A career as a signaller

[Gooner18]

Because there is a vast difference between working a "straight up and down" Grade 2 with one train an hour, to a Grade 9 panel with a 14 platform station, different routes, and 60 trains an hour.

But surely the training is all the same , you could say the same for drivers, some have less demanding routes. But they all get paid the same

 

[TRain87]

But surely the training is all the same , you could say the same for drivers, some have less demanding routes. But they all get paid the same

As a driver, you're only in charge if 1 train while you drive it, whichever route you're on...

As a signaller, you have 1000s of people to look out for, potentially! Go to a grade 2 box, then go to a grade 9 box...and then say they deserve the same wage lol.

Training is same, and those that are bored in grade 2 box, will work their way up

 

[amanda08]

^^Not a lot, focus on the non-technical skills. The interview is centered around them

Brill, thanks. I’m focusing on the NTS, Safety Vision etc, just didn’t want to get caught out else where.

 

[Mi&Li]

Brill, thanks. I’m focusing on the NTS, Safety Vision etc, just didn’t want to get caught out else where.

I can’t say the same for every LOM and every interview. But the 2 interviews I’ve had I haven’t been asked any questions about the box in question or its routes

 

[headshot119]

But surely the training is all the same , you could say the same for drivers, some have less demanding routes. But they all get paid the same

Drivers don't all get paid the same though, every TOC / FOC pays a different wage.

 

[High Dyke]

Update - interview confirmed for next week! Now to really get my head down to prepare properly!

Jolly good. Best of luck.

 

[amanda08]

Jolly good. Best of luck.

Thank you!

 

[Llanigraham]

Hi all, I have been following this thread from afar for some time. I currently have a Skype interview next week for the Crossing Keeper job at Pantyffynnon (I failed to get an interview recently for the Kidwelly Signaller position advertised). Is anyone able to give me an idea of how long the job is likely to last? I have read that Pantyffynnon is due to close in 2020 but know that these dates move often and that is quite possibly incorrect... If the box was to close is the crossing keeper likely to remain? Finally, it seems that the shifts in this area are 12hr from what I have read. Can anyone tell me if they know that this is the case at Pantyffynnon? Many thanks in advance

Thought Panty was a Grade 2 signaller?

 

[Tom Quinne]

We tried that but a lot of the induction videos require you to be logged onto a network rail PC so couldn't complete the majority of it at this time

It doesn’t get any better either...

 

[Tom Quinne]

But surely the training is all the same , you could say the same for drivers, some have less demanding routes. But they all get paid the same

There’s 9 signalling grades, and a supervisor grade - a grade 1 is a single level crossing is it proportionate to pay that position is paid the same as grade 9 (typically large busy London area workstations) ?

There are obviously anomalies in the system, I know a grade 4 workstation width is much quieter than a local grade 3 SB.

The rules in school are same to a degree, there’s different courses you’ll be sent on depending on your ultimatum destination SB however.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Drivers don't all get paid the same though, every TOC / FOC pays a different wage.

Also some drivers don’t get trained in all modules of the rule book.

Heathrow Express dont or didn’t sign the level crossing modules, and obviously passenger drivers wont sign the T3 modules.

 

[Allaboard78]

To those external candidates currently applying for signalling jobs, can I ask what your notice period is in your current role.

 

[SiggysigAah]

To those external candidates currently applying for signalling jobs, can I ask what your notice period is in your current role.

Six weeks.

 

[Mi&Li]

To those external candidates currently applying for signalling jobs, can I ask what your notice period is in your current role.

Just 1 week for me, I’d give them as much as I could though.

 

[MylesHSG]

Again, just like to thank LOM for his/her massive contribution to this thread, answering many questions us in the grade are unable to. Very annoying to be agreeing with a LOM on a daily basis!

 

[Questiontime]

To those external candidates currently applying for signalling jobs, can I ask what your notice period is in your current role.

4 weeks I believe.

 

[Deanr1979]

To those external candidates currently applying for signalling jobs, can I ask what your notice period is in your current role.

4 weeks but under the current circumstances could maybe get away with less.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

4 weeks but under the current circumstances could maybe get away with less.

13 weeks

 

[MostlyHarmless]

12hrs = 17 days rising to 19 after 10 years service
8hrs = 25 rising to 27 after 10 years service

Base rosters with turns in between 8 and 12hrs are worked out according to an abstruse formula from the SRI.

How much annual leave do you get as a signaller? Are 8hr boxes different to 12hr? Thanks in advance.

I've just checked my contract that I received a couple of weeks ago and it says 28 days rising to 30 days after 10 years, but its more confusing than that it seems

Weeks of 5 turns (not necessarily of equal lengths) - 28 days leave
36 turns in 8 weeks - 25 days leave
Weeks of 4 turns (not necessarily of equal lengths) 22 days leave

I have no idea how that translates into 8 and 12 hour shifts - perhaps someone could shine some light on it!

 

[ILoveLamp]

To those external candidates currently applying for signalling jobs, can I ask what your notice period is in your current role.

Just one week for me too

 

[MrsP2010]

Thank you
Fingers firmly crossed here then !

I had an interview for one box and in the interview I was told there were 3 positions available at that box and possibly 1 at another and was asked if they d consider the other location too

 

[amanda08]

That's good to know, thanks

 

[MrsP2010]

Can anyone point me to where can I find more info about particular signal boxes? I’ve tried searching online for info about Oakham, but am coming up short. I want to make sure I’m as prepared as possible and of course, due to Covid, it is not possible to make a box visit.

i know it covers Birmingham to Peterborough line,and is used by EMR and Cross Country. I’m not sure how much more I would be expected to know?

Thanks

My husband is a signaller too so before my interview he managed to find quite a bit of “inside” information about the box. In fact I wasn’t asked one thing about my knowledge of the box. It was all about my past experiences and examples. Make sure you know the non-technical skills and have examples of where you’ve used them before. It shouldn’t matter if it’s the same scenario. My interviewers said they didn’t expect me to use different ones

 

[MrsP2010]

To those external candidates currently applying for signalling jobs, can I ask what your notice period is in your current role.

1 month

 

[Midlands_lad]

My husband is a signaller too so before my interview he managed to find quite a bit of “inside” information about the box. In fact I wasn’t asked one thing about my knowledge of the box. It was all about my past experiences and examples. Make sure you know the non-technical skills and have examples of where you’ve used them before. It shouldn’t matter if it’s the same scenario. My interviewers said they didn’t expect me to use different ones

I too was not asked any knowledge of the centre or anything to do with it in fact although I had researched it!
Make sure you know the non-technical skills and also the safety vision and the life saving rules.
I managed to use a different example for every non-technical skill that was asked, good luck!

 

[amanda08]

Thanks both! I'm equal measures nervous and excited lol

 

[MrsP2010]

Thanks both! I'm equal measures nervous and excited lol

Don’t be nervous! I actually went into the interview with a typed sheet with key facts I wanted to remember and a list of the NTS and a key word example against each. I explained what it was and said I didn’t want to forget anything. They were more than happy with this and I guess it showed I had done some homework

 

[MostlyHarmless]

My husband is a signaller too so before my interview he managed to find quite a bit of “inside” information about the box. In fact I wasn’t asked one thing about my knowledge of the box. It was all about my past experiences and examples. Make sure you know the non-technical skills and have examples of where you’ve used them before. It shouldn’t matter if it’s the same scenario. My interviewers said they didn’t expect me to use different ones

+1 for this.

For the 'have you got any questions for us...' bit at the end, its worth asking about the future plans for the signalbox you're applying for. e.g is it going to be closed and swallowed up by a ROC or whatever?

You'll find the interview quite relaxed and the interviewers friendly and helpful. Good luck!

 

[amanda08]

+1 for this.

For the 'have you got any questions for us...' bit at the end, its worth asking about the future plans for the signalbox you're applying for. e.g is it going to be closed and swallowed up by a ROC or whatever?

You'll find the interview quite relaxed and the interviewers friendly and helpful. Good luck!

Thank you. I sat a very similar interview (and passed) for a TM role last November, so I’m hoping that will stand me in good stead.

Great tip for the question to ask too - thanks!

 

[desrudy]

https://www.rssb.co.uk/standards an...spx?_id=4EB49A107BB142C4824B78499B319A15&_z=z

Do we , as apprentice , have access to the RSSB Rule Book App ?

Thanks