A career as a signaller

Tom Quinne · 11 Apr 2019

OverTheRails said:
I suppose when you put it like that!

I know it has been posted on here before as I saw it a couple of weeks ago but I can’t seem to search for it now... what’s the total salary for a grade 7 and grade 9 once you include typical overtime and Sunday’s?

Grade 7 is circa £52,000 (at TVSC) with extras.

Grade 9 is circa £56,000 (at TVSC) with extras.

Both without RDW and extra non booked Sundays, special day enhancements etc

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Judochop · 11 Apr 2019

Thistley said:
Out of interest, what grades are panels 5 and 6 at TBROC? They are on SimSig and I didn't feel like they are terribly difficult panels.

I dont think TBROC has a grade 5 panel

Grade 6 - Eastbourne and Lewis (when it comes up!)

Grade 8&9 - around London not sure what parts

Grade 10 - SSM

That's what I'm lead to believe. I'm sure there is someone here from the ROC that can confirm.

Like Tom Quinne said DO NOT MENTION SIMSIG unless you've got an interview for the same role as me then mention away

Thistley · 11 Apr 2019

Tom Quinne said:
Never, never, never, never ever mention SimSig at interview !

Judochop said:
I dont think TBROC has a grade 5 panel

Grade 6 - Eastbourne and Lewis (when it comes up!)

Grade 8&9 - around London not sure what parts

Grade 10 - SSM

That's what I'm lead to believe. I'm sure there is someone here from the ROC that can confirm.

Like Tom Quinne said DO NOT MENTION SIMSIG unless you've got an interview for the same role as me then mention away

Thanks for the advice!

And hope some people on here had a good laugh at my daftness :lol:

are you going for SSM then Judochop?

Llanigraham · 11 Apr 2019

Thistley said:
Out of interest, what grades are panels 5 and 6 at TBROC? They are on SimSig and I didn't feel like they are terribly difficult panels.

Sorry, but you are comparing a "toy" to the real world.

Would mentioning SimSig be advantageous, or should I act like I have no signalling experience?

SimSig is NOT signalling experience and if you think it is and mention it at an interview I would suggest that the exit door will be wide open and you will be filling it very quickly.

If you are entering the signalling profession on the strength of a toy then frankly it isn't the profession for you.

Sunset route · 12 Apr 2019

Thistley said:
Out of interest, what grades are panels 5 and 6 at TBROC? They are on SimSig and I didn't feel like they are terribly difficult panels.

Would mentioning SimSig be advantageous, or should I act like I have no signalling experience?

SimSig simulates and I use that term loosely Panels 5 and 6 at Three Bridges ASC not Three Bridges ROC. TBASC is a grade 9 location although all panels/workstations are individual graded, the link or links will be based on the highest grade workstation/panel worked by that link. I can tell you there is a world of difference between simsig as good as it is and the real Panels.

Thistley · 13 Apr 2019

Llanigraham said:
Sorry, but you are comparing a "toy" to the real world.

SimSig is NOT signalling experience and if you think it is and mention it at an interview I would suggest that the exit door will be wide open and you will be filling it very quickly.

If you are entering the signalling profession on the strength of a toy then frankly it isn't the profession for you.

Apologies, and I'm not getting into the profession based on a game. I just thought it might be a good introduction, but clearly I'm wrong on that front. Thanks for correcting my misconception.

Sunset route said:
SimSig simulates and I use that term loosely Panels 5 and 6 at Three Bridges ASC not Three Bridges ROC. TBASC is a grade 9 location although all panels/workstations are individual graded, the link or links will be based on the highest grade workstation/panel worked by that link. I can tell you there is a world of difference between simsig as good as it is and the real Panels.

Thank you. So the grades are based on the complexity of the area controlled, or the amount of trains in the area?

GingerRH · 13 Apr 2019

Thistley said:
Thank you. So the grades are based on the complexity of the area controlled, or the amount of trains in the area?

Yes and no, the grading of a panel is scored on a number of things, such as number of points, number of signals and types (eg Auto, distance, semi auto, controlled, position light etc), number and type of level crossings (CCTV, OD, user worked, AHBs etc), number of phone calls in an average day, number of trains, number of headcode changes and shunt moves etc, is there anything else such as a depot etc, amount of bridges (are they red, amber, double amber or green), how many track miles, is it single line or multiple lines.

They are a few things, and there will he more.

Thistley · 13 Apr 2019

GingerRH said:
Yes and no, the grading of a panel is scored on a number of things, such as number of points, number of signals and types (eg Auto, distance, semi auto, controlled, position light etc), number and type of level crossings (CCTV, OD, user worked, AHBs etc), number of phone calls in an average day, number of trains, number of headcode changes and shunt moves etc, is there anything else such as a depot etc, amount of bridges (are they red, amber, double amber or green), how many track miles, is it single line or multiple lines.

They are a few things, and there will he more.

Thank you! It's very helpful.

ljmac · 16 Apr 2019

I had an application under consideration for assessment 2. However, it has now disappeared. Has anyone experienced this?

JMH77 · 17 Apr 2019

Quick question... I currently have an application in for a Grade 7 position. I've just checked and the status changed to "Assessment scheduled" on 12th April. It's not a term I've seen before or seen mentioned on here. Can anyone advise it's meaning? I've not received any update from NR.

galaxynew · 17 Apr 2019

JMH77 said:
Quick question... I currently have an application in for a Grade 7 position. I've just checked and the status changed to "Assessment scheduled" on 12th April. It's not a term I've seen before or seen mentioned on here. Can anyone advise it's meaning? I've not received any update from NR.

I am pretty certain that means you have an interview scheduled, sometimes the email to confirm an interview can be up to 24 hours after the application status is updated in your careers portal. Hopefully you get the email with the good news within the next few hours.

Tom Quinne · 17 Apr 2019

Interview baby !

Sugarpuff · 17 Apr 2019

Has anyone had an assessment day for Cambridge(Ely) recently, just wondered what the exercises where?

Saracen_83 · 17 Apr 2019

Sugarpuff said:
Has anyone had an assessment day for Cambridge(Ely) recently, just wondered what the exercises where?

Read back, It was discussed very recently

JMH77 · 17 Apr 2019

galaxynew said:
I am pretty certain that means you have an interview scheduled, sometimes the email to confirm an interview can be up to 24 hours after the application status is updated in your careers portal. Hopefully you get the email with the good news within the next few hours.

Tom Quinne said:
Interview baby !

Oh Crap! I did wonder if that might be the meaning. Really wasn't expecting to go any further with this one after a few unsuccessful applications at lower grades.

Tom Quinne · 17 Apr 2019

TVSC?

cogload · 17 Apr 2019

Tom Quinne said:
Did anyone see the “Daliy Fail” “article” on network rail pay ?

Apparently 230 Signallers are doing £80,000 to £100,000 pa.

I am in the wrong 'box then...

nom de guerre · 17 Apr 2019

cogload said:
I am in the wrong 'box then...

Right box, wrong roster ...?

Plus, you probably have a life

cogload · 17 Apr 2019

I chucked my late turn Sundays (We work 8hr Sunday turns...yeah I know) in this year. Take the pay cut and enjoy a day off.

OverTheRails · 18 Apr 2019

JMH77 said:
Quick question... I currently have an application in for a Grade 7 position. I've just checked and the status changed to "Assessment scheduled" on 12th April. It's not a term I've seen before or seen mentioned on here. Can anyone advise it's meaning? I've not received any update from NR.

TVSC?

LAX54 · 18 Apr 2019

Tom Quinne said:
Did anyone see the “Daliy Fail” “article” on network rail pay ?

Apparently 230 Signallers are doing £80,000 to £100,000 pa.

Having been in the grade for 46 years, and a grade 9 for some 10 years, and done my fair share of O/T each year, have to say, never got near £80K let alone 90 to 100 !

JMH77 · 18 Apr 2019

OverTheRails said:
TVSC?

What does TVSC mean?

Sunset route · 18 Apr 2019

swills said:
Having been in the grade for 46 years, and a grade 9 for some 10 years, and done my fair share of O/T each year, have to say, never got near £80K let alone 90 to 100 !

I’m in the same boat as you been in the grade some 30yrs of which 16 have been at grade 9 and I’ve also done a fair bit of overtime on occasions and I’ve never made anything like those quoted figures either.

Tom Quinne · 19 Apr 2019

I reckon it might be about the roster, and staff shortages at your location - I know for sure there are blokes are my place who do more RDW than me who are over £80,000 easy.

My roster is pretty much booked three, off seven, on three so plenty of opportunity for RDW especially as we’re so short - since i moved ROC I’ve never done so much RDW, but honestly doesn’t feel like I’m always in work intact quite the opposite, I’m only a grade 7 - the legacy grade 8 lads are certainly busting well into the bracket mentioned going in my own 2018/19 total pay.

Tom Quinne · 19 Apr 2019

JMH77 said:
What does TVSC mean?

TVSC - Thames Valley Signalling Centre, Didcot.

Seejwalker · 19 Apr 2019

swills said:
Having been in the grade for 46 years, and a grade 9 for some 10 years, and done my fair share of O/T each year, have to say, never got near £80K let alone 90 to 100 !

My panel is grade 7 and there's guys making that kind of money.

P200E · 19 Apr 2019

Do many people that that take fixed term positions such as 12 months get offered permanent roles at the end or have success getting into another role so as to stay on and NR?

SignallerJohn · 19 Apr 2019

P200E said:
Do many people that that take fixed term positions such as 12 months get offered permanent roles at the end or have success getting into another role so as to stay on and NR?

Externally Network Rail pay a massive amount of money for the IST Signalling course, hotel accommodation and travelling on top of other things. There’s such a minimal chance they would get rid of you after 12 months. I believe it’s for people who don’t meet expectations at signalling school, and the elusive internal job list becomes available.

Tom Quinne · 19 Apr 2019

P200E said:
Do many people that that take fixed term positions such as 12 months get offered permanent roles at the end or have success getting into another role so as to stay on and NR?

I know of 8 who were taken on under 12 month contracts, all 8 have full time jobs now - all 8 had full time jobs within months of starting employment as they were given a “hint, hint you might want to apply for his job” type nudge...

Show a good attitude to the job, study hard in school don’t mess up and you’ll be here until you retire.

JMH77 · 19 Apr 2019

Tom Quinne said:
TVSC - Thames Valley Signalling Centre, Didcot.

Gotcha, no not that one.

A career as a signaller

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