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A career as a signaller

TRain87

Member
Joined
1 Sep 2016
Messages
311
Location
England
Think it's good pay, and with regards with annoying potential colleagues...I wouldn't worry. Nobody would hold it against you, just be polite when you ring...9 times out of 10 the signaller will just say "sorry dunno why it was late" - unless of course we do know lol. In my experience the train has been given green signals but still ends up running late for some reason...and it would be your job to find out!
 
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baz962

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2017
Messages
3,279
Think it's good pay, and with regards with annoying potential colleagues...I wouldn't worry. Nobody would hold it against you, just be polite when you ring...9 times out of 10 the signaller will just say "sorry dunno why it was late" - unless of course we do know lol. In my experience the train has been given green signals but still ends up running late for some reason...and it would be your job to find out!

Maybe i could just blame leaves, or a pesky mouse .
 

Southernsig

Member
Joined
9 May 2017
Messages
102
Delay is a grade 5 I think so plenty good enough pay.. just be prepared for plenty of disgruntled signallers on the phone... my bog standard reply is dunno mate all greens from me and from what I can gather I am one of the politest to them down my line!
 

Freckles

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2017
Messages
19
Morning all,

If there is anyone here who works within 16 miles of Charing Cross yet who doesn't qualify for the London Allowance or London Area Operations Supplement would you mind firing me a private message please? I have a question as I can't get my head around something, but have already spoken to HR so am wary of coming across as a nuisance before I even start my employment. Vis a vis I thought I might ask it to someone already working as a signaller.

Many thanks
 

nom de guerre

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2015
Messages
774
I'm further out, but several colleagues used to work within Inner London.

What are you struggling to get your head around, and what did HR say?
 

Highlandspring

Established Member
Joined
14 Oct 2017
Messages
2,778
LOMs come under Role Clarity band 4 (4C I think). MOMs are supervisory grades and are equivalent to signaller grades 5, 6 and 7 - I'm not sure if there are any higher than grade 7 anywhere. The LOMs certainly get the raw end of the deal with their T&Cs and many of them are paid much less than the staff they manage. It's not a job I would ever consider in the current climate.
 

Freckles

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2017
Messages
19
Hi @nom de guerre, really appreciate you replying but after I'd sent it I got an email from the guy I've been speaking to in HR basically following up on what he'd already told me but going in to more detail, which cleared up my query.

As I say, really appreciate the reply though :)
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
LOM are generally on circa £45,000 with no paid overtime, it’s all expected to be managed without our contracted hours - I think they get an allowance for on call and out of hours etc.

Being a MOM I personally think is a great job if you like the out door freezing cold life in the dead of winter. You really have to love your job that’s for sure, I wouldn’t mind giving it a crack one day.
 

Radarman

Member
Joined
10 Dec 2017
Messages
5
Good Afternoon.
I am new to both the forum and the railway as I work as a Flight Information Service officer in the Cotswolds, and I would like to ask a question:
I had an interview for a Grade 2 signaller job in the local area a month ago, and I had no response yet.

Is a waiting time like this normal for a signaller application?

Thank you
 

hsharma25

Member
Joined
6 May 2016
Messages
55
Hi
I too had an interview for the same job, Grade 2 signaller Moreton in March SB. Not heard anything either since sitting the interview.
How did you feel your interview went?


Good Afternoon.
I am new to both the forum and the railway as I work as a Flight Information Service officer in the Cotswolds, and I would like to ask a question:
I had an interview for a Grade 2 signaller job in the local area a month ago, and I had no response yet.

Is a waiting time like this normal for a signaller application?

Thank you
 

Greatful

Member
Joined
28 Oct 2017
Messages
30
Hi , anyone here currently at signal school or just completed ?

Is it true many of the test based is around memorizing diffeent parts of the rule book.What other surprises are there when your at signal school to look out for , work related of course .

Thanks
 

jdxn

Member
Joined
2 Nov 2017
Messages
68
Yes, you will be learning lots from the rulebook. The exams are not open book, so you cannot refer to the rulebook like you would when you are actually passed out in a box.
There will be a practical element too and that helps you put the rules into context. There are 3 exams as you go through. they have a pass rate (1)70%, (2)75%, (3)80%. If you are close on an exam (within 5%) you are allowed a talkup, but you can do this only once. If you fail an exam or need a second talk up, you are sent home from the course. The next thing will be a discussion with your LOM. The 2nd and 3rd exam are more scenario based and they will look for the detail. The detail is where the marks are!
 

Greatful

Member
Joined
28 Oct 2017
Messages
30
Yes, you will be learning lots from the rulebook. The exams are not open book, so you cannot refer to the rulebook like you would when you are actually passed out in a box.
There will be a practical element too and that helps you put the rules into context. There are 3 exams as you go through. they have a pass rate (1)70%, (2)75%, (3)80%. If you are close on an exam (within 5%) you are allowed a talkup, but you can do this only once. If you fail an exam or need a second talk up, you are sent home from the course. The next thing will be a discussion with your LOM. The 2nd and 3rd exam are more scenario based and they will look for the detail. The detail is where the marks are!

Appriciate the informative reply back , thank you .
 

Radarman

Member
Joined
10 Dec 2017
Messages
5
Hi
I too had an interview for the same job, Grade 2 signaller Moreton in March SB. Not heard anything either since sitting the interview.
How did you feel your interview went?[/Q

Hi there,

Thanks for the answer!
I think the interview went fine, just getting very curious now.
Glad it's not just me though!
 

Redder

Member
Joined
14 Sep 2016
Messages
36
Basingstoke are advertising for G5, anyone know if this will be ASC or ROC and whether 12 or 8 hour roster? Thanks guys.
 

nom de guerre

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2015
Messages
774
ASC and 8 hours. No signalling in the ROC as yet and Wessex route is solid 8 hour rosters.

Two G5 panels at the ASC: Dorset and West of England.
 

Sinistah

Member
Joined
18 Jun 2017
Messages
241
I had an interview for Basingstoke grade 5 on thursday. When i had a look today the role has changed to the new advertised role that went live today. Has anyone come across this before. Is it a system issue. The rec number is the same from last time too. The closing dste has changed to the 9th feb but it says assessment scheduled as ive done the interview. Anyone come across this before
 

nom de guerre

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2015
Messages
774
Not unknown. The same appears to have happened with another Wessex vacancy on the internal list: original closing date elapsed, interviews arranged, then suddenly readvertised.
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
Salisbury Grade 7 Relief with a 32% Relief premium attached !

Second time it’s besn advertised internally at least, surely it’s a typo the premium ?

If not I would have thought people would jump at it, any idea what other locations they cover ?
 

nom de guerre

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2015
Messages
774
Not a typo!

Not sure why it's been relisted, as interviews had been arranged based on the original closing date.

Basingstoke ASC (all three panels), Salisbury, Marchwood, School Road (a crossing near Hythe on the Fawley branch), Brockenhurst, Dorchester & Yeovil Pen Mill.

I'm told the bulk of the work is shuttling between Salisbury and Basing, with most of the other boxes only worked to provide emergency cover, or as a refresher.

8h roster though...
 

nom de guerre

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2015
Messages
774
Probably one of the best 8h relief jobs going - at least on paper - but I suppose it depends what you're doing currently.

Not many choose to move from 12s to 8s.
 

Sinistah

Member
Joined
18 Jun 2017
Messages
241
What is the difference between havibg an 8hr roster compared to 12. Do you hust get more days off a week. For example 3 days off compared to 1 or 2
 

Tom Quinne

On Moderation
Joined
8 Jul 2017
Messages
2,225
12hrs generally gives you nice blocks of turns together with plenty of RD.

It often feels like your never at work on 12s, no way id move to 8s unless I have to.

We have a few four day blocks, buts including a booked Sunday at the start of end.

8a I believe can be very harsh...
 

nom de guerre

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2015
Messages
774
What is the difference between havibg an 8hr roster compared to 12.

You work more often.

You'll work approx 235 shifts a year at a single-manned 8h box (including, initially, 26 days' A/L).

A 12h roster at a multi-manned box equates to approx 150 shifts a year (including, initially, 17/18 days' A/L).

Various other pros/cons, of course.
 

choochoobacca

Member
Joined
22 Nov 2017
Messages
122
You work more often.

You'll work approx 235 shifts a year at a single-manned 8h box (including, initially, 26 days' A/L).

A 12h roster at a multi-manned box equates to approx 150 shifts a year (including, initially, 17/18 days' A/L).

Various other pros/cons, of course.


Hi nom de guerre,

Pardon my ignorance, but what does '17/18 days' A/L' mean?
 

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