A career as a signaller

[baz962]

Probably better to rest your employees working in a safety critical role than the alternative to be fair.. although it sounds like they can end up with only a 6th of that rest, which is the polar opposite! I have a question though! Who covers the breaks in Single manned boxes??

Well I agree , but four hours. As a train driver I can have a minimum 40 minutes in a nine hour turn . Ok with changing ends etc , we don't drive the whole other eight , but still. Maybe I should be getting three hour breaks in then . Some
Hope
Lol.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Interesting how much variance there appears to be across different routes.

My last VDU box aimed for 4 x 60’ break per 12hrs on day turns (Sundays excepted) but could be as ‘little’ as 3 x 45’ if short-staffed (ie only one relief in). If no relief was available, the SSM would have to pitch in and we received an extra three hours’ pay (very much a local rostering agreement, before anyone asks!).

X4 1hr breaks per shift !!!! OMG!

 

[John Webb]

Many thanks to those who answered my query - interesting range of answers!

By the way, St Albans South is regularly open - see www.sigbox.co.uk for open dates - we have everything from LED and 1970s colour light signals to late C19 signals on display, most of them working; a museum on the ground floor of the box and the restored operating 1st floor with a 44 lever Midland Railway tumbler frame wired up to a computer simulator so we can demonstrate how the box used to work. We are currently the largest preserved MR box in the country, and one of the few preserved boxes standing where it worked next to a very busy main line. And it's FREE entry!!

 

[Mikesig]

Interesting how much variance there appears to be across different routes.

My last VDU box aimed for 4 x 60’ break per 12hrs on day turns (Sundays excepted) but could be as ‘little’ as 3 x 45’ if short-staffed (ie only one relief in). If no relief was available, the SSM would have to pitch in and we received an extra three hours’ pay (very much a local rostering agreement, before anyone asks!).

Our link has three signallers to cover 2 work stations. We rotate every four hours between WS1, WS2 and Meal relief/VDU so technically have 4 hours off the work stations in each 12 hour shift.
A similar local arrangement applies if only 2 signallers available, with the SSM pitching in and an extra 3 hours pay.

 

[Midlands_lad]

What sort of breaks would you usually get working 8 hour shifts?

 

[Mikesig]

What sort of breaks would you usually get working 8 hour shifts?

The only 8 hour shifts I've done were on an NX panel and we got one 50 minute meal break during the shift. I guess it would be different on a workstation with VDU regulations.

 

[Sunset route]

What sort of breaks would you usually get working 8 hour shifts?

What breaks if any you get, like any roster would be subject to what the local staff reps have managed to negotiate it will vary around the country and even within the same area. What one large control centre (ROC, SCC, PSB & ASC) might get could and probably is different to the next large control centre (ROC, SCC, PSB & ASC) along the line.

 

[nom de guerre]

By the way, St Albans South is regularly open - see www.sigbox.co.uk for open dates - we have everything from LED and 1970s colour light signals to late C19 signals on display, most of them working; a museum on the ground floor of the box and the restored operating 1st floor with a 44 lever Midland Railway tumbler frame wired up to a computer simulator so we can demonstrate how the box used to work. We are currently the largest preserved MR box in the country, and one of the few preserved boxes standing where it worked next to a very busy main line. And it's FREE entry!!

Thanks for the reminder, John. I’ve been meaning to pop up for a visit.

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Wow! 6 x G9’s have just gone up for Three Bridges. Currently scheduled to be up for a long time however it may well attract a lot of interest.

Anyone know any signallers that work at the ASC there?

 

[nom de guerre]

At least one regular contributor to this thread works there.

A quick read/search should reveal all...

 

[WoollyMammoth]

At least one regular contributor to this thread works there.

A quick read/search should reveal all...

yeah sorry mate I know who you mean. I’ve messaged them and I think there’s at least two.

 

[Tom Quinne]

It’s strange/telling that current signallers don’t want these high grade jobs, hence why they’ve gone external.

It’s the same across the country, not just 3TB.

 

[SiggysigAah]

It’s strange/telling that current signallers don’t want these high grade jobs, hence why they’ve gone external.

It’s the same across the country, not just 3TB.

Why do you think current signallers don’t want the high grade jobs?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Stress, poor working environment compared to a Panel location.

The extra few thousand isn’t really worth the much higher workload, ROCS in inconvenient locations compared to panels and classic locations.

 

[High Dyke]

Stress, poor working environment compared to a Panel location.

The extra few thousand isn’t really worth the much higher workload, ROCS in inconvenient locations compared to panels and classic locations.

Add to that 'computer game' signalling isn't a proper job. That's what a lever frame is for.

 

[WoollyMammoth]

As an external I guess we don’t really know the difference. I was surprised that these jobs went out!

 

[Tom Quinne]

Add to that 'computer game' signalling isn't a proper job. That's what a lever frame is for.

LOL, well yes..

Depends which version you get to play with though, IECC Scaleable is too notch compared to tracker ball WestCad which is pants.

MCS isn’t bad, but not as good as Scaleable.

 

[Tom Quinne]

As an external I guess we don’t really know the difference. I was surprised that these jobs went out!

Well no your right, they’re fantastic opportunities for a off the street person to get into the grade, especially on such a busy route - you’ll experience things in 12 months you’d struggle to in 12 years at a small box - absolutely no disrespect to the boys in classic SBs intended.

 

[High Dyke]

LOL, well yes..

Depends which version you get to play with though, IECC Scaleable is too notch compared to tracker ball WestCad which is pants.

MCS isn’t bad, but not as good as Scaleable.

Funnily enough, it was WestCad I was thinking of. I work a mixture of lever frame, NX panel and Individual switch panels. I have encountered WestCad, but my usage and experience of it is limited.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Thankfully so is mine, lucky I changed links before I signed to many desk with it.

 

[Signaller2020]

Good morning all.

Does anybody know if Rugby is an 8 hr or 12 hr roster?

I am considering applying for the grade 8 future opportunities based at Rugby but as it is just over 2 hours away I would have to relocate.

It is something that I am potentially willing to do, but having a 5 month old baby my partner may be more reluctant for such a big life change. Therefore the number of rest days could prove pivitol to enable us to come back 'home' to spend time with family and friends.

Relocation hasn't been something that I originally considered but it is a career I really want.

Has anybody else here relocated to get into the grade? How did you find the change and was it easy to settle?

Cheers

 

[Gallius]

Good morning all.

Does anybody know if Rugby is an 8 hr or 12 hr roster?

I am considering applying for the grade 8 future opportunities based at Rugby but as it is just over 2 hours away I would have to relocate.

It is something that I am potentially willing to do, but having a 5 month old baby my partner may be more reluctant for such a big life change. Therefore the number of rest days could prove pivitol to enable us to come back 'home' to spend time with family and friends.

Relocation hasn't been something that I originally considered but it is a career I really want.

Has anybody else here relocated to get into the grade? How did you find the change and was it easy to settle?

Cheers

I'm due to start there soon, pending pre employment checks, and will be relocating to do so. When I went there to visit I was told the roster is currently a mix of 8hrs and 12s on the weekend. However, it was also mentioned that the roster may be changing at the beginning of next year which will be put to a vote so it could well be different by the time you started, if you decided to apply.

 

[Signaller2020]

I'm due to start there soon, pending pre employment checks, and will be relocating to do so. When I went there to visit I was told the roster is currently a mix of 8hrs and 12s on the weekend. However, it was also mentioned that the roster may be changing at the beginning of next year which will be put to a vote so it could well be different by the time you started, if you decided to apply.

Thank you! If I was to be successful but a job closer to home came up prior to my start at Rugby could I still apply for the other job or would that be frowned upon?

Just out of interest Gallius, what part of Rugby will you be relocating to?

 

[Gallius]

Thank you! If I was to be successful but a job closer to home came up prior to my start at Rugby could I still apply for the other job or would that be frowned upon?

Just out of interest Gallius, what part of Rugby will you be relocating to?

I don't think there is anything to stop you applying for more than one job. Once I'd accepted a formal offer though I personally wouldn't apply for anything else.

I'm waiting for confirmation of background checks being conplete and a firm start date before I finalise accommodation but I'm planning to rent for around a year and then look to buy so I'm not too fussy about which area I live in initially. I've been looking at places in Rugby and surrounding areas, anywhere within about 30 mins drive and reading online message boards to get an idea of areas to avoid.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Wow! 6 x G9’s have just gone up for Three Bridges. Currently scheduled to be up for a long time however it may well attract a lot of interest.

Anyone know any signallers that work at the ASC there?

I've thrown my hat in for this as its just just a mile away from me. I know a couple of people at TBROC but I gather the ASC is quite a different environment

 

[Sunset route]

I've thrown my hat in for this as its just just a mile away from me. I know a couple of people at TBROC but I gather the ASC is quite a different environment

Wishing you good luck, and you could say that, very much Chalk and Cheese in the set up, technology, atmosphere and culture.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Wishing you good luck, and you could say that, very much Chalk and Cheese in the set up, technology, atmosphere and culture.

Thank you. I know that TBROC work 12 hour shifts but I'm not sure about the ASC - do you happen to know by any chance?

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Thank you. I know that TBROC work 12 hour shifts but I'm not sure about the ASC - do you happen to know by any chance?

It’s a mixture of 8 and 12 hrs mate!

 

[MostlyHarmless]

It’s a mixture of 8 and 12 hrs mate!

Ah cheers. Is that a mixture of 8 and 12 hour shifts for a single shift pattern (e.g. 12 hours on weekends) or separate 8 and 12 hour shift patterns?

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Sorry I should have been more specific, two separate shift patterns consisting of either 8 or 12 hours.