A career as a signaller

[LOM]

I was just kidding, I didn’t think this would really happen. I would have thought there would be some chores around the box to do in any quiet times, unless someone else does those?

In most boxes (big centres are different) you keep things tidy during your shift and do a proper big clean on a Sunday, or on a Saturday at boxes that are shut on a Sunday. Maintenance of the signalling equipment and inside the building itself is carried out by specialist staff. Occasionally a motivated signaller might put up a shelf or something but that is not something the company expects you to do.

 

[Tom Quinne]

On a more serious note, I presume in a quiet single manned box you’d have other chores that need doing?? Cleaning, general maintenance?

Brasso to clean the lever tops or block bells, mop the floor etc

 

[Mi&Li]

In most boxes (big centres are different) you keep things tidy during your shift and do a proper big clean on a Sunday, or on a Saturday at boxes that are shut on a Sunday. Maintenance of the signalling equipment and inside the building itself is carried out by specialist staff. Occasionally a motivated signaller might put up a shelf or something but that is not something the company expects you to do.

I’ve always wondered this. Glad to get the answer without asking the question!

 

[Llanigraham]

On a more serious note, I presume in a quiet single manned box you’d have other chores that need doing?? Cleaning, general maintenance?

Officially you don't do any maintenance, but certainly keeping the floor clean, the block shelf dust free and the levers and brasses all polished and shiny is important. In my Box that was generally the job for Sunday morning but could be done any time there was nothing to do.

 

[Llanigraham]

No definitely not. Anything like that is totally out of the question in a signalbox.

In terms of sleeping on duty, I am not naive enough to think it does not happen as I spent many happy hours reading Section Z myself when I was in the grade. However my guys know what the consequences would be if I caught them at it. But you would have to be very dim indeed to get caught by me.

Always useful keeping the access gate locked and not oiling the hinges!

 

[LOM]

Always useful keeping the access gate locked and not oiling the hinges!

Since becoming a supervisor I seem to have developed very heavy feet and sometimes I even accidentally hit the van horn as I struggle to fill out the mileage book when I am doing out of hours visits late at night.

 

[Questiontime]

Since becoming a supervisor I seem to have developed very heavy feet and sometimes I even accidentally hit the van horn as I struggle to fill out the mileage book when I am doing out of hours visits late at night.

Not all heroes wear capes!

 

[89jordanbj]

Got the post-interview phone call yesterday re the Abercynon post... Unfortunately another candidate scored higher so was offered the position.. But i have been placed as the reserve candidate and also been put in a signaller pool and been advised that I will start a 12 month FTC when a place at signalling school becomes available (aware this could be a while) so all is not lost! Just a case of remaining patient and hopefully will be a signaller by the end of it all!

 

[Allaboard78]

Got the post-interview phone call yesterday re the Abercynon post... Unfortunately another candidate scored higher so was offered the position.. But i have been placed as the reserve candidate and also been put in a signaller pool and been advised that I will start a 12 month FTC when a place at signalling school becomes available (aware this could be a while) so all is not lost! Just a case of remaining patient and hopefully will be a signaller by the end of it all!

That was quick!! And brilliant news! So you have effectively got a job!

 

[89jordanbj]

That was quick!! And brilliant news! So you have effectively got a job!

Until I sign a contract I'm not taking anything for granted.. But it sounds that way. Wondering if anybody on here could clarify that signaller pools work in this way? And if anybody has started their employment with NR via this route? Cheers

 

[amanda08]

Got the post-interview phone call yesterday re the Abercynon post... Unfortunately another candidate scored higher so was offered the position.. But i have been placed as the reserve candidate and also been put in a signaller pool and been advised that I will start a 12 month FTC when a place at signalling school becomes available (aware this could be a while) so all is not lost! Just a case of remaining patient and hopefully will be a signaller by the end of it all!

Not what you hoped but still a good outcome, well done!

 

[gareth386]

Until I sign a contract I'm not taking anything for granted.. But it sounds that way. Wondering if anybody on here could clarify that signaller pools work in this way? And if anybody has started their employment with NR via this route? Cheers

There's a load of information within this thread regarding the signal pools, type in the search bar and you should find it. If you want to know any other info feel free to message me as I started in the Pool.

 

[Mi&Li]

Until I sign a contract I'm not taking anything for granted.. But it sounds that way. Wondering if anybody on here could clarify that signaller pools work in this way? And if anybody has started their employment with NR via this route? Cheers

I was told I’d be employed this way, but after following it up, it would seem the Coronavirus had something to say about it! It was taken out of the LOM’s control and I’ve had to apply again and my interview is in a couple of weeks. I hope it works out better for yourself

 

[Deanr1979]

Just checked my application for future opportunities north/east. Now saying application unsuccessful. Guttered, although I still have an application under consideration for bedlington grade 2 box but it’s from January.

 

[Pugman]

I just had my second unsuccessful email, first for Kidwelly and now Tondu. Good luck to whoever got the positions if you are on here.

 

[89jordanbj]

I was told I’d be employed this way, but after following it up, it would seem the Coronavirus had something to say about it! It was taken out of the LOM’s control and I’ve had to apply again and my interview is in a couple of weeks. I hope it works out better for yourself

Sorry to hear that. Did you get written confirmation of being put into the pool prior to that or were you just given the word by the hiring manager? Fingers crossed it works out for you in the end

 

[Mi&Li]

Sorry to hear that. Did you get written confirmation of being put into the pool prior to that or were you just given the word by the hiring manager? Fingers crossed it works out for you in the end

No unfortunately just over the phone when I’d asked for feedback. Hopefully works out for us both

 

[Tom Quinne]

Until I sign a contract I'm not taking anything for granted.. But it sounds that way. Wondering if anybody on here could clarify that signaller pools work in this way? And if anybody has started their employment with NR via this route? Cheers

You’ll be called (probably at very short notice) to attend a medical (the other end of the country) for a start date only weeks maybe a month away.

Wales Route is recruiting hard at the moment so you never know the call might well come sooner than you think.

Congratulations and welcome !

 

[Allaboard78]

You’ll be called (probably at very short notice) to attend a medical (the other end of the country) for a start date only weeks maybe a month away.

Wales Route is recruiting hard at the moment so you never know the call might well come sooner than you think.

Congratulations and welcome !

If tom says this it must be true #manintheknow

 

[89jordanbj]

You’ll be called (probably at very short notice) to attend a medical (the other end of the country) for a start date only weeks maybe a month away.

Wales Route is recruiting hard at the moment so you never know the call might well come sooner than you think.

Congratulations and welcome !

Cheers Tom, that's good to hear. I'm itching to get going but if I need to wait a bit longer then so be it.

 

[Tom Quinne]

I was originally one of four grade 2 12month FTC pool signallers, I got offered the job initially but I pulled out as I’d been offered a grade 7 job permeant elsewhere.

The 5th place candidate, or 1st reserve if you like took my place.

The four are all now permeant grade 4/5/7 signallers.

 

[Major1494]

Evening all, I've been invited to the assessment/interview stage for the North East future opportunities post. I've been looking at the locations based in Yorkshire and wondered whether anyone had any information on the Ferrybridge or Goole signal boxes?

TIA.

 

[CGH86]

Got the post-interview phone call yesterday re the Abercynon post... Unfortunately another candidate scored higher so was offered the position.. But i have been placed as the reserve candidate and also been put in a signaller pool and been advised that I will start a 12 month FTC when a place at signalling school becomes available (aware this could be a while) so all is not lost! Just a case of remaining patient and hopefully will be a signaller by the end of it all!

Hi,I also went for the abercynon job and had the phone call to say I was unsuccessful. I was offered the pool signaller route which I knew nothing about at the time. After much thought I feel it's an opportunity to good so will go for it. I've been asked to go on the 12 week course starting June 1st in Newport.

I was a bit unsure with the mention of a 12 month contract. However after speaking to another signaler was assured that internal jobs are always coming up. Best of luck and hope you get a date soon. I'm sure you will.

 

[89jordanbj]

Hi,I also went for the abercynon job and had the phone call to say I was unsuccessful. I was offered the pool signaller route which I knew nothing about at the time. After much thought I feel it's an opportunity to good so will go for it. I've been asked to go on the 12 week course starting June 1st in Newport.

I was a bit unsure with the mention of a 12 month contract. However after speaking to another signaler was assured that internal jobs are always coming up. Best of luck and hope you get a date soon. I'm sure you will.

Congratulations. The hiring manager mentioned the Newport intake but said it was now full so will need to wait to be found another place potentially elsewhere. I'm from Newport myself so that would of been very handy!

When do you start your contract of employment? All the best at signalling school!

 

[Allaboard78]

Can I ask what both of you (anercynon successes) do for a living? I'm wondering if there is something that they look for?

 

[CGH86]

Congratulations. The hiring manager mentioned the Newport intake but said it was now full so will need to wait to be found another place potentially elsewhere. I'm from Newport myself so that would of been very handy!

When do you start your contract of employment? All the best at signalling school!

Cheers mate. It's all happening very fast. I was daunted at the start as been In a good secure job for the last 10 which I actually enjoy. But after applying and securing a job of sorts I feel I'd kicking myself down the line I'd I didn't take it.

No idea with contract of employment as of yet. I've given hiring manager verbal agreement he said he LL now get the ball rolling. Expecting some formal paperwork in the next week or so . I'm from Carmarthenshire ,so an hour from Newport. I can't imagine you LL be waiting long. Courses appear to run fairly often. All being well you LL get Newport too.

 

[CGH86]

Can I ask what both of you (anercynon successes) do for a living? I'm wondering if there is something that they look for?

Primary job- electronics technician for defence company. And also on call firefighter. I felt both Jobs being safety critical helped with examples in the interview.

 

[LOM]

Can I ask what both of you (anercynon successes) do for a living? I'm wondering if there is something that they look for?

It is all down to the quality of your answers in the interview compared with all the other people who are interviewed. You could be working part time at McDonalds and get a signalling role over a police officer if you show more motivation and give better examples demonstrating how you applied non-technical skills than him/her. People with safety critical experience are more likely to have more or better examples but it certainly does not guarantee a good interview.

 

[baz962]

Can I ask what both of you (anercynon successes) do for a living? I'm wondering if there is something that they look for?

A signaller I know , started as a G6 and was a teacher. Honestly doesnt matter what you do or did.

 

[amanda08]

Since I started looking and applying for signaller positions, I’ve not seen any come up for East Midlands ROC. Do these tend to come up with any frequency on the internal list?
Thanks