A career as a signaller

[techybit]

Firstly, I would like to say thank you to everyone on this thread. It has certainly helped my journey on the path to becoming a signaller (which is still ongoing).

I can certainly say for anyone new to this process please make sure you are looking for some waiting time in between stages. It's not surprising considering the number of applications and jobs happening all at the same time. Sometimes it can be days but it can be weeks or months before you proceed to the next level but don't give up hope!

I've gone through the online application form a number of times (Word helped with the occasional crashes but I pursued) and the online SJT assessment multiple times (I wish it remembered each time! - 69 questions x ? times is a bit annoying but I got through it) and I got to the assessment day and failed one part, but applied for another post and got through the assessment but this time failed the interview stage.

This time, I got through the interview stage and am now waiting for the signal box, a medical date, reference check and my various bits of papers.

One thing I'm not totally sure about is the shift pattern for 8-hour rostered manual signal boxes. I know it won't be the same everywhere but an idea would be helpful!

I don't know if my box will be a 12 or 8 hour Sunday (possibly depends on the box I end up in) but I have assumed something like this if it is 12 and maybe it is very similar if it is 8?

Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 O RD RD N N N N
2 12N N N RD L L L
3 O L L L RD E E
4 12D E E E E RD RD
5 O RD RD N N N N
6 12N N N RD L L L
7 O L L L RD E E
8 12D E E E RD RD RD

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[TRain87]

I have my medical on Thursday and come over nervous for some reason! I'm in good health (although currently have a cold) - done an eye test at work the other day to satisfactory levels. I do have glasses for driving and only recommended to wear them when driving long distances to sharpen out images in distance. Feel my hearing is good and don't do drugs and haven't drunk this year (dry January) so not sure why I'm worried? Maybe the eye test - what score do you need to get to pass? Other than Drink, Drugs, Eye sight, colour blindness and hearing....is there anything else?

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

I'm sure you'll ace it!

 

[KneeOn]

Has anyone else applied for the Scheme Support roles at London Bridge ASC? If so, any news?

I managed to check my application status today by clicking apply now for another role. I am still under consideration.

I'm trying to prepare a step ahead, so I've read SJT articles and the 8 NTS but for the assesment day the fault finding exercise causes me a bit of concern.

Does anyone have any extra material to practice on top of what is sent out?

 

[TNbloke]

That looks like my dream job, spending most of the day alone, underground. No customer service nonsense to worry about.

Although I'm surprised they kept the signalbox manned at Bank. When did the box close?

I'm now seeking to indulge my dream of being a manual box signalman, by doing it a preserved railway. Would this count as genuine experience to being an NR signalman, or is it like most other professions on the railway where you have to keep your railway enthusiasm secret.

Yes,it wasn't a bad job over there. It looked nothing like a signal box,because it really wasn't. It was like a broom cupboard,not much bigger. The panel was maybe a yard wide by 18" high perhaps. It was situated on the wall, and a flap or cover,used to be locked over it. I'm sure the public had no idea that anybody was in there. I'm really not sure when it closed...maybe when Wimbledon box took over perhaps ? I left in 1990, as Waterloo main box was in the process of closing.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That frame is now at Cockcrow Hill SB on the Great Cockcrow
Railway. It's a "knee"frame, with all the locking above the floor level.

Cockcrow Hill SB (picture taken while I was on duty there )

How neat ! Glad to see the old frame's got a new lease of life ! How long has your railway been running ? Can't say l've ever heard of it,and l lived in Woking for several years !

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

Has anyone else applied for the Scheme Support roles at London Bridge ASC? If so, any news?

I managed to check my application status today by clicking apply now for another role. I am still under consideration.

I'm trying to prepare a step ahead, so I've read SJT articles and the 8 NTS but for the assesment day the fault finding exercise causes me a bit of concern.

Does anyone have any extra material to practice on top of what is sent out?

This isn't happening anymore. See my post on the first page of Careers.

Just to be sure, call HR and confirm for yourself that they are no longer doing the assessment days.

My guess is (hopefully) applications will all move a lot faster now.

...

I applied for those vacancies too, still waiting!

 

[KneeOn]

This isn't happening anymore. See my post on the first page of Careers.

Just to be sure, call HR and confirm for yourself that they are no longer doing the assessment days.

My guess is (hopefully) applications will all move a lot faster now.

Fantastic, thank you for that.

I'll wait until the end of the week then call up and see if I can get an update. I'll follow your thread for information on how to prepare, hopefully I'm not a Guinea pig!

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

Fantastic, thank you for that.

I'll wait until the end of the week then call up and see if I can get an update. I'll follow your thread for information on how to prepare, hopefully I'm not a Guinea pig!

I would say we're all guinea pigs at the moment.

 

[Termy]

Anyone with knowledge of operations in the Pembrey/Burry Port signalbox in Carmarthen, South Wales about? Applied for a Grade 2 job there, and I'm very interested in the semaphores still in use... XD

 

[be96erj]

This isn't happening anymore. See my post on the first page of Careers.

Just to be sure, call HR and confirm for yourself that they are no longer doing the assessment days.

My guess is (hopefully) applications will all move a lot faster now.

Oh great! So does that mean my test results for the assessment day are now void?! What a pain if it is! I was told that my results would be valid for 3 years- so much for that!

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

Oh great! So does that mean my test results for the assessment day are now void?! What a pain if it is! I was told that my results would be valid for 3 years- so much for that!

Unfortunately that is what I was told.

Then again, a new system to speed things up?

 

[be96erj]

Unfortunately that is what I was told.

Then again, a new system to speed things up?

Just called recruitment and the person that I spoke to said the above is untrue and that old assessment day results still stand!

Do you have any written confirmation of the above?

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

Again, just what I was told. The person in hr who told me this seemed very knowledgeable about the entire process and was happy to talk to me at length about it.

I asked why I'd been invited to interview for a separate role without having done those tests and she said that it just missed the new cut off date for processing.

We shall see I guess!

Please post if you are invited to do these new online tests also.

 

[Donachie]

Just called recruitment and the person that I spoke to said the above is untrue and that old assessment day results still stand!

Do you have any written confirmation of the above?

I still have a valid Assessment Centre Pass if you go on the "valid for 3 years" as I was told when I passed.

Have applied for a new vacancies in last few weeks and now have been invited to take the new on line tests !!

Donachie.

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

I still have a valid Assessment Centre Pass if you go on the "valid for 3 years" as I was told when I passed.

Have applied for a new vacancies in last few weeks and now have been invited to take the new on line tests !!

Donachie.

Same as me, only passed mine in October. They did apologise though and said unfortunately they are now no longer valid, those new tests you are doing are what's replacing it!

 

[Llanigraham]

Anyone with knowledge of operations in the Pembrey/Burry Port signalbox in Carmarthen, South Wales about? Applied for a Grade 2 job there, and I'm very interested in the semaphores still in use... XD

I suspect Distants will be colour lights whilst the others will be semaphores.
Pedestal control of the LX outside.

 

[Muz333]

Interview tomorrow morning as an external applicant, fingers crossed!

 

[TRain87]

Interview tomorrow morning as an external applicant, fingers crossed!

Good luck. Where is that for?

 

[Muz333]

Good luck. Where is that for?

Newtonhill, up near Aberdeen. Will only be the fourth interview I've ever had, so I'm hoping I don't mess up!

 

[TRain87]

Passed my medical - pending results from drugs test! Thanks everyone - now the hard work starts and I start signalling school in March!

 

[Spectroscopic]

Looking for some advice.

Currently a research scientist and looking for a career change. I quite fancy signalling.

I have applied for a grade 7 position in Cambridge;

i) If it is being advertised externally does that mean there are no internal applicants?

ii) Also are they fussy about the type of people they take. I have a PhD. for example (which I don't expect to count for anything), but will they tell me I am too overqualified? Which I have had happen before...

iii) I am happy to relocate. There are currently a few signalling vacancies; Norwich, London, Cambridge. Is it worth applying for more than one or will that just confuse matters with all the online tests etc?


Thanks

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

No, the guy who interviewed me yesterday was himself a research scientist for eight years, with a PhD.

 

[MylesHSG]

Looking for some advice.

Currently a research scientist and looking for a career change. I quite fancy signalling.

I have applied for a grade 7 position in Cambridge;

i) If it is being advertised externally does that mean there are no internal applicants?

ii) Also are they fussy about the type of people they take. I have a PhD. for example (which I don't expect to count for anything), but will they tell me I am too overqualified? Which I have had happen before...

iii) I am happy to relocate. There are currently a few signalling vacancies; Norwich, London, Cambridge. Is it worth applying for more than one or will that just confuse matters with all the online tests etc?


Thanks

My dad has a PHD and been a Signaller for 10 years now.

 

[Muz333]

Looking for some advice.

Currently a research scientist and looking for a career change. I quite fancy signalling.

I have applied for a grade 7 position in Cambridge;

i) If it is being advertised externally does that mean there are no internal applicants?

ii) Also are they fussy about the type of people they take. I have a PhD. for example (which I don't expect to count for anything), but will they tell me I am too overqualified? Which I have had happen before...

iii) I am happy to relocate. There are currently a few signalling vacancies; Norwich, London, Cambridge. Is it worth applying for more than one or will that just confuse matters with all the online tests etc?


Thanks

I just got my PhD myself and had an interview last Thursday as a Signaller. One of the people that interviewed me was from a Chemistry background herself, so I don't think they have any issues with us researchers.

Unfortunately in my case I think the lack of a driving licence has put me out of the running, although I haven't heard back yet so who knows. However I intend to learn to drive as quickly as possible and apply for the next available position.

 

[fantaheed]

had my interview just before Christmas and was offered job next day. Just got email back today confirming references and medical checks were complete so just waiting on a start date for my LOM which I think will be York at the back end of march.

Anyone else on this?

 

[TRain87]

had my interview just before Christmas and was offered job next day. Just got email back today confirming references and medical checks were complete so just waiting on a start date for my LOM which I think will be York at the back end of march.

Anyone else on this?

I'm in the same position mate. Just got the email to state I passed medical and all references done

Meant to be starting at Basingstoke on 13th March - just waiting on confirmation congratulations mate

 

[fantaheed]

I'm in the same position mate. Just got the email to state I passed medical and all references done

Meant to be starting at Basingstoke on 13th March - just waiting on confirmation congratulations mate

thanks mate been a good 8 months by the time I start but will be worth it! Congrats to you mate.

Anyone know about the accommodation in York? I know I will find out soon but just a bit eager to know after waiting this long

 

[Tubeboy]

Hi all, how is the hearing test performed? Soundproof booth? I currently wear hearing aids and I have mild hearing loss in both ears. Would that be a bar?

 

[TRain87]

Hi all, how is the hearing test performed? Soundproof booth? I currently wear hearing aids and I have mild hearing loss in both ears. Would that be a bar?

Hearing aids are allowed. Yes sound proof booth with no warning when it starts haha

 

[Tubeboy]

Hearing aids are allowed. Yes sound proof booth with no warning when it starts haha

Thanks for the quick reply Tryles! Certainly interested in applying at some point! Current job on tube is ok, and quite well paid, but keeping my options open.