A career as a signaller

[High Dyke]

Not so much a certain box just anywhere in Yorkshire really. When I finish my IST I only really want to apply for a 12 hour roster. I've been shown an 8 hour roster that is unworkable for me.

Doncaster Grade 2 & 3 signal boxes are on 12-hour rosters. I'm sure a number of boxes on the Retford - Sheffield line are too.

 

[Amberk]

I was in exactly the same boat. Only secured a box a month after I finished training. Some signallers prefer the 8hrs, but I much prefer the 12hr roster.

Yeah not for me. 12 hours suits me better. We shall see. Seems to be only grade 2 jobs local to Sheffield available at the moment in boxes that nobody seems to want like wooley and Gainsborough

 

[JamieTemp]

Doncaster Grade 2 & 3 signal boxes are on 12-hour rosters. I'm sure a number of boxes on the Retford - Sheffield line are too.

Thanks. Looking for more West Yorkshire way. I'm really panicking now and was hoping the answers would be that there is more 12 hr than 8 hr rosters.

 

[High Dyke]

Thanks. Looking for more West Yorkshire way. I'm really panicking now and was hoping the answers would be that there is more 12 hr than 8 hr rosters.

At least that narrows down the search area a bit. As someone mentioned though, it isn't as cut and dried about hours of boxes, especially if a location isn't open continuous.

 

[Amberk]

Thanks. Looking for more West Yorkshire way. I'm really panicking now and was hoping the answers would be that there is more 12 hr than 8 hr rosters.

If it's concerning you this much though you may have picked unwisely when it comes to career

 

[Raikkonen7]

Recently, vacancies have been coming up frequently. So, if you’ve still got a while till you start, then the near 3 months you’ll have doing your training, that’s still plenty of time to hopefully find a box that suits your needs. Most important thing is to actually pass the course!

 

[endofthetunnel]

I don’t think off the top of my head there are any 24hour-staffed signal boxes in West Yorkshire on a 12 hour roster. They are all on 8s (or non 24 hour).

 

[Qball]

Hi there. I've been led to believe that most boxes in Yorkshire are now on 12 hour rosters. Can anyone who is in Yorkshire at the moment let me know their rosters please as soon as you can? It's urgent.

Harrogate Line - 8hrs except Harrogate sb which is 12hrs
Scarborough Line - 8hrs
Hull line - 12hrs
Wakefield area - 8hrs

 

[JamieTemp]

Thank you for your help.

 

[Fishplate22]

Hi everyone, is there any way we can see locations of boxes and what grade they are? Or is that for internal eyes only ? Thanks

 

[High Dyke]

Hi everyone, is there any way we can see locations of boxes and what grade they are? Or is that for internal eyes only ? Thanks

Previous thread on this question here.

In short, information about the grade of a location isn't widely known to Network Rail staff either, unless you're local to that location.

 

[Scooby123]

Hi everyone. Just out of curiosity has it ever been known for there to be a signalling role part time or as a job share at all? Or is that a big no no. Doesn’t seem to be a thing?

 

[High Dyke]

Hi everyone. Just out of curiosity has it ever been known for there to be a signalling role part time or as a job share at all? Or is that a big no no. Doesn’t seem to be a thing?

Yes, there used to be a couple on job share in Doncaster PSB. There was a recent discussion amongst Network Rail signallers on that very question. I believe there are still a couple but may stand corrected.

 

[Signal_Box]

Job share is very much a thing, you dont even need two to tango anymore.

However, I’d assume you’d need to be already on the job to ask for it.

 

[Scooby123]

Great thank you, what do you think the chances are of a LOM authorising you going from a full time signaller to a job share? I guess they’d prefer not to.

 

[Rsteele1987]

Hi looking for some info if possible please going for internal interview for grade 8 WSSC, looking to ask if anyone knows what lines the Motherwell workstation covers or possibly where I could find this info? Many Thanks

 

[lineclear]

Great thank you, what do you think the chances are of a LOM authorising you going from a full time signaller to a job share? I guess they’d prefer not to.

There's a company policy in place that covers this, so fortunately it's not just down to the whims of your LOM.

 

[MrSig]

Hello all,

I've recently got a Grade 7 Signaler role and start my training in June, whilst I'm super excited I just have a few questions. I am new to the forum so apologies if I'm asking questions you've seen and answered hundreds of times.

1) What is signaler school like? I'm assuming it's very intense (and rightly so) but just want to get a feel of what I'm stepping into.

2) I have a FTC until Dec 2023 due to my location closing and being controlled from York. How likely is it that I'll be able to find a job in a similar location e.g Rugby, Cambridge, MK, March, Lincoln, Whittlesey etc.

3) Is it common for Signalers to move into the ROM roles?

 

[lineclear]

Hello all,

I've recently got a Grade 7 Signaler role and start my training in June, whilst I'm super excited I just have a few questions. I am new to the forum so apologies if I'm asking questions you've seen and answered hundreds of times.

1) What is signaler school like? I'm assuming it's very intense (and rightly so) but just want to get a feel of what I'm stepping into.

2) I have a FTC until Dec 2023 due to my location closing and being controlled from York. How likely is it that I'll be able to find a job in a similar location e.g Rugby, Cambridge, MK, March, Lincoln, Whittlesey etc.

3) Is it common for Signalers to move into the ROM roles?

1. You'll be taught everything you need to know; no prior knowledge is required or expected. You'll be taught in a classroom setting with a mixture of powerpoint, reading, videos, practical demonstrations and more. You'll have multiple written and practical assessments that you are required to pass, and your continuing employment depends upon completing Initial Signaller Training (i.e. signalling school). That's not the end of your training though; you'll still need to train and pass out (qualify) every location, panel or workstation that your role requires.

2. I'd have thought it would be very likely, but some of those would require downgrading yourself. It also depends on your attitude and ability at work, and what vacancies you apply for.

3. That's an oddly specific senior management role. There are not many Route Operations Managers, and those that were signallers won't have been recently.

If you mean LOM (Local Operations Manager) though, it's not as common as it should be. This is because most signallers aren't attracted to the role itself (competence management/box ticking) and certainly aren't tempted to move onto a Role Clarity employment contract.

If you mean MOM (Mobile Operations Manager), that's a common career move. Signalling experience is a big advantage for this.

 

[MrSig]

1. You'll be taught everything you need to know; no prior knowledge is required or expected. You'll be taught in a classroom setting with a mixture of powerpoint, reading, videos, practical demonstrations and more. You'll have multiple written and practical assessments that you are required to pass, and your continuing employment depends upon completing Initial Signaller Training (i.e. signalling school). That's not the end of your training though; you'll still need to train and pass out (qualify) every location, panel or workstation that your role requires.

2. I'd have thought it would be very likely, but some of those would require downgrading yourself. It also depends on your attitude and ability at work, and what vacancies you apply for.

3. That's an oddly specific senior management role. There are not many Route Operations Managers, and those that were signallers won't have been recently.

If you mean LOM (Local Operations Manager) though, it's not as common as it should be. This is because most signallers aren't attracted to the role itself (competence management/box ticking) and certainly aren't tempted to move onto a Role Clarity employment contract.

If you mean MOM (Mobile Operations Manager), that's a common career move. Signalling experience is a big advantage for this.

Very helpful, much appreciated. Is there any info online or any documents that have signaler locations along with grades? I couldn't see anything on the NR website.

Yes, I absolutely meant MOM, that's my bad. Those roles will remain at my location so it's good to know there is potential opportunity to move there too.

 

[Scooby123]

Does anyone know if your down on the roster for annual leave as STC, when do you find out if you can have it off?

 

[High Dyke]

Does anyone know if your down on the roster for annual leave as STC, when do you find out if you can have it off?

In my experience usually the day the roster is published. I.e the Thursday of the week before you need the leave day. Speak with your roster clerk.

 

[Signal_Box]

Great thank you, what do you think the chances are of a LOM authorising you going from a full time signaller to a job share? I guess they’d prefer not to.

I don’t think they’ve a choice now, but it may depend on local policies / agreements.

 

[Ducatist4]

I don’t think they’ve a choice now, but it may depend on local policies / agreements.

I think the law says they have to consider requests for flexible working and so on but subject to local agreements etc they don't have to grant them if it would adversely impact operations.

 

[Scooby123]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Mi&Li]

Does anyone know why the Lincoln signaller apprenticeships aren’t going ahead anymore?

 

[High Dyke]

Does anyone know why the Lincoln signaller apprenticeships aren’t going ahead anymore?

I haven't heard anything about them. I'll make some enquiries.

Update: I'm not sure exactly the process of these apprenticeships. However, I understand that the area isn't allowed to advertise any further external vacancies or recruit any more staff at the moment. It wasn't mentioned why though.

 

[ollieplo1]

I'm starting signalling school this Monday in Manchester. Does anybody know the location/name of the school. I can't seem to locate it on Google.

 

[Qball]

Ask your Lom they'll give you the details.

 

[RailNoob]

Hi Ollie, its the old manchester north psb just down from Salford crescent Station opposite the University.

I'm starting signalling school this Monday in Manchester. Does anybody know the location/name of the school. I can't seem to locate it on Google.