Job security will be a huge issue in the next five years, driving isn’t the golden ticket it was only 18 months ago.
There is real talk of reducing staff numbers, okay drivers aren’t anywhere near the top of the hit list but you guys are on there especially from the green eyes monster gang.
Where there is one train or twenty trains you need a signaller to oversee the railway, even on routes with no service there is a signaller booked on duty.
There’s a box near me which has one booked train a day, it’s manned 18hrs a day 6 days a week!
Throughout the C19 issue no signaller has been furlonged or had their hours reduced.
Salary, even grade 10 signalling is comparable to the lowest driving salary at £50,000.
Obviously £60,000 is becoming the standard barer in terms of driver salary now, that’s £60,000 basic which you’ll get with doing zero RDW over overtime which is near impossible with Spare compulsory overtime added etc
Grade 6 you can do easily £80,000 with a bit of RDW obviously only your base is pensionable.
I know blokes at my place who do £110,000 + but they don’t see their families !
Grade 7 you’ll do £80,000-£90,000 without much effort and with seeing your kids.
Progression, Network Rail is flipping massive progression wise the world is your oyster you’ll also benefit from a final salary pension on RPS 40 scheme after 5 years service. Most if not all TOCs don’t offer this anymore.
Everyday is different in some shape or form as a signaller, okay driving is the same but you’ll likely have a fairly similar routine day in day out.
Shifts as a driver vary from 0317 to 1006, 1441 to 2331 you get my meaning. Signallers work 0600-1800 etc.
You can go for a pee or make a tea when you want, unlike driving.
I was offered a driving job way back in 2011 unfortunately unbeknown to me my sight wasn’t good enough in one eye, only then did signalling come into my view.
Looking back it was a godsend to be honest, after over decade as a guard my patients with passengers wouldn’t of lasted, the closest I come to them now is waving as they go by the box !
ultimately it’s only a choice you can make, personally all things considered it would be signalling.
But...signalling isn’t the next best option you need to be 100% invested in it
The only thing I miss about being a guard is the fresh air and travelling along on a summers night with the windows open and the cab heater on lol
Life as a signaller is great, if you choose that path you won’t regret it.