A career as a signaller

[Royal351]

Anyone here waiting to hear on the Grade 9 at Three Bridges?
Assessments all done but nothing since!

Hello! Saw this as I was browsing around. I got the email today to say I've been taken forward to an interview in two weeks' time.

Hopefully you've heard something similar too this morning?

 

[MK88]

Hi everyone. Thought I'd make an account and comment here to help out. I currently work as a relief signaller in Cornwall and will be moving over to the new workstation in Exeter.

If anyone here has got a job for Exeter in terms of the cornish resignalling drop me a message. I can help answer any qs in regards to your signalling school and assist along the way if you need any answers.

Looking forward to working with whomever sees this

 

[DC36]

Good afternoon all, I'm due to join Network Rail on Monday anf had originally been advertised that my 13 week IST would start in York on 17th. I've now been advised that this starts on the 24th and is only 10 weeks long, does this sound correct?

Thanks in advance

 

[SH89]

Good afternoon all, I'm due to join Network Rail on Monday anf had originally been advertised that my 13 week IST would start in York on 17th. I've now been advised that this starts on the 24th and is only 10 weeks long, does this sound correct?

Thanks in advance

Depends on the course mate, if it’s AB, it’s 10 weeks plus 1 day on week 11. then you may do a TCB conversion straight after it, which is 2 weeks, but classed as a separate course.

 

[Rav3n725]

Hello! Saw this as I was browsing around. I got the email today to say I've been taken forward to an interview in two weeks' time.

Hopefully you've heard something similar too this morning?

Yeah I got the same, was a relief to see in the email box! Congrats to you!

 

[kenneth wright]

Hi would anyone happen to know the shift pattern at Grindleford signal box?

 

[DC36]

Depends on the course mate, if it’s AB, it’s 10 weeks plus 1 day on week 11. then you may do a TCB conversion straight after it, which is 2 weeks, but classed as a separate course.

Thanks for that mate. Looking forward to my first day tomorrow!

 

[Hylo]

Being a signaller (with the salary) can be life changing for people, so advocate for anyone giving it a go.

I have been lucky enough to get a verbal offer, they told me 'bad luck old boy' (reserve) on the Thursday and 'actually, hold up, we do want you' on the Friday. So I'm waiting for a start date now which i believe is contingent on a school date being made available.

Having said that I've now received 3 emails with about 30 files attached to go through various pre-employment things. It's taken me two years and many applications but I'm finally here. Genuinely overjoyed.

Thank you forum, i appreciate all the information within and the sensation of not going through a difficult and obtuse process alone.

Last question if i could be so bold, i remember something from a year plus ago saying about the pension options and that there was a best choice, I can't find it on the search, can anyone remind me?

 

[Seejwalker]

I have been lucky enough to get a verbal offer, they told me 'bad luck old boy' (reserve) on the Thursday and 'actually, hold up, we do want you' on the Friday. So I'm waiting for a start date now which i believe is contingent on a school date being made available.

Having said that I've now received 3 emails with about 30 files attached to go through various pre-employment things. It's taken me two years and many applications but I'm finally here. Genuinely overjoyed.

Thank you forum, i appreciate all the information within and the sensation of not going through a difficult and obtuse process alone.

Last question if i could be so bold, i remember something from a year plus ago saying about the pension options and that there was a best choice, I can't find it on the search, can anyone remind me?

I’m not a pensions guru, someone on here will definitely be able to better advise.
But after 5 years you’ll be offered the Railway Pension Scheme, so whichever pension you take initially, shouldn’t really matter.

 

[WoollyMammoth]

I have been lucky enough to get a verbal offer, they told me 'bad luck old boy' (reserve) on the Thursday and 'actually, hold up, we do want you' on the Friday. So I'm waiting for a start date now which i believe is contingent on a school date being made available.

Having said that I've now received 3 emails with about 30 files attached to go through various pre-employment things. It's taken me two years and many applications but I'm finally here. Genuinely overjoyed.

Thank you forum, i appreciate all the information within and the sensation of not going through a difficult and obtuse process alone.

Last question if i could be so bold, i remember something from a year plus ago saying about the pension options and that there was a best choice, I can't find it on the search, can anyone remind me?

YMMV as it depends on your circumstances but there is a Career Average (CARE) or a Defined Contribution (NRDC) scheme. The general consensus seems to be the CARE and then as Seej says across to RPS (if it still exists/ is open to new members in five years).

 

[SWTurbo]

All,

I appreciate that there is a fair amount of decent info on TVSC, however I’ve heard of link 0, which I can’t seem to find using the search function! (As well as the fact that most of the info is now a few years old)

Has anyone got up to date link format + shift patterns for TVSC (asking for a mate!)

Cheers

 

[lineclear]

YMMV as it depends on your circumstances but there is a Career Average (CARE) or a Defined Contribution (NRDC) scheme. The general consensus seems to be the CARE and then as Seej says across to RPS (if it still exists/ is open to new members in five years).

That may be the received wisdom but it's worth considering carefully, at least between CARE and RPS65. They are both career average schemes, and either can give a higher retirement benefit depending on your pay rises, CPI and RPI inflation. Ideally you'd speak to a financial advisor.

 

[Canonite]

Is anyone else still waiting to hear back about their Signaller G2 (Scarborough, Ferrybridge, Immingham, Worksop, Hexham, Wakefield. Harrogate, Sheffield) application?

I applied on 25/07, had the interview almost three weeks ago and was told everyone should find out by 23/09, but haven't heard anything yet.

I have been lucky enough to get a verbal offer, they told me 'bad luck old boy' (reserve) on the Thursday and 'actually, hold up, we do want you' on the Friday. So I'm waiting for a start date now which i believe is contingent on a school date being made available.

Having said that I've now received 3 emails with about 30 files attached to go through various pre-employment things. It's taken me two years and many applications but I'm finally here. Genuinely overjoyed.

Thank you forum, i appreciate all the information within and the sensation of not going through a difficult and obtuse process alone.

Last question if i could be so bold, i remember something from a year plus ago saying about the pension options and that there was a best choice, I can't find it on the search, can anyone remind me?

Well done on getting the offer. What area you in?
They sent me a lot of info about the pensions options and to be honest, the suitability of each is dependent purely on your own circumstances.

You can move to the Railways Pension Scheme after 5yrs service but you should look at your own personal circumstances, and requirements before deciding. Take professional advice if you don’t understand it as there are real pros and cons to each one.

 

[Seejwalker]

My understanding is both of the ones offered are absolutely turd and the RPS scheme is the one to be on.
Simple as that.

(Disclaimer: this is not financial advice)

 

[Canonite]

My understanding is both of the ones offered are absolutely turd and the RPS scheme is the one to be on.
Simple as that.

(Disclaimer: this is not financial advice)

The literature I got sent is designed to lean you towards the CARE option.

There’s a reason for that I think. Maybe it saves NR money in the interim and the 5yr wait for RPS option is because of the staff turnover, with many leaving under 5yrs of service.

 

[Seejwalker]

The literature I got sent is designed to lean you towards the CARE option.

There’s a reason for that I think. Maybe it saves NR money in the interim and the 5yr wait for RPS option is because of the staff turnover, with many leaving under 5yrs of service.

I have absolutely no basis for my argument other than everyone else says the RPS scheme is better. There’s definitely a reason you wait 5 years, and it’s final salary too.

 

[Nippy]

All,

I appreciate that there is a fair amount of decent info on TVSC, however I’ve heard of link 0, which I can’t seem to find using the search function! (As well as the fact that most of the info is now a few years old)

Has anyone got up to date link format + shift patterns for TVSC (asking for a mate!)

Cheers

Link 1 originally was Paddington, Acton, Hayes and Slough.

Link 0, Grade 9, was created by adding workstations to Link 1 and splitting the link (to try and reduce a bit of the workload) Link 0 currently do Paddington and Acton. There will be a new workstation between the two called OOC at some point.

Link 1, Grade 9, is Hayes, Heathrow and Slough. Both these Links work 12hrs 07:00/19:00

Link 2, Grade 9, is Twyford, Reading, West Junction and B&H. 12hrs 06:00/18:00

Link 3, Grade 7, is Didcot, Oxford and Swindon. 12hrs 07:00/19:00

Link 4, Grade 8, Bath, Bristol TM and Stoke Gifford. 12hrs 07:00/19:00

A Crossing desk, Grade 2, with Appleford, Stocks Lane, Causeway and Minety Crossings on it. 12hrs 06:00/18:00

I worked Link 1 in its original 4 workstation form but I don't know the exact current shift patterns are, I left there about 20 months ago.

Hope this helps.

 

[Andy9gc]

Link 1 originally was Paddington, Acton, Hayes and Slough.

Link 0 was created by adding workstations to Link 1 and splitting the link (to try and reduce a bit of the workload) Link 0 currently do Paddington and Acton. There will be a new workstation between the two called OOC at some point.

Link 1 is Hayes, Heathrow and Slough. Both these Links work 12hrs 07:00/19:00

Link 2 is Twyford, Reading, West Junction and B&H. 12hrs 06:00/18:00

Link 3 is Didcot, Oxford and Swindon. 12hrs 07:00/19:00

Link 4 Bath, Bristol TM and Stoke Gifford. 12hrs 07:00/19:00

Crossing desk with Appleford, Stocks Lane, Causeway and Minety Crossings on it. 12hrs 06:00/18:00

I worked Link 1 in its original 4 workstation form but I don't know the exact current shift patterns are, I left there about 20 months ago.

Hope this helps

I'm on the reserve list for TVSC. When you were there did many people come through from the reserve list?

 

[Seejwalker]

I'm on the reserve list for TVSC. When you were there did many people come through from the reserve list?

He wouldn’t know mate. They’re all just new entrants as far as anyone already employed is concerned.
I’ve never even heard of a reserve list.

 

[lineclear]

it’s final salary too.

It's not. Pensionable pay increases are limited to RPI, and upon promotion, a pension restructuring premium is created for the difference, starting from that date. Essentially it's a career average scheme.

 

[Nippy]

I'm on the reserve list for TVSC. When you were there did many people come through from the reserve list?

As far as I was concerned you were either a new starter or a transfer. I didn't know about reserve lists.

 

[Seejwalker]

It's not. Pensionable pay increases are limited to RPI, and upon promotion, a pension restructuring premium is created for the difference, starting from that date. Essentially it's a career average scheme.

Yes ok this is true. But it is labelled as final salary and that’s down to the individual to fully understand the definition.

 

[Andy9gc]

He wouldn’t know mate. They’re all just new entrants as far as anyone already employed is concerned.
I’ve never even heard of a reserve list.

As far as I was concerned you were either a new starter or a transfer. I didn't know about reserve lists.

Thank you both. I shall not hold out too much hope, and just apply again next time.

 

[Seejwalker]

Thank you both. I shall not hold out too much hope, and just apply again next time.

Yeah just do so anyway mate. Give yourself as many options as you possibly can.
Apply for everything and anything mate and you’ll get there.

 

[SWTurbo]

Link 0, Grade 9, was created by adding workstations to Link 1 and splitting the link (to try and reduce a bit of the workload) Link 0 currently do Paddington and Acton. There will be a new workstation between the two called OOC at some point.

Link 1, Grade 9, is Hayes, Heathrow and Slough. Both these Links work 12hrs 07:00/19:00

Link 2, Grade 9, is Twyford, Reading, West Junction and B&H. 12hrs 06:00/18:00

Link 3, Grade 7, is Didcot, Oxford and Swindon. 12hrs 07:00/19:00

Link 4, Grade 8, Bath, Bristol TM and Stoke Gifford. 12hrs 07:00/19:00

A Crossing desk, Grade 2, with Appleford, Stocks Lane, Causeway and Minety Crossings on it. 12hrs 06:00/18:00

I worked Link 1 in its original 4 workstation form but I don't know the exact current shift patterns are, I left there about 20 months ago.

Hope this helps.

Brilliant thanks! Are they all ARS, or is it a mix?

 

[bouff34]

It's not. Pensionable pay increases are limited to RPI, and upon promotion, a pension restructuring premium is created for the difference, starting from that date. Essentially it's a career average scheme.

This!

Yes, mostly RPS may be better but for some it will not. As others have said a decent independent pensions adviser may be worth speaking to. It could mean a difference of a few thousand by the time you retire... which would make an IFA fee of a few hundred very much worth it...

 

[Nippy]

Brilliant thanks! Are they all ARS, or is it a mix?

All the signalling workstations are IECC Scaleable with ARS.

 

[Bn98]

Out of interest, does anyone know the ratio of interviewees vs positions available?
Have my interview for Three Bridges in a week or so and seen a couple of posts from others on here!

 

[Seejwalker]

Out of interest, does anyone know the ratio of interviewees vs positions available?
Have my interview for Three Bridges in a week or so and seen a couple of posts from others on here!

Depends what exactly you’re asking,

Are you asking how many are being interviewed currently and how many jobs are available,

Or are you asking how many people are typically interviewed for a position.

The latter has so many variables that it couldn’t be answered.

 

[Ducatist4]

From previous posts it seems there might be as many as several hundred applications for each post and they interview five or six.