A career as a signaller

[Ducatist4]

If you answer yes when it’s really no then you are in deep do do! If it’s a trainee position then they can’t expect you to have that experience.

 

[Cyclist]

If you answer yes when it’s really no then you are in deep do do!

Indeed, so that's why I am asking if I should bother. I will not lie on an application. I don't want to waste my time if answering "no" will result in instant rejection.

 

[Ducatist4]

No, if it’s a trainee position.

 

[Cyclist]

No, if it’s a trainee position.

I'll give it a go then, cheers.

 

[Ducatist4]

They can only say no!

 

[Saracen_83]

For the 69 questions, they will
Not expect you to answer yes to the signaller specific questions If you are an external candidate. Just answer yes to as many as you can and remember to give good examples where needed.

 

[Tom Quinne]

There’ll be questions on the form that even signallers will have to day No to, as we have to complete the same form internally when going for new signaller jobs.

Tick NO to the “are you a signaller” if your not, and they’ll expect the majority of questions to show NO or NA.

 

[Cyclist]

useful stuff, thanks everybody

 

[Chumba]

useful stuff, thanks everybody

There are a number of the 69 questions that an external non signaller can’t answer, just put N/A in those boxes and answer the ones you can. You won’t get marked down for not answering them. I was external and a non signaller and did just that. Got an interview and got offered the job !

 

[Cyclist]

There are a number of the 69 questions that an external non signaller can’t answer, just put N/A in those boxes and answer the ones you can. You won’t get marked down for not answering them. I was external and a non signaller and did just that. Got an interview and got offered the job !

at the point I asked the question I had only gone through the first one and a half pages which were asking more generic questions. Luckily I could answer yes on all of them so it's just whether they like my answers now.

 

[MOM67]

My point is that if you’ve got thirty seconds to go and have five unanswered questions don’t leave them blank.

Don't do this. The purpose of the tests is to show you can work methodically and accurately under pressure. You are expected to answer a certain number (we don't know what that is) and be accurate with your answers. As a hypothetical example:-
Person 1 - Answers 15 out of 18 questions and gets one wrong
Person 2 - Answers 18 out of 18 questions and gets four wrong because they 'guessed' the last three due to time running out
Person 3 - Answers 12 out of 18 questions and gets them all correct
Person 1 has performed better in the test because Person 2 got too many wrong and Person 3 did not answer enough of the questions.

 

[Cyclist]

A job for "Gateshead Tyneside" G2 signaller has been added recently. Does anybody know exactly where this is?

 

[Cavan]

A job for "Gateshead Tyneside" G2 signaller has been added recently. Does anybody know exactly where this is?

Blaydon maybe?

 

[Jaymol74]

Hi folks. New to this. I've been looking out for signaller positions in Scotland for months and Dunblane has just come up. I'm around a 40 minute drive from Dunblane. Is there a required distance you have to be to apply? Also, and I'm sure it's been asked many times but any tips for the 70 questions? Also what the shift pattern may be like. Seems to be a lot of helpful posts on here, especially from current NR employees which only makes me want to try and get my foit in the door even more. Any tips/ advice would be greatly appreciated. If I don't respond straight away please forgive. Currently on nightshift. Thanks.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Hi folks. New to this. I've been looking out for signaller positions in Scotland for months and Dunblane has just come up. I'm around a 40 minute drive from Dunblane. Is there a required distance you have to be to apply? Also, and I'm sure it's been asked many times but any tips for the 70 questions? Also what the shift pattern may be like. Seems to be a lot of helpful posts on here, especially from current NR employees which only makes me want to try and get my foit in the door even more. Any tips/ advice would be greatly appreciated. If I don't respond straight away please forgive. Currently on nightshift. Thanks.

Hello! Not sure of the shift pattern at Dunblane but 40 minutes is well within recommended commutable distance. As regards the 70 questions be honest and go into detail. There’s going to be quite a few you can’t answer as they’re for existing signallers, do not despair. Best of luck!

 

[godfreycomplex]

Blaydon maybe?

I think it might be Freemans (between Ashington and Cambois for the uninitiated)

 

[Cavan]

IRC2171113 is the freemans jobs

Gateshead job is IRC2171121

 

[godfreycomplex]

IRC2171113 is the freemans jobs

Gateshead job is IRC2171121

I stand corrected, I don’t know then. Tyne IECC is one grade 7 signaller link AAUI

 

[Cavan]

Blaydon is probably a G2 and is technically in Gateshead borough - it would be helpful for applicants if the box was always included in the advert!

 

[godfreycomplex]

Blaydon is probably a G2 and is technically in Gateshead borough - it would be helpful for applicants if the box was always included in the advert!

Agreed, extremely helpful.

 

[nom de guerre]

 

[Fougasse]

Does anyone know the shift patterns for Kilkerran SB? It's just south of Maybole on the Ayr to Girvan line. Just got offered it after a 6 month wait.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Thanks !

 

[LOM]

Does anyone know the shift patterns for Kilkerran SB? It's just south of Maybole on the Ayr to Girvan line. Just got offered it after a 6 month wait.

It is two shifted - early is 05:21 to 14:44 and back is 14:44 to 00:07

Hi folks. New to this. I've been looking out for signaller positions in Scotland for months and Dunblane has just come up. I'm around a 40 minute drive from Dunblane. Is there a required distance you have to be to apply? .

Network Rail is really looking for you to be able to get to and from work within 14 hours in total including your shift time which at Dunblane is 12 hours. This isn’t generally enforced at the moment but will become a much bigger issue in the next year or so.

 

[BlockBackBobby]

Yeah, I’ve heard a whisper that NWR want to get rid of all 12 hour shifts, anyone else know any more?
(I’m guessing that’s a lot of unhappy signallers if true)

 

[Jaymol74]

It is two shifted - early is 05:21 to 14:44 and back is 14:44 to 00:07

Network Rail is really looking for you to be able to get to and from work within 14 hours in total including your shift time which at Dunblane is 12 hours. This isn’t generally enforced at the moment but will become a much bigger issue in the next year or so.

Thanks. I would be able to do that. Appreciate the reply

 

[MidlandsChap]

Just been browsing this thread as I have a lot of free time waiting to go back to work after Christmas. I have read a couple of times about signallers on here saying that some lower graded boxes only have a couple of trains per day. Is that really true? I dont really understand why a line would be that quiet. Anyhow, If that is the case what is the signaller required to attend to for the rest of the shift?

 

[nom de guerre]

Yeah, I’ve heard a whisper that NWR want to get rid of all 12 hour shifts, anyone else know any more?
(I’m guessing that’s a lot of unhappy signallers if true)

The suggestion is that if NR are compelled to enforce a max 14hr working day (including travel), 12hr turns may have to go as they don’t allow enough leeway for, say, getting stuck in traffic.

Will existing 12hr rosters be given some sort of exemption? If not, is there a compromise option (eg 10hr roster), or just blanket 8s [shudder] ...?

So many questions...

 

[MidlandsChap]

Its a very interesting topic. I presume there are pros and cons of both 12 hours and 8 hours. Whilst working/commuting 14+ hours straight can be mentally and physically draining the longer shifts do mean people work less days in total. This allows those on longer days larger blocks of time to rest and or adjust sleeping patterns. Though thats just my very uneducated opinion. I am interested to hear the thoughts of signallers on here.

 

[LOM]

Some people like 12s some people prefer 8s. The same circular arguments between the 2 has rattled on for years. The 12ers say they like the extra time off, not having to work so many shifts on the bounce, better turn rounds between shifts and less wear and tear on their cars. The 8ers say they find 12 hour shifts too long and tiring and they like the shorter turns. Ultimately Network Rail answers to ORR and they (ORR) has decreed that workforce fatigue is something they will be examining closely in the near future. Watch this space.