A career as a signaller

[StandardTom]

My portal says the same too... Seems positive!

 

[mhd123]

My portal says the same too... Seems positive!

Fingers crossed

 

[ac1234]

I recently applied for the grade 2 signaller Job at rufford. I have made it through all the stages and have been invited to the assessment centre and interview date pending! Just asking for some insights into signalling, how easy is it to work up the grades, basic demands of the job so I can learn more and know more for my interview from people who do the role! Many thanks

 

[emtm21]

I recently applied for the grade 2 signaller Job at rufford. I have made it through all the stages and have been invited to the assessment centre and interview date pending! Just asking for some insights into signalling, how easy is it to work up the grades, basic demands of the job so I can learn more and know more for my interview from people who do the role! Many thanks

There’s a w

I recently applied for the grade 2 signaller Job at rufford. I have made it through all the stages and have been invited to the assessment centre and interview date pending! Just asking for some insights into signalling, how easy is it to work up the grades, basic demands of the job so I can learn more and know more for my interview from people who do the role! Many thanks

if you post in the jobs section under signalling, I’m sure you’ll get lots of useful replies plus there are literally hundreds of pages of info on there. I found it invaluable when I was applying

 

[BennyD99]

Afternoon all,

Not strictly a signaller role but level crossing keeper at Ingatestone, can anyone shed any light to the hours there?

Thanks.

 

[Mounty87]

Just wanted to say thank you for any help I’ve received during my application as I got the call today that I’ve been offered the position.

I’m happy to help anyone if needed as it’s all still pretty fresh in the memory

 

[amalek]

Just wanted to say thank you for any help I’ve received during my application as I got the call today that I’ve been offered the position.

I’m happy to help anyone if needed as it’s all still pretty fresh in the memory

Hey mate.
Congratulations on securing the role.

I've got my face to face interview tomorrow any advice on what they may ask and what to be prepared for?

 

[Polo945]

Just wanted to say thank you for any help I’ve received during my application as I got the call today that I’ve been offered the position.

I’m happy to help anyone if needed as it’s all still pretty fresh in the memory

Hi mate, congrats on the offer.

For the assesment centre interview how much of it was competency-based questions compared to questions about the role e.g. 'why do you want to be a signaller', 'what does the role involve' and so on? I'm applying for a g2 role so they can't ask me too much about the job, but I still don't want to get caught out.

 

[Mounty87]

Hey mate.
Congratulations on securing the role.

I've got my face to face interview tomorrow any advice on what they may ask and what to be prepared for?

Thank you.

Every question was based around the 8 non technical skills. I couldn’t tell you exactly what was asked as I’ve completely forgot everything that went on as I was so nervous

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 May 2025 ==

Hi mate, congrats on the offer.

For the assesment centre interview how much of it was competency-based questions compared to questions about the role e.g. 'why do you want to be a signaller', 'what does the role involve' and so on? I'm applying for a g2 role so they can't ask me too much about the job, but I still don't want to get caught out.

It was an hour of questions around the non technical skills and then another 30 minutes doing scenario based questions.

 

[Polo945]

Thanks for the info

 

[transportphoto]

I recently applied for the grade 2 signaller Job at rufford. I have made it through all the stages and have been invited to the assessment centre and interview date pending! Just asking for some insights into signalling, how easy is it to work up the grades, basic demands of the job so I can learn more and know more for my interview from people who do the role! Many thanks

if you post in the jobs section under signalling, I’m sure you’ll get lots of useful replies plus there are literally hundreds of pages of info on there. I found it invaluable when I was applying

Merged across into the aforementioned thread

 

[Locky]

Hi mate, congrats on the offer.

For the assesment centre interview how much of it was competency-based questions compared to questions about the role e.g. 'why do you want to be a signaller', 'what does the role involve' and so on? I'm applying for a g2 role so they can't ask me too much about the job, but I still don't want to get caught out.

Mine was the exact same as Mounty. 1 hour of competency based questions, then about half an hour of a scenario. I don't remember much because like Mounty I was very nervous. Interviews are just as, if not worse, than public speaking in my view.. One of the questions was something along the lines of 'Tell me a time where you have had to share your knowledge. What was it and how did you go about it?'. Another one was similar to 'Tell us how you would manage a stressful situation with a colleague'. My interviewers would ask questions off the back of my answers to dig a little bit deeper. They were certainly looking for my answers to hit the non-technical skills. It was almost as if they were ticking boxes with each of my answers, literally.

I'll keep my scenario broad as not to put your headspace into something irrelevant; My scenario was based on a shift as a signaller. There was a situation that I had to deal with. There were questions around this particular situation. They were looking to see how I would deal with it.

In my opinion, it's vital that you have solid answers/scenarios of your own for each of the 8 NTS. These can be work-related scenarios or real life experiences where you think you have demonstrated one or more of the NTS. This thread is a goldmine, you just have to dig (Search function really is your friend)

 

[Badger27]

Question for everyone.

Do you like the job as a signaller?

Or is it that you enjoy the wages/ shift pattern/ time off?

I have 3 friends that work for network rail in different roles. They all enjoy the above mentioned but the actual job is give or take.

Does signalling provide that missing piece?

 

[Driveit]

Hi all, would anyone happen to know the shift pattern for Marston Vale box? I'm trying to ascertain how many days in a row worked, rest days, etc. I've tried the search function but only found a little info from a couple of years ago that may not be relevant anymore.

 

[cxlla]

Hello. I've been in touch today with my IST planner.

They have informed me that they will only be putting us up in the hotel from Monday night until Friday each week.

Maybe this will be a change moving forward, but a little disappointing to be stressed out every Monday with 2 hours travel to the centre. Anyone else had the same? I will be completing IST at Derby. From 1st September

 

[ferksta]

I recently applied for the grade 2 signaller Job at rufford. I have made it through all the stages and have been invited to the assessment centre and interview date pending! Just asking for some insights into signalling, how easy is it to work up the grades, basic demands of the job so I can learn more and know more for my interview from people who do the role! Many thanks

I've also applied for the Rufford position good luck

 

[Kraken]

Question for everyone.

Do you like the job as a signaller?

Or is it that you enjoy the wages/ shift pattern/ time off?

I have 3 friends that work for network rail in different roles. They all enjoy the above mentioned but the actual job is give or take.

Does signalling provide that missing piece?

I’ve said it before a few times on this thread but I really love the job. Life in a lever frame box to me is ideal, I like the rhythm of the job where I get a decent amount of my own time whilst I’m at work to read a book, build models, do a spot of cleaning or whatnot - when the trains are running fine it can be a bit dull, but there’s often interesting regulating decisions to be made, when there is some sort of degraded working it’s satisfying using your experience and knowledge to try to keep the service running with the minimum of delays. Overall I occasionally find myself actively looking forward to going to work, which seems insane but there you go!

Beware getting a skewed viewpoint from people on this thread though - there are definitely people out there who don’t particularly enjoy signalling too.

 

[Scooby123]

Hello. If you are a signaller do you have to disclose new medical conditions? No medication necessary. I’ve tried searching connect and the forums but can’t find anything that states you must. Thanks in advance.

 

[High Dyke]

Question for everyone.

Do you like the job as a signaller?

Or is it that you enjoy the wages/ shift pattern/ time off?

I have 3 friends that work for network rail in different roles. They all enjoy the above mentioned but the actual job is give or take.

Does signalling provide that missing piece?

I can moan about the job, as much as the next person. However, it's paid my wages for 25-years, so it can't be all that bad. As a relief I like the variety of locations I work. Equally, I've known people in the job that hate shift work, have little time for their colleagues or interest in their role. They just turn up, do the shift and appreciate the pay.

 

[ac1234]

Thank you.

Every question was based around the 8 non technical skills. I couldn’t tell you exactly what was asked as I’ve completely forgot everything that went on as I was so nervous

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 May 2025 ==


It was an hour of questions around the non technical skills and then another 30 minutes doing scenario based questions.

Was your interview and assessment virtual or in person,
V

 

[High Dyke]

Hello. If you are a signaller do you have to disclose new medical conditions? No medication necessary. I’ve tried searching connect and the forums but can’t find anything that states you must. Thanks in advance.

Have messaged you about this.

 

[Mounty87]

I received my offer emails today and I noticed it mentioned I would receive an SE allowance. Does anybody know how much this is? I wasn’t expecting it that’s all so was a nice surprise

 

[amalek]

I received my offer emails today and I noticed it mentioned I would receive an SE allowance. Does anybody know how much this is? I wasn’t expecting it that’s all so was a nice surprise

What was the turnaround from interview to receiving the call?

 

[bouff34]

I received my offer emails today and I noticed it mentioned I would receive an SE allowance. Does anybody know how much this is? I wasn’t expecting it that’s all so was a nice surprise

Pretty sure the SE allowance is £955 and has been frozen at that for a few years... for those within the South-East but over 40 miles from Charing Cross. No idea of what constitutes the 'South-East' though!

There used to also be Outer (less than 40 miles from CC) London and Inner (less than 16 miles from CC ) London Allowances but no idea if these still exist???

 

[Oaksie]

Hey mate.
Congratulations on securing the role.

I've got my face to face interview tomorrow any advice on what they may ask and what to be prepared for?

How was your interview mate? I have mine in a couple of weeks. Was it just questions on the 8 non technical skills and then some scenarios as previously mentioned?

 

[nom de guerre]

I received my offer emails today and I noticed it mentioned I would receive an SE allowance. Does anybody know how much this is? I wasn’t expecting it that’s all so was a nice surprise

Pretty sure the SE allowance is £955 and has been frozen at that for a few years... for those within the South-East but over 40 miles from Charing Cross. No idea of what constitutes the 'South-East' though!

There used to also be Outer (less than 40 miles from CC) London and Inner (less than 16 miles from CC ) London Allowances but no idea if these still exist???

Outer and Inner London very much still a thing. Inner is currently £3270.

IIRC “South East” is defined as more or less the former Southern Region (corrections welcome). Think it’s been frozen since one of the late 2010s pay deals.

 

[Frothy_B]

Hi all, would anyone happen to know the shift pattern for Marston Vale box? I'm trying to ascertain how many days in a row worked, rest days, etc. I've tried the search function but only found a little info from a couple of years ago that may not be relevant anymore.

PM'd you.

 

[Mounty87]

What was the turnaround from interview to receiving the call?

I had my interview last Thursday afternoon and got the call first thing Tuesday morning. I wasn’t expecting such a quick response as I knew they had interviews on the Monday too

 

[deeneyweb]

Question for everyone.

Do you like the job as a signaller?

Or is it that you enjoy the wages/ shift pattern/ time off?

I have 3 friends that work for network rail in different roles. They all enjoy the above mentioned but the actual job is give or take.

Does signalling provide that missing piece?

After working for 30+ years in IT I made the change to signaller last year and so far I have really enjoyed it. I work in a single person’d lever frame box at a terminus station with a shunting yard. The variation of trains in the different shifts works well for me as earlies, lates or nights all have their different challenges. It’s the first time I’ve done shift work (8 hrs) and I mostly like it but after run of 7 earlies or nights I am ready for a change. As others have said when it’s all running to schedule with no issues it’s quite easy and can be repetitive but nearly every shift there will be something out of the ordinary and sometimes it all goes wrong which is a challenge but it feels good to get through it and get everything on time again. Working in a single box suits me but may not be for everyone. Some times the only person you will speak to for 8 hours are the other signallers at handover. Signalling at a location where you can see the trains you are controlling is good for me too. Not sure I would like to work in a location where you never see a train like a ROC but I guess in a ROC you are with other people which has a lot of other benefits. It’s definitely not a job for everyone but if it’s your thing then it can be great and the pay is pretty good too.
Personally Very pleased I made the career change

 

[ac1234]

I've also applied for the Rufford position good luck

Have you heard anything back regarding a date for the assessment centre?