A career as a signaller

[Roadster 7]

Hi Roadster 7. I believe all 4 of us are on here . Myself, Kraken and Kinglewood. I should hopefully have my start date by the end of today. Would be great if we all got on the same cours.

Excellent, be good to know what start date you get. Not sure if I will have a place reserved on the same course or if I will be on a later one. Unfortunately I'm on 10 weeks notice in my current job!

 

[qwertyberty]

For those with ongoing applications, you might want to check your profile on NR careers portal to make sure it is all still up to date. I noticed I did not receive the new jobs email alert I usually get once a week (for the last couple of weeks). Just checked the portal and my email address and home address had disappeared from my profile. Then checked my applications and noticed a couple had moved to unsuccessful in the last few days - I have not received any automated 'more suitable candidate identified' letters for them so assume that is due to the missing data from my profile. Pretty certain it was not user error on my part...

 

[High Dyke]

Could we see cutting of night turns for example, recruitment freeezes or even job cuts? I think the latter could be achieved by offering early retirement packages to those with enough time served perhaps.

Aside from Beeching has our grade ever had mass redundancies?

Sorry to be so negative, but I really fear the knives are out for the railway post C19.

Job cuts? Hopefully not, I'm just in the process of trying to implement a roster change (on one route), whilst my own area is going through a re-org (including introducing night shifts and additional Sunday turns.)

Not so sure about mass redundancies, but obviously each re-signalling scheme, where proper boxes are replaced by a computer screen, does attract some cuts in staff numbers. That said, the rush to move to a digital railway has suggested that Peterborough PSB may now be at risk. Yet, in the next breathe, we don't have enough money for any more major schemes.

Perhaps my LOM has picked the right time to retire, after a career of 46 years on the railway.

 

[Peterperfect]

Very strong rumours, may well be offfical comms from the union shortly regards the next pay award.

There won’t be one, as much as it pains me to say it - probably a good idea in the current climate where let’s face it the railway is one huge red target for serious cuts to funding.

Potentially cuts so large they haven’t been seen in 50 years are rumoured, unfortunately (I’ve many friends at TOCs) TOCs will be put under massive pressure to reduce costs, as their officially under Dft control, but how long before they come for us?

Obviously whether there are 100 trains or 2 trains they still need a body to signal them, and allow work to be carried out.

Could we see cutting of night turns for example, recruitment freeezes or even job cuts? I think the latter could be achieved by offering early retirement packages to those with enough time served perhaps.

Aside from Beeching has our grade ever had mass redundancies?

Sorry to be so negative, but I really fear the knives are out for the railway post C19.

Tom it wouldnt look good to not offer a pay reward considering that the railway has been applauded for its efforts throughout the pandemic. Grant Shaps letter as recent as last week.

The Govt announced pay rises for all the public services that worked through.

Lets see where we are when it comes to pay talks and the implementation time.

The bonus not being paid yet is contentious enough. I dont see that going without being challenged never mind no pay rise for people who went out to work everyday while others were furloughed and off work for 4 months.

 

[RailNoob]

Just had an email with a pre offer for a role as a signaller words cannot describe how happy I am right now want to thank everyone that has contributed to this thread and continues to contribute to this day as it really was a game changer to my interview in my opinion!

 

[Kraken]

Just had an email with a pre offer for a role as a signaller words cannot describe how happy I am right now want to thank everyone that has contributed to this thread and continues to contribute to this day as it really was a game changer to my interview in my opinion!

Amazing work Railnoob, nice one! Massive congrats, may your wait for a start date be short

 

[Kraken]

Hi Roadster 7. I believe all 4 of us are on here . Myself, Kraken and Kinglewood. I should hopefully have my start date by the end of today. Would be great if we all got on the same cours.

Did you get a date in the end Tigerned? No news for me as yet, I’m trying to manage my expectations!

 

[RailNoob]

Amazing work Railnoob, nice one! Massive congrats, may your wait for a start date be short

Many Thanks Kraken maybe we will cross paths one day!

 

[7Paul7]

For those with ongoing applications, you might want to check your profile on NR careers portal to make sure it is all still up to date. I noticed I did not receive the new jobs email alert I usually get once a week (for the last couple of weeks). Just checked the portal and my email address and home address had disappeared from my profile. Then checked my applications and noticed a couple had moved to unsuccessful in the last few days - I have not received any automated 'more suitable candidate identified' letters for them so assume that is due to the missing data from my profile. Pretty certain it was not user error on my part...

That happened to me after I had accepted the future opportunities role. The email automatically updated to my new (and at the time unacessible) work email

 

[Tigerned371]

Did you get a date in the end Tigerned? No news for me as yet, I’m trying to manage my expectations!

Hi Kraken,

No not yet grrrr lol. I had email on Wednesday saying all checks and medical complete and asking my availability. It would then be discussed with my LOM and a start date and location sent to me. Really hoped it was going to be yesterday but it wasn’t to be. I’m getting anxious now that I may need to get a temp job to get me by until my start date. I’m not complaining as it will be worth the wait, I’d just like to know so I can sort things out if needed.

 

[Yorks1179]

Very strong rumours, may well be offfical comms from the union shortly regards the next pay award.

There won’t be one, as much as it pains me to say it - probably a good idea in the current climate where let’s face it the railway is one huge red target for serious cuts to funding.

Potentially cuts so large they haven’t been seen in 50 years are rumoured, unfortunately (I’ve many friends at TOCs) TOCs will be put under massive pressure to reduce costs, as their officially under Dft control, but how long before they come for us?

Obviously whether there are 100 trains or 2 trains they still need a body to signal them, and allow work to be carried out.

Could we see cutting of night turns for example, recruitment freeezes or even job cuts? I think the latter could be achieved by offering early retirement packages to those with enough time served perhaps.

Aside from Beeching has our grade ever had mass redundancies?

Sorry to be so negative, but I really fear the knives are out for the railway post C19.

One thought that might give the government problems explaining, if staff cuts do appear: some of the current recruitment is to increase staff numbers with a view to mitigating potential fatigue issues - It would hardly square with safety!

Also the railways must play a significant part in the future plans for the UK reducing emissions (asides from some of the more headline grabbing recent plans), so it would be politically very difficult to make cuts.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

Very strong rumours, may well be offfical comms from the union shortly regards the next pay award.

There won’t be one, as much as it pains me to say it - probably a good idea in the current climate where let’s face it the railway is one huge red target for serious cuts to funding.

Potentially cuts so large they haven’t been seen in 50 years are rumoured, unfortunately (I’ve many friends at TOCs) TOCs will be put under massive pressure to reduce costs, as their officially under Dft control, but how long before they come for us?

Obviously whether there are 100 trains or 2 trains they still need a body to signal them, and allow work to be carried out.

Could we see cutting of night turns for example, recruitment freeezes or even job cuts? I think the latter could be achieved by offering early retirement packages to those with enough time served perhaps.

Aside from Beeching has our grade ever had mass redundancies?

Sorry to be so negative, but I really fear the knives are out for the railway post C19.

I'm not so sure Tom.

Many public sector workers have received pay rises - most well above inflation, and I think there will be recognition that the transport sector paid it's part in keeping the country going throughout the lockdown. It may not be big rise but I'm hopeful there there will be one.

As for job cuts, the Government, and especially Boris has said that infrastructure building is key to getting the economy moving again and all the spending plans before the lockdown and the ones mentioned during seem set to go ahead. These include new rail infrastructure projects. If any cost cutting were to happen, I'd imagine that they would be in admin or management areas rather than safety critical roles like signallers. The situation with TOCs is slightly more complicated as they are privately run companies, but they do have franchise obligations and so will need drivers etc to meet those. Again I can see management and admin roles being hardest hit if they do decide to make cuts.

 

[Katey89]

Just checking, have you clicked on the "full list" button? The list shown when you first logged in is an appended list of all your applications, past and present, and presented in an order that I have no clue about. It's possible that your application simply was further down the list for some time, and therefore not on the appended list.

you are correct, I had a blonde moment but soon noticed and I now have a complete list of the jobs I applied for lol thanks for your help

 

[amanda08]

So, it’s been a good first week at IST. A bit like being hit in the face with a bus, but I do feel like I have learnt something
I’ve even signalled a couple of trains from Hornby Junction, without causing too much mayhem and destruction

 

[MrsP2010]

So, it’s been a good first week at IST. A bit like being hit in the face with a bus, but I do feel like I have learnt something
I’ve even signalled a couple of trains from Hornsby Junction, without causing too much mayhem and destruction

That’s good to hear. 1 down, 9 to go!!

 

[amanda08]

That’s good to hear. 1 down, 9 to go!!

11! Extra week with separate observation has now come in.
Although I’m happy to do during IST, rather then the pressure of doing it in my box

 

[MrsP2010]

11! Extra week with separate observation has now come in.
Although I’m happy to do during IST, rather then the pressure of doing it in my box

What does that mean and does it apply to everyone?

 

[Kraken]

Hi Kraken,

No not yet grrrr lol. I had email on Wednesday saying all checks and medical complete and asking my availability. It would then be discussed with my LOM and a start date and location sent to me. Really hoped it was going to be yesterday but it wasn’t to be. I’m getting anxious now that I may need to get a temp job to get me by until my start date. I’m not complaining as it will be worth the wait, I’d just like to know so I can sort things out if needed.

Nah nothing for me either. Patience is a virtue I guess - not looking forward to telling my current colleagues I’m leaving so it postpones that for a few days at least!

 

[Kraken]

So, it’s been a good first week at IST. A bit like being hit in the face with a bus, but I do feel like I have learnt something
I’ve even signalled a couple of trains from Hornby Junction, without causing too much mayhem and destruction

Sounds like injuries are being kept to an acceptable minimum Well done for completing week 1 and thanks for giving us a bit of an insight.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Tondu SB Grade 3 on the external list at the moment, planned to move to Cardiff inside five years however if the magic money tree keeps dropping fifty pound notes of course.

 

[Mills444]

Tondu SB Grade 3 on the external list at the moment, planned to move to Cardiff inside five years however if the magic money tree keeps dropping fifty pound notes of course.

It looks a bit of a sad area to work in though with just the one line with regular traffic. Must be a lot of white levers in the box.

 

[Tom Quinne]

It looks a bit of a sad area to work in though with just the one line with regular traffic. Must be a lot of white levers in the box.

Yes, only one of the three routes on the junction open to traffic now.

 

[Mills444]

Yes, only one of the three routes on the junction open to traffic now.

Is the Margram line still open?

 

[Signaller2020]

Tondu SB Grade 3 on the external list at the moment, planned to move to Cardiff inside five years however if the magic money tree keeps dropping fifty pound notes of course.

Applied for this last night. Applied for the same box recently also but was unsuccessful, so was surprised to see it go back up externally so soon after.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Is the Margram line still open?

Under an ever extending T3.

 

[Signaller2020]

Anybody having issues logging into their NR candidate account? I keep getting login failed please try again message. My password is auto filled so no issues with that.

 

[ChrisRS]

Down for maintenance today.

 

[Qball]

Should be back up after 7pm

 

[will220498]

Hi there,

Just wondering if anyone had heard back from the Ashford grade 8, been stuck on Test Complete for a couple of weeks now (which I think is pretty normal?)

Cheers!

 

[Roy.C.]

Hi all

Hope everyone is well and keeping safe.

I’m a newbie on this so apologies in advance if it’s already been covered!

I start my training in York in a week; and join post tomorrow.
Has anyone recently started/finished or still currently in the training? What’s the environment etc like due to the pandemic, is it safe etc; and can anyone kindly confirm if the Apprenticeship has definitely lapsed and it’s all now in-house; and if it’s definitely 10 weeks now and not 12?

Sorry I haven’t been provided any information so far, so I’m very intrigued; and especially now that I’ve left a long term role to join NR; and the nerves and panic are all proper kicking in now!!

Thanks