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A career as a signaller

High Dyke

Established Member
Joined
1 Jan 2013
Messages
4,585
Location
Yellabelly Country
Hi all, thanks for the previous information in this thread I have been working my way through it all.

If you’re successful at interview and medical etc. and are given a job offer would you then be given a place at the nearest to your home signalling school or will they send you anywhere?

Where are the schools located, I’ve seen online there are ones in York, South Wales and near Birmingham. There was also mention in this thread a few years ago about one in Preston, is that still in operation?

For info, the position applied for is a G2 position and I’m at the assessment centre stage.
Welcome. In theory you could attend the nearest signalling school, but in reality you could end up anywhere. It depends on what capacity each location has. There's also a school at Derby.
 
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Brett55

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2023
Messages
43
Location
Wales
Hi all, thanks for the previous information in this thread I have been working my way through it all.

If you’re successful at interview and medical etc. and are given a job offer would you then be given a place at the nearest to your home signalling school or will they send you anywhere?

Where are the schools located, I’ve seen online there are ones in York, South Wales and near Birmingham. There was also mention in this thread a few years ago about one in Preston, is that still in operation?

For info, the position applied for is a G2 position and I’m at the assessment centre stage.
Hi Chor48,

Are you asking about sig school or box location?
When you applied, it would have been for a specific region. I.e. South Wales. And they could send you to any sign school that has the space.
I'm based in South Wales and went to Bristol for 10 weeks and York for 2 weeks.

Cheers.
 

Nobby664

Member
Joined
28 Oct 2018
Messages
15
Hello,

I’ve been reading the thread but can only find figures from 2016. Could anyone give me an idea of what a Grade 2 salary would be per month after tax with the additional supplements added please?

Box is 7 day, early/lates only, no nights.

Also, what would be the salary with a reasonable amount of OT?


Thanks.
 

chor48

New Member
Joined
7 May 2025
Messages
2
Location
North West
Welcome. In theory you could attend the nearest signalling school, but in reality you could end up anywhere. It depends on what capacity each location has. There's also a school at Derby.
Thanks for the info, appreciated.

Hi Chor48,

Are you asking about sig school or box location?
When you applied, it would have been for a specific region. I.e. South Wales. And they could send you to any sign school that has the space.
I'm based in South Wales and went to Bristol for 10 weeks and York for 2 weeks.

Cheers.
Thanks for the info. It was the schools I was asking about rather than the box. The job ad was for a specific box rather than a region.
 

AshleySig

New Member
Joined
9 May 2025
Messages
2
Location
Chester
Hi guys, I'm starting my IST soon in Bristol, just wondering what hotels they're likely to put me in? and any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 

Brett55

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2023
Messages
43
Location
Wales
Hi guys, I'm starting my IST soon in Bristol, just wondering what hotels they're likely to put me in? and any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Congrats. Bristol IST is amazing. Are you doing AB or TCB? When I was there, we were put in the Hilton near Bristol station for 2 weeks and grand Mercure for 8 weeks. There were 2 in the village inn but would have to drive or taxi to IST.
These are the ones I know but NWR could use others.

Hello,

I’ve been reading the thread but can only find figures from 2016. Could anyone give me an idea of what a Grade 2 salary would be per month after tax with the additional supplements added please?

Box is 7 day, early/lates only, no nights.

Also, what would be the salary with a reasonable amount of OT?


Thanks.
You want to DM me and I'll give you some info.
 

Nobby664

Member
Joined
28 Oct 2018
Messages
15
Congrats. Bristol IST is amazing. Are you doing AB or TCB? When I was there, we were put in the Hilton near Bristol station for 2 weeks and grand Mercure for 8 weeks. There were 2 in the village inn but would have to drive or taxi to IST.
These are the ones I know but NWR could use others.


You want to DM me and I'll give you some info.
Thank you, DM sent
 

Pcoftw

Member
Joined
6 Oct 2020
Messages
39
Location
London
Can anyone give any info’ on the G6 Birmingham vacancy? I.e rosters, shift times/ durations, area covered and if G6 is the highest grade in West Midlands signalling centre. Can’t really see much info’ about it on this thread.
 

Oaksie

New Member
Joined
5 May 2025
Messages
1
Location
Rochester
Evening all! I’ve just found out I have passed the online interviews and awaiting to see if I get offered an assessment centre for the Upminster posting. Just wondered if anyone knew what sort of shift pattern they work there and any tips for the assessment centre in the hopes I get one and don’t go onto a waitlist.
Cheers
 

WL113

Member
Joined
9 Jun 2010
Messages
213
Location
Rugeley, Staffordshire
Can anyone give any info’ on the G6 Birmingham vacancy? I.e rosters, shift times/ durations, area covered and if G6 is the highest grade in West Midlands signalling centre. Can’t really see much info’ about it on this thread.
The Grade 6 link in Birmingham ROC (The former West Midlands Signalling Centre) works three workstations: Walsall, Bescot and Stourbridge, All track circuit only, no axle counters,
12 hour roster. 0700-1900 days and 1900-0700 nights. The link is one of the lower grades in BROC. The Saltley link, (Washwood Heath, Water Orton, Bromsgrove and Kings Norton workstations) is Grade 7, Wolverhampton is Grade 7, Cherwell Valley is Grade 7, BROC South (Coventry, North Warwick and Snow Hill workstations) is Grade 7. The highest grade is the New Street link (Stour Valley, New Street Station and Proof House workstations) That is Grade 9. The lowest is Telford, Grade 5.
 

AshleySig

New Member
Joined
9 May 2025
Messages
2
Location
Chester
Congrats. Bristol IST is amazing. Are you doing AB or TCB? When I was there, we were put in the Hilton near Bristol station for 2 weeks and grand Mercure for 8 weeks. There were 2 in the village inn but would have to drive or taxi to IST.
These are the ones I know but NWR could use others.


You want to DM me and I'll give you some info.
Thank you, I'm excited to get started. I'm doing AB. Any advice for me? Thanks
 

Brett55

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2023
Messages
43
Location
Wales
Thank you, I'm excited to get started. I'm doing AB. Any advice for me? Thanks
I did AB with a trainer called Ian. Honestly one of the best trainers I've met. He has a wealth of knowledge and made the course better. So if you have him your off to a great start in my opinion.

Bristol training center is great, you'll get to see the engineering training too and can see what it's like on their side. Get Plenty of time for sim practice. (Before and after lessons). It's easy to get to via parkway station or driving.

As you can imagine, it's a lot to absorb. As they say, "You'll get out what you put in" . So revision is vital.

All the best and go smash it.
 

Mounty87

New Member
Joined
14 Apr 2025
Messages
4
Location
gilingham
Hi All

Quick question for anybody that has attended IST before.

I’m not getting ahead of myself but I have my interview next week. If successful I’d assume my training would be starting in the next couple of months. I have a holiday booked in August so I’m just wondering if anybody else has had this and will I need to cancel my holiday?

TIA
 

MikeOff

Member
Joined
18 Jul 2024
Messages
9
Location
Hellifield
Hi All

Quick question for anybody that has attended IST before.

I’m not getting ahead of myself but I have my interview next week. If successful I’d assume my training would be starting in the next couple of months. I have a holiday booked in August so I’m just wondering if anybody else has had this and will I need to cancel my holiday?

TIA
You’ll be asked at interview if you’ve any holiday booked - if you aren’t flag it up. I know people who were given a start date after their holiday. The more notice you give the better but you will not be able to miss IST. In my experience NWR will accommodate most requests. My previous employer asked if I could delay my start date which wasn’t a problem but it will be down to the hiring manager and the route
 

cxlla

Member
Joined
5 Feb 2025
Messages
15
Location
Lincoln
Congrats. Bristol IST is amazing. Are you doing AB or TCB? When I was there, we were put in the Hilton near Bristol station for 2 weeks and grand Mercure for 8 weeks. There were 2 in the village inn but would have to drive or taxi to IST.
These are the ones I know but NWR could use others.


You want to DM me and I'll give you some info.
Hi Brett. I've shot you a DM also. Thanks
 

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