A career as a signaller

[Bradts]

Best to do it after you’ve passed the medical and all checks, just as a precaution

@Buckshee as your man has said here mate.

I was given a start date day before medical but I wouldn’t go handing it in until you’ve passed the medical and got your employee number etc.

 

[FWC7707]

Does anyone know roughly when NR will be in touch prior to start date ?

 

[DMckduck97]

What have people done regarding handing notice in at there current jobs do you have medical then hand in or do it before

Never hand your notice in until you've got a contract offer that you can sign and isn't conditional.

You never know what can happen and your old employer may not let you withdraw your notice.

 

[Buckshee]

with regards to medical do we get given dates to choose from or is it a set date and it can’t be moved.

 

[Jordan4321]

with regards to medical do we get given dates to choose from or is it a set date and it can’t be moved.

When I done mine You got given a fixed date and time but I’m sure if the time doesn’t suit you, you could arrange for another one. But I believe network rail are doing the medicals now so it could have changed since then

 

[Luis]

I interviewed on 24th April for a GS2 role at Ipswich signal box. However, I have yet to receive the outcome of the interview. Does anyone know the general time frame for NR getting back in touch? I’m getting antsy, obviously

 

[Bradts]

I interviewed on 24th April for a GS2 role at Ipswich signal box. However, I have yet to receive the outcome of the interview. Does anyone know the general time frame for NR getting back in touch? I’m getting antsy, obviously

Hi mate,

Was 6 days after interview for me.

 

[Buckshee]

I interviewed on 24th April for a GS2 role at Ipswich signal box. However, I have yet to receive the outcome of the interview. Does anyone know the general time frame for NR getting back in touch? I’m getting antsy, obviously

Had interview Friday 26th April then got phone call Tuesday 30th April with job offer

 

[offtherails1]

I interviewed on 24th April for a GS2 role at Ipswich signal box. However, I have yet to receive the outcome of the interview. Does anyone know the general time frame for NR getting back in touch? I’m getting antsy, obviously

There is no signal box at Ipswich and hasnt been for many many years. Its a pool offer, possibly for a G4 Flexi role. Covering Stowmarket gate box, Parkeston signal box, and Colchester NYL G4 link.
.

 

[cubemackie]

Hello everyone.

i have tried finding the answer to my question but haven’t been able to find it, if this is a repeat question I do apologise. I work in Signalling maintenance and there are a couple of Signaller jobs due to come up in the next year or two upstairs. They are grade 8, I’ve applied to a Signaller job before but failed the initial aptitude tests.

Is there anywhere I can practice these for the next time i apply when my 6 month cooling off period is up?

Many thanks.

 

[ZackCulross]

Hello everyone.

i have tried finding the answer to my question but haven’t been able to find it, if this is a repeat question I do apologise. I work in Signalling maintenance and there are a couple of Signaller jobs due to come up in the next year or two upstairs. They are grade 8, I’ve applied to a Signaller job before but failed the initial aptitude tests.

Is there anywhere I can practice these for the next time i apply when my 6 month cooling off period is up?

Many thanks.

as far as im aware there is no cooling off period, you can keep applying, if you pass the tests they will be kept for 6 months so if you are unsuccesful you wont need to redo test if you apply again.
as for the tests, i cant recall seeing anywhere to practice, but they are straight forward, a trick for the dot one is a couple pieces of blue tac to keep track, other ones are more simple.

 

[cubemackie]

Thanks, the dot one is the one I struggled with when it was combined with a question in between. Any tips on how the blue tac can indicate the order of the dots as well as the ones selected? Thanks for the speedy reply.

 

[ZackCulross]

Thanks, the dot one is the one I struggled with when it was combined with a question in between. Any tips on how the blue tac can indicate the order of the dots as well as the ones selected? Thanks for the speedy reply.

pretty straight forward, should be able to remember the comination and which one is next, if not you could write 1,2,3... on the blue tac or colour them.
but honestly im not questioning anything, but if you arent able to get them in order, is this a good jump for you ?
looking at screens with multiple trains moving and possible faults etc, could get tough going, but that just a thought
good luck mate, all the best in the future applying.

 

[official.h12]

Hi,

Could someone provide details about South Tottenham Signal Box work location. Where does the Signaller control up to? Around how many trains per hour? Adjacent Signallers? Is it NX type signalling? ETC

Thanks

 

[official.h12]

Hi,

Could someone provide details about Acton Wells Signal Box. Where does the Signaller control up to? Around how many trains per hour? Adjacent Signallers? Is it NX type signalling? Do the Signallers work an 8 or 12 hour roster? ETC

Thanks

 

[baz962]

Hi,

Could someone provide details about South Tottenham Signal Box work location. Where does the Signaller control up to? Around how many trains per hour? Adjacent Signallers? Is it NX type signalling? ETC

Thanks

Not 100% as I'm not a signaller , but I used to drive the route. The box is literally on the overground station. As for where they control to I don't know .

 

[westcoaster]

One picture on flikr says an NX panel

Opentraintimes has Crouch Hill to leytonstone High road and fringes shown on its maps.

Live map of Gospel Oak to Barking

See trains move in real-time on our live map of Gospel Oak to Barking

www.opentraintimes.com

 

[NRnoob]

Hi mate, one on this as a heads up, just had my medical come back, took 10 days.

I received an email saying congratulations, giving me my employee number and wait for training essentially.

Just letting you know as the wait was making me think I had failed for some reason.

Hi mate. Yes, I figured that was the case. I'm still waiting for my medical result. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get an email. That would be around 10 working days.

Did you get a date for training or start date etc so you can hand your notice in?

I'll admit the wait has been horrible. Been through a lot of emotions and second guessing whether I was going to make it lol. Fingers crossed I hear back tomorrow.

 

[Bradts]

Hi mate. Yes, I figured that was the case. I'm still waiting for my medical result. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get an email. That would be around 10 working days.

Did you get a date for training or start date etc so you can hand your notice in?

I'll admit the wait has been horrible. Been through a lot of emotions and second guessing whether I was going to make it lol. Fingers crossed I hear back tomorrow.

Yes matey, got my start date and IST date before the medical which made my wait feel worse!

Fingers crossed for you mate, mine wasn’t a confirmation specific to the medical, it was an email from recruitment team saying all onboarding checks were now complete etc.

 

[joestankey18]

I found the 10 week training tough. I ended up using my talk but failed overall and wasn’t given an opportunity again. Make sure you apply yourself and ask questions. Probably done me a favour, as Its something you get or you don’t.

 

[Buiadh]

I found the 10 week training tough. I ended up using my talk but failed overall and wasn’t given an opportunity again. Make sure you apply yourself and ask questions. Probably done me a favour, as Its something you get or you don’t.

Which week did you fail on? Do you feel like you didn't put in the effort required, or just found it too challenging?

 

[Rocketsjay93]

I found the 10 week training tough. I ended up using my talk but failed overall and wasn’t given an opportunity again. Make sure you apply yourself and ask questions. Probably done me a favour, as Its something you get or you don’t.

Jees sorry to hear this. I'm just about to start training school at the end of the month and I have been worrying about this situation since I accepted the job... Did you just give up when you found it hard or were you not taking any of it in?

 

[CoachB]

Jees sorry to hear this. I'm just about to start training school at the end of the month and I have been worrying about this situation since I accepted the job... Did you just give up when you found it hard or were you not taking any of it in?

I'm at signalling school at the moment and it's the amount of information you're given and expected to soak up that makes it tough.
If you fail however you do (like others have previously said) get another opportunity. This however depends on how much effort you've put it, your attitude throughout the course and also the discussion between your WDS and line manager not just your results.

 

[Kraken]

I found the 10 week training tough. I ended up using my talk but failed overall and wasn’t given an opportunity again. Make sure you apply yourself and ask questions. Probably done me a favour, as Its something you get or you don’t.

Oh mate, sorry to hear about this. Have you been offered another position?

 

[MylesHSG]

Just replying to the couple of recent topics

1. Just don't drink the day before a shift or medical, unless you have some medical problem this is all you need to do. No need to be super cautious, I think the limit is like 1/3rd of the driving limit, so if you accidentally eat a liquor chocolate or something its not the end of the world either.

2. I'm sorry @joestankey18 to hear about your set back. I don't know the recent stats on pass/fail as IST I can only go on my own experience, 9/10 in my class were successful and went on to long term careers in Signalling, Mobile Operations and Management. I say to the people who do PM me about this that if you have got as far as IST then you have the ability to pass, the LOM's and OM's that offer you the jobs generally have a good eye for the right kind of person to hire. Yes you need to apply yourself whilst there of course, but I think stressing about it to the point that it is effecting you isn't the way to go, especially if you haven't even started IST yet!

 

[muz379]

I say to the people who do PM me about this that if you have got as far as IST then you have the ability to pass, the LOM's and OM's that offer you the jobs generally have a good eye for the right kind of person to hire. Yes you need to apply yourself whilst there of course, but I think stressing about it to the point that it is effecting you isn't the way to go, especially if you haven't even started IST yet!

Absolutely agree with this , the recruitment process is as tough as it is because its testing wether you have the ability to pass the course/be a successful signaller .

And yes the course does require a great deal of committment for the 10 weeks that you are on it , I would however say to anybody on the course try and enjoy your weekends away from school . Especially early on in the course . And most importantly if you are not sure of something being taught ask , be it your trainer or another classmate . Ive seen people struggling later on in the course because they didnt ask questions early on and the trainer thought everyone understood an earlier topic so moved on .

This won't just stand you in good stead at school but also when learning your first box , and even during the early years as a signaller when stuff will happen you haven't dealt with when a simple phone call to the box next door will help if you aren't sure about something .

 

[ZackCulross]

Missed out for G9 in Edinburgh, but got put in pool for lower grade, what are the chances of hearing back

 

[MylesHSG]

Absolutely agree with this , the recruitment process is as tough as it is because its testing wether you have the ability to pass the course/be a successful signaller .

And yes the course does require a great deal of committment for the 10 weeks that you are on it , I would however say to anybody on the course try and enjoy your weekends away from school . Especially early on in the course . And most importantly if you are not sure of something being taught ask , be it your trainer or another classmate . Ive seen people struggling later on in the course because they didnt ask questions early on and the trainer thought everyone understood an earlier topic so moved on .

This won't just stand you in good stead at school but also when learning your first box , and even during the early years as a signaller when stuff will happen you haven't dealt with when a simple phone call to the box next door will help if you aren't sure about something .

100%. Friday night and Saturday take off, relax, go out, spend time with the family. Sunday spend a couple hours reading through or re writing your notes from the previous week, highlight anything you are not sure on and talk to the trainer about them Monday.

 

[Open_G]

100%. Friday night and Saturday take off, relax, go out, spend time with the family. Sunday spend a couple hours reading through or re writing your notes from the previous week, highlight anything you are not sure on and talk to the trainer about them Monday.

While this is what is recommended by the WDS, as well as mentioned a few times on here, I would add that the thing that worked best for me was knowing myself, and the way I think was to never let up, never allow myself to think I was getting the hang of it and spend the weekend going over my cue cards with my semi willing OH. As well as revisiting every quiz and area of uncertainty.

 

[trainchoochoo]

When did everyone get their joining instructions?
I start in 3 weeks and not sure what im
Doing in first 4 weeks before signalling school?