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A career as a signaller

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Tom Quinne

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ljmac said:
Ha! We've got one who rocks up at least an hour early and is late for their shift more often than not...

Next question. I'm on a roll!

Would it be wrong to assume a box doesn't have nights or Sunday's if there's nothing on the lines during those hours? I'd imagine there may be exceptions for maintenance etc...
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Generally yes, however some SB may be specially opened or closed late/opened early to allow a T3 possession, once the block is taken the SB can close but the block can’t be handed back until the SB is open again so a special opening time would be agreed and covered.

We have some SB on the line between Abergavenny and Hereford that can be switched out even during the day if they’re short staffed, signals off position and a very very very long block section!
 
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Sinistah

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Hi guys, just like to say a big thank you to everyone on here who has ever offered me their opinions or given me advice. I’ve just completed my final practical assessment at signal school. Next part of the journey will be to learn the panels and route I believe. I’ve been very fortunate to have come across some very knowledgeable people on this forum. As a lot of people have said before, read this thread from top to bottom. The information on here is invaluable. Also, to anyone going to signal school in the future, it is no joke. You need to apply yourself. To someone off the street like myself it was like learning a new language. There is so much information to learn in such a small space of time. Your also constantly on your toes with all the assessments you need to pass. You definitely get out of it what you put in though.
 
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Tom Quinne

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Congratulations mate !
Now the real learning starts, remember your the man don’t let anyone push you off your SOP, contractors will try all sorts but don’t let them push you around.
 
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NeilNX

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Tom Quinne said:
Regards to TVSC:

There was a pool of job offer ready applicants about 12 months ago ready the Bristol Temple Meads (Link 4) jobs - this however was dreaded to fill said link (13 of a 15 man link!).

TVSC is a fantastic place to learn the craft of signalling, up to date equipment, very busy route with all the drama that goes with it.

However, central to the retention problem is its location - Didcot - being so close to London house prices are stupid, quality of life isn’t great.

Of my course of 7 in 2017, only 2 remain less than 18 months later we’ve all moved to different locations closer to home, this has been repeated across the link 4 guys with people again moving closer to home.

I’d suggest if you have a strong CV and work experience, show willing you’ll probably be in with a good shot at the jobs - even grade 9 jobs are going to external people.

Most current grade 7s at TVSC won’t/don’t bother going for the grade 9 jobs as their planing on moving to a closer to home location or the extra £3k isn’t worth the hassle of learning four new workstations.
Click to expand...
Whats the shift pattern like a TVSC? Are they 12hr shifts?, might actually have a go and apply
 
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NeilNX

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Cheera nom and tom. Fairly easy pattern to work with 7am to 7pm to 7am
How come link 2 is slightly different? Is that the area it covers?
 
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Tom Quinne

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Their special...

TVSC is made up of Slough IECC, Slough Panel, Reading Panel, Swindon B, Swindon A, Bristol Panel and Causeway Level Crossing Cabin.

Reading Panel came in first with I assume 0600-1800-0600 shifts so kept them.

When Slough IECC (Grade 9) came in the became Link 1 and brought with them their 0700-1900-0700 shifts.

Reading haven’t quite a time served workforce didn’t want to change to Slough shifts so retained their 0600/1800 pattern.

Slough Panel (Grade 7) was disbanded in effect becoming Didcot workstation when Swindon A migrated into TVSC so kept the 0700/1900 shifts.

When Swindon B came in along with the stoke Gifford panel from Bristol they joined what is now link 3 and took the Slough 0700/1900 shifts.

When Bristol Temple Meads panel came up to form Link 4 they also took the now standard 0700/1900 shifts.
 
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Unknockable

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I need to do my online assessments in the next week. From these forums I take it they’re quite difficult if you don’t prepare yourself. Going to try my best.

And as for signalling school, once you make it to that point are the assessments there difficult? Are you sent home if you fail at any point during the training?
 
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Saracen_83

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Unknockable said:
I need to do my online assessments in the next week. From these forums I take it they’re quite difficult if you don’t prepare yourself. Going to try my best.

And as for signalling school, once you make it to that point are the assessments there difficult? Are you sent home if you fail at any point during the training?
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Yes just practice practice practice.... that’s all you can do!!!

As for signalling school, yes the tests are hard as it all based on the info you have learnt in the previous tests... you have a set score/percentage to reach each year

Week 3 - 70%
Week 6 -75%
Week 11 - 80%

You have a talk up that if you fail but ware within 5% of the pass rate then you can “talk up” your score to show you know the info, but just didn’t put it in the exam...

Anything less than this is a fail and you are sent home from the course... it is up to your LOM what happens, but normally recourses to the next available course to carry on the course... ie fail week six exam, you join a course back at week 4.......
 
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headshot119

headshot119

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Saracen_83 said:
Yes just practice practice practice.... that’s all you can do!!!

As for signalling school, yes the tests are hard as it all based on the info you have learnt in the previous tests... you have a set score/percentage to reach each year

Week 3 - 70%
Week 6 -85%
Week 11 - 80%

You have a talk up that if you fail but ware within 5% of the pass rate then you can “talk up” your score to show you know the info, but just didn’t put it in the exam...

Anything less than this is a fail and you are sent home from the course... it is up to your LOM what happens, but normally recourses to the next available course to carry on the course... ie fail week six exam, you join a course back at week 4.......
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Are you sure you have the percentages right? It was 75% in Week 6.

Don't forget the practical assessments:

Week 2 (3 Attempts)
Week 4 (3 Attempts)
Week 7 (3 Attempts)
Week 12 (1 Attempt)

Same applies fail and it's back to your LOM.
 
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HelixUK

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headshot119 said:
Are you sure you have the percentages right? It was 75% in Week 6.

Don't forget the practical assessments:

Week 2 (3 Attempts)
Week 4 (3 Attempts)
Week 7 (3 Attempts)
Week 12 (1 Attempt)

Same applies fail and it's back to your LOM.
Click to expand...

For the practical assessments is this role playing on a sim to a given scenario?

I assume you use the knowledge you've learnt to carry out the assessment successfully?

Do you have an example of the scenarios you'd face in these practical assessments?

Thanks
 
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Saracen_83

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headshot119 said:
Are you sure you have the percentages right? It was 75% in Week 6.

Don't forget the practical assessments:

Week 2 (3 Attempts)
Week 4 (3 Attempts)
Week 7 (3 Attempts)
Week 12 (1 Attempt)

Same applies fail and it's back to your LOM.
Click to expand...

Sorry was a typo!!!! Yes week 6 was 75% not 85% lol

And yes the practicals, however as you say you get 3 attempts...
 
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Saracen_83

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HelixUK said:
For the practical assessments is this role playing on a sim to a given scenario?

I assume you use the knowledge you've learnt to carry out the assessment successfully?

Do you have an example of the scenarios you'd face in these practical assessments?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes

An example - week 2 is normal mode and user work crossing....... you signal trains for a little while and then the WDS (trainer) will call you up pretending to be someone who wants to cross the railway.. you have to speak to the “person” see what they are crossing with and how they take take etc and then deal with the person accordingly depending on trains in the area etc.....

You are taught everything in class and then given dedicated sim time with your group before and after school to practice this to prepare you for the test...
 
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MOM67

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And as for signalling school, once you make it to that point are the assessments there difficult?

Signalling School certainly isn't easy but you will be part of a group of people who are all there for the same reason...to pass. There is no big trophy to the winner, no awards, no medals--you pass or you fail. Because of that you HAVE to help each other . If you find a topic easy to understand someone else will struggle with it and vice versa so regular revision /question and answer sessions, lots of practice on the simulator and don't be afraid to ask, ask, ask. When (not if) you become a signaller you will be pinned to the wall if you're not sure of something and don't ask or check. It's human nature to be too embarrassed to ask what might be a silly question- get over it, people can get killed if you make a mistake as a signaller.

It is also a good idea to learn the Bell Codes before you go. Don't worry about what they mean or when you would use them, just learn eg 3-1 "Is Line Clear for Class 2 train?"
 
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MOM67

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nom de guerre said:
Depends on which course they're doing, no? Fine for AB - I did myself - but largely unnecessary if not!
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Everyone does the AB course even if they're going to a TCB box. Those who need TCB do an extra week's conversion course at the end of AB.
 
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GingerRH

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MOM67 said:
Everyone does the AB course even if they're going to a TCB box. Those who need TCB do an extra week's conversion course at the end of AB.
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You couldn’t be more wrong. There’s 3 courses. AB, NX, IECC. It depends on what your location has, however in extreme circumstances you may be moved to a course that is different as such. For example, NX could do an AB course with a conversion at the end.
 
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Saracen_83

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MOM67 said:
Everyone does the AB course even if they're going to a TCB box. Those who need TCB do an extra week's conversion course at the end of AB.
Click to expand...

2 courses, AB and TCB...

TCB then split further into NX and VDU system. Same course just different signalling system used for the practical assessments.

Not everyone does AB, I certainly didn’t, I completed the TCB only as no need for the AB course as I’m in a TCB area...

The AB course can do a TCB conversion for a week if their area/LOM requires it.... once they have completed the AB course exams and the practicals...
 
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Thistley

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Hi all, there's a Grade 3 signaller opening at Willesden North Sidings - is this within Willesden TMD?
 
33056

33056

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Thistley said:
Hi all, there's a Grade 3 signaller opening at Willesden North Sidings - is this within Willesden TMD?
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No, it's probably Willesden Carriage Shed North in Wembley depot; the nearest station is Wembley Central.
It was two shifts, 6:00 to 14:00 and 20:00 to 6:00 and 6:00 to 18:00 / 18:00 to 6:00 on Sundays but that was two years ago so things might have changed since then.
 
headshot119

headshot119

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Saracen_83 said:
2 courses, AB and TCB...

TCB then split further into NX and VDU system. Same course just different signalling system used for the practical assessments.

Not everyone does AB, I certainly didn’t, I completed the TCB only as no need for the AB course as I’m in a TCB area...

The AB course can do a TCB conversion for a week if their area/LOM requires it.... once they have completed the AB course exams and the practicals...
Click to expand...

Not forgetting of course that if you do TCB on the VDU sims you get signed off on Westcad Basics without doing extra assessments on return to your home location (Assuming it uses Westcad)
 
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Tom Quinne

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My course was the first at York to do the WestCad course, we then returned to our location to convert to IECC Scaleable, I’ve since covnverted back to WestCad be further leaded MCS :)
 
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galaxynew

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3 x Worksop and 1 x Sheffield on the external for anyone looking for signaller jobs in these areas
 
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MOM67

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GingerRH said:
You couldn’t be more wrong. There’s 3 courses. AB, NX, IECC. It depends on what your location has, however in extreme circumstances you may be moved to a course that is different as such. For example, NX could do an AB course with a conversion at the end.
Click to expand...
My mistake. They must've changed the format
 
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