reschedule you for a second go the following morning. Unless you do something that could be catastrophic in a signal box, they'll give you up to 3 goes, then discuss things with you and your manager. The written assessments are fairly straight forward. 100 marks, you have to score 60/65/70% across the three.
The final observation is done by someone you don't know. It takes about 2 hours and mimics a shift where normal trains run and things go a little bit wrong. Could be a lost tail light, no call back from a user worked crossing, level crossing failure etc.
That last one is pass of fail, the fail can come in several forms including a note to your manager with further training required that can be done in your box with a qualified signaller, or you may be asked to repeat a week or two. They don't really like funding someone 12 weeks of hotels, food and training to have them not come through it and I'm finding they will bend over their own backsides to help you through.
 

Dave 5-5-5

Member
Joined
23 Sep 2019
Messages
21
Location
Grimsby
I came from 'off the street' when I joined...sat in a class with people who were throwing around train acronyms for fun...at the time I even had to ask what the 3rd rail was! But after I spoke up that I had no train knowledge, others opened up too! And as previously stated, if you take notes in class and apply yourself at a normal standard, and do some after school revision back at the hotel and go to your simulator sessions...the course is fine! I too was worried about losing the job and being unemployed...guys don't worry. They want you to pass and have a career...network rail invest ALOT of money to each candidate, it's in their best interest you pass, but they won't do it without you applying yourself and working hard.

My daily routine was shower, breakfast with other signallers in hotel, walk to school (clear the head before it was crammed), school and taking notes in a way I understood, walk home (again to de-clutter your brain), then nap/shower/gym/chill, go for dinner with other signallers from your course then after dinner go and read my notes or rewrite them so they were fresh, iron my clothes for the next day and repeat...for 9 weeks! Now I know its 12 weeks.

Another great bit of advice - set up a WhatsApp group the first week you are there...then when going over your notes, ask questions, test your colleagues and don't struggle in silence!

Good luck to all going through it, or due to start soon!

Yup, agree with that, I'm here now, not fresh off the street, I have 20 years experience of signalling on heritage lines, and my biggest issue is bringing what I was taught up to date and not slipping back into the old ways. Luckily there is no one on the course who thinks they know it all and I started with a mindset I shall keep my trap shut so as not to influence the other trainees and if I have anything to discuss with the trainer about the way things were in relation to how they are now I wait until the others are out of the room.
 

MylesHSG

Member
Joined
3 Oct 2016
Messages
181
Hi Dave.

How are you finding the course? I’ve heard it’s really intense and rather information overload at times. It is a little concerning for me as I’m worried about not passing the exams in the signal school and then not having a job. Is it a hard course would you say?

I started signalling school 3 years ago with many of the same worries. Remember, if you have passed the tests and interview you are capable at passing the course. Obviously you will need to apply yourself, but you have got this far and your manager thinks you are the best person to fill that vacancy.

You'll build up a relationship with the others on your course. You'll find yourselves doing some after class studying and simulator work. Feel free to pop me a PM if you have any other questions. Remember to try and relax at the weekends when you are home and an hour or 2 every evening is more than enough outside of the classroom.
 

JohnGannon4

Member
Joined
5 Nov 2019
Messages
11
Location
Doncaster
I started signalling school 3 years ago with many of the same worries. Remember, if you have passed the tests and interview you are capable at passing the course. Obviously you will need to apply yourself, but you have got this far and your manager thinks you are the best person to fill that vacancy.

You'll build up a relationship with the others on your course. You'll find yourselves doing some after class studying and simulator work. Feel free to pop me a PM if you have any other questions. Remember to try and relax at the weekends when you are home and an hour or 2 every evening is more than enough outside of the classroom.

Thank you for that. That’s great to know. By the sounds of it I’ll definitely get the support I’ll need from my manager and hopefully my tutors. I’m also finding this forum really helpful. My mind has certainly been put at ease over the last few days.
 

Saracen_83

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Joined
22 Oct 2017
Messages
475
I started signalling school 3 years ago with many of the same worries. Remember, if you have passed the tests and interview you are capable at passing the course. Obviously you will need to apply yourself, but you have got this far and your manager thinks you are the best person to fill that vacancy.

You'll build up a relationship with the others on your course. You'll find yourselves doing some after class studying and simulator work. Feel free to pop me a PM if you have any other questions. Remember to try and relax at the weekends when you are home and an hour or 2 every evening is more than enough outside of the classroom.

exactly this...

Our tutor was very good and actually told us to go and have a life outside of school... as mentioned an hour or two an evening is more than enough...

we were advised to do an hour or two an evening and then go an relax, see the city and at weekends be with the family.
Which is what I did... complete my day at school, go and do some revision then go and relax, weather be go to the gym, or go and do something in town, like a ghost tour, walk the wall, see the cathedral etc, do an escape room, anything that was the opposite of signalling.... This wasn’t every night, maybe once or twice a week, but you need to relax and need to have some down time to give your mind time to process the info that you have taken in.... otherwise you’ll go mad!!!

at weekends I spent as much time with the family as I could and used the train rides to do some extra revision....

Most importantly, enjoy it....
 

J-P

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Joined
28 Sep 2019
Messages
12
Location
Kent
Can anyone tell me how long before Signalling School starts you get all the info about accommodation, tickets etc?
 

Dave 5-5-5

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Joined
23 Sep 2019
Messages
21
Location
Grimsby
Can anyone tell me how long before Signalling School starts you get all the info about accommodation, tickets etc?
It really does vary J-P. Some of the people on my course have been employed since July, one other who has worked for NWR for a while moved to signalling and was basically told the week for. I myself, started on Monday, informed that Wednesday I was travelling to Westwood to begin training school. Bit of a surprise.
If you're in the process, book your medical immediately wherever you can, once it's done and if a space opens, you can find yourself on the course with very little notice.
 

J-P

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28 Sep 2019
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Location
Kent
It really does vary J-P. Some of the people on my course have been employed since July, one other who has worked for NWR for a while moved to signalling and was basically told the week for. I myself, started on Monday, informed that Wednesday I was travelling to Westwood to begin training school. Bit of a surprise.
If you're in the process, book your medical immediately wherever you can, once it's done and if a space opens, you can find yourself on the course with very little notice.

I've already been told I'm on the 2nd December course in York, and start employment a few days prior to that, but just wondered when they ask you where you'll be travelling from in order for them to book your tickets and book you I to a hotel etc
 

Dave 5-5-5

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23 Sep 2019
Messages
21
Location
Grimsby
I've already been told I'm on the 2nd December course in York, and start employment a few days prior to that, but just wondered when they ask you where you'll be travelling from in order for them to book your tickets and book you I to a hotel etc
I literally went in on the Monday, did some paperwork, then was informed I was going to Tile Hill for training. Train Tickets same day, found out hotel on the Tuesday, on the train on Wednesday.
 

J-P

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2019
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12
Location
Kent
I literally went in on the Monday, did some paperwork, then was informed I was going to Tile Hill for training. Train Tickets same day, found out hotel on the Tuesday, on the train on Wednesday.

Wow okay, so much for my love of preparedness
Thanks for the answer mate, much appreciated
 

Ss88

New Member
Joined
15 Nov 2019
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1
Location
Colchester
I've already been told I'm on the 2nd December course in York, and start employment a few days prior to that, but just wondered when they ask you where you'll be travelling from in order for them to book your tickets and book you I to a hotel etc

Hi,

As also due to start on 2nd Dec, start employment on 25th Nov. I did have to chase up to double check my joining instructions etc as I’d not had 100% confirmation of everything.

I ended up speaking to the Hiring Manager which was the Operations Manager for the area and once spoken to it was all sorted very quickly. I have an induction up in York on 28th and 29th and train and hotel all booked for that. I’ll get further once I’ve started on the 25th I think.
 
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J-P

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2019
Messages
12
Location
Kent
Hi,

As also due to start on 2nd Dec, start employment on 25th Nov. I did have to chase up to double check my joining instructions etc as I’d not had 100% confirmation of everything.

I ended up speaking to the Hiring Manager which was the Operations Manager for the area and once spoken to it was all sorted very quickly. I have an induction up in York on 28th and 29th and train and hotel all booked for that. I’ll get further once I’ve started on the 25th I think.

No worries I'll give them a chase up on Monday I think.
Onboarding have already acknowledged my start date as well as my manager, I'm just worried that they'll book the tickets from the nearest station to my current address which is due to change in a few days time as I'm moving.
 

MOM67

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Joined
6 Mar 2019
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31
I have this massive fear of failure mentality

I have met many people who are due to start at Signalling School ( I often deputise into a LOM role) and tell each of them the same things.

1. Signalling School is NOT a competition. You do NOT get a medal for finishing first.
2. It IS Pass/ Fail
3. Some people will understand a topic you are discussing, some won't. Do not be afraid/ashamed/too nervous to ask for someone else's help.
4. If you are fortunate enough to be one of those people who 'gets it' , give up your time to help the ones who don't ; next topic, it might be YOU who needs the help.
5. You are all in it together. Signallers should be able to talk to each other ; that is how the job has worked for many, many years. As a LOM there is nothing better than hearing a Signaller ask another " Do you think it's right if I.....?"

Get failure out of your head. You won't fail if you all work together.
 

Dave 5-5-5

Member
Joined
23 Sep 2019
Messages
21
Location
Grimsby
I have met many people who are due to start at Signalling School ( I often deputise into a LOM role) and tell each of them the same things.

1. Signalling School is NOT a competition. You do NOT get a medal for finishing first.
2. It IS Pass/ Fail
3. Some people will understand a topic you are discussing, some won't. Do not be afraid/ashamed/too nervous to ask for someone else's help.
4. If you are fortunate enough to be one of those people who 'gets it' , give up your time to help the ones who don't ; next topic, it might be YOU who needs the help.
5. You are all in it together. Signallers should be able to talk to each other ; that is how the job has worked for many, many years. As a LOM there is nothing better than hearing a Signaller ask another " Do you think it's right if I.....?"

Get failure out of your head. You won't fail if you all work together.
very good advice, I have experience from elsewhere regarding signalling so I tend to distance myself from the other students, not because I think I know it all, I know I don't, but I don't want my past activities and knowledge impacting on them. So far I'm guilty of introducing the term "Stepping Down" to the group which is no longer taught. I tend to keep my trap shut in class now and wait until break to discuss updates with the tutor because he has an interest in how things were before he started signalling. So far the only issue I've had is rearranging Obstruction Danger. I will happily discuss and offer advice to the other students if they don't fully understand something, we were having a discussion over whatsap about line blockages the other night.

So far, out of a group of 12, 8 failed their first assessment (normal mode of signalling), on minor things, passed on their second attempt. 2 failed second assessment (obstruction danger), passed second attempt, 12/12 passed their first written assessment with above 88% marks (pass mark is 60%).

Failure is a possibility, but it seems to be fairly rare. No one is causing any concern on our group, 12 people, 1 has old signalling experience, 1 was a driver on an unsignalled heritage railway, one who was in Rosters and 9 off the street.
 

Habitat

Member
Joined
17 Nov 2016
Messages
88
I'm in week 3 at York.
It's an amazing learning facility with passionate WDS.
I look forward to meeting each of you when you start on the 2 Dec and maybe also on the Thurs/Fri before when you come over for your Babcock induction.
Don't worry about anything, just look forward to your exciting future.
I found these forums a great help so keep reading them and post any questions.
 

JohnGannon4

Member
Joined
5 Nov 2019
Messages
11
Location
Doncaster
I have met many people who are due to start at Signalling School ( I often deputise into a LOM role) and tell each of them the same things.

1. Signalling School is NOT a competition. You do NOT get a medal for finishing first.
2. It IS Pass/ Fail
3. Some people will understand a topic you are discussing, some won't. Do not be afraid/ashamed/too nervous to ask for someone else's help.
4. If you are fortunate enough to be one of those people who 'gets it' , give up your time to help the ones who don't ; next topic, it might be YOU who needs the help.
5. You are all in it together. Signallers should be able to talk to each other ; that is how the job has worked for many, many years. As a LOM there is nothing better than hearing a Signaller ask another " Do you think it's right if I.....?"

Get failure out of your head. You won't fail if you all work together.
Thanks for another great piece of advice. I am starting to get slightly excited about my future now. I’m a passionate person so hope my determination can get me through and then I can gradually develop into a good signaller. I suppose it’s like any new trade, learn and develop.

Thanks again for the advice.
 

Dave 5-5-5

Member
Joined
23 Sep 2019
Messages
21
Location
Grimsby
I'm in week 3 at York.
It's an amazing learning facility with passionate WDS.
I look forward to meeting each of you when you start on the 2 Dec and maybe also on the Thurs/Fri before when you come over for your Babcock induction.
Don't worry about anything, just look forward to your exciting future.
I found these forums a great help so keep reading them and post any questions.

I have just done the week 6 assessment. I take it you have a fortnight home in December as well for Christmas?
 

JohnGannon4

Member
Joined
5 Nov 2019
Messages
11
Location
Doncaster
Can anyone help? I’ve just got a job in Doncaster and haven’t yet had a start date for signal school. Will I be doing a TCB course (buttons) or a full lever course? Doncaster is button only so wasn’t sure what course I’d be on.
 

Stodge

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Joined
1 Feb 2019
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Location
Newcastle,
Someone will probably correct me as I'm away to Block school this Monday coming. But I think you do a 12 week absolute block course and then another week for track circuit block conversion training.
 

headshot119

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Joined
31 Dec 2010
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Dubai
Someone will probably correct me as I'm away to Block school this Monday coming. But I think you do a 12 week absolute block course and then another week for track circuit block conversion training.

The question was asked in two threads, I already replied to it as below.

You could in theory do a "straight" TCB course which is 12 weeks long, or an AB course, with one week TCB conversion course. You'll do whatever they can get you I'd expect.
 

headshot119

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Thank you for that, still doesn’t really answer the question though really but thanks for the advice.

The only person who can tell you for sure which you'll be doing is your LOM, so it'd be best to ask them. With you going to a box that doesn't need AB, you could do AB+TCB (13 weeks total), or just TCB (12 weeks total)
 

JohnGannon4

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Joined
5 Nov 2019
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11
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Thank you for that, still doesn’t really answer the question though really but thanks for the advice.
The only person who can tell you for sure which you'll be doing is your LOM, so it'd be best to ask them. With you going to a box that doesn't need AB, you could do AB+TCB (13 weeks total), or just TCB (12 weeks total)
Thank you. I’ll do that next week.
 

Somersaults

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14 Jan 2020
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Boston
Hi all, just joined the forum and found this thread - due to start 3rd Feb and hoping I will be told I have got York as its definitely the easiest school to travel to from here, and having been born in Yorkshire it will be a bit like a homecoming. A bit apprehensive as I am 'getting on a bit' but based on the replies above it seems the secret is to help each other thro the course, and one of my ex work colleagues completed his training at Westwood last year and said that the friends he made in the group really helped with the studying and unwinding as well. Already know I will have to do AB+TCB as the box I am training for uses both methods - so lots to learn I reckon. A new chapter beckons :)
 

Somersaults

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And finally confirmed by my manager today .... its York :) See anyone there who is starting on 10/02 ...... except I have now been told i am off to Westwood instead :( 2nd week on the job and will be sent to Coventry instead - LOL
 
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JohnGannon4

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Location
Doncaster
And finally confirmed by my manager today .... its York :) See anyone there who is starting on 10/02 ...... except I have now been told i am off to Westwood instead :( 2nd week on the job and will be sent to Coventry instead - LOL
How’s the course going Somersaults?
 
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