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A career as a signaller

7Paul7

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2020
Messages
96
Location
Billingham
I've done a bit of googling to see if I could find any other info but it's pretty sparse. Thanks for sharing though.

Any top tips for applying? It's my first time so the process is all new to me!

1) Read this full thread, all 401 pages, anything that stands out copy it into a word document.
2) start the application and read through the 69 questions copy them down then go away and think about the answers and type them out so you can paste them back in for your application (and any other future applications)
3) go through your cv is it up to date does it match the job advert
4) write a cover letter (not asked for in the application process but seems it helps)
5) put the application in and try to put it to the back of your mind
6) prepare your NTS answers in the STAR format learn what you can about network rail and the location you've applied for incase you get called to interview.
 
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newtothisjob

Member
Joined
27 Aug 2020
Messages
7
Location
london
Could someone confirm for me, I applied for a grade 9 at victoria - on second look it says "Victoria (London) Ar Sig Cen". Is that actually the building in Clapham Junction by the Boots or is it at Vic station itself? doesn't make a difference in terms of my commute (actually, it would be easier if it were in battersea!) but I should definitely know in case I get to interview, and i'm now fairly sure it is, but someone here probably knows for certain! Cheers
 
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BrummiePete

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2020
Messages
21
Location
Birmingham
Has anyone got a link to the National Rostering Principles (NRP) please?

Searched the forum and plenty of reference to them but can't find any link to them, also tried RMT/TSSA sites but couldn't find them

Was particularly looking for the present rules regarding consecutive days/hours worked for shift workers (old "hidden)

Thanks in advance
 

High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Has anyone got a link to the National Rostering Principles (NRP) please?

Searched the forum and plenty of reference to them but can't find any link to them, also tried RMT/TSSA sites but couldn't find them

Was particularly looking for the present rules regarding consecutive days/hours worked for shift workers (old "hidden)

Thanks in advance
Sent you a PM.
 

ljmac

Member
Joined
13 Feb 2019
Messages
36
Does anyone here commute via train and have a season ticket?
Its something I am looking in to, but I've drawn a blank when asking around regarding the discount we are entitled to.
Cheers
 

Job Hunter

Member
Joined
28 Feb 2017
Messages
9
Found a lot of useful information on this site so thanks to all who contribute. Got a rejection today after an interview for my local box so that's my signalling pipe dream up in smoke. :( Good luck to you all and stay safe
 

EGPWS#2

Member
Joined
19 Aug 2020
Messages
11
Location
Hampshire
Hi All,

Does anyone know the shift pattern for Tram Inn? Interview pending for this box so any additional (that's not already in this thread!) info would be appreciated. Thanks
 

AndyDundee

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2020
Messages
7
Location
Dundee
1) Read this full thread, all 401 pages, anything that stands out copy it into a word document.
2) start the application and read through the 69 questions copy them down then go away and think about the answers and type them out so you can paste them back in for your application (and any other future applications)
3) go through your cv is it up to date does it match the job advert
4) write a cover letter (not asked for in the application process but seems it helps)
5) put the application in and try to put it to the back of your mind
6) prepare your NTS answers in the STAR format learn what you can about network rail and the location you've applied for incase you get called to interview.

That's really helpful, thanks!

Back to page 1 then, see you in a few weeks! :lol:
 

cpn

Member
Joined
1 Jun 2020
Messages
11
Location
London
Does anyone here commute via train and have a season ticket?
Its something I am looking in to, but I've drawn a blank when asking around regarding the discount we are entitled to.
Cheers

Hi @ljmac - yup, I do! The scheme offers a 75% discount off one season ticket of your choice (I chose a London travelcard). It's administered on behalf of Network Rail by Abellio Corporate Travel, and the 25% that you do pay comes straight off your payslip - very easy.
 

Pancakes84

Member
Joined
26 Aug 2020
Messages
24
Location
England
Medical done today now the wait begins. Congrats to all who have recieved good news recently :)

hey.
how was the medical? I have mine at the end of the month and feel a bit nervous about it, although not sure why haha.
do you wear glasses or contacts? Just wondering if you need to take glasses if you have your contacts with you?
thanks
 

headshot119

Established Member
Joined
31 Dec 2010
Messages
2,052
Location
Dubai
hey.
how was the medical? I have mine at the end of the month and feel a bit nervous about it, although not sure why haha.
do you wear glasses or contacts? Just wondering if you need to take glasses if you have your contacts with you?
thanks

If you wear contacts, take your glasses as well.
 

jossh78

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2020
Messages
32
Location
Uttoxeter
Well, when one door closes another one opens. Received an email this morning for an invite to an assessment day for the Rugby future opportunities grade 8 application that I put before all this COVID situation. A nice surprise as it has sat at “test completed“ since then.
 

Bunnymomma

Member
Joined
6 Jun 2020
Messages
40
Location
Norfolk
hey.
how was the medical? I have mine at the end of the month and feel a bit nervous about it, although not sure why haha.
do you wear glasses or contacts? Just wondering if you need to take glasses if you have your contacts with you?
thanks
Hi!

The medical was fine. I honestly wouldn't be too nervous. Quite relaxed, the health professional will put you at ease :) urine sample, eye test, hearing test, bp and weight.
So In my experience, the professional said Id only need to try the vision test with my contacts and without (even though I brought my glasses too, he said I didn't need to use my glasses as well as I went with my contacts in) but I would take every aid you will use with you just incase. Covers all bases then. Best of luck!

You'll be fine :)
 

Pancakes84

Member
Joined
26 Aug 2020
Messages
24
Location
England
If you wear contacts, take your glasses as well.
Hi!

The medical was fine. I honestly wouldn't be too nervous. Quite relaxed, the health professional will put you at ease :) urine sample, eye test, hearing test, bp and weight.
So In my experience, the professional said Id only need to try the vision test with my contacts and without (even though I brought my glasses too, he said I didn't need to use my glasses as well as I went with my contacts in) but I would take every aid you will use with you just incase. Covers all bases then. Best of luck!

You'll be fine :)

aww perfect thanks, my glasses aren’t the correct prescription as I barely wear them so might need to buy some new ones before the medical then haha. Just in case.

Aww I’m glad it wasn’t too bad :) thanks

Well, when one door closes another one opens. Received an email this morning for an invite to an assessment day for the Rugby future opportunities grade 8 application that I put before all this COVID situation. A nice surprise as it has sat at “test completed“ since then.
Brilliant news. Good luck ☺️
 

jossh78

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2020
Messages
32
Location
Uttoxeter
aww perfect thanks, my glasses aren’t the correct prescription as I barely wear them so might need to buy some new ones before the medical then haha. Just in case.

Aww I’m glad it wasn’t too bad :) thanks


Brilliant news. Good luck ☺
Cheers Pancakes, not sure what an assessment day involves but feels like I am slowly heading in the right direction ;)
 

matty1984

Member
Joined
20 May 2014
Messages
27
Got my start date today, and cannot stop smiling!
I dont think its a Signal School start date, and its a Tuesday, but its enough so I can hand in my notice and leave this crippled aviation industry behind.
 

ChrisRS

Member
Joined
17 Jan 2019
Messages
144
aww perfect thanks, my glasses aren’t the correct prescription as I barely wear them so might need to buy some new ones before the medical then haha. Just in case.

Aww I’m glad it wasn’t too bad :) thanks



Brilliant news. Good luck ☺️
I'd certainly get the correct prescription glasses before going.

Got my start date today, and cannot stop smiling!
I dont think its a Signal School start date, and its a Tuesday, but its enough so I can hand in my notice and leave this crippled aviation industry behind.

Well done, let the journey begin. It won't be a signal school start date but a meeting with your LOM.
 

Brazilguy67

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2020
Messages
6
Location
Rugby
Good morning all,

Couldn't see a specific answer on this one. For either a single working or a ROC can I apply for this role even if I am short sighted in one eye and do no have binocular vision with and without glasses?
 

_Odo_

Member
Joined
14 Jan 2020
Messages
31
Location
Lincolnshire
I decided it would be a good idea to learn the bell codes before heading off to signalling school in a few weeks time. Is there any kind of logic to them? As part of the application process I spent a lot of time practicing for the inductive reasoning test where you have to spot patterns in numbers, but for the life of me I can't see anything other than random sets of numbers in the bell codes! I guess it's just a case of memorising them .... Any tips on good ways to do that? Thanks!

Good morning all,

Couldn't see a specific answer on this one. For either a single working or a ROC can I apply for this role even if I am short sighted in one eye and do no have binocular vision with and without glasses?

Nothing in the documentation I had before my medical said you need to have binocular vision, only that you have to be able to pass the vision test (with or without corrective aids), which I've described a few pages back. But to be sure, I'd contact recruitment and ask, or try calling Optima Health who carry out the medicals.
 
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MrsP2010

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
I decided it would be a good idea to learn the bell codes before heading off to signalling school in a few weeks time. Is there any kind of logic to them? As part of the application process I spent a lot of time practicing for the inductive reasoning test where you have to spot patterns in numbers, but for the life of me I can't see anything other than random sets of numbers in the bell codes! I guess it's just a case of memorising them .... Any tips on good ways to do that? Thanks!

I’m at IST now and would strongly suggest you only learn the classes of the trains. I tried to learn them all before I came and found it really hard. The other codes are taught as an when you learn the subject and it’s not hard. The classes of trains are used straight away
 
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Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
Good morning all,

Couldn't see a specific answer on this one. For either a single working or a ROC can I apply for this role even if I am short sighted in one eye and do no have binocular vision with and without glasses?

I have defective vision in one eye, I’ve also worked with a chap who through illness only had one eye. ROC or multi manned locations isn’t an issue, single manned or line side locations will be.
 

HamSandwich

Member
Joined
19 May 2020
Messages
68
Location
Earth
I’m at IST now and would strongly suggest you only learn the classes of the trains. I tried to learn them all before I came and found it really hard. The other codes are taught as an when you learn the subject and it’s not hard. The classes of trains are used straight away

Ah, that's really good to know, I was wondering about what to try and learn before IST. Thank you :)
 

headshot119

Established Member
Joined
31 Dec 2010
Messages
2,052
Location
Dubai
Ah, that's really good to know, I was wondering about what to try and learn before IST. Thank you :)

The general consensus is you don't need to learn anything before signaling school. If you really can't stop yourself, then get the phonetic alphabet learnt, and the class of train bellcodes only.
 

_Odo_

Member
Joined
14 Jan 2020
Messages
31
Location
Lincolnshire
I’m at IST now and would strongly suggest you only learn the classes of the trains. I tried to learn them all before I came and found it really hard. The other codes are taught as an when you learn the subject and it’s not hard. The classes of trains are used straight away

The general consensus is you don't need to learn anything before signaling school. If you really can't stop yourself, then get the phonetic alphabet learnt, and the class of train bellcodes only.

Thanks for that, good to know. I learned the phonetic alphabet in the scouts many moons ago so at least that's one less thing to stress about.
 

MrsP2010

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
Thanks for that, good to know. I learned the phonetic alphabet in the scouts many moons ago so at least that's one less thing to stress about.
You may want to check what you learned as I believe some have changed over the years! Depends how long ago you were a Scout, I guess!!
 

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