A career as a signaller

[danners430]

What would everyone's thoughts be on accomodation? I've been having a think for the case that I do get offered a position... I live very close by to the training school in Glasgow, but am wondering whether a hotel would be better anyway as I'd be able to "mingle" with the other trainees (socially distanced of course). My thought is it would allow me to continue studies in the evening with the others, and potentially give me more opportunities to run the simulators once the trainers have gone home...

What does everyone think?

 

[MrsP2010]

What would everyone's thoughts be on accomodation? I've been having a think for the case that I do get offered a position... I live very close by to the training school in Glasgow, but am wondering whether a hotel would be better anyway as I'd be able to "mingle" with the other trainees (socially distanced of course). My thought is it would allow me to continue studies in the evening with the others, and potentially give me more opportunities to run the simulators once the trainers have gone home...

What does everyone think?

Definitely stay if you can. You need 100% focus on the training and it would be hard if you had normal life to cope with at the same time - I’m on week 3 of IST at the moment

 

[T-Karmel]

What would everyone's thoughts be on accomodation? I've been having a think for the case that I do get offered a position... I live very close by to the training school in Glasgow, but am wondering whether a hotel would be better anyway as I'd be able to "mingle" with the other trainees (socially distanced of course). My thought is it would allow me to continue studies in the evening with the others, and potentially give me more opportunities to run the simulators once the trainers have gone home...

What does everyone think?

I don't think they'd give you option of hotel if you live nearby, but I don't know that for sure. What I want to say is that if they don't offer you a hotel, I think you could still spend time with other trainees either in training centre or hotels lobby.

 

[89jordanbj]

What would everyone's thoughts be on accomodation? I've been having a think for the case that I do get offered a position... I live very close by to the training school in Glasgow, but am wondering whether a hotel would be better anyway as I'd be able to "mingle" with the other trainees (socially distanced of course). My thought is it would allow me to continue studies in the evening with the others, and potentially give me more opportunities to run the simulators once the trainers have gone home...

What does everyone think?

Def stay at accommodation if you can. I am currently in week 4 of IST at York and being able to share revision and practical time with others is proving invaluable.

Every member of the group has got through their week 4 observation and I have no doubt that the practical sim time and revision groups have played a big part in that.

 

[Saracen_83]

What would everyone's thoughts be on accomodation? I've been having a think for the case that I do get offered a position... I live very close by to the training school in Glasgow, but am wondering whether a hotel would be better anyway as I'd be able to "mingle" with the other trainees (socially distanced of course). My thought is it would allow me to continue studies in the evening with the others, and potentially give me more opportunities to run the simulators once the trainers have gone home...

What does everyone think?

u won’t necessarily be training at the Glasgow training center, you’ll be placed on the next available course, where ever that maybe!

on my course a few years back, a bloke stayed at the hotel even though he was 15-20 mins away.. he still popped home to see the family couple times per week, however staying at the hotel gave him the time to revise with the group and on his own.
See what your LOM offers you and go from there, but if it was me, I’d go for the hotel..

 

[Qball]

I'd request a hotel just tell your Lom you're struggling with revision at home. I'm sure they would try sort something out for you.

 

[Burton5000]

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!

 

[GringoInLondon]

Hi there everyone. I've read through the topic (every page) and, if I understood it, the scenario test/interview and the deductive reasoning test are new and recently added steps to the selection process, is that right? (guess it's a new filter that could be covid related, based on when they started doing those)

Does anyone know if they are valid for some time (such as the verbal and numerical reasoning + SHL) or it would be required to be done again for every future application?

 

[MementoMonty]

Good afternoon all - anybody else got sig school in Derby commencing 2nd November? Done medical today which is the final hurdle!

 

[Boobah086]

Hi there everyone. I've read through the topic (every page) and, if I understood it, the scenario test/interview and the deductive reasoning test are new and recently added steps to the selection process, is that right? (guess it's a new filter that could be covid related, based on when they started doing those)

Does anyone know if they are valid for some time (such as the verbal and numerical reasoning + SHL) or it would be required to be done again for every future application?

Hi GringoInLondon,

They are valid for 12 months I believe and will be used for all other vacancies you apply for.

6 months if you fail them.

Good Luck!

Good afternoon all - anybody else got sig school in Derby commencing 2nd November? Done medical today which is the final hurdle!

Hi MementoMonty,

Congratulations on getting to the final hurdle done before training.
What did the medical involve?
And what was the time frame from being offered the role to getting to where you are now?
Anything I can do to be proactive in the process such as requesting old exam results etc?

All the best!

 

[Macca89]

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!

Sorry to hear that Burton, keep plugging away at it though and if anything it’s great experience for the next time around, you know about what to expect now. You’ve done well to get to the interview stage so your not far off at all buddy.

I had my video interview today, mixed feelings about how I did tbh, don’t think I screwed it up but also don’t feel like a nailed it either. I feel my interview went better though than doing my deductive reasoning test, that thing was just a mind fuzzle regardless of how many practice tests I’ve previously done.

it’s all experience though

 

[danners430]

Got the email this afternoon that my application was unsuccessful for Kingussie... Oh well, onwards and upwards. Still got an application in for Kirkconnel, which has been idle for a couple months, but I can live with that - just have to keep my eyes peeled for the next recruitment drive

 

[_Odo_]

Good afternoon all - anybody else got sig school in Derby commencing 2nd November? Done medical today which is the final hurdle!

Congratulations! I had confirmation of passing my medical last week, and as far as I know I'll be starting in Derby on the 2nd Nov too. I know of one other person on this forum with the same start date at Derby so it looks like the three of us will be revision buddies! Look forward to seeing you there.

 

[BigRob21]

Congratulations! I had confirmation of passing my medical last week, and as far as I know I'll be starting in Derby on the 2nd Nov too. I know of one other person on this forum with the same start date at Derby so it looks like the three of us will be revision buddies! Look forward to seeing you there.

Iv'e also had a start date for IST of Nov 2nd but It's in Walsall. I have asked if anyone else on here is starting Walsall on the same date but so far it would seem I am the only one.... on here anyway!

 

[_Odo_]

What did the medical involve?

For me it consisted of:

Medical questionnaire
Sight test (reading letters off a board)
Field of vision test (can you see things out of the corner of your eyes)
Colour vision test (reading numbers in coloured dots)
Blood pressure check
Height and weight measurements
Hearing test (pressing a button when you hear various beeps in your headphones)
And of course the most fun bit called peeing in a bottle (alcohol/drugs test)

 

[NewBoots]

Sorry to hear that Burton, keep plugging away at it though and if anything it’s great experience for the next time around, you know about what to expect now. You’ve done well to get to the interview stage so your not far off at all buddy.

I had my video interview today, mixed feelings about how I did tbh, don’t think I screwed it up but also don’t feel like a nailed it either. I feel my interview went better though than doing my deductive reasoning test, that thing was just a mind fuzzle regardless of how many practice tests I’ve previously done.

it’s all experience though

I had a similar experience. I definitely think I could have done better, whether I was good enough is another question.

The reasoning test was a bit of a curveball in that it was a different format to the practice tests available on the site. But that was probably deliberate.

 

[Boobah086]

For me it consisted of:

Medical questionnaire
Sight test (reading letters off a board)
Field of vision test (can you see things out of the corner of your eyes)
Colour vision test (reading numbers in coloured dots)
Blood pressure check
Height and weight measurements
Hearing test (pressing a button when you hear various beeps in your headphones)
And of course the most fun bit called peeing in a bottle (alcohol/drugs test)

Ahhh thank you, really appreciate the in-depth reply!

I’m a little bit podgy from lock down at the moment, I hope the love handles won’t hinder the process haha.

Thanks again and all the best for your training!

 

[MementoMonty]

Ahhh thank you, really appreciate the in-depth reply!

I’m a little bit podgy from lock down at the moment, I hope the love handles won’t hinder the process haha.

Thanks again and all the best for your training!

I'm 18 and a half stone and it wasnt a problem

Congratulations! I had confirmation of passing my medical last week, and as far as I know I'll be starting in Derby on the 2nd Nov too. I know of one other person on this forum with the same start date at Derby so it looks like the three of us will be revision buddies! Look forward to seeing you there.

Looking forward to it!

Hi GringoInLondon,

They are valid for 12 months I believe and will be used for all other vacancies you apply for.

6 months if you fail them.

Good Luck!





Hi MementoMonty,

Congratulations on getting to the final hurdle done before training.
What did the medical involve?
And what was the time frame from being offered the role to getting to where you are now?
Anything I can do to be proactive in the process such as requesting old exam results etc?

All the best!

I received the offer a week ago and I received a call the next morning to arrange today's medical. The only thing I have done on a proactive basis is respond promptly to each step and request from the recruitment team.

Best of luck!

 

[Boobah086]

I'm 18 and a half stone and it wasnt a problem


Looking forward to it!


I received the offer a week ago and I received a call the next morning to arrange today's medical. The only thing I have done on a proactive basis is respond promptly to each step and request from the recruitment team.

Best of luck!

Okay, shall do the same! Thanks for your reply and all the best for training school.

 

[Kraken]

Ahhh thank you, really appreciate the in-depth reply!

I’m a little bit podgy from lock down at the moment, I hope the love handles won’t hinder the process haha.

Thanks again and all the best for your training!

Mate, don’t sweat the weight at all. My BMI is 36 (i.e. massive) and the guy doing my medical told me not to bother even taking my shoes off before getting on the scales because it wouldn’t be a problem. I think as long as you can do the flexibility tests (I had to squat, stand from a squat without putting hands down, twist round at the waist a bit, stuff like that) you’ll be fine.

 

[olilee2]

Does anyone have any info about Milton Keynes signalling school. I start tbere on the 5th but I understand it’s quite new. Anyone been (or indeed joining me in a couple of weeks!)?

 

[Gallius]

Does anyone have any info about Milton Keynes signalling school. I start tbere on the 5th but I understand it’s quite new. Anyone been (or indeed joining me in a couple of weeks!)?

I will be starting Signalling School in Milton Keynes on 5th October so I will see you there!

 

[WL113]

Anyone know the basic shift pattern for WMSC? thanks

All the WMSC is 8 hour shifts, with 12s on Sundays

A rough example:

S M T W T F S
Off L L RD RD E E
D12 E E E E RD RD
Off RD RD L L L L
N12 N N N N N N

There are some variations around the links. The Cherwell Valley workstation does 12 hour Saturdays for example.

 

[nom de guerre]

Does anyone have any info about Milton Keynes signalling school. I start tbere on the 5th but I understand it’s quite new. Anyone been (or indeed joining me in a couple of weeks!)?

It is new - the first intake are nearing the end of their course.

IIRC it’s located at The Quadrant (NR’s HQ in MK). I gather the only simulator currently on site is a VDU (MCS) workstation - I’m sure more will be added as time passes.

 

[olilee2]

It is new - the first intake are nearing the end of their course.

IIRC it’s located at The Quadrant (NR’s HQ in MK). I gather the only simulator currently on site is a VDU (MCS) workstation - I’m sure more will be added as time passes.

I’m sure it’ll be an interesting experience to train in NR’s actual HQ. Certainly looking forward to the experience!

 

[BigRob21]

All the WMSC is 8 hour shifts, with 12s on Sundays

A rough example:

S M T W T F S
Off L L RD RD E E
D12 E E E E RD RD
Off RD RD L L L L
N12 N N N N N N

There are some variations around the links. The Cherwell Valley workstation does 12 hour Saturdays for example.

Thanks @WL113 thats great and thanks for getting back to me, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond

 

[Dave Tasty]

Good afternoon all - anybody else got sig school in Derby commencing 2nd November? Done medical today which is the final hurdle!

I will be there.

 

[Boobah086]

Mate, don’t sweat the weight at all. My BMI is 36 (i.e. massive) and the guy doing my medical told me not to bother even taking my shoes off before getting on the scales because it wouldn’t be a problem. I think as long as you can do the flexibility tests (I had to squat, stand from a squat without putting hands down, twist round at the waist a bit, stuff like that) you’ll be fine.

That did make me laugh Kraken, thank you for that! It’s always best to make light out of these situations
So basically a little flexibility and I should be okay.
Did you have a long wait before the results came back?

 

[headshot119]

That did make me laugh Kraken, thank you for that! It’s always best to make light out of these situations
So basically a little flexibility and I should be okay.
Did you have a long wait before the results came back?

Medical results are given to you on the day, assuming there's no issues with things like medications you're taking or preexisting conditions which need a bit more thought from Occupational Health. The only thing you have to wait for is the drugs part of the drugs and alcohol to come back clear, usually within two to three days.

And despite lots of people myself included having the irrational fear it might come back with something on it, I'd say 99% of people know it will come bck clear

 

[Boobah086]

Medical results are given to you on the day, assuming there's no issues with things like medications you're taking or preexisting conditions which need a bit more thought from Occupational Health. The only thing you have to wait for is the drugs part of the drugs and alcohol to come back clear, usually within two to three days.

And despite lots of people myself included having the irrational fear it might come back with something on it, I'd say 99% of people know it will come bck clear

Wow, quicker turnaround than I thought! It’s sooo exciting, I’m looking forward to getting the medical completed so I can finally have a confirmed start date.
I don’t drink or take drugs, but you’re right, there is the fear in the back of my mind that I’ll fail it. Strange.

Is anyone concerned about if training will go ahead and our employment will continue if there is another lockdown?

I did ask my LOM about this and they were really adamant it wouldn’t. However, leaving my current job, I worry that I might get stuck in a difficult position if another full blown lockdown occurs. Or is that not a problem at Network Rail?

Thank you to everyone for all of the replies, I’m so grateful to have found this forum