A career as a signaller

[kenneth wright]

Hi for those who have interviewed recently how long did your interviews last I had one today that only lasted 20 minutes don't know if that's a good sign or not fingers crossed it went well.

 

[t200]

Hi All,

On Monday I was verbally offered a G7 Position. How long should it take for my contract to arrive?

Congratulations! You’ll need to complete your DBS and pre-employment checks that they send you (if you haven't already). You'll then be invited to have your medical. Once you've passed that, they will confirm everything and give you your employee number. It took about 2 weeks for me to go from verbal offer to confirmed start date... Looking forward to it now!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jun 2023 ==

Hi for those who have interviewed recently how long did your interviews last I had one today that only lasted 20 minutes don't know if that's a good sign or not fingers crossed it went well.

Mine was a bit longer - probably closer to an hour but that doesn't mean anything. It's probably more important that you answered all the questions well and provided solid examples. Good luck

 

[Benjiw17]

Thank you! I am external and no medical booked in yet, however I am railway staff currently with a valid medical for a TOC. I was told IST is likely to be January. Should I expect a long wait for a contract in this case?

I was offered a position in April, Did all my pre employment/medical etc in the same month, Medical is confirmed and sent off the same day so you'll get an employment start date there or there abouts, I've been employed since last Monday however IST isn't until October!

 

[Goggins]

I was offered a position in April, Did all my pre employment/medical etc in the same month, Medical is confirmed and sent off the same day so you'll get an employment start date there or there abouts, I've been employed since last Monday however IST isn't until October!

What date is your course in October? I'm sure I'm waiting on a start date and course and I've heard there is one October

 

[Jovisd79]

Got my interview next Wednesday, actually looking forward to getting it done and asking what the roster pattern is for my locations.

 

[Biscuit1986]

Hi for those who have interviewed recently how long did your interviews last I had one today that only lasted 20 minutes don't know if that's a good sign or not fingers crossed it went well.

I had a interview just Monday there and was about hour Kenneth

 

[bhabloke]

I have got through to the interview stage for 2 signalling jobs. One is a grade 2 post at ROC and the other as a crossing keeper also a grade 2. Any experienced signallers out there that might be able to offer pros and cons for what might be the better role? Thanks in advance.

 

[gator op]

Evening all. I was finally successful and was verbally offered a G2 post at in the Staffordshire area. I'm a internal applicant and the LOM is thinking the earliest IST available is early September in York. There is a shortage of courses available and when they are on, naturally they want them filled with as much candidates as possible.

I would like to say thank you everyone who contributes to this great thread. I've certainly seen value in a lot of the advice given.

 

[Benjiw17]

What date is your course in October? I'm sure I'm waiting on a start date and course and I've heard there is one October

Unsure as of yet, Just been told October in Bristol, I'm due to see my LOM next week at some time so will ask if there's an exact date

 

[red2512]

I was offered a position in April, Did all my pre employment/medical etc in the same month, Medical is confirmed and sent off the same day so you'll get an employment start date there or there abouts, I've been employed since last Monday however IST isn't until October!

Hi, I think I might be in a similar position to this
What are you doing in the mean time?

 

[Coppernob2014]

I have got through to the interview stage for 2 signalling jobs. One is a grade 2 post at ROC and the other as a crossing keeper also a grade 2. Any experienced signallers out there that might be able to offer pros and cons for what might be the better role? Thanks in advance.

I would definitely take the signaller position. Signaller training more or less qualifies you do to crossing keeper as well. So you’d be able to pick up overtime shifts etc as a crossing keep if you wanted.
Not to mention, that if you take the signaller job you can go up down or sideways with signaller jobs without re-doing training. If you’re a crossing keeper then you’re a crossing keeper and that’s that. Nothing wrong with the job, but not a lot of room for development.

 

[bhabloke]

I would definitely take the signaller position. Signaller training more or less qualifies you do to crossing keeper as well. So you’d be able to pick up overtime shifts etc as a crossing keep if you wanted.
Not to mention, that if you take the signaller job you can go up down or sideways with signaller jobs without re-doing training. If you’re a crossing keeper then you’re a crossing keeper and that’s that. Nothing wrong with the job, but not a lot of room for development.

That is such a helpful reply. Thank you so much for that.

 

[Benjiw17]

Hi, I think I might be in a similar position to this
What are you doing in the mean time?

I spent a few hours in my box on Monday, aside from that, my LOM is fairly relaxed, looking like a fair bit of time sat at home enjoying the summer, a couple of days here and there in the cab with drivers, a few days at other local boxes and a few days in my own box!

 

[red2512]

Good that you get a bit of an insight and some extra time off too! Can you remember how long before your start date your LOM contacted you to give you a heads up of what to expect etc?

Appreciate the reply, thank you.

 

[JWilliams]

Hi Depending on passing medical i will be starting at Basingstoke ASC on 21st August 2023 as a grade 7. Then its signalling school in september. I'm looking forward to it. Any info on roster would be much appreciated?

I start the same date for the ASC too! Did you get any info on the roster?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jun 2023 ==

I got confirmation of my medical results this week, very excited to join Basingstoke ASC August 21st!
Got to love the railway, there is never a rush to start

What is life as a relief like? Is permanent cover turn going to hurt?

 

[Benjiw17]

Good that you get a bit of an insight and some extra time off too! Can you remember how long before your start date your LOM contacted you to give you a heads up of what to expect etc?

Appreciate the reply, thank you.

Once HR gave me my start date, I didn’t hear from my LOM as I still had over a month to go, it wasn’t until a week before that my LOM contacted me, but if you want to get in touch with them, the recruitment people can give you their email etc

 

[RyW1]

Hi Guys,
Just going through the interview process at the moment. I know they may ask info on how signalling is changing in regards to new technologies being gradually introduced. Is anyone able to share some information on what the technology will look like and how this may change the role? I know sensors on tracks but a bit more depth maybe.

 

[Paul88]

Hi Guys,
Just going through the interview process at the moment. I know they may ask info on how signalling is changing in regards to new technologies being gradually introduced. Is anyone able to share some information on what the technology will look like and how this may change the role? I know sensors on tracks but a bit more depth maybe.

 

[CheeseNoMayo]

Afternoon guys! I’m wondering if some of you could share some advice please? I’ve recently had an interview for a grade 2 position in the York area which I’m yet to hear back from. I completed the online psychometrics for an application before this which I was unsuccessful in. (Grade 5 York ROC) I’ve recently applied for a grade 9 position which has come up at York ROC and have been invited to complete the psychometrics again. Does anyone know if I complete these psychometrics, would it potentially have a negative effect on my application for the grade 2 role or have any effect on my previous test results? Cheers!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jun 2023 ==

Afternoon guys! I’m wondering if some of you could share some advice please? I’ve recently had an interview for a grade 2 position in the York area which I’m yet to hear back from. I completed the online psychometrics for an application before this which I was unsuccessful in. (Grade 5 York ROC) I’ve recently applied for a grade 9 position which has come up at York ROC and have been invited to complete the psychometrics again. Does anyone know if I complete these psychometrics, would it potentially have a negative effect on my application for the grade 2 role or have any effect on my previous test results? Cheers!

An update, I did email NR recruitment support and the they confirmed that I have to redo the tests as my previous scores will have expired by the time shortlisting happens.

 

[gator op]

Good Evening Guys and Girls,

Does anybody have a up-to date signaller pay matrix please which is inline with the salary been offered. For example a G2 post with a salary of £32,210?

Does anybody have typical earnings figure based on a G2 post on 8 hour shifts and potentially doing one 8 hour Sunday day shift per month please?

 

[Lpf93]

Hi Guys,
Just going through the interview process at the moment. I know they may ask info on how signalling is changing in regards to new technologies being gradually introduced. Is anyone able to share some information on what the technology will look like and how this may change the role? I know sensors on tracks but a bit more depth maybe.

Was always under the impression that if you hadn’t been through IST/wasn’t a signaller already they couldn’t ask you signaller related questions so would just be typical HR questions with some spin off bits from that

 

[endofthetunnel]

Was always under the impression that if you hadn’t been through IST/wasn’t a signaller already they couldn’t ask you signaller related questions so would just be typical HR questions with some spin off bits from that

Asking what you know about the role/how it might change with technology is a question external applications certainly could get. It’s not rules based just your research and general knowledge.

The signaller specific questions are about applying the rules to situations or how certain things work.

 

[lambo79]

Hi for those who have interviewed recently how long did your interviews last I had one today that only lasted 20 minutes don't know if that's a good sign or not fingers crossed it went well.

Hi Kenneth, I'm in exactly the same boat. The "hour-long" interview was over in about 25 minutes. I answered all the questions and it was all quite relaxed. But I can't tell if I did really well or had a shocker!! No help to you at all but I hope you were successful.

 

[nom de guerre]

Good Evening Guys and Girls,

Does anybody have a up-to date signaller pay matrix please which is inline with the salary been offered. For example a G2 post with a salary of £32,210?

Does anybody have typical earnings figure based on a G2 post on 8 hour shifts and potentially doing one 8 hour Sunday day shift per month please?

 

[RyW1]

Asking what you know about the role/how it might change with technology is a question external applications certainly could get. It’s not rules based just your research and general knowledge.

The signaller specific questions are about applying the rules to situations or how certain things work.

Thanks endofthetunnel & lpf93. Yes there is brief mention of it on the site and previously it has been brought up in an interview. Although they don't expect too much information on it, it always helps to know as much as possible, don't want to leave anything to chance. With this being said any information you guys could share that may be helpful would be much appreciated.

 

[gator op]

nom de guerre thank you very much​

 

[SNEEKS]

Morning all, I hope you are all well. Newbie here so apologies in advance l if this question has been asked 1000 times. I’ve recently been offer a signaller role in the Leicester and surrounding areas and the contract says 35 hours per week however there is no clear indication as to what a working week would look like in terms of shift patterns? I’ve had conflicting information from 3x12 hr shifts with 4 rest days, to 4x8.5 hrs with 3 rest days? Any information would be highly appreciated, thank you

 

[Leedslad0113]

Hi guys, first time posting on here.
I’m currently a conductor in Yorkshire and recently had my interview for grade 2 signaller multiple locations around Yorkshire (knottingley, Wakefield, Selby York areas). I haven’t heard anything in 2 weeks which I’m sure isn’t uncommon, but I wondered if anyone else here had applied recently and how long they waited to hear back from NR? They said in the interview it would be approximately 1-2 weeks and I’m just anxious with waiting in limbo at the moment. The other reason I ask is because another grade 9 position came up at York ROC and applications close this week… if I’m unsuccessful in this application I’d like to ideally apply for that role too. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[SNEEKS]

Hi guys, first time posting on here.
I’m currently a conductor in Yorkshire and recently had my interview for grade 2 signaller multiple locations around Yorkshire (knottingley, Wakefield, Selby York areas). I haven’t heard anything in 2 weeks which I’m sure isn’t uncommon, but I wondered if anyone else here had applied recently and how long they waited to hear back from NR? They said in the interview it would be approximately 1-2 weeks and I’m just anxious with waiting in limbo at the moment. The other reason I ask is because another grade 9 position came up at York ROC and applications close this week… if I’m unsuccessful in this application I’d like to ideally apply for that role too. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hi there, hope you’re well. When I applied after my interview I was told I would hear back in 1 week, didn’t hear anything until a phone call around 3-4 weeks later apologising for the delay and congratulating me on getting the job. So just wait it out atleast a month I’d say..good luck!

 

[kenneth wright]

Hi guys, first time posting on here.
I’m currently a conductor in Yorkshire and recently had my interview for grade 2 signaller multiple locations around Yorkshire (knottingley, Wakefield, Selby York areas). I haven’t heard anything in 2 weeks which I’m sure isn’t uncommon, but I wondered if anyone else here had applied recently and how long they waited to hear back from NR? They said in the interview it would be approximately 1-2 weeks and I’m just anxious with waiting in limbo at the moment. The other reason I ask is because another grade 9 position came up at York ROC and applications close this week… if I’m unsuccessful in this application I’d like to ideally apply for that role too. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hi mate you can apply for as many positions as you like you dont have to wait for the outcome of your current application.As for the wait for a response could be days or weeks.Best of luck mate with your application.