RailwayRookie
Member
It was android only originally but seemingly has been removed. It was called "Bell signals". I still have it installed but if I try to look at the store page for it, it's unavailable now.
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A career as a signaller
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RailUK Forums
SimplyLovely
Member
That’s a shame, thanks anyway!
RailwayRookie
Member
If you are intent on learning them. They are in the absolute block rule book which you can get from the RSSB (account needed i think). But as people have said without any context they aren't much use, knowing your train classes can give you a slight jump in sim sessions but you'll have them picked up within a week or so anyway.
splashoutradio
Member
Whilst entirely unofficial, I made a web-based bell codes revision app a few years back. It's at www.railwaydata.co.uk/signalling/sims/abblockbell/ , and hopefully can be of some use.
However, before covering them in IST, I wouldn't get caught up in any bell codes beyond the train classes or those posted by @gator op in post 19,528.
However, before covering them in IST, I wouldn't get caught up in any bell codes beyond the train classes or those posted by @gator op in post 19,528.
Hello everyone, thank you first of all to all contributors of this thread. The information available is so helpful.
I am currently P.E. teacher that has become disillusioned with what I do, after discussing with my wife a few weeks back we agreed that I need to get out. I have always been fascinated by the railways and the timing of a G2 Trainee position available not too far from me was too tempting to turn down. It's like it's meant to be!
I applied and passed the initial application check.
I then did the online tests and scored well and passed through to the next stage.
I found the video assessments were quite enjoyable, it certainly got me thinking on my feet and fortunately, by working with children - communication and working with others is a huge part daily so that helped sway my answers.
I have been informed that the video assessment stage was successful and now I must book an assessment centre interview, just waiting for 'business slots' to become free.
I'm so excited, still a long way to go but on the way!
I just wanted to clarify/ask about Colchester.
So the job I applied for was a G2 Trainee at Colchester. I have since noted that Colchester has G8 roles. Is that in addition to G2s? Or is the G2 simply the Trainee route in, then as others have written, you apply internally once the roles become available?
So stations share different graded roles or is a particular station this grade and this signal centre that grade?
Sorry about the essay! Did I say that I'm excited?
I am currently P.E. teacher that has become disillusioned with what I do, after discussing with my wife a few weeks back we agreed that I need to get out. I have always been fascinated by the railways and the timing of a G2 Trainee position available not too far from me was too tempting to turn down. It's like it's meant to be!
I applied and passed the initial application check.
I then did the online tests and scored well and passed through to the next stage.
I found the video assessments were quite enjoyable, it certainly got me thinking on my feet and fortunately, by working with children - communication and working with others is a huge part daily so that helped sway my answers.
I have been informed that the video assessment stage was successful and now I must book an assessment centre interview, just waiting for 'business slots' to become free.
I'm so excited, still a long way to go but on the way!
I just wanted to clarify/ask about Colchester.
So the job I applied for was a G2 Trainee at Colchester. I have since noted that Colchester has G8 roles. Is that in addition to G2s? Or is the G2 simply the Trainee route in, then as others have written, you apply internally once the roles become available?
So stations share different graded roles or is a particular station this grade and this signal centre that grade?
Sorry about the essay! Did I say that I'm excited?
High Dyke
Established Member
Welcome.
As a trainee you will go to signalling school (IST) as a Grade 2. However, the role you have been appointed to may be a higher grade. Equally, you may have to apply for roles whilst at IST, if you haven’t yet been given a specific position.
Station roles and signalling roles are graded separately. However, as a qualified signaller you will be based at a particular location, which for relief signallers may not be the grade of that location. For reference purposes this is called your 'home station'.
As a trainee you will go to signalling school (IST) as a Grade 2. However, the role you have been appointed to may be a higher grade. Equally, you may have to apply for roles whilst at IST, if you haven’t yet been given a specific position.
Station roles and signalling roles are graded separately. However, as a qualified signaller you will be based at a particular location, which for relief signallers may not be the grade of that location. For reference purposes this is called your 'home station'.
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SimplyLovely
Member
Is it normal for Network Rail to call you BEFORE your interview to tell you about how the onboarding and training process will work?
Just had an odd call from Network Rail. I have an interview next week and someone called today and at first I thought it was going to be either info about the interview, or (god forbid) them saying they made a mistake and don’t want to interview me!
However the woman on the phone said she wanted to call to say “what will happen when you pass the interview”and then gave me info on medical checks, DBS and IST courses.
Not sure if others have had a call like this as I can’t find anything on this thread regarding calls prior to the final interview.
Just had an odd call from Network Rail. I have an interview next week and someone called today and at first I thought it was going to be either info about the interview, or (god forbid) them saying they made a mistake and don’t want to interview me!
However the woman on the phone said she wanted to call to say “what will happen when you pass the interview”and then gave me info on medical checks, DBS and IST courses.
Not sure if others have had a call like this as I can’t find anything on this thread regarding calls prior to the final interview.
Thank you.
So even though I applied for a Grade 2 (I know it's entry), potentially if I am successful, after getting signed off it could be into a Grade 8 post which is not what I applied for. What I am saying, Network Rail decide where you are going to end up unless you apply for something different?
I mean if this is the case, if you're good enough to go into a G8 after training then great.
Thank you again High Dyke. I see you've edited your answer and I understand completely.
High Dyke
Established Member
If you have applied for a specific location, which for example is a grade 2 then that's fine. Some people apply for higher graded locations, you will see questions about grade 7 locations. Those people applied for that graded role, but will only be paid grade 2 during IST. They would receive the appropriate grade when they pass their chosen location.
The system has changed over the years. When I first undertook the assessment I was advised my results were good enough up to grade 9. However, some years later I was sent for a further assessment, as part of a promotion. The previous criteria had changed, and I was below the threshold for the higher grade.
I hope this makes sense?
joestankey18
Member
This is really helpful. Thank you!
If you have an android phone and know how to install apps from outside of the Google play store then if you google search for network rail bell code app APK then you'll find a link to download the app APK file and install it that way.
SimplyLovely
Member
This is really cool! Yep, only planning on learning the train codes but this is a great help.
What a lifesaver! I’m not planning on learning them all now as per above advice, but handy to have once needed
Cheney B50
Member
Can anyone tell me what signal boxes and workstations Netherfiled and Mansfield workstations work too.
High Dyke
Established Member
Netherfield fringes to Doncaster PSB (Newark Castle), Allington SB and Nottingham Station workstation
Mansfield fringes to Nottingham Station workstation and Shirebrook (Robin Hood line). They also have some interaction with the Nottingham tram network.
Me again...
With the trainees, the 10 weeks are residential but after, does the training become shift orientated or will that depend on location?
What sort of time line and hours would a G2 have?
I'm asking because I have a 3 year old due to start school in September 25 but my wife is also 35 weeks pregnant so would be handy to think about the future!
Thanks.
With the trainees, the 10 weeks are residential but after, does the training become shift orientated or will that depend on location?
What sort of time line and hours would a G2 have?
I'm asking because I have a 3 year old due to start school in September 25 but my wife is also 35 weeks pregnant so would be handy to think about the future!
Thanks.
I’m G2 trainee. I’ve just finished IST. As a pool signaller it’s treated as internal recruitment when you apply for a higher grade job and they keep you on G2 pay until you pass out (external recruits to higher grade posts get a higher rate if pay so there is a disparity depending upon where you are recruited unfortunately). I am training on a 12 hour shift panel but training shifts are 7 hours covering earlies, lates and nights and they are linked to the shifts of the signallers responsible for training you. It is likely to be dependent upon your location. You should have been allocated a manager on appointment and they are the best person to ask.
So after the 10 weeks AB residential there will be a further 2 weeks residential to complete a TCB conversion course (everyone doing AB gets it now)
As for in box training it's location specific but you'll not be in the box for full shifts until you've passed out.
For me I was only in learning the box for 3-4 hours at a time for 3 or 4 days a week depending on what was going on that week. It was a mixture of days and nights and if there was certain things I wanted to see or do I asked the signaller that was going to be on if they were okay with me doing that.
Passing out the signalbox depends on when you feel comfortable, ideally they wanted you passed out in 4 weeks but this can vary depending on yourself and if you have a TCB conversion course in the middle of your in box training.
Unfortunately you won't really be able to plan much until you've been passed out of your signalbox and been put on the roster.
Both replies, brilliant. Thank you.
Makes complete sense. I'm still a long way from getting the gig but nice to know how it works.
I stopped my full time job when my 3 year olds' Mum went back off of maternity. She is the breadwinner so I completely cut down my hours to spend time with my little one. Have had a blast but my bank accounts suggests that too!
Just by reading your messages, it really has given me some clarification so at least I can get my head around potential issues now with regards to approaching childcare and be ready for them.
So you were only officially working 12-16 hours
per week with someone. The other hours left to your own devices on or off site to revise I assume?
Also, 4 weeks?! I've read that some people it takes a year!
Makes complete sense. I'm still a long way from getting the gig but nice to know how it works.
I stopped my full time job when my 3 year olds' Mum went back off of maternity. She is the breadwinner so I completely cut down my hours to spend time with my little one. Have had a blast but my bank accounts suggests that too!
Just by reading your messages, it really has given me some clarification so at least I can get my head around potential issues now with regards to approaching childcare and be ready for them.
Thanks CoachB.
So you were only officially working 12-16 hours
per week with someone. The other hours left to your own devices on or off site to revise I assume?
Also, 4 weeks?! I've read that some people it takes a year!
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The Difference
Member
Hi mate. It’s easily found on the Network Rail website at the bottom. I have asked plenty on here that I could probably have found out myself, as I wanted an answer from somebody else’s experience, so I’m not having a go. They currently have Grade 7 after 4, which is out of sequence, so somebody has made an error on the position of it. Here are screenshots I took from when I first applied to a Grade 9 position (where it’s in the correct order) It also gives details of the pay structure many have mentioned before. IST pay and then on site training pay.
Attachments
bhabloke
Member
Hopefully atttached is the pay matrix for both grade 2 and grade 9. I'm based at the ROC in Crawley on a grade 9 panel.
Officially when training a location you will be rostered to 35 hours , 7 hours a day , 5 days a week . I'd personally be wary of only coming in 3 days a week whilst training unless pre arranged with your manager ,most people do only come in for 3-4 hours whilst training as there is a limit to how much you can absorb at a time , and particularly when you first start training your first location it can be difficult taking too much in . But again , different managers have different views and approaches on these things . Although I suspect most will be fine if they can see you making progress in your training when they visit you .
Whilst training ideally you want to see the entire clockface at your location as well . Particularly if different moves only happen at certain times . Every opportunity you get to see degraded working is also good experience , a few times when training my first location something would just be about to kick off as I was getting my coat on to leave , but I would stay another hour to see it .
4 weeks seems rather quick for someone to learn their first location , especially given they are effectively learning the job as well at the same time . I'd be wary of any pressure from management to pass out quickly . How long it takes to learn will depend on an individuals own confidence levels , and the complexity of the box . Also worth bearing in mind that once you pass out the box and sign the book as being on duty , anything that goes wrong is totally on you then . I have never heard of anyone taking a year to learn their first location . Maybe a year all in from starting with NWR , to completing IST to training at their first location , especially if there are a few trainees going to a location , or the location is a multi panel/workstation location and they need to pass out each one or complete additional courses related to their location .
Think you mean the attached ?
Yeah I was only doing about 12-16 hours, mainly nearer the 16 hours not including anything I wanted to see on top of that. You do however get paid your full 35 hour contract while training. This is all done under supervision from whoever else is working the box at that time. The rest of the time is yours to do as you please with.
As for 4 weeks I'm more talking about getting passed out in an actual signalbox grade 2 to 4 rather than a panel in an ROC or signalling center. These will take longer to pass out on due to the higher complexity and higher traffic involved.
The Difference
Member
Ahh ok, I get what you mean now. I have never seen that one so never even knew it existed.
Is this accurate? I wasn’t aware NWR Signallers got a 4.5% pay rise this year as this chart suggests? Their website also still shows Grade 9 at £52,851. I’d be happy if it is, as the salary is even better than I was expecting. Cheers.
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RailwayRookie
Member
The chart is right. Grade 9 now sits at £55,229. The pay rise was agreed the end of September, 4.5% for 2024, back pay still not fully reimbursed yet though.