A career as a signaller

[headshot119]

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

There won't be an issue employment if there is another lockdown, it didn't cause a problem the first time around. The company where very good about the whole thing really. For people who had confirmed start dates within the lockdown period they started but stayed at home, and for people who where part way through IST they simply went home until they could resume.

 

[Boobah086]

There won't be an issue employment if there is another lockdown, it didn't cause a problem the first time around. The company where very good about the whole thing really. For people who had confirmed start dates within the lockdown period they started but stayed at home, and for people who where part way through IST they simply went home until they could resume.

Thank you headshot119, for putting my concerns to rest.

My current company would’ve told us to get lost lol.

 

[Gallius]

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

My main concern is if I were to develop symptoms and am required to self isolate for 14 days part way through the 11 week course.

 

[Mega]

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'.

 

[T-Karmel]

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'.

Maybe that's when you do some work for NR but you are a contractor?

 

[9tfrizzco]

Edit nvm

 

[hamzahismail.0]

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

.

 

[Gallius]

Me too, myself and Oli are from the same Signal Box in Wembley. Where will you be working as a signaller?

Hi there, I'm going to be at Rugby. I think there's a couple others from my location starting at MK on the 5th too.

 

[MrsP2010]

Hi I’m currently at IST. I’ve just read online that there’s a web based version of Hornby Junction that our trainers can give us a link to. Has anyone ever heard of it and do they have the link? Thanks a lot

 

[MaxGreyhound]

Hi all,

Long time lurker on this thread, lots of helpful hints and tips. Helped me gain a job in Workington Signalbox in Cumbria which I'm due to start in January!

Just wondering if anyone knows what the shift patterns are like in Workington or along the Cumbrian coast?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[CGH86]

Hi I’m currently at IST. I’ve just read online that there’s a web based version of Hornby Junction that our trainers can give us a link to. Has anyone ever heard of it and do they have the link? Thanks a lot

When I was in IST recently we were given a folder containing various info. There was a link there for the hornby junction which indicated it was a training aid, however after numerous attempts I found the link never worked. I asked the instructor and he was unable to help so I give up in the end.

When I was in IST recently we were given a folder containing various info. There was a link there for the hornby junction which indicated it was a training aid, however after numerous attempts I found the link never worked. I asked the instructor and he was unable to help so I give up in the end.

 

[jossh78]

Hi all,

Long time lurker on this thread, lots of helpful hints and tips. Helped me gain a job in Workington Signalbox in Cumbria which I'm due to start in January!

Just wondering if anyone knows what the shift patterns are like in Workington or along the Cumbrian coast?

Thanks in advance guys

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.

 

[MrsP2010]

For CGH86, thanks for the info but I should’ve said, but I’m doing AB and that’s for TCB I think. Thanks for the reply though

 

[CGH86]

For CGH86, thanks for the info but I should’ve said, but I’m doing AB and that’s for TCB I think. Thanks for the reply though

Ah right okay no problem.

 

[MaxGreyhound]

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.

Brilliant that's great, thanks!

 

[TLB]

Hi Everyone Recently came across this thread during lockdown when I applied for a role.
So grateful for the questions and great answers, really helped me make an informed decision about applying!
Found out this week that I have been successful in securing a role which I’m very exited about. (Verbal)
Can anyone advise on how long it takes for all the paper work and contracts to come through? Also wondered if anyone is starting training in January in Mk?
Thanks a lot!

 

[headshot119]

Hi all,

Long time lurker on this thread, lots of helpful hints and tips. Helped me gain a job in Workington Signalbox in Cumbria which I'm due to start in January!

Just wondering if anyone knows what the shift patterns are like in Workington or along the Cumbrian coast?

Thanks in advance guys

Did you get the permanent position, or are you one of the Fixed term? Anyway that aside the spreadsheet you have been linked to is a little bit out of date. For Workington No 2 (There's also a Workington No 3, don't ask what happened to Workington No 1!)

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Off	Rest Day	Rest Day	Early	Early	Late	Late
Late	Late	Late	Rest Day	Rest Day	Early	Early
Early	Early	Early	Late	Late	Rest Day	Rest Day

05:15 starts on earlies, 13:00 handover between shifts, 00:00 finish on lates.

There are some "random" extra rest days in a 27 week cycle to balance it down to 35 hours a week but that's the basic pattern.

 

[cogload]

Anyone know the basic shift pattern for WMSC? thanks

Seeing a lot of these questions. Ask your LOM for a copy of the roster.

As an aside have NR abandoned centralised training for the time being? I noted people off to signalling school at Derby which I had thought had long shut...

 

[WL113]

Can't see any harm in asking for an idea of the roster pattern, though of course the LOM will be able to give the actual roster.

NR have been opening smaller, local training centres for a while now. Far better than having just two for the whole country,

 

[hamzahismail.0]

.

 

[High Dyke]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Burton5000]

Was this for east midlands?

Yeh

 

[Airman22]

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

 

[WL113]

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]

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

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]

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]

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

Learn the NATO phonetic alphabet if you haven’t already.

 

[MrsP2010]

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