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A career as a signaller

Kraken

Member
Joined
22 Mar 2020
Messages
247
Location
Lincolnshire
“Welcome to the ROC” sounds so sinister, many a Alcatraz prisoner heard the same think I expect....

“Welcome to the Pebble” sounds so much more 2020, all light and lovely.

Hopefully they won’t end up consolidating all the ROCs into a Boulder.
 
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89jordanbj

Member
Joined
16 Dec 2019
Messages
208
Location
Newport
Would your plan be to do this permanently or just as a stopgap until you can move to the area?
I wouldn't be against eventually making it a permanent move, but at this present moment my partner and I have an 8 month old baby and rely on family for childcare so that we can work.

I've had a think about it logically and with Paignton being a seaside town it may be hard during the high season to find a consistent place to stay and prices I imagine would go through the roof. Along with the travel costs, at grade 2 salary it may be a step too far given the cost of accommodation during peak season.

I have noticed 7x Didcot positions have gone external - would make more sense applying for these as it is closer to where I live and it MAY be cheaper accommodation until a more permanent move.
 

Tom Quinne

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8 Jul 2017
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2,225
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I wouldn't be against eventually making it a permanent move, but at this present moment my partner and I have an 8 month old baby and rely on family for childcare so that we can work.

I've had a think about it logically and with Paignton being a seaside town it may be hard during the high season to find a consistent place to stay and prices I imagine would go through the roof. Along with the travel costs, at grade 2 salary it may be a step too far given the cost of accommodation during peak season.

I have noticed 7x Didcot positions have gone external - would make more sense applying for these as it is closer to where I live and it MAY be cheaper accommodation until a more permanent move.

Didcot and the surrounds definitely won’t be cheaper to rent, however there is a secure car park at TVSC and it’s acceptable practice staff lodge in campers and the like in the car park.

Drop me a line if you wish.

TVSC will also give you huge experience in a very short time, which will set you up very well for future moves.
 

LOM

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26 Dec 2019
Messages
405
Location
Been and gone.
I wouldn't be against eventually making it a permanent move, but at this present moment my partner and I have an 8 month old baby and rely on family for childcare so that we can work.

I've had a think about it logically and with Paignton being a seaside town it may be hard during the high season to find a consistent place to stay and prices I imagine would go through the roof. Along with the travel costs, at grade 2 salary it may be a step too far given the cost of accommodation during peak season.

I have noticed 7x Didcot positions have gone external - would make more sense applying for these as it is closer to where I live and it MAY be cheaper accommodation until a more permanent move.
I am not the hiring manager for Paignton but if I was I would want to be sure you had a ‘plan B’ that does not involve driving for more than an hour each way if you could not find accommodation locally for a block of shifts. I would also wonder privately to myself how much overtime you would be up for. As you say yourself shelling out for accommodation in a busy seaside town every week during the holiday season may well be a stretch for a grade 2.

Good luck, I hope you get somewhere!
 

89jordanbj

Member
Joined
16 Dec 2019
Messages
208
Location
Newport
I am not the hiring manager for Paignton but if I was I would want to be sure you had a ‘plan B’ that does not involve driving for more than an hour each way if you could not find accommodation locally for a block of shifts. I would also wonder privately to myself how much overtime you would be up for. As you say yourself shelling out for accommodation in a busy seaside town every week during the holiday season may well be a stretch for a grade 2.

Good luck, I hope you get somewhere!
Thanks LOM.

That is completely understandable. For reasons mentioned I am not going to apply for Paignton.

As for TVSC, I am willing to get a camper and lodge on site as Tom has mentioned (providing it is still acceptable practice at this location of course). This gives me more freedom when it comes to working overtime. Plus I enjoy my own company and can get some serious book reading done post-shift. Will be putting application in later today.
 

LOM

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26 Dec 2019
Messages
405
Location
Been and gone.
Thanks LOM.

That is completely understandable. For reasons mentioned I am not going to apply for Paignton.
That sort of commuting can work if you are in a grade 4 or over and can stay with relatives or make a block booking with a hotel or B&B. I knew a grade 5 who commuted by Ryanair from his house in Spain and had a block booking with Premier Inn. I know someone else who rented a room in a shared house (pretty grim by all accounts) but it did not last because it was an 8 hour roster and his wife got fed up never seeing him.

As for TVSC, I am willing to get a camper and lodge on site as Tom has mentioned (providing it is still acceptable practice at this location of course). This gives me more freedom when it comes to working overtime. Plus I enjoy my own company and can get some serious book reading done post-shift. Will be putting application in later today.
Sounds sensible. All the best with your application.
 
Last edited:

danners430

Member
Joined
2 Dec 2016
Messages
75
Location
Caledonia
Just spotted Kirkconnel SB (GSW) being advertised... It's within 90 minutes of where I currently live, as opposed to the other applications I've submitted where I'd have to move house. Not that I'd mind moving house at all (the joys of being young and single), but not moving is of course easier!

Question for you ladies and gentlemen then - does anyone know the type of roster operated at Kirkconnel?
 
Joined
1 Mar 2018
Messages
988
Have read recent posts about the new 10 week signalling school, has anyone any idea what the backlog is for getting new starters a place at school?

My son was successful in his application and got the formal job offer in March and obviously is now waiting patiently for a place at school to get his start date, any info greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure about the backlog but I know of three of a group of 7 (which includes myself) that are starting next Tuesday so things are moving, albeit slowly. Otherwise its just a waiting game I'm afraid, and I can emphathise with your son as I'm in the same boat!
 

MrsP2010

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Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
I'm still waiting for my medical after receiving an offer at the end of April. I've received an email this morning apologising for the ongoing delay due to Covid 19 and assuring me they are doing everything they can to speed things along!
 
Joined
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Messages
988
I'm still waiting for my medical after receiving an offer at the end of April. I've received an email this morning apologising for the ongoing delay due to Covid 19 and assuring me they are doing everything they can to speed things along!

Yes I had the same email although I'm waiting for a start date. I think its pretty generic and possibly automatically generated
 

Tom Quinne

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8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
That sort of commuting can work if you are in a grade 4 or over and can stay with relatives or make a block booking with a hotel or B&B. I knew a grade 5 who commuted by Ryanair from his house in Spain and had a block booking with Premier Inn. I know someone else who rented a room in a shared house (pretty grim by all accounts) but it did not last because it was an 8 hour roster and his wife got fed up never seeing him.


Sounds sensible. All the best with your application.

That’s my plan in about 10 years, semi retire to Spain and budget airline in for my book of shifts - no Sunday’s as I’m relief :)
 

MrsP2010

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
Does anyone have an up to date bell codes list? I've got one but my signaller husband says there are lots that aren't used anymore on the list. If we still have to learn the complete list, I will but if there's a revised one, I'd prefer to use that. Thanks a lot
 

galaxynew

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2017
Messages
128
I'm not sure about the backlog but I know of three of a group of 7 (which includes myself) that are starting next Tuesday so things are moving, albeit slowly. Otherwise its just a waiting game I'm afraid, and I can emphathise with your son as I'm in the same boat!
Thanks for this, do you mind me asking when you had your formal job offer, presuming was before lockdown and you have been waiting for a few weeks/months?

Hope the course goes well for you and you do well
 

galaxynew

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2017
Messages
128
I had my interview on 2nd March and the offer on 28th April!
Am i right to presume you are now waiting for a places at signalling school then?

Congratulations on your successful application, hope you have a great career with NR
 

MrsP2010

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31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
All checks have been done except the medical and yes, then I'll be waiting for a date to start signalling school. Could be a long wait - but worth it in the end!
 
Joined
1 Mar 2018
Messages
988
Thanks for this, do you mind me asking when you had your formal job offer, presuming was before lockdown and you have been waiting for a few weeks/months?

Hope the course goes well for you and you do well

Thank you.

I had my interview on the 18th March and received my offer on the 7th April, so you can see how different the timescales can be!
 

Danny Boy

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Joined
27 Mar 2019
Messages
30
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Have read recent posts about the new 10 week signalling school, has anyone any idea what the backlog is for getting new starters a place at school?

My son was successful in his application and got the formal job offer in March and obviously is now waiting patiently for a place at school to get his start date, any info greatly appreciated.

Have no idea what the backlog is. I’m currently at York and from speaking to the trainers it seems things are starting to move again, there have been two AB courses that have started since our course started & there are two AB courses starting at York next week as well as TCB courses starting at Basingstoke and Newport.

He just needs to be patient as I’m sure his manager will want to get him trained ASAP & the more flexible he is about where he is willing to attend will give him the best chance of getting a place quickly.
 

High Dyke

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Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Does anyone have an up to date bell codes list? I've got one but my signaller husband says there are lots that aren't used anymore on the list. If we still have to learn the complete list, I will but if there's a revised one, I'd prefer to use that. Thanks a lot
In fairness, you could ask him to provide a copy out of the current rule book module that he has.
 

amanda08

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19 Oct 2019
Messages
304
So chuffed! I've just been offered the relief signaller job at Oakham, following my interview two weeks ago :D

It was one of my first applications and my first interview so I am over the moon to be successful :D
I need to say a big thanks to all the contributors to this forum. The information here has been invaluable and I doubt I would have been successful without it!
 

Danny Boy

Member
Joined
27 Mar 2019
Messages
30
So chuffed! I've just been offered the relief signaller job at Oakham, following my interview two weeks ago :D

It was one of my first applications and my first interview so I am over the moon to be successful :D
I need to say a big thanks to all the contributors to this forum. The information here has been invaluable and I doubt I would have been successful without it!

Congratulations
 

Andy Pacer

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11 Jul 2017
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2,643
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Leicestershire
So chuffed! I've just been offered the relief signaller job at Oakham, following my interview two weeks ago :D

It was one of my first applications and my first interview so I am over the moon to be successful :D
I need to say a big thanks to all the contributors to this forum. The information here has been invaluable and I doubt I would have been successful without it!
Excellent, well done. That one is fairly local to me and I saw the advert, so its interesting to hear of who got it.
 

amanda08

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19 Oct 2019
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304
Excellent, well done. That one is fairly local to me and I saw the advert, so its interesting to hear of who got it.
Thank you. I know they were looking for two people when I interviewed and again are advertising for 4 more. Not sure why the big influx needed (or that may be standard?) I am really looking forward to cracking on now - although I expect there will be a reasonable wait given the current circumstances.
 

Andy Pacer

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11 Jul 2017
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2,643
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Leicestershire
Thank you. I know they were looking for two people when I interviewed and again are advertising for 4 more. Not sure why the big influx needed (or that may be standard?) I am really looking forward to cracking on now - although I expect there will be a reasonable wait given the current circumstances.
I think at the same time I also saw Melton Mowbray was advertising.
 

CGH86

Member
Joined
8 May 2020
Messages
17
Location
Ammanford
So chuffed! I've just been offered the relief signaller job at Oakham, following my interview two weeks ago :D

It was one of my first applications and my first interview so I am over the moon to be successful :D
I need to say a big thanks to all the contributors to this forum. The information here has been invaluable and I doubt I would have been successful without it!
Congratulations on the job. Superb
 

CGH86

Member
Joined
8 May 2020
Messages
17
Location
Ammanford
All checks have been done except the medical and yes, then I'll be waiting for a date to start signalling school. Could be a long wait - but worth it in the end!
It's interesting how different timescales are. I was interviewed beginning on May and am of to signaller school 1st June. Have yet to do medical,told this will happen either during or after school.
 

High Dyke

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Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
So chuffed! I've just been offered the relief signaller job at Oakham, following my interview two weeks ago :D
Well done. :D
Thank you. I know they were looking for two people when I interviewed and again are advertising for 4 more. Not sure why the big influx needed (or that may be standard?) I am really looking forward to cracking on now - although I expect there will be a reasonable wait given the current circumstances.
As I mentioned recently a number of new positions have been created as a result of the new Network Rail fatigue standard management being introduced. This means a signal(wo)man who works more than 60 hours per week would need to be risk assessed and have a management plan. The East Midlands area needs about 30 new posts, just to cover this new standard - never mind any ongoing vacancies.
 

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