A career as a signaller

[Allaboard78]

I have my interview soon, how long will the whole thing last and how many people will be on the panel?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Usually two, both LOMs maybe the recruiting LOM and a HR on occasion.

 

[Midlands_lad]

Hello all, I have been sent a copy of the rota where I will be working. If I am reading it correctly some turns on the rota you will work 9 days on before a rest day, does this sound correct?

 

[gareth386]

Hello all, I have been sent a copy of the rota where I will be working. If I am reading it correctly some turns on the rota you will work 9 days on before a rest day, does this sound correct?

If its an 8hr roster, then yes it probably is correct. 8 hr rosters are brutal.

 

[Midlands_lad]

It is an 8 hour roster but I don’t understand how the rota would average out 36 hours per week which is in the contract. There are many 7,8 or 9 day stretches which looks to me like you will work more hours than 36. There is also letters under shifts like A,C,W and S, any ideas anyone? Many thanks.

 

[Sunset route]

Hello all, I have been sent a copy of the rota where I will be working. If I am reading it correctly some turns on the rota you will work 9 days on before a rest day, does this sound correct?

All rosters are averaged out over how many weeks it takes to rotate through them, some weeks you work more days and others less so. Sunday’s are outside the working week but all known turns must be reflected on the base roster.

I worked an old 8hr roster where on parts of the rotation you worked up to 13 day straight before a day off and there were two occasions where you worked 18 and 17 days with only one day off to break it up, all because some staff wanted five or six long weekends off built into the roster.

I now work a balanced 8hr roster and i like that much better, in fact i can’t remember the last time i felt fatigued or had problems rotating off of nights.

 

[Midlands_lad]

All rosters are averaged out over how many weeks it takes to rotate through them, some weeks you work more days and others less so. Sunday’s are outside the working week but all known turns must be reflected on the base roster.

I worked an old 8hr roster where on parts of the rotation you worked up to 13 day straight before a day off and there were two occasions where you worked 18 and 17 days with only one day off to break it up, all because some staff wanted five or six long weekends off built into the roster.

I now work a balanced 8hr roster and i like that much better, in fact i can’t remember the last time i felt fatigued or had problems rotating off of nights.

With Sunday’s being outside the working week do you have to work them? Sorry for all the questions!

 

[nom de guerre]

It is an 8 hour roster but I don’t understand how the rota would average out 36 hours per week which is in the contract. There are many 7,8 or 9 day stretches which looks to me like you will work more hours than 36. There is also letters under shifts like A,C,W and S, any ideas anyone? Many thanks.

Every type of roster includes at least one fairly shift-heavy spell per (4-week) period to 'earn' the 'long weekend' (typically 5-6 days off on an 8hr roster). As Sunset says, it all balances out.

 

[Sunset route]

With Sunday’s being outside the working week do you have to work them? Sorry for all the questions!

The short answer is yes, rostered Sunday’s can be sort of considered compulsory overtime. As for extra Sunday's outside your roster well that is up to you to either volunteer or not as the case may be.

Technically in the agreements you are supposed to find your own cover if you don't want to work your rostered Sunday. In our area we submit for a Sunday off on the annual/comp leave , Sunday or bank holiday not available form for the roster clerk to sort out (local agreement).

 

[Tom Quinne]

Hello all, I have been sent a copy of the rota where I will be working. If I am reading it correctly some turns on the rota you will work 9 days on before a rest day, does this sound correct?

The joys of a 8hr roster, on a 12hr one the most you’ll work with a booked Sunday is 4.

Usually 3 on then a week off on mine.

 

[Midlands_lad]

I really wish it was a 12 hour roster!

 

[LOM]

I have my interview soon, how long will the whole thing last

45 minutes to 1 hour.

 

[Southernsig]

Add to that 'computer game' signalling isn't a proper job. That's what a lever frame is for.

 

[Tom Quinne]

I’d love to see a automatic lever frame for somewhere like London Bridge ! lol

I think we all long for a nice little countryside signal box with one train an hour, lever frame birds singing etc.

Reality being there few and fair between, on a limited life span and grade two won’t pay the mortgage and allow a decent standard of living.

So I’ll just have to settle at being a PlayStation signaller

 

[Javagem]

I have just put in an application for the Newark Relief Job.

Could anyone t
Ian

I’d love to see a automatic lever frame for somewhere like London Bridge ! lol

I think we all long for a nice little countryside signal box with one train an hour, lever frame birds singing etc.

Reality being there few and fair between, on a limited life span and grade two won’t pay the mortgage and allow a decent standard of living.

So I’ll just have to settle at being a PlayStation signaller

PlayStation signalling sounds fun!

 

[Tom Quinne]

PlayStation signalling sounds fun!

Not when ARS-E is trying its best to play trains ahead of you.

 

[BRblue]

I’d love to see a automatic lever frame for somewhere like London Bridge ! lol

I think we all long for a nice little countryside signal box with one train an hour, lever frame birds singing etc.

Reality being there few and fair between, on a limited life span and grade two won’t pay the mortgage and allow a decent standard of living.

So I’ll just have to settle at being a PlayStation signaller

I'm not sure a Stockport no1 box signaller would agree with you there...

 

[Sunset route]

I'm not sure a Stockport no1 box signaller would agree with you there...

Indeed the Stockport Quintette are very much a rare beastie.

 

[Allaboard78]

Not sure if I'm allowed to ask this question. How much detail is required in the interview answers?

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Not sure if I'm allowed to ask this question. How much detail is required in the interview answers?

Not an expert but I am going to come back with a really awkward response... enough to answer the question (sorry) if it’s a general question about Network Rail or safety then I would suggest going until they tell you to stop! For the non-technical skills ensure that you follow the STAR technique and that should be ok, I am sure you if you are just short you will get a few probing questions to ensure you are hitting the right criteria. Good luck, when is your interview?

 

[Javagem]

Not sure if I'm allowed to ask this question. How much detail is required in the interview answers?

Agree with WoolyMammoth, I’ve recently been successful at interview stage and the guys interviewing were great, really helpful and probed a little if I was unsure about a question, or had maybe not given a full enough answer. Definitely use the STAR technique when answering and have a good 4-5 examples which you can tailor to different types of questions. My interview lasted about 45 mins -1hr. Best of luck!

 

[Signaller2020]

What sort of salary would a grade 8 signaller be looking at annually when taking shift enhancements/Sunday work etc into account?

Just want to get an idea so that I can set budgets when planning a possible relocation.

Thank you

 

[Saracen_83]

What sort of salary would a grade 8 signaller be looking at annually when taking shift enhancements/Sunday work etc into account?

Just want to get an idea so that I can set budgets when planning a possible relocation.

Thank you

all depends on how much overtime you do but a basic with Sunday’s and shift enhancement 55-60k, plus if working in/near London, you can add another 2-3k onto that for outer/inner London weighting.

 

[Peterperfect]

What sort of salary would a grade 8 signaller be looking at annually when taking shift enhancements/Sunday work etc into account?

Just want to get an idea so that I can set budgets when planning a possible relocation.

Thank you

I know someone who did north of £90k last year as an G8. A lot of OT to get that though.

 

[Tom Quinne]

I'm not sure a Stockport no1 box signaller would agree with you there...

Do they have to wear shoes up there now? lol

 

[Tom Quinne]

What sort of salary would a grade 8 signaller be looking at annually when taking shift enhancements/Sunday work etc into account?

Just want to get an idea so that I can set budgets when planning a possible relocation.

Thank you

Depends how much RDW + additional Sunday work you do.

Booked Sundays, and nights alone will add circa £10k onto your basic.

It’s not unknown to end the year with total salary of £80k and more.

 

[Gallius]

How long do you normally need to wait for a start date after completing all the pre-employment checks?

 

[Tom Quinne]

I know someone who did north of £90k last year as an G8. A lot of OT to get that though.

We’ve a few 100k plus men here, I’ve doubled my basic this year - that wasn’t with living in work either.

 

[7Paul7]

How long do you normally need to wait for a start date after completing all the pre-employment checks?

For the York future opportunities I got the offer pack with all the pre employment things to fill in on the 24th Feb had medical on the 25th Feb got the nod today for a start date of the 27th April

 

[Gallius]

For the York future opportunities I got the offer pack with all the pre employment things to fill in on the 24th Feb had medical on the 25th Feb got the nod today for a start date of the 27th April

I got confirmation from HR today that all my pre-employment checks were complete. They've requested a start date from my LOM but they did mention in the email this could take a while due to limited spaces at Signaller school. I know the LOM is chasing up Signaller school dates I'm just hoping I won't be waiting months to get started