A career as a signaller

[Ducatist4]

If you put the effort in but still fail they will often give you a second chance. If you toss it off and fail then thats you out of the door!

Your offer of employment will be conditional upon you passing the course.

Your offer letter will say something similar to:

" satisfactory passing of signalling training is mandatory to qualify as a signaller. In the event of not passing, whilst alternative opportunities will be considered it is likely that your employment will be terminated".

 

[pskl73]

Cheers

 

[Open_G]

Do many trainees fail the course, if so what happens ie do you get removed from the position.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jan 2025 ==

Do many trainees fail the course, if so what happens to the trainee.
cheers

I’d hazard a guess that it’s rare for 100% of a cohort to get through the course at the first attempt. There are resits available to you if you fail a practical observation without being removed from the course (we had at least 4 of these) but then a failure of the written papers will mean having to join another course (we lost 2 at the 2nd paper).

All of us got through though.

 

[JWilliams]

I’ve seen a few SSM roles pop up over the past few months, my box doesn’t have them. Do they signal trains or just admin? And why do some places not need them?

 

[Benjiw17]

Cheers for that! Much appreciated

No probs, I work in that area so if you want to know anything just drop me a message and will be happy to help

 

[red2512]

I’ve seen a few SSM roles pop up over the past few months, my box doesn’t have them. Do they signal trains or just admin? And why do some places not need them?

They don't necessarily signal but can assist during times of degraded working.

They are there as a direct link between TRC, Delay attribution, the ECR (Electrical Control Room - for isolations etc.) and the team on the Ops Floor.

Most of the time, experienced signallers will move up to SSM positions but some people are much happier actually signalling trains as opposed to managing the Ops Floor.

 

[JWilliams]

They don't necessarily signal but can assist during times of degraded working.

They are there as a direct link between TRC, Delay attribution, the ECR (Electrical Control Room - for isolations etc.) and the team on the Ops Floor.

Most of the time, experienced signallers will move up to SSM positions but some people are much happier actually signalling trains as opposed to managing the Ops Floor.

Ah ok, Thankyou! Sounds like they take all the rubbish we don’t want to be dealing with

 

[red2512]

Ah ok, Thankyou! Sounds like they take all the rubbish we don’t want to be dealing with

In most boxes they get paid a higher grade I believe. I may be mistaken but I see it as essentially the next step up to middle management but still doing shifts and benefiting from the signalling wage

 

[macmed94]

Exeter PSB is a 7, Mid Cornwall Workstation (located in Exeter PSB) is a 5, Crediton, Exmouth Junction and the Branches relief is a 4, (relief is + 24% FP), and Paignton is a 3

Hi, do you happen to know what bristols is? and also the relief if you happen to know

 

[MarkWi72]

There is no limit. I did signalling school at 51, alongside a 53 year old.

Shifts get tougher with age, but there’s no obligation to take overtime and the work / life balance is very good which makes up for the shift patterns.

Cheers for that , good to know.

 

[PhatChris]

Just noticed a few signaller jobs have gone live (unless I've missed them previously).

G2 Jobs in Penzance, Cornwall, Bristol, Cotswolds and somewhere else.

Good luck to any of you that go for them.

Another long time lurker here. I thought now would be a time to share my experience.

I applied for a Cotswold line role in the summer (one was a relief role and the other a resident role), but ended up being put on the reserve list. I saw this new job posted on Thursday and wondered why I hadn't been contacted, and will I have to apply and go through all the tests again. Then I got a call from recruiting on Friday morning asking if I was still interested. Less than an hour later I had a provisional offer in my inbox for a start in April. It's actually a pool role, with no box currently allocated, so from what I have read here, I think I will have to apply for a position while I'm at IST. Does anyone have experience of how that actually works? Might I end up in a different location or at a different grade?

 

[CoachB]

Another long time lurker here. I thought now would be a time to share my experience.

I applied for a Cotswold line role in the summer (one was a relief role and the other a resident role), but ended up being put on the reserve list. I saw this new job posted on Thursday and wondered why I hadn't been contacted, and will I have to apply and go through all the tests again. Then I got a call from recruiting on Friday morning asking if I was still interested. Less than an hour later I had a provisional offer in my inbox for a start in April. It's actually a pool role, with no box currently allocated, so from what I have read here, I think I will have to apply for a position while I'm at IST. Does anyone have experience of how that actually works? Might I end up in a different location or at a different grade?

I went through this process last year being a grade 2 trainee signaller.

You're right you aren't assigned to a box while you're a trainee, you are allowed to apply for vacancies in your LOM's area during IST or after IST. I personally done it after IST as there's enough to deal with at IST without having to try and fit and prepare yourself for an internal interview in there as well.

Once you finish IST your LOM will come up with a plan for you on where you'll be going for your signal box learning to get you passed out. This will most likely be a signal box where there is a vacancy or will be a vacancy coming up at.

It is very possible that you can end up in a higher grade box but as for location you'll be kept within that LOM's area of control. This will only change however if there are no vacancies in that LOM's area and aren't going to be for a significant period of time, in which case you would be allowed to apply for any vacancies on the internal job site.

 

[Benjiw17]

Hi, do you happen to know what bristols is? and also the relief if you happen to know

Unsure on Bristol but if I was to hazard a guess I’d say a 4 or a 5, they only look after Bridgwater - Parsons street (ish) now, so not the beast it used to be

 

[macmed94]

I’d hazard a guess that it’s rare for 100% of a cohort to get through the course at the first attempt. There are resits available to you if you fail a practical observation without being removed from the course (we had at least 4 of these) but then a failure of the written papers will mean having to join another course (we lost 2 at the 2nd paper).

All of us got through though.

Do you have to still have your learning material for your course when you did it? I was told remembering the bell codes and the phonetic of alphabet helps but was wondering more someone can do to prep for the course

 

[Open_G]

Do you have to still have your learning material for your course when you did it? I was told remembering the bell codes and the phonetic of alphabet helps but was wondering more someone can do to prep for the course

I still have all my notes and a big pile of flashcards that formed the basis of my revision. I’ll dig them out when I’m in the mood during a quiet period in the box and brush up.

Prep wise, bell codes (some), phonetic alphabet definitely. Maybe also the train classes. But that’s about it. Anything more will probably just confuse you.

I could tell you to learn to recite some of the rules…. “the line, or at a facing junction, the line for which the facing points are set, is clear up to and including the clearing point.” But it is a bunch of meaningless words at this point. It starts to stick, when it makes sense.

 

[CoachB]

Do you have to still have your learning material for your course when you did it? I was told remembering the bell codes and the phonetic of alphabet helps but was wondering more someone can do to prep for the course

To be fair we all have our learning materials as it's all in the rulebooks. However none of it will make sense until it's explained at IST. The course is designed to teach people from off the street from scratch.

The only prep that is worthwhile doing beforehand is the phonetic alphabet as even bell codes won't make sense until you know what they are for and when to use them.

 

[jag1]

Hi there,

After passing the initial stages of application, I’ve been told I was not shortlisted for an assessment centre, but I have been put on a reserve list “in case any further opportunity arises”.

Does anyone know what this really means?

I am a bit confused since they also said in the same email that if they are unable to provide me with an assessment centre at this time, I can apply again in the future. So do I need to wait for a vacancy and apply again? Or will they contact me because I’m on this reserve list?

Thanks

 

[MylesHSG]

Do you have to still have your learning material for your course when you did it? I was told remembering the bell codes and the phonetic of alphabet helps but was wondering more someone can do to prep for the course

Before IST it can be useful to know the NATO phonetic alphabet and the NWR non technical skills. Everything else is best learnt at sig school from the trainers.

 

[mollygeorge234]

Hi, i am currently in the process of applying for a grade9 in edinburgh. From what i’ve gathered people applying for grade9 have previous experience? I’m doing some research before i do my online assessment and i’ve seen that people have been suggesting to focus on the NTS, researching NR, and why you want the job will this knowledge be enough? also i’ve seen people mentioning STAR could someone give me an insight on what this is? Thank you!

 

[LW17]

Has anyone had to cover their own mileage for travel for IST? I wanted to drive but apparantly they don't cover my mileage I'd only be able to get free parking at the hotel.

 

[macmed94]

Hi, i am currently in the process of applying for a grade9 in edinburgh. From what i’ve gathered people applying for grade9 have previous experience? I’m doing some research before i do my online assessment and i’ve seen that people have been suggesting to focus on the NTS, researching NR, and why you want the job will this knowledge be enough? also i’ve seen people mentioning STAR could someone give me an insight on what this is? Thank you!

The grade 9 will have the hardest online assessment like taking the memory grid test which I done terrible on, the lower the grade the easier it is to pass the online assessment and not having to do memory grid, with grade 2 trainee roles being the easiest and having to do a pre-recorded interview once you pass the assessment whereas the other grades don’t have that and instead might involve going to an assessment centre

 

[RailwayRookie]

Has anyone had to cover their own mileage for travel for IST? I wanted to drive but apparantly they don't cover my mileage I'd only be able to get free parking at the hotel.

The policy on this was changed last month to prioritise use or Rail over private vehicles on a cost reasoning.

During my IST I drove each week and was reimbursed but the agreement with my LOM was that the fuel cost was less than the train ticket, and driving was around 40mins quicker.

I suspect if you've already had a no and there's no reason beyond convenience then that is unlikely to change.

Fuel is 45p/Mile currently so you may be able to argue from a cost perspective if its lower than the ticket would be. However if you have a set place of work already then your standard commuting milage is taken away from the total travel and only the difference is paid.

 

[Ducatist4]

The grade 9 will have the hardest online assessment like taking the memory grid test which I done terrible on, the lower the grade the easier it is to pass the online assessment and not having to do memory grid, with grade 2 trainee roles being the easiest and having to do a pre-recorded interview once you pass the assessment whereas the other grades don’t have that and instead might involve going to an assessment centre

If that's correct its changed from how it used to be a few years ago - everyone did the same tests and it was perfectly possible to come straight off the street into a grade nine role.

 

[The Difference]

The grade 9 will have the hardest online assessment like taking the memory grid test which I done terrible on, the lower the grade the easier it is to pass the online assessment and not having to do memory grid, with grade 2 trainee roles being the easiest and having to do a pre-recorded interview once you pass the assessment whereas the other grades don’t have that and instead might involve going to an assessment centre

I know a few people who have applied to Grade 8 and Grade 9 roles this week, and they have had the online tests, then a video/pre-recorded interview. 2 of them are now waiting to hear if they will get to assessment centre, or be placed in a reserve list. Although they have both passed, it states not everybody makes the assessment centre due to the volume of applicants.

 

[macmed94]

I know a few people who have applied to Grade 8 and Grade 9 roles this week, and they have had the online tests, then a video/pre-recorded interview. 2 of them are now waiting to hear if they will get to assessment centre, or be placed in a reserve list. Although they have both passed, it states not everybody makes the assessment centre due to the volume of applicants.

That’s interesting, I applied for mine around July time for a grade 8 in London, all the tests were the same except I had to do a memory grid test which I struggled with and I got “somewhat aligned” on the signaller assessment, then 2 days later I ended up getting an email letting me I’m not getting through to the assessment stage, on my screen there was 5 stages in total

Fast forward now, I’ve applied for a grade 2 trainee and done the same tests except the memory grid and I got the same “somewhat aligned” on my assessment but I got an email 2 minutes after completing it asking me to start doing the pre-recorded interview, on this screen there was only 4 stages


So naturally I just assumed the trainee role to have lower barrier of entrance

 

[CoachB]

Has anyone had to cover their own mileage for travel for IST? I wanted to drive but apparantly they don't cover my mileage I'd only be able to get free parking at the hotel.

A person on my course tried to claim their mileage for IST last year and was told they don't cover it.

Reason being you were offered a hotel and train tickets for the whole time you were at IST. If you turn it down and make your own arrangements then it's at your own cost not Network Rails.

 

[The Difference]

That’s interesting, I applied for mine around July time for a grade 8 in London, all the tests were the same except I had to do a memory grid test which I struggled with and I got “somewhat aligned” on the signaller assessment, then 2 days later I ended up getting an email letting me I’m not getting through to the assessment stage, on my screen there was 5 stages in total

Fast forward now, I’ve applied for a grade 2 trainee and done the same tests except the memory grid and I got the same “somewhat aligned” on my assessment but I got an email 2 minutes after completing it asking me to start doing the pre-recorded interview, on this screen there was only 4 stages


So naturally I just assumed the trainee role to have lower barrier of entrance

What is the grid test you refer to? I remember the dot test with the different shapes in between the stages of the dots? That was by far the hardest test and I was 50/50 whether or not I had passed that one. Thankfully I did as I’m starting IST this Monday for a Grade 9 role and can’t wait to get going!

Maybe you had scored highly enough in all tests minus the memory test you refer to, hence failing the higher grade role? Interesting the lower grade role doesn’t have that specific test though, thus making it easier to pass the initial sift.

GL with the rest of your application journey.

 

[SimplyLovely]

Very excited now...I start on Monday! It's my birthday tomorrow so will be a nice birthday present

 

[CoachB]

What is the grid test you refer to? I remember the dot test with the different shapes in between the stages of the dots? That was by far the hardest test and I was 50/50 whether or not I had passed that one. Thankfully I did as I’m starting IST this Monday for a Grade 9 role and can’t wait to get going!

Maybe you had scored highly enough in all tests minus the memory test you refer to, hence failing the higher grade role? Interesting the lower grade role doesn’t have that specific test though, thus making it easier to pass the initial sift.

GL with the rest of your application journey.

If he is talking about the dot test with the different shape between stages then it's in the lower grade assesments too.
I can only think that their bar isn't as high for the lower grades due to the fact grade 2 - 4 lines aren't as busy as grade 5 - 9 alongside the fact you have a lot more going on around you in a signalling center that could distract you.

 

[Joner205]

Quick question, the job is advertised on indeed but I can't see it on the network rail careers page? Is this normal? Id like to apply through the network rail page direct if possible. Thanks