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A career as a signaller

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High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Nice one on being successful in gaining a position, this link https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Compendium-of-Signal-Box-Opening-Times.xls might be of use to you.
Workington is on the LNW tab about halfway down, doesn’t help with shift times but gives the box opening times.
Shift times wise, if the location is a two shift box then divide equally approximately between the hours shown.

Looking through the document it shows boxes permanently closed that are definitely still open (West Hampstead PSB) and boxes that closed four years ago still shown as open.
 

CK1

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2020
Messages
14
Location
Rotherham
Well, after what felt like a good deductive reasoning test, good scenario test, I had my future opportunities interview yesterday. It felt like it went well but i received a rejection e mail this morning. :(
Well, onto the next one!
Was this for east midlands?
 

Tigerned371

Member
Joined
8 Jul 2020
Messages
34
Location
Lincolnshire
This is my concern as well.
Due to hand in my notice on my current job tomorrow. The contract starts officially 5th of October but do not get to start training school until January.

Are we allowed to work for a different company while working for network rail?

I am a bit confused as the contract says '.....no employment with other previous employer counts as part of your continuous employment with network rail'.
You will probably getting a bit of hands on in your box before school and getting some admin sorted between October and January. They surely wont have you sat at home taking pay for that long unless there is a lockdown.
 

Airman22

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
10
Location
England
Hello,

Longtime lurker, have read this forum religiously throughout my recruitment process and can finally say that, I have been successful in securing a role as a Signaller!
Very excited and thankful for the useful information so far.

I am now wondering, what next?
I know I will be meeting my LOM soon and visiting the signal box, what to expect from that meeting and can I prepare myself for it in anyway?

Also, signalling school will follow after that, is there anything I can do beforehand to prepare? Any purchases I can make to help with revision? Anything I can learn?

Thanks again, looking forward to your answers :E
 

WL113

Member
Joined
9 Jun 2010
Messages
209
Location
Rugeley, Staffordshire
Well done Airman22.

No need to prepare for the box visit, just ask any questions you may have.

Regarding the course, it is designed to reach you everything you need with no prior experience so no need to buy anything beforehand.

Just enjoy the learning and good luck.
 

High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Hello,

Longtime lurker, have read this forum religiously throughout my recruitment process and can finally say that, I have been successful in securing a role as a Signaller!
Very excited and thankful for the useful information so far.

I am now wondering, what next?
I know I will be meeting my LOM soon and visiting the signal box, what to expect from that meeting and can I prepare myself for it in anyway?

Also, signalling school will follow after that, is there anything I can do beforehand to prepare? Any purchases I can make to help with revision? Anything I can learn?

Thanks again, looking forward to your answers :E
Well done. The only thing that has been mentioned recently is some small flash cards, or make your own from sheet card, for block bell codes. Always helpful for revision. I had a set passed to me nearly twenty years ago.
 

Airman22

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
10
Location
England
Well done Airman22.

No need to prepare for the box visit, just ask any questions you may have.

Regarding the course, it is designed to reach you everything you need with no prior experience so no need to buy anything beforehand.

Just enjoy the learning and good luck.

Thank you, I'm weary that I'm riding the excitement wave and don't have any questions, but I'm sure come nearer the time I will think of some.
I'll take your advise onboard, thank you for your reply.

Well done. The only thing that has been mentioned recently is some small flash cards, or make your own from sheet card, for block bell codes. Always helpful for revision. I had a set passed to me nearly twenty years ago.

Thank you. I'll look into those now, would it be worthwhile learning the block bell codes before I attend?
Thanks for your reply.
 

godfreycomplex

Established Member
Joined
23 Jun 2016
Messages
1,296
Hello,

Longtime lurker, have read this forum religiously throughout my recruitment process and can finally say that, I have been successful in securing a role as a Signaller!
Very excited and thankful for the useful information so far.

I am now wondering, what next?
I know I will be meeting my LOM soon and visiting the signal box, what to expect from that meeting and can I prepare myself for it in anyway?

Also, signalling school will follow after that, is there anything I can do beforehand to prepare? Any purchases I can make to help with revision? Anything I can learn?

Thanks again, looking forward to your answers :E
Learn the NATO phonetic alphabet if you haven’t already.
 

MrsP2010

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
Thank you, I'm weary that I'm riding the excitement wave and don't have any questions, but I'm sure come nearer the time I will think of some.
I'll take your advise onboard, thank you for your reply.



Thank you. I'll look into those now, would it be worthwhile learning the block bell codes before I attend?
Thanks for your reply.
If you can learn the classes in the bell codes that would be useful. Don’t worry too much about the rest as you learn them as you go along
 

Airman22

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
10
Location
England
Learn the NATO phonetic alphabet if you haven’t already.

Thanks godfreycomplex.

If you can learn the classes in the bell codes that would be useful. Don’t worry too much about the rest as you learn them as you go along

Thank you MrsP2010.
Would these websites be a good source?
Wow, will you be expected to know all of these by the end of the course? I hope my memory serves me well!
 

MrsP2010

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2020
Messages
105
Location
Ellesmere
Thanks godfreycomplex.



Thank you MrsP2010.
Would these websites be a good source?
Wow, will you be expected to know all of these by the end of the course? I hope my memory serves me well!
This is what I used pages 10-12 https://www.jonroma.net/media/rail/opdocs/world/uk/GERT8000-TS1 Iss 13.pdf. Be prepared for a lot of learning and remembering at IST!!
 

vinchase

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
6
Location
derby
Hello,

Longtime lurker, have read this forum religiously throughout my recruitment process and can finally say that, I have been successful in securing a role as a Signaller!
Very excited and thankful for the useful information so far.

I am now wondering, what next?
I know I will be meeting my LOM soon and visiting the signal box, what to expect from that meeting and can I prepare myself for it in anyway?

Also, signalling school will follow after that, is there anything I can do beforehand to prepare? Any purchases I can make to help with revision? Anything I can learn?

Thanks again, looking forward to your answers :E

Well Done Airman 22 - can i ask how you were told? email or phone call? i am currently awaiting a response regarding my final interview. what other information were you given if you dont mind me asking. Thanks in advance
 

Airman22

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
10
Location
England
Well Done Airman 22 - can i ask how you were told? email or phone call? i am currently awaiting a response regarding my final interview. what other information were you given if you dont mind me asking. Thanks in advance

Thank you vinchase. I was told by phone call the day after my interview.
Don't take my experience as gospel though, as I have seen numerous posts on here where they have found out weeks later.

I'm unsure what you mean by the last part of your question? I wasn't really given much apart from what to expect next etc. Is that what you mean?
 

High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Wow, will you be expected to know all of these by the end of the course? I hope my memory serves me well!
No, not all of those. Some on that list are obsolete these days or rarely used. The list shown in the module posted by MrsP2010 is the current list used. On the whole you'll will need to know where to find the information, for the codes used less often, whilst the frequently used codes will become second nature when working a box. That is, if you are going to be at a location that uses block bells to signal/describe trains.
 

Airman22

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
10
Location
England
No, not all of those. Some on that list are obsolete these days or rarely used. The list shown in the module posted by MrsP2010 is the current list used. On the whole you'll will need to know where to find the information, for the codes used less often, whilst the frequently used codes will become second nature when working a box. That is, if you are going to be at a location that uses block bells to signal/describe trains.

Thanks HighDyke, put my anxiety to rest a little bit!

I know the signalling school is designed for someone with no knowledge of the railway, but I can't seem to fathom how all of this is done in 12 weeks! I'm sure when I'm there everything will become more clear.
How does the sim work? Can you stay behind and practise or is it something you need to schedule and discuss with your trainers during your time there?

Thanks again, I'm so grateful to have discovered such a helpful community.
 

vinchase

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
6
Location
derby
Thank you vinchase. I was told by phone call the day after my interview.
Don't take my experience as gospel though, as I have seen numerous posts on here where they have found out weeks later.

I'm unsure what you mean by the last part of your question? I wasn't really given much apart from what to expect next etc. Is that what you mean?

really! the next day! thats incredible! very lucky, ive been waiting nearly a month! i mean, were you told where you will be located and where Signaller school will be? start date?
thanks
 

Pancakes84

Member
Joined
26 Aug 2020
Messages
24
Location
England
Thank you vinchase. I was told by phone call the day after my interview.
Don't take my experience as gospel though, as I have seen numerous posts on here where they have found out weeks later.

I'm unsure what you mean by the last part of your question? I wasn't really given much apart from what to expect next etc. Is that what you mean?

Amazing!!! Well done you.
Can I ask was this a future opportunities vacancy?
 

High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,267
Location
Yellabelly Country
Thanks HighDyke, put my anxiety to rest a little bit!

I know the signalling school is designed for someone with no knowledge of the railway, but I can't seem to fathom how all of this is done in 12 weeks! I'm sure when I'm there everything will become more clear.
How does the sim work? Can you stay behind and practise or is it something you need to schedule and discuss with your trainers during your time there?

Thanks again, I'm so grateful to have discovered such a helpful community.
No problem.

Looking back at a few posts from those currently on the course, or recently finished; then yes, you do have the chance to stay and practise. Equally you should have time to discuss things with the trainers.
 

Airman22

Member
Joined
28 Sep 2020
Messages
10
Location
England
really! the next day! thats incredible! very lucky, ive been waiting nearly a month! i mean, were you told where you will be located and where Signaller school will be? start date?
thanks

I know, I feel very fortunate to have found out so quickly! I'm sure you will find out soon enough vinchase, my fingers are crossed for you.
Yes, we discussed all of this, but nothing set in stone just yet.

Amazing!!! Well done you.
Can I ask was this a future opportunities vacancy?

Thank you Pancakes84. No, it was not a future ops vacancy. I hope you hear some good news soon.

No problem.

Looking back at a few posts from those currently on the course, or recently finished; then yes, you do have the chance to stay and practise. Equally you should have time to discuss things with the trainers.

Perfect, thanks again! I've been reading from the beginning, think I'll start using the search function to find members who are currently on the course or just finished.
 

89jordanbj

Member
Joined
16 Dec 2019
Messages
208
Location
Newport
I know, I feel very fortunate to have found out so quickly! I'm sure you will find out soon enough vinchase, my fingers are crossed for you.
Yes, we discussed all of this, but nothing set in stone just yet.



Thank you Pancakes84. No, it was not a future ops vacancy. I hope you hear some good news soon.



Perfect, thanks again! I've been reading from the beginning, think I'll start using the search function to find members who are currently on the course or just finished.
Hi Airman, I am currently at IST and there is plenty of time for sim sessions. You don't have to book them in.. What our group did was split into 3 sim groups and write out a roster. So group 1 would go in Monday morning before class, group 2 would go on during lunch, group 3 would go on after class. It would then rotate every day. That way we would each get some sim time every single day. Some of us go on on Sundays on the way to the hotel if we arrive early enough.

If there is any other questions you have feel free to drop me a message.
 

CK1

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2020
Messages
14
Location
Rotherham
How many of us are there on here nervously waiting for a phone call for east midlands future opportunities ‍♂️
 

Driffy72

New Member
Joined
10 Jun 2020
Messages
2
Location
Gainsborough
Another long-time lurker here!

Picked up so many hints and tips through this forum that have me helped me through the whole process.

I received my email this morning confirming pre-employment checks have been passed and I have a start date of 26/10.

Many thanks to all posters on this forum
 

BigRob21

Member
Joined
14 Jul 2020
Messages
39
Location
Wombourne
Another long-time lurker here!

Picked up so many hints and tips through this forum that have me helped me through the whole process.

I received my email this morning confirming pre-employment checks have been passed and I have a start date of 26/10.

Many thanks to all posters on this forum
Congrats, where will you be heading?
 

_Odo_

Member
Joined
14 Jan 2020
Messages
31
Location
Lincolnshire
Another long-time lurker here!

Picked up so many hints and tips through this forum that have me helped me through the whole process.

I received my email this morning confirming pre-employment checks have been passed and I have a start date of 26/10.

Many thanks to all posters on this forum

Congrats - that's also my start date. Do you know which training school you'll be going to?
 

Sillybear44

Member
Joined
29 Sep 2020
Messages
14
Location
Dreamland
Hi all,

Long time reader first time poster. I have seen quite a few signalling positions come up near me, and I would like to apply.

My question is about anti-depressants in this line of work? I was prescribed some a bout 8 months ago following a close family members passing.

If I am lucky enough to get to the medical, would fluoxetine/anti depressants be an issue?

Im only on a mild dose and have had no side effects whilst being on them,

Has anyone had any experiences regarding mental health medication? Specifically fluoxetine if possible?

Thanks

C.
 

_Odo_

Member
Joined
14 Jan 2020
Messages
31
Location
Lincolnshire
The company that carry out the medicas is called Optima Health - it might be worth giving them an email, as I'm sure they would be able to answer your question.
 

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