Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice.
I'm in the very fortunate position to have a job offers for a signaller position at grade 6 AND a position as a trainee train driver.
The signaller position is nearby my current location and the driver position will involve a significant commute or relocation.
So what I am asking is what is the nitty gritty of signaller life, what are the shifts like, what is the earning potential (yes unfortunately money does come into it, that's life) and what are NR like as an employer? Will I occasionally get a nice 3 day weekend? Will the overall quality of life be better than a driver?
I understand they're two very different roles; I have, after all, been through 2 very tough selection and interview processes. Right now I feel the signaller position would be more enjoyable long term and provide more possibility for progression, but I am getting myself in a twist trying to consider all the possible scenarios and what ifs for quality of life in the future.
Thanks all for your help in advance. I know I'm facing a very nice problem to have, I hope you're able to give me an insight to what you would do or what the real life is like on the inside.
First of all, nice one! There can't be many that have achieved that kind of dual offer (not in the privatisation era, anyway).
Shifts? Ours are better. A Grade 6 box will be open 24 hours but you'll only have two or three shift start times to contend with (depending on whether it's an 8hr or 12hr roster), whereas my driver mates report much more variation.
Occasional 3-day weekend? Most box rosters include at least one 'Long Weekend' during each four-week cycle. Again, the length of this will depend on the type of roster, but it's almost always longer than three days - typically 4-6 days on an 8hr roster and 7-9 days on '12s'.
Earning potential? Tom and Archie have already largely covered this. All I would add is: a) IMO, £80K for a G6 would need a lot of RDW. I'd say £60K-£65K is realistic if you average two rest days per period (on a 12hr roster); b) Yet again, it depends which type of roster you're working - it's easier to accumulate £££ on '12s'; c) the ORR are introducing a maximum 60hr working week for signallers - this isn't effective until 2021 or '22, but some routes (including mine) are already taking measures now. Historically, the railway industry has run on a model of understaffing and overtime, and we've been no different. But if my route's reaction is indicative, there are likely to be a lot more bodies around in future - and therefore less overtime available. Eg I work a single-manned box and, due to ORR recruitment, we now have four residents plus two dedicated RDR (reliefs who only cover that box) - that's a level of staffing that is unprecedented in my 10 years or so in the grade. Tl:dr - historic levels of overtime may not be available going forward.
Quality of life? Depends on your own definition. My personal take is that a Grade 6 signaller will earn 80%+ of an equivalent driver's salary for significantly less hassle (better shifts, no prepping units/locos in inclement weather, comparative freedom to have something to eat/drink or go to the toilet, almost zero risk to your health while on duty). We have a lot of responsibility while on duty and of course the job can be demanding and stressful at times, but not more so than driving, IMO. I'd also argue that Grade 6 is arguably the sweet spot for signalling, in the sense that it's good money but without some of the workload and grief that comes with the higher grades.
Enjoy deciding and let us know how you get on!
Consider that the burdon of responsibility will weigh much heavier on you as a signaller than a driver. You will be expected to take the lead in convesations to all except ECOs and the onus is on you to make sure there is a clear understanding of actions to be taken. If you give permission for a farmer to traverse a user-worked-crossing and he snags his load on something or tips over, it's not his fault that he didn't tell you he was towing a long, precariously loaded trailer; it's your fault for not asking. That can bear heavily on some people. That said, a distinct advantage of signalling is that you don't have to tackle fatalities in-person and I can't recall the last time a signalman was killed in the course of duty, so there's that.
Does the burden weigh more heavily on us? I'm not sure, TBH.
A Grade 6 signaller will often be handling several trains at once, and - like all grades - your comms will need to be precise (especially when dealing with incidents, degraded working and anything involving people on/near the line). But I suspect drivers are monitored even more strictly than we are, and face just as many - if not more - risks while on duty.
We have to make a mistake to kill someone; drivers don't.