A career as a signaller

[martin2345uk]

It wasn't too bad there's nothing you can revise or anything, just go with what you think is the answer that's true to how you would behave in the scenarios

 

[High Dyke]

Any reason why they all went to non signallers, any signallers apply? ...

I can't speak for this specific case, but a recent Grade 3 vacancy in my area attracted no internal applicants. The matter has now been advertised externally.

Grade three signaller at peterborough just gone up on network rail today.

That is the shunting box at spital carriage sidings I think.

It may be Eastfield, but could also be the crossing box at Helpston. It may even be the NX camera panel in Peterborough PSB. All three have an 8 hour roster, with 12 hour Sunday turns AFAIK.

 

[Roadster 7]

Well, I have applied for a signaller position and have just been invited to test.
I have three tests numerical ability test, verbal ability test and instrument to complete.
I have been practising the verbal and numerical but not sure what the instrument one is, can anyone help? As I would like to have a practise before I do the actual test.
Are we allowed to use a calculator for the numerical test?
Thanks Dean

 

[Sinistah]

You can use a calculator. The instrument one is a Situational judgement test with no time limit.

 

[Greatful]

Hi everyone ,

Quick question , is the simsig simulator used across the country and signal school also. Reason being I see alot of infor online and just want to get an idea what simulator they exactly use.

Thanks

 

[Highlandspring]

Bespoke simulators are used though some VDU based simulators are supplied by Hitachi Infocon who took over TREsim, the company that produced Simsig in the first place then commercialised it for the rail industry. But the straightforward answer to your question is no.

 

[Sunset route]

Hi everyone ,

Quick question , is the simsig simulator used across the country and signal school also. Reason being I see alot of infor online and just want to get an idea what simulator they exactly use.

Thanks

Simsig good for a broad idea, but don’t base any of your training aspirations on it. It is a close representation but not 100% of an IECC workstation (or was when it started way back). But there are many forms of train signalling control in the UK from various types of lever frames, miniature lever frames, individual function switch (panels), entrance and exit (NX) panels, IECC, WestCad, MCS, VICOS, ACC, ETCS and TMS workstations.

 

[Cavan]

Do vacancies ever come in the North East? Tyne valley or Northumvbrian Coast boxes like Alnmouth? Never seen any!

 

[baz962]

Bit of advice if possible anyone, I applied for grade 7 Cambridge and met the online benchmark but found out that they are not progressing me their reason was more suitable candidate's. Today the vacancy is back up saying two position's need to still be filled, which it also said in my rejection mail. Would it be worth re applying or not.

 

[Sunset route]

Do vacancies ever come in the North East? Tyne valley or Northumvbrian Coast boxes like Alnmouth? Never seen any!

In simple term yes. Take alnmouth for example (although I’m not sure of its exact staffing arrangements) but if it is a single person location, then four staff will be employed to work that location 24/7, now if the life of that location before migration is say 40yrs (just a wild guess) and the 4 Staff are in their early 30 (another guess) and happy not to move, then your not looking at any vacancies appearing for at least 30 yrs.

In my part of the world we have about a 3rd of our staff from ages from mid 50s to mid 60s and thus they will be retiring soon which in turn will start to generate vacancies. I would imagine quite a lot of the country must be close to that situation. If not then it’s the long wait for dead mans shoes as I said above.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Bit of advice if possible anyone, I applied for grade 7 Cambridge and met the online benchmark but found out that they are not progressing me their reason was more suitable candidate's. Today the vacancy is back up saying two position's need to still be filled, which it also said in my rejection mail. Would it be worth re applying or not.

I would say yes, on your initial application there was someone more suitable but you met the benchmark.

The worse that can happen is they reject you a 2nd time, no harm in trying.

 

[baz962]

I would say yes, on your initial application there was someone more suitable but you met the benchmark.


The worse that can happen is they reject you a 2nd time, no harm in trying.

Thanks Tom

 

[Greatful]

Simsig good for a broad idea, but don’t base any of your training aspirations on it. It is a close representation but not 100% of an IECC workstation (or was when it started way back). But there are many forms of train signalling control in the UK from various types of lever frames, miniature lever frames, individual function switch (panels), entrance and exit (NX) panels, IECC, WestCad, MCS, VICOS, ACC, ETCS and TMS workstations.

Thank you ,

 

[Greatful]

Simsig good for a broad idea, but don’t base any of your training aspirations on it. It is a close representation but not 100% of an IECC workstation (or was when it started way back). But there are many forms of train signalling control in the UK from various types of lever frames, miniature lever frames, individual function switch (panels), entrance and exit (NX) panels, IECC, WestCad, MCS, VICOS, ACC, ETCS and TMS workstations.

Thank you

 

[Greatful]

Bespoke simulators are used though some VDU based simulators are supplied by Hitachi Infocon who took over TREsim, the company that produced Simsig in the first place then commercialised it for the rail industry. But the straightforward answer to your question is no.

Thank you

 

[Teddyward]

Well I managed to get past the application stage and have completed three online tests. Should get result in three days it mentions.

 

[JMH77]

I just logged in to complete the online tests to find another letter saying Network Rail have had to withdraw my application due to them having to withdraw the vacancy (although it was still showing on their website when I searched) At the risk of asking a stupid question is there any point in me going ahead with the online assessments or are they specific to the position you apply for?

 

[JMH77]

Well I managed to get past the application stage and have completed three online tests. Should get result in three days it mentions.

Best of luck!

 

[Saracen_83]

Is that the grade 9 signaller job jmh77??? As I was just looking into that job!!!

I’m presuming grade 9 signaller is pretty intense and stressful everyday??

 

[JMH77]

Is that the grade 9 signaller job jmh77??? As I was just looking into that job!!!

I’m presuming grade 9 signaller is pretty intense and stressful everyday??

No that's not the one I was going for. Yes I would imagine going in at that grade would be very heavy going.

 

[Sunset route]

I’m presuming grade 9 signaller is pretty intense and stressful everyday??

No not everyday, some days it’s like being on holiday and others it’s like being in WW3 and a hurricane at the same time and your chasing your arse. But most of the time it is just routine and you find that you adapt to the level of the work that you don’t tend to notice how busy you are, until you go on two weeks leave and come back to work and then it feels like you’ve got brain lag until you get back up to speed again lol.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Is that the grade 9 signaller job jmh77??? As I was just looking into that job!!!

I’m presuming grade 9 signaller is pretty intense and stressful everyday??

Being a Grade 9 is what you make of it, if can be stressful but then again it can be easy - some desks are link grade 9 not Desk grade 9.
So the link may have one or two grade 9 desks, but the other desks may be if aoo graded a much lower grade.

A grade 9 desks running without incident is easy, but when it’s messed up you earn your money !

 

[Esu96kph]

.....

 

[Saracen_83]

Being a Grade 9 is what you make of it, if can be stressful but then again it can be easy - some desks are link grade 9 not Desk grade 9.
So the link may have one or two grade 9 desks, but the other desks may be if aoo graded a much lower grade.

A grade 9 desks running without incident is easy, but when it’s messed up you earn your money !

Have no problem with hard work or stressful jobs, have an extremely stressful one atm only difference is it basically a 7 day a week job!!!!

Just wanted to make sure that I k ow what I’m getting into, as obviously lives are at risk if you make a mistake, and that a very stressful thing in itself!!

Am I right in thinking that three bridges ASC is still on an 8 hour roster?

Any plans to become a 12 hour roster?

 

[Teddyward]

Well I have an email this morning informing me I have passed the benchmark for the online tests. Things are moving quicker than I expected.

 

[martin2345uk]

Well I have an email this morning informing me I have passed the benchmark for the online tests. Things are moving quicker than I expected.

Might be a long wait after this point though!

 

[mitch.swiggins]

I just logged in to complete the online tests to find another letter saying Network Rail have had to withdraw my application due to them having to withdraw the vacancy (although it was still showing on their website when I searched) At the risk of asking a stupid question is there any point in me going ahead with the online assessments or are they specific to the position you apply for?

my understanding is that the results are kept by NR for 6 months and they would be referred to for any signaller positions you apply for in that period. so if the links they sent you still work you could take it now and get it out of the way and, as long as you reach the required bench mark for the online assessment, you wouldn’t have to do it again for 6 months. that said, if you don’t reach the required bench mark none of your applications for the next 6 months will be progressed beyond the online assessment stage.

 

[Teddyward]

Might be a long wait after this point though!

Oh yes I can appreciate that, I meant the quickest response that they haven’t binned my application so far out of the jobs I have applied for. My current job took a year from applying to in post so I’m used to patience.

 

[choochoobacca]

Hello guys,
New to the forum and looking at a career change at the age of 39. (is this too old for signaller starting out?) I have 3 applications in for trainee train driver jobs and have recently looked at the signaller side of things and am really interested.
Going to apply for the Cambridge position and just wondered if anybody could give any advice regarding how long it takes to fill in the application? I'm time pressed today so don't want to start it if I can't finish it in one sitting...
Many thanks for any advice.

 

[JMH77]

my understanding is that the results are kept by NR for 6 months and they would be referred to for any signaller positions you apply for in that period. so if the links they sent you still work you could take it now and get it out of the way and, as long as you reach the required bench mark for the online assessment, you wouldn’t have to do it again for 6 months. that said, if you don’t reach the required bench mark none of your applications for the next 6 months will be progressed beyond the online assessment stage.

Thanks, that was what I was thinking. I was just concerned it might count against me in some way if I went ahead with them when they had already contacted me to say the position was no longer available and it might give the impression I'm not very on the ball!