A career as a signaller

[adamwarner999]

I've been given same start date and told Derby, but got to get through medical here before i can get anything confirmed

How did your medical go ? Had mine today in Peterbourgh - Went smoothly!

 

[ArkUTD]

How did your medical go ? Had mine today in Peterbourgh - Went smoothly!

Had mine on Friday just gone, all went well expect my hearing test, had to get sent off to specialist to see if I'll pass.

Note this is only due to me having multiple ops on one ear only and losing two of my cochlear bones, which everyone knows about anyway. Did get told though that if I had applied for track work I would have auto failed.

So waiting to hear back, hoping sometime this week due to them giving me a 7th of march proposed start date, which is fast approaching.

 

[Chrisjhbrown]

Has anyone heard anything either positive or negative regarding the Peterborough roles?

I know things can take a while but with it being a fixed term position I thought things might move a bit faster.

It is being moved to York so u will have to with it

 

[Simotrfc]

When you’re asked to apply for locations when you start training, how does this work? Is there a list of vacancies that are available in your area or are there only certain places you can apply for?

What if you go through signalling school and there are no locations with vacancies near to you?

I’ve accepted the offer of employment and look forward to getting started, but worry that if they’re unable to find a place it could be a big risk in leaving a current job? It’s a permanent contract, so by that I presume the vacancies are there to be filled?

 

[Frothy_B]

Think the Peterborough panels are moving to York within a couple of years - or at least that's the plan.
Unsure if that helps!

It is being moved to York so u will have to with it

Yeah, the fixed term on the application runs up to December 2023 so I would guess thats when it's due to close. I was asking more in the sense of the recent jobs posted, if anyone had applied and had either had the unsuccessful email or had been invited to interview.

Thankyou both for the replies though.

 

[Trackboy]

Does anyone know in which payslip we will get Holiday pay Supplement payment?

Thanks.

 

[Signal_Box]

March I believe

 

[headshot119]

Does anyone know in which payslip we will get Holiday pay Supplement payment?

Thanks.

Always in Week 52 payslip so it should be the April 1st pay day this time

 

[Trackboy]

Always in Week 52 payslip so it should be the April 1st pay day this time

Thanks mate.

 

[HcCupcake]

Has anyone else applied for TVSC grade 9?

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

It will 100% be easier for me. It’s 2.5 hours to York and I always overpack so not looking forward to carrying it all on public transport


Great! Hopefully it will be okay. Thank you

No issue driving there, I'd imagine they referred to people driving to and from home each day.

 

[Chrisjhbrown]

When you’re asked to apply for locations when you start training, how does this work? Is there a list of vacancies that are available in your area or are there only certain places you can apply for?

What if you go through signalling school and there are no locations with vacancies near to you?

I’ve accepted the offer of employment and look forward to getting started, but worry that if they’re unable to find a place it could be a big risk in leaving a current job? It’s a permanent contract, so by that I presume the vacancies are there to be filled?

They need

Has anyone heard anything either positive or negative regarding the Peterborough roles?

I know things can take a while but with it being a fixed term position I thought things might move a bit fast

Yeah, the fixed term on the application runs up to December 2023 so I would guess thats when it's due to close. I was asking more in the sense of the recent jobs posted, if anyone had applied and had either had the unsuccessful email or had been invited to interview.

Thankyou both for the replies though.

sorry mate can’t help u with that I’m helpston , I was just making you aware that if you do take the job you will have to go to York with it so travelling it’s vdu screens not panel in York roc

 

[TommyF]

Hi there. Completely new to this forum but it seems very helpful. I have recently applied for a grade 2 signaller role at Knottingley. I have passed the application and online asssessments and I am now about to do my pre recorded Signaller scenario asssessment before the live interview. Does anyone have any tips or example scenarios I may face in this test? Also, any helpful tips/guidance for the actual interview. It is on the 20th January. Thank you in advance and fingers crossed I will be joining you all in the near future!

Hey how did your signaller scenario test go? I have one in the next couple of days but can not find any info about it

 

[Ronnie215]

Hi Both,

My main advice is focus on examples of times you have used your non technical skills use the STAR method for your answers maybe research into network rail what they do future projects etc why you want to be a signaller career aspects, the 10 life savings rules, & the safety vision.

Got my interview next week. How many questions are they likely to ask me? Do they cover all the 8 non core technical skills or just a selection. Do they ask about signalling and network rail in general?

Any good advice for the virtual interview? Been prepping like mad just hope I covered everything. But trying to focus on what to revise the most

 

[JamieTemp]

Hey how did your signaller scenario test go? I have one in the next couple of days but can not find any info about it

They give you example scenarios and you have to answer how and in what order you'd do things. All the answers are in the questions

 

[RailNoob]

Got my interview next week. How many questions are they likely to ask me? Do they cover all the 8 non core technical skills or just a selection. Do they ask about signalling and network rail in general?

Any good advice for the virtual interview? Been prepping like mad just hope I covered everything. But trying to focus on what to revise the most

Hi Ronnie, deffnitley will cover all 8 nts as this is a key part of the role, in terms of signaller specific they will want to know why the role interests you and maybe hear that you have done some research around network rail as a whole what they do and maybe some projects that are happening in the near future but they wont ask you any signaller specific knowledge as you wont know anything until you do IST (in theory unless you have a prior interest of course).

 

[Chrisjhbrown]

Got my interview next week. How many questions are they likely to ask me? Do they cover all the 8 non core technical skills or just a selection. Do they ask about signalling and network rail in general?

Any good advice for the virtual interview? Been prepping like mad just hope I covered everything. But trying to focus on what to revise the most

If I was you I’d learn my patch , lines speeds level crossings 3 or 4 aspect signalling ahbc, walking routes ect

 

[Rockhopper]

If you are an external candidate they won't expect you know any of that (or to even understand what it all means) - might even work against you if you start quoting the rule book.

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Agreed with @Rockhopper I’d go more generic if external- area of control, stations, TOC’s and FOC’s, at a push maybe fringe boxes. Make sure you go into detail on the safety vision.

 

[Amberk]

Does anyone know what happens with signalling school In terms of the bank holidays? I'm due to be there for the extended one in June. Do.you attend? Do you get it off?

 

[Tyke41]

Does anyone know what happens with signalling school In terms of the bank holidays? I'm due to be there for the extended one in June. Do.you attend? Do you get it off?

I would imagine you will get it off, my course encompassed a Bank Holiday and we didn't go in.

 

[Amberk]

I would imagine you will get it off, my course encompassed a Bank Holiday and we didn't go in.

I did think that would be the case. Guess I shall see when u hear from my manager eventually

 

[ThanksGordon]

Hi everyone

I understand that post-Covid amongst other factors many of the original dates for box closures and alterations are out of the window. I'm wondering if anybody had any insight to the changes to Port Talbot and westwards going forward? From my understanding everything up to Carmarthen is due to go within the next 3 - 4 years. Are there any broad ideas of when Whitland and Clarbeston Rd would be affected?

 

[Signal_Box]

Hi everyone

I understand that post-Covid amongst other factors many of the original dates for box closures and alterations are out of the window. I'm wondering if anybody had any insight to the changes to Port Talbot and westwards going forward? From my understanding everything up to Carmarthen is due to go within the next 3 - 4 years. Are there any broad ideas of when Whitland and Clarbeston Rd would be affected?

The new plan was a Pebble (mini ROC) in the Swansea area to take in what will be left of Port Talbot and boxes west.

But, rumour has it all that’s dead in the water. Even underway schemes like Park Junction and Tondu are looking like they may well be scraped for “steady ship” as is for decades to come.

 

[ThanksGordon]

The new plan was a Pebble (mini ROC) in the Swansea area to take in what will be left of Port Talbot and boxes west.

But, rumour has it all that’s dead in the water. Even underway schemes like Park Junction and Tondu are looking like they may well be scraped for “steady ship” as is for decades to come.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[dkuli6666]

Morning all!!

I have recently accepted a job as signaller grade 3 and am due to start my training in March, my question is…..
If I want to book a holiday next year for two weeks am I able to do so? As in, can network rail be funny about me having 2 weeks off? Also how far in advance will I need to let my LOM know, we’re thinking of may 2023?

Thanks in advance for any information provided!

Cheers dom

 

[Defenestrate]

Morning all!!

I have recently accepted a job as signaller grade 3 and am due to start my training in March, my question is…..
If I want to book a holiday next year for two weeks am I able to do so? As in, can network rail be funny about me having 2 weeks off? Also how far in advance will I need to let my LOM know, we’re thinking of may 2023?

Thanks in advance for any information provided!

Cheers dom

Have you already started working for NR? If so the best point of contact would be the roster clerk to check leave availability.
If you're waiting to start and you've got your LOM's contact details then it's a nice courtesy to speak to them beforehand. At your interview they will have asked if you have any annual leave/holidays booked for the next 12 months or so...so if you said: "yes 2 weeks in may 2023" then you're fine.
The proposed time wouldn't interfere with your training/sig school, which would probably be the main concern initially.
Otherwise a courtesy call will at least show the right attitude.

Oh and this might sound obvious...but if you get the go ahead to book the holiday, follow up the confirmation with an email...so in April 2023 when your LOM and roster clerks have changed and you're suddenly booked on shift, you at least have a paper trail showing the evidence!!

 

[dkuli6666]

Have you already started working for NR? If so the best point of contact would be the roster clerk to check leave availability.
If you're waiting to start and you've got your LOM's contact details then it's a nice courtesy to speak to them beforehand. At your interview they will have asked if you have any annual leave/holidays booked for the next 12 months or so...so if you said: "yes 2 weeks in may 2023" then you're fine.
The proposed time wouldn't interfere with your training/sig school, which would probably be the main concern initially.
Otherwise a courtesy call will at least show the right attitude.

Oh and this might sound obvious...but if you get the go ahead to book the holiday, follow up the confirmation with an email...so in April 2023 when your LOM and roster clerks have changed and you're suddenly booked on shift, you at least have a paper trail showing the evidence!!

Thank you defenestrate for your thorough and detailed response, I think I’m going to email the recruitment administrator and try and get the contact details for my LOM.
Like you said a courtesy call can do no harm and thanks for the tip about the paper trail

 

[Jamie41]

Have you already started working for NR? If so the best point of contact would be the roster clerk to check leave availability.
If you're waiting to start and you've got your LOM's contact details then it's a nice courtesy to speak to them beforehand. At your interview they will have asked if you have any annual leave/holidays booked for the next 12 months or so...so if you said: "yes 2 weeks in may 2023" then you're fine.
The proposed time wouldn't interfere with your training/sig school, which would probably be the main concern initially.
Otherwise a courtesy call will at least show the right attitude.

Oh and this might sound obvious...but if you get the go ahead to book the holiday, follow up the confirmation with an email...so in April 2023 when your LOM and roster clerks have changed and you're suddenly booked on shift, you at least have a paper trail showing the evidence!!

What’s it like in Network Rail to get leave during kids summer holidays ect. I’m due to start signalling school next month. My wife’s a teacher so all her leave is set.

 

[ArkUTD]

I'd expect it to be first come first served after sig school. Of course you can't have time off while I'm the school.

I'll be waiting till I start fully to understand where I might take mine, since I want 2 weeks out to see my partner in the Philippines