A career as a signaller

[MEG]

At the moment it's 8hrs but I believe that may change. I'd probably prefer 12 hrs as I've always worked long days in previous roles but anything would be fine. Just can't wait to get a start date and on that ladder now! Good luck with your applications too

Thankyou, good luck, be good to hear how you are getting on once you start training. Exciting!

 

[Allaboard78]

If I apply for a job, say Westbury, is there anything official stopping me from getting in and then applying for another job once in signaller school? And I mean official, not you should stay, or they like you to stay. Trying to think what to do with applications and relocating

 

[SignallerJohn]

If I apply for a job, say Westbury, is there anything official stopping me from getting in and then applying for another job once in signaller school? And I mean official, not you should stay, or they like you to stay. Trying to think what to do with applications and relocating

There’s a few variables for this, is it a FTC? Is the apprenticeship scheme still happening at signalling school? How is your LOM etc

Before any official answers, do you think it’s right morally to get a job somewhere and then try and leave before you’ve finished signalling school?

 

[Dave 5-5-5]

There’s a few variables for this, is it a FTC? Is the apprenticeship scheme still happening at signalling school? How is your LOM etc

Before any official answers, do you think it’s right morally to get a job somewhere and then try and leave before you’ve finished signalling school?

Nothing at all, lad I was with was heading for a Grade 2, got a Grade 6 at York ROC before he finished IST.

 

[nom de guerre]

WMSC. 8hr shifts, 12s on Sundays.

Interesting - ta.

 

[headshot119]

I have searched the thread to no avail, does anyone know what shift patterns are on the Cumbrian coast boxes?

Which boxes in particular? Or if not a particular box which bit of the Coast, it's a big place.

 

[Sunset route]

What I’m saving is, it’s rough and tumble in a large box 16 blokes on shift together for 12hrs. You need to give as good as you take, if what I put causes offence then you’ll struggle.

Best of luck to you however.

Just like our signalling centre, we work hard and therefore we play hard. Everyone gets paid the same and is expected to pull there own weight. That doesn’t mean to say that we don’t help the new intake, in fact most of us will bend over backwards to help them learn and fill their knowledge gaps, but those stabilisers will get taken off and the new recruits will be in the end expected to work the job like anyone else on shift.

 

[Thebullet]

Which boxes in particular? Or if not a particular box which bit of the Coast, it's a big place.

Bootle, Millom and Grange Over Sands to be more precise.

 

[Tom Quinne]

If I apply for a job, say Westbury, is there anything official stopping me from getting in and then applying for another job once in signaller school? And I mean official, not you should stay, or they like you to stay. Trying to think what to do with applications and relocating

If you got a job at westbury, went to school then applied for another job Before you landed back at Westbury I think you’d rub your LOM up the wrong way to be honest.

The Western is a small place, the chances of getting another job before you even got out of school are low to be fair, as you’ll up against qualified signallers.

Personally I would go hammer and tong to pass out in school, sign off your panel then give it 12-18 months before applying for another job.

They can’t stop you, but why rub people up the wrong way so soon....

 

[LOM]

If I apply for a job, say Westbury, is there anything official stopping me from getting in and then applying for another job once in signaller school? And I mean official, not you should stay, or they like you to stay. Trying to think what to do with applications and relocating

Officially no there is nothing.

The bit you do not want to hear is that it is very very bad form and a slap in the face for your LOM who now has to start the long recruitment process all over again. I have been in that position (new signaller used access to internal vacancy list to apply for and get a job in another area while at school) and I am still very annoyed about it. If you plan to do that at least be open and honest at your interview.

 

[Questiontime]

Unless, they've changed it recently. There is limited (free) parking near the entrance to the depot.

Thank you for that.

 

[ILoveLamp]

Bootle, Millom and Grange Over Sands to be more precise.

I think someone a few pages back was asking a similar question related to either Workington or Whitehaven. And, if I recall correctly, I think the shifts didn’t include a night shift which I was surprised with. Id presume, but have no idea for sure, that Bootle and Millom May be the same with being on the West Cumbria coast route down to Barrow, and whether the same applies all the way back across from Barrow to Carnforth? But have a search for the other query and see if that helps.. I would have thought they were 24 hr due to Sellafield freight?

 

[northeastnewbi]

Hello, I'm new to the world of signalling. Had medical yesterday having completed everything else. Now just waiting for a start date up in the North East. All very exciting. I'm guessing I shouldn't be too worried leaving a full time permanent job for a 12 month FTC, as I cant imagine they would want to loose people after the expense of training them! Just a little nervous stepping out of the comfort zone!

 

[headshot119]

Bootle, Millom and Grange Over Sands to be more precise.

Millom

Shifts are 05:20 - 14:20 and 14:20 - 23:20 Monday to Saturday. 08:45 - 14:45 and 14:45 - 20:45 Sunday.

Bootle

Shifts are 05:30 - 14:00 and 14:00 - 23:00 Monday to Saturday. Just a single Sunday shift 09:30 - 19:45

For both a Long weekend Friday - Tuesday in weeks 1 / 2 and a Wednesday and Thursday off in week 3 then repeat. With some random extra days throughout the year. Obviously Bootle gets a Sunday off on it's own as well.

Grange

Monday - Friday around roughly 06:00 - 13:15 and 13:15 - 20:30

I think someone a few pages back was asking a similar question related to either Workington or Whitehaven. And, if I recall correctly, I think the shifts didn’t include a night shift which I was surprised with. Id presume, but have no idea for sure, that Bootle and Millom May be the same with being on the West Cumbria coast route down to Barrow, and whether the same applies all the way back across from Barrow to Carnforth? But have a search for the other query and see if that helps.. I would have thought they were 24 hr due to Sellafield freight?

Rest assured that the information I posted was accurate, the only part of the coast open 24/7 is Carnforth - Barrow.

 

[ILoveLamp]

Millom

Shifts are 05:20 - 14:20 and 14:20 - 23:20 Monday to Saturday. 08:45 - 14:45 and 14:45 - 20:45 Sunday.

Bootle

Shifts are 05:30 - 14:00 and 14:00 - 23:00 Monday to Saturday. Just a single Sunday shift 09:30 - 19:45

For both a Long weekend Friday - Tuesday in weeks 1 / 2 and a Wednesday and Thursday off in week 3 then repeat. With some random extra days throughout the year. Obviously Bootle gets a Sunday off on it's own as well.

Grange

Monday - Friday around roughly 06:00 - 13:15 and 13:15 - 20:30



Rest assured that the information I posted was accurate, the only part of the coast open 24/7 is Carnforth - Barrow.

I wasn’t questioning you’re knowledge of the shifts by saying that, I was merely surprised that it wasn’t open at night due to freight. Like I said in the post, it was for the OP to look back at the post you had written.

I do have one query though.. You said Grange is Mon to Fri 6:00 - 13:15 and 13:15 - 20:30 but then go on to say Barrow to Carnforth is 24/7. The OP was asking about Grange Over Sands which, I’m sure you know, is part of the Barrow to Carnforth route, is the Grange you mentioned a different ‘Grange’??

 

[Tom Quinne]

Hello, I'm new to the world of signalling. Had medical yesterday having completed everything else. Now just waiting for a start date up in the North East. All very exciting. I'm guessing I shouldn't be too worried leaving a full time permanent job for a 12 month FTC, as I cant imagine they would want to loose people after the expense of training them! Just a little nervous stepping out of the comfort zone!

The chances of you being binned off after your FTC are low - unless your a serial cock up or have a very poor sickness record.

Youll probably find once your passed out at your assigned SB, your LOM will “encourage” you to apply for jobs they’re seen......

 

[northeastnewbi]

The chances of you being binned off after your FTC are low - unless your a serial cock up or have a very poor sickness record.

Youll probably find once your passed out at your assigned SB, your LOM will “encourage” you to apply for jobs they’re seen......

Thanks Tom, I don't think I don't think I will fall into either of those categories or at least I hope not! I have been assigned Crag Hall SB and cant wait to start!

 

[Thebullet]

Millom

Shifts are 05:20 - 14:20 and 14:20 - 23:20 Monday to Saturday. 08:45 - 14:45 and 14:45 - 20:45 Sunday.

Bootle

Shifts are 05:30 - 14:00 and 14:00 - 23:00 Monday to Saturday. Just a single Sunday shift 09:30 - 19:45

For both a Long weekend Friday - Tuesday in weeks 1 / 2 and a Wednesday and Thursday off in week 3 then repeat. With some random extra days throughout the year. Obviously Bootle gets a Sunday off on it's own as well.

Grange

Monday - Friday around roughly 06:00 - 13:15 and 13:15 - 20:30



Rest assured that the information I posted was accurate, the only part of the coast open 24/7 is Carnforth - Barrow.

Thanks for the detailed information

 

[Prerail]

Wow that’s a very quick turnaround! Does that mean that even before the application had closed you’d had your interview etc?

No, once the application date had passed, i had an email saying I was being considered, Then an email saying I was being considered at the second stage, then the next email invited me to do an SHL test, a scenario based interview, and a video interview.

 

[headshot119]

I wasn’t questioning you’re knowledge of the shifts by saying that, I was merely surprised that it wasn’t open at night due to freight. Like I said in the post, it was for the OP to look back at the post you had written.

I do have one query though.. You said Grange is Mon to Fri 6:00 - 13:15 and 13:15 - 20:30 but then go on to say Barrow to Carnforth is 24/7. The OP was asking about Grange Over Sands which, I’m sure you know, is part of the Barrow to Carnforth route, is the Grange you mentioned a different ‘Grange’??

Nope, the details I put up where for Grange. Not all the boxes are 24/7, just some on the line.

 

[HamSandwich]

Hello, I'm new to the world of signalling. Had medical yesterday having completed everything else. Now just waiting for a start date up in the North East. All very exciting. I'm guessing I shouldn't be too worried leaving a full time permanent job for a 12 month FTC, as I cant imagine they would want to loose people after the expense of training them! Just a little nervous stepping out of the comfort zone!

Congratulations! I have my medical in Gateshead tomorrow, if I pass that then I'll be joining you in the North East too

 

[ILoveLamp]

Nope, the details I put up where for Grange. Not all the boxes are 24/7, just some on the line.

Oh ok, that’s good to know. Every day is a school day! Do you know which boxes on that branch are on 24/7 by any chance? Many thanks.

 

[northeastnewbi]

Congratulations! I have my medical in Gateshead tomorrow, if I pass that then I'll be joining you in the North East too

Excellent -Not sure if you know the area but I struggled to get let in to the correct place and the details weren't great on my letter. You are looking for Raven House, which is off Askew Road, and down a minor road. Do you know which box you will be in?

Does anyone know the shifts at Crag Hall?

 

[HamSandwich]

Excellent -Not sure if you know the area but I struggled to get let in to the correct place and the details weren't great on my letter. You are looking for Raven House, which is off Askew Road, and down a minor road. Do you know which box you will be in?

I had a look on Google Maps and it looks rather confusing, planning on leaving the house with lots of time spare to make sure I find the right bit. Thank you, didn't know it was called Raven House, that's really helpful.

All being well I'll be somewhere on the Blyth & Tyne line

 

[ChrisRS]

I had a look on Google Maps and it looks rather confusing, planning on leaving the house with lots of time spare to make sure I find the right bit. Thank you, didn't know it was called Raven House, that's really helpful.

All being well I'll be somewhere on the Blyth & Tyne line

Foot access:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Vehicle access:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[Tom Quinne]

You might find it’s a small office in a business centre of some kind, they usually are.

 

[HamSandwich]

Foot access:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

Vehicle access:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

You gem! Thank you

 

[7Paul7]

Excellent -Not sure if you know the area but I struggled to get let in to the correct place and the details weren't great on my letter. You are looking for Raven House, which is off Askew Road, and down a minor road. Do you know which box you will be in?

Does anyone know the shifts at Crag Hall?

Hi Northeasrnewbi,

Are you on the future opportunities north east? If it's the same as the York future opportunities all 4 trainees from the Teesside area were put with Crag as their base location however the contract says that Crag will not be our box and we have to apply for positions whilst going through block school if you have had your joining pack have a check what it says

 

[northeastnewbi]

Hi Northeasrnewbi,

Are you on the future opportunities north east? If it's the same as the York future opportunities all 4 trainees from the Teesside area were put with Crag as their base location however the contract says that Crag will not be our box and we have to apply for positions whilst going through block school if you have had your joining pack have a check what it says

Thanks for your reply. I'm now a little more confused

The contract that I have got through says base location for your fixed term contact is Crag hall SB so that would indicate 12 months , then next paragraph says that we will be expected to apply for a permanent vacancy upon successful completion of signalling school within 75 mins of home address. So I suppose my question is signalling school the end of the 12 months or the 12 weeks?

 

[Tom Quinne]

You need a base location, for convenience they’ve chosen this SB for admin purposes.

Once your in school, you’ll be expected to apply for vacant position.

You’ll likely be advised suitable vacancy during school that you “might like to apply for”.