A career as a signaller

[jayafc]

This makes a bit more sense now. Guess I need to wait to see the location and hours I’ll be working. Ideally I’d like to plan childcare but I guess I’ll have to wait.

Thanks for the input everyone. It’s getting to the excitement stage where I just want to know everything!

 

[Lpf93]

This makes a bit more sense now. Guess I need to wait to see the location and hours I’ll be working. Ideally I’d like to plan childcare but I guess I’ll have to wait.

Thanks for the input everyone. It’s getting to the excitement stage where I just want to know everything!

Have they given you any idea of line/route you’d be on? I’m sure you’d still be able to see a base roster from LOM if they ask their roster clerk

 

[endofthetunnel]

This makes a bit more sense now. Guess I need to wait to see the location and hours I’ll be working. Ideally I’d like to plan childcare but I guess I’ll have to wait.

Thanks for the input everyone. It’s getting to the excitement stage where I just want to know everything!

If you’re not starting IST til May, you won’t be learning in a box until at least mid August, and then probably late September before being passed out and on the roster properly. And that’s all assuming you can get straight into a box after IST. Plenty of time to sort childcare before then hopefully

 

[jayafc]

Have they given you any idea of line/route you’d be on? I’m sure you’d still be able to see a base roster from LOM if they ask their roster clerk

All I know is the location is Chester but I know there’s a few boxes around there and not sure which grade either.

If you’re not starting IST til May, you won’t be learning in a box until at least mid August, and then probably late September before being passed out and on the roster properly. And that’s all assuming you can get straight into a box after IST. Plenty of time to sort childcare before then hopefully

Ah okay it might be longer than I was expecting then. I heard it was 12 weeks so that takes me to 9th august. Have I got that wrong?

 

[endofthetunnel]

Ah okay it might be longer than I was expecting then. I heard it was 12 weeks so that takes me to 9th august. Have I got that wrong?

Well, 9th August is basically mid august to be honest! But you’re correct, 12 weeks is the standard for IST. However there can easily be a week off due to no tutor availability, or a conversion course at the end for another couple of weeks eg AB to TCB.

After that you’ll train in your box (once you get one!) which isn’t usually on a standard roster, but more flexible daytime hours, and normally takes around a month, but again with things like holiday and availability of managers to sign you off this can easily be 6 weeks or so - and then only once you’re fully competent are you rostered and working solo.

 

[jayafc]

Well, 9th August is basically mid august to be honest! But you’re correct, 12 weeks is the standard for IST. However there can easily be a week off due to no tutor availability, or a conversion course at the end for another couple of weeks eg AB to TCB.

After that you’ll train in your box (once you get one!) which isn’t usually on a standard roster, but more flexible daytime hours, and normally takes around a month, but again with things like holiday and availability of managers to sign you off this can easily be 6 weeks or so - and then only once you’re fully competent are you rostered and working solo.

Sorry I have misunderstood. I have thought once the 12 weeks was up you go in your own box and training is complete and you’re competent. Thanks for correcting.

Any other guidance or advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Kraken]

Sorry I have misunderstood. I have thought once the 12 weeks was up you go in your own box and training is complete and you’re competent. Thanks for correcting.

Any other guidance or advice is greatly appreciated

What I would say is that when you’re introduced to your LOM and find out which boxes he or she manages don’t be afraid to express a preference if you have one. It may be that the LOM has 6 boxes and 6 new recruits, and if there’s an easy way to allocate them by preference then they’ll go for it. No good being stuck working 35 miles away from home if there’s a box 10 minutes away just because you didn’t want to ask!

 

[jayafc]

that’s good advance actually. I’m going through some old threads and just wanted to confirm you either do 4 8 hour shifts or 3 12 hour ones. Have I understood that right.

 

[Lpf93]

that’s good advance actually. I’m going through some old threads and just wanted to confirm you either do 4 8 hour shifts or 3 12 hour ones. Have I understood that right.

Depends on the roster really.
Some boxes have different hours on weekends or are even shut on weekends.
Could be that you do 12 hours on a Sunday and 8 hours Monday-Saturday.
Base rosters usually cycle anyway so once you’ve seen where you’ll be you can easily input to know where you’re on shift or rest day to sort child care well in advance

 

[kenneth wright]

Hi Guys/ladies does anyone know what the shift pattern is at woolley signal box?I know the shift times are 0630-1430,and 1430-2230 and closed on Sundays.Thank you in advance.

 

[LC346]

Morning All i've just started IST and i feel really overwhelmed and worried about the amount of information that we need to learn/take in. I think the first test will be in week 6 so feel a little stressed knowing that im going to have to remember 6weeks worth of information. Can anyone provide some advice on what the tests are like and will it cover everything from first 6weeks? Also someone mentioned using simsig to practice so just want to check with others if this is a good idea?

 

[endofthetunnel]

IST is hard, and can be overwhelming to being with but gets better! Talk to your classmates and tutors and they’ll help, revise together, ask questions, put the work in, it will all come together eventually. Everything is on the exams, in both week 6 and 10.
Not sure anyone would recommend simsig during IST, perhaps you’re confusing it with the signalling simulator in the classroom, where the majority of the learning is put into practise, spend as much time on that as possible.

 

[Woody27]

Morning All i've just started IST and i feel really overwhelmed and worried about the amount of information that we need to learn/take in. I think the first test will be in week 6 so feel a little stressed knowing that im going to have to remember 6weeks worth of information. Can anyone provide some advice on what the tests are like and will it cover everything from first 6weeks? Also someone mentioned using simsig to practice so just want to check with others if this is a good idea?

Hi, I finished IST in February, and was off the street with minimal railway experience, as said many times on here, it’s a tough course, just need to put the revision hours in! It will eventually start to make sense, we had quizzes every morning, if there’s someone on your course who can type real quick, get the quizzes on paper and use as part of your revision, if you can answer all the questions in the quizzes you’ll pass the written exams, the observations are just putting what you’ve learnt into practice, take all sim sessions available and you’ll be fine. I’d never sat an exam until IST, if I can do it, anyone can !!

 

[Kraken]

Morning All i've just started IST and i feel really overwhelmed and worried about the amount of information that we need to learn/take in. I think the first test will be in week 6 so feel a little stressed knowing that im going to have to remember 6weeks worth of information. Can anyone provide some advice on what the tests are like and will it cover everything from first 6weeks? Also someone mentioned using simsig to practice so just want to check with others if this is a good idea?

You can definitely do it! The thing that really worked for me was sitting down with the other people on the course and just endlessly firing questions at each other from Bruce’s quizzes (if you’ve been getting those) until you are utterly bored of answering them. It’s a lot of information to take in, particularly the verbatim bits, but if you keep kicking it to death it’ll go in eventually.

The test is a mixture of multiple choice and written stuff and by the time you get to it it should be obvious what sort of questions you are going to get asked. They’re definitely not out to trick you.

 

[kenneth wright]

Hi everyone is anyone on here waiting for the outcome of interviews for the woolley signal box.I had mine on the 6th i think it went well felt quite relaxed.

 

[willpilbeam]

Hi everyone is anyone on here waiting for the outcome of interviews for the woolley signal box.I had mine on the 6th i think it went well felt quite relaxed.

Morning Kenneth! I had mine on the 6th for a Grade 2 in North Wales, also think i went well and still waiting, constantly checking my emails.. Hopefully hear something soon

 

[kenneth wright]

Morning Kenneth! I had mine on the 6th for a Grade 2 in North Wales, also think i went well and still waiting, constantly checking my emails.. Hopefully hear something soon

Hi Will good luck i hope you get the role.I am the same at the moment constantly checking my emails.Have you been applying for long.Me personally been applying about four years on and off and this interview was my first.Is yours a permanent contract or a fixed term.Mine is a 12 month fixed term contract.

 

[willpilbeam]

Hi Will good luck i hope you get the role.I am the same at the moment constantly checking my emails.Have you been applying for long.Me personally been applying about four years on and off and this interview was my first.Is yours a permanent contract or a fixed term.Mine is a 12 month fixed term contract.

Thanks Kenneth.. Good Luck to you as well, I have heard its a two week wait normally, so hopefully we get some news by Thursday.
This is the second time I've applied, first interview. Mine is also a 12 month fixed term, dont think its anything to be concerned about though.

 

[kenneth wright]

Thanks Kenneth.. Good Luck to you as well, I have heard its a two week wait normally, so hopefully we get some news by Thursday.
This is the second time I've applied, first interview. Mine is also a 12 month fixed term, dont think its anything to be concerned about though.

Have you had any previous railway experience?I havent unless you count visiting york railway museum a few times LOL.What job do you do currently.Me currently im a deputy security manager working in the NHS.

 

[willpilbeam]

Have you had any previous railway experience?I havent unless you count visiting york railway museum a few times LOL.What job do you do currently.Me currently im a deputy security manager working in the NHS.

I've got zero rail experience.. I'm currently a security supervisor in the nuclear industry, so I'm hoping my 8 years experience in a safety critical environment will help.. Time tell for us both

 

[kenneth wright]

I've got zero rail experience.. I'm currently a security supervisor in the nuclear industry, so I'm hoping my 8 years experience in a safety critical environment will help.. Time tell for us both

If you are successful what school are you hoping for?Me im hoping for York but ill be happy to go anywhere really.

 

[willpilbeam]

If you are successful what school are you hoping for?Me im hoping for York but ill be happy to go anywhere really.

If successful im happy to be placed anywhere to be honest.. Who knows we may end up in the same school if we get good news

 

[Luke1687]

I haven’t been told officially yet but I know somebody else a while ago who went to Preston and they stayed at the IHG so I am expecting it there but let’s see.

Any idea how many people are on the course?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Apr 2023 ==


Interesting. I am looking forward to getting started. I have a young son and my partner works full time so trying to get as much information as I can so I can plan ahead. Is there anyway to get a list of active signal boxes and there’s grading.

Also do grade 2 do the same training as higher grades

I’m not sure about numbers on the course yet, I tried to find out if many others were joining us but I didn’t get many replies. I thought it may be that hotel too. Feel pretty anxious now but excited too. I don’t come from a rail background so feel a little on the back foot. Just going to get my head down and learn as much as I can and enjoy the experience too.

 

[Sawasdee]

I’m not sure about numbers on the course yet, I tried to find out if many others were joining us but I didn’t get many replies. I thought it may be that hotel too. Feel pretty anxious now but excited too. I don’t come from a rail background so feel a little on the back foot. Just going to get my head down and learn as much as I can and enjoy the experience too.

10 max

 

[Harls24]

I’m feeling fairly confident that it went well, but only time will tell! It was probably the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in an interview situation. I never once felt like I was being grilled or under any sort of pressure from the interviewers. I felt very comfortable with the interviewers and felt like I got a long with them well.

How did it go? Anyone else heard anything from YORK ROC G5 interview?

 

[CheeseNoMayo]

How did it go? Anyone else heard anything from YORK ROC G5 interview?

Unfortunately I wasn’t successful after the interview. Was told I could email to arrange a phone call to discuss feedback, which I did but haven’t heard back from that email yet.

 

[red2512]

Unfortunately I wasn’t successful after the interview. Was told I could email to arrange a phone call to discuss feedback, which I did but haven’t heard back from that email yet.

How long did you have to wait for feedback or any news... I'm still waiting on West Midlands and Rugby with my fingers crossed!

 

[CheeseNoMayo]

How long did you have to wait for feedback or any news... I'm still waiting on West Midlands and Rugby with my fingers crossed!

3 weeks mate

 

[SH89]

Hi, does anybody know the timings for claiming the grade once appointed to an internal promotion? I’ve gone from 3 to 5, a colleague advised it’s 12 weeks from date of application, but I was under the impression it’s 12 weeks from accepting the job, can anyone advise?

 

[endofthetunnel]

Hi, does anybody know the timings for claiming the grade once appointed to an internal promotion? I’ve gone from 3 to 5, a colleague advised it’s 12 weeks from date of application, but I was under the impression it’s 12 weeks from accepting the job, can anyone advise?

Assuming there’s a vacancy waiting for you to go into, you can claim the grade if you are not released after 12 published weeks from acceptance of the job offer. Once agreed this is then back dated/ backpaid to the date of the offer being accepted.