John1976

Sorry but Im not to sure how they go about when they select when to run courses,must just wait when there's enough trainees to make it viable i.e between 7-12 (there were 8 on my course from all over the country) Hope you get what you're after,sorry about the rambling response just hope its been of use. Don't hesitate to ask anything I promise to be quicker next time. (I see you're ex-navy,there's a few ex-service on my line so that definitely puts you in good stead regarding your application). PS Had to cut and paste reply as original answer to long for email hence the truncated reply over 3 messages!

At the interview the recruitment manager was there and put a good word in for me and I got the job. Had to wait then until June 2010 to start Signalling school at Leeds,1st wk at my appointed box,4 weeks at Leeds with 2 exams at the end of 2nd and 4th wk. 6th wk back in the bx,7th and 8th wk back at leeds with 2 exams,9th wk in the box and weeks 10,11,12 finish at Leeds and couple more exams including a track circuit block exam. Back to my manager September 2010 for training at my appointed box and when he's satisfied I knew what I was doing he sent me to see the Signalling inspector for final approval. Signed off Oct 2010 and been working as a Grade 2 signaller ever since!

Sorry Nick1971,have only just seen your message 2 months on! If its any help for you to know it can be v. lenghty regards recruitment process. I left the RAF at the end of 2008,was tested and interviewed for crossing keeper Jan 2009 and subsequently put on a years waiting list for crossing keeper vacancies to come up (apparently NR don't do this anymore due to privacy laws etc.) I took a job whilst applying for any signalling vacancies to come up throughout 2009 realising that just waiting for the waiting list so to speak could be a waste of time. Took the recruitment managers number for NR at Manchester Piccadilly and made a call every few weeks checking on my progress and making myself a pain in the arse so to speak! Got three or four "unsuccessfuls" to my applications in that time until got accepted for interview for a grade 2 post in March 2010 (having applied Dec 2009),my test scores being valid previously there was no need to test for the grade 2 job.

John1976, Sorry to be so direct but I see you have put some very informative messages on this forum. I wonder if you could pass on some advice. I am about to leave the Royal Navy after a 22 year career since school and I wish to become a signaller, presumably Network Rail are the main employer, I live in Doncaster. I applied in October for a Grade 1 position, passed the telephone test and was told I was successful and pending the next stage, then I heard nothing for a while I hastened HR then got a letter unsuccessful. I have just applied for 2 new positions, I was wondering if there is a way of finding out when the Signaller Training courses start at Leeds and Watford, could you give me an idea on the length of the process from closing date to course start date if successfull? Thanks buddy, Nick