A career as a signaller

[Chrisjhbrown]

Is anybody on here starting on the 6th of December either in York or Coventry?

I’m York last week of November

 

[Demx93]

I’m York last week of November

Nice one are you doing the apprenticeship or just the normal 12 week training?

 

[Chrisjhbrown]

Nice one are you doing the apprenticeship or just the normal 12 week training?

Normal mate iv done 3 years track 6 years overhead lines and fell into this now

 

[Kraken]

I’m York last week of November

I’m so jealous of you guys, it’ll be a year since my IST next month and I’d do it all over again to be honest. Have a great course and best of luck!

 

[LeGrimpeur]

anyone know what the take home pay for a LOM would be over the stated salary. I read they get an on call allowance but no overtime?

 

[ArkUTD]

Well, that's my 4th and 5th interviews done. Now the good old waiting game.

Personally I do enjoy the new format of how they are doing the recruitment now, makes me feel got more of a chance to get in.

 

[Devonish]

Anyone know what the shift pattern is at Exeter PSB?

 

[High Dyke]

Anyone know what the shift pattern is at Exeter PSB?

I think it's 12-hrs. Mentioned here

 

[Frothy_B]

Is it worth applying for a job you are well outside of the catchment area for if you are willing to relocate? If there are enough promising candidates within the hours drive radius would I simply be passed over on the initial sift?

Has anyone here had any luck with this, being taken on and then relocating for the job?

 

[Nemo01]

Is it worth applying for a job you are well outside of the catchment area for if you are willing to relocate? If there are enough promising candidates within the hours drive radius would I simply be passed over on the initial sift?

Has anyone here had any luck with this, being taken on and then relocating for the job?

Yes, I relocated for a signalling job last year. I know other who have too

 

[Frothy_B]

Thankyou.

Would those of you who have joined recently see signalling as a job for life? Does that seem like a realistic prospect given the plans to restructure? I have over 30 years of working life left all being well

When boxes close, as I believe King's Cross did earlier in the year, or Peterborough is planned to by 2023, were the staff offered to move with the job to York ROC?

Is there an updated list available to the public on when boxes are due to close or are they only shown internally? I've tried using the search function on here but can only find threads from years ago with expired links.

 

[cowboysfan]

Thankyou.

Would those of you who have joined recently see signalling as a job for life? Does that seem like a realistic prospect given the plans to restructure? I have over 30 years of working life left all being well

When boxes close, as I believe King's Cross did earlier in the year, or Peterborough is planned to by 2023, were the staff offered to move with the job to York ROC?

Is there an updated list available to the public on when boxes are due to close or are they only shown internally? I've tried using the search function on here but can only find threads from years ago with expired links.

This is happening around my area and signallers were offered roles in the ROC and also had access to a closed list of vacancies to be displaced too. In terms of an updated list of expected closing dates for boxes I'm not sure where to even access that internally if there is such a thing but someone else may be able to help with that.

Also to answer your first question about signalling as a job for life the railway is always going to need signallers regardless of a restructure, I don't believe this restructure will even affect operations too much or signallers at all.

 

[John Webb]

......Is there an updated list available to the public on when boxes are due to close or are they only shown internally? I've tried using the search function on here but can only find threads from years ago with expired links......

NR's plan for signal box closures, originally drawn up around 2010, is being modified considerably in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and problems that caused in some areas, so I'm uncertain if there is yet a fully revised list within NR, let alone one in the public domain. For example, there was an announcement earlier this year that the West Hampstead PSB, originally proposed for closure and the signalling and signallers to be moved to East Midlands ROC/Three Bridges ROC, will instead be refurbished with VDUs taking over from the late 1970s N-X panel.

 

[Woody27]

Hi all, so I’ve e just had a crack at the new online tests, much better than the old ones, but that grid challenge was tough, those dots are gonna haunt me !!!

 

[Scooby123]

Hey everyone. Do you get paid extra if you are rostered to work Christmas Day? Thanks x

 

[cowboysfan]

Hey everyone. Do you get paid extra if you are rostered to work Christmas Day? Thanks x

I believe its either 300% of basic rate if you are rostered or you can have 200% and a day in lieu or if working it on a free day its 325% or 225% and a day in lieu. Just let rosters know if you want higher or lower rate of pay for the day.

 

[High Dyke]

NR's plan for signal box closures, originally drawn up around 2010, is being modified considerably in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic and problems that caused in some areas, so I'm uncertain if there is yet a fully revised list within NR, let alone one in the public domain. For example, there was an announcement earlier this year that the West Hampstead PSB, originally proposed for closure and the signalling and signallers to be moved to East Midlands ROC/Three Bridges ROC, will instead be refurbished with VDUs taking over from the late 1970s N-X panel.

Absolutely John. The NR list was out-of-date before it really started. Various delays when delivering these schemes occur and then of course some locations have their closing dates put back. And, as you mention some boxes like West Hampstead are being refurbished instead. The last list I saw dated, I believe, from March 2020.

 

[Scooby123]

I believe its either 300% of basic rate if you are rostered or you can have 200% and a day in lieu or if working it on a free day its 325% or 225% and a day in lieu. Just let rosters know if you want higher or lower rate of pay for the day.

Great thank you!

 

[Sunset route]

A question for my Scottish colleagues, as to what signalboxs Arbroath relief job covers. Many thanks in advance .

 

[Buiadh]

Non-NR here, but I applied for this role a few months ago.

Laurencekirk, Craigo, Montrose, Inverkeilor, Arbroath and Carnoustie if memory serves.





Also anyone heard back from the external Scottish multi-grade vacancies yet? I was interviewed last week.

 

[wingnut1982]

Regarding pay whilst training. After signalling school do you go onto your normal shift pattern and get paid the usual allowances for weekends/nights but just at the grade below you will once you’re signed off as competent to work alone?

 

[High Dyke]

Regarding pay whilst training. After signalling school do you go onto your normal shift pattern and get paid the usual allowances for weekends/nights but just at the grade below you will once you’re signed off as competent to work alone?

You would normally be on a training roster, the parameters of which should be set by your Line Manager (LOM). You normally train Monday to Friday, but on a variety of shifts; though it does also help to see engineering work put in place/given up at your respective location. In larger signalling locations trainees do also train on night shifts. You will most likely be on flat money, with no enhanced rates of pay/allowances paid until you have passed out. There have been some local variations in some locations, in that respect.

 

[Demx93]

Anybody on here starting on the 6th of December in York or Coventry?

 

[wingnut1982]

You would normally be on a training roster, the parameters of which should be set by your Line Manager (LOM). You normally train Monday to Friday, but on a variety of shifts; though it does also help to see engineering work put in place/given up at your respective location. In larger signalling locations trainees do also train on night shifts. You will most likely be on flat money, with no enhanced rates of pay/allowances paid until you have passed out. There have been some local variations in some locations, in that respect.

Thanks High Dyke

 

[Nemo01]

Regarding pay whilst training. After signalling school do you go onto your normal shift pattern and get paid the usual allowances for weekends/nights but just at the grade below you will once you’re signed off as competent to work alone?

When I left signalling school I was assigned to a Signaller who trained me and I followed their shift pattern for the duration of my training, receiving the usual allowances for those shifts but on my training grade. Each location will have their own way of doing it

 

[wingnut1982]

When I left signalling school I was assigned to a Signaller who trained me and I followed their shift pattern for the duration of my training, receiving the usual allowances for those shifts but on my training grade. Each location will have their own way of doing it

Thanks Nemo. Guessing I’ll just have to wait until I get to my location and find out what the local arrangement is there.

 

[Trickster10]

Hi all,

Is there anybody on here who was an internal candidate and has been successful in the recent recruitment drive for grade 6 signallers at WMSC?

Got a few questions in regards to this.

Thanks

 

[ollieplo1]

I have an virtual interview tomorrow via Topscore. Does anyone know what I can expect the format to be like? It's very different to how they used to interview

 

[ArchangelA]

Sorry if this subject has been muted before, I've just been offered a G6 job at WMSC Birmingham. Just checking through all the documentation that NR have sent me in terms of pensions. What's best to join CARE pension or NRDC? I totally understand that everyone has different needs but would appreciate a steer from someone in the know

 

[Trickster10]

Sorry if this subject has been muted before, I've just been offered a G6 job at WMSC Birmingham. Just checking through all the documentation that NR have sent me in terms of pensions. What's best to join CARE pension or NRDC? I totally understand that everyone has different needs but would appreciate a

Congratulations! Me too but I am an internal candidate so just sorting a release date etc before knowing a start date.

Pension wise theres a group on Facebook who have a lot of expertise on railway pensions. Type in railway pensions on there and there’s loads of info.