Signalmen salaries

FCC GN drivers are on nearer £40k basic.
The figures are generally all over the shop, with different TOCs at different stages of restructuring and such like.

I don't know how much signalmen make, but it must be a mint.

 

I doubt it's a mint at all for the majority of signallers. Those that do earn over the £30k mark probably do a lot of overtime and Sundays to achieve that much.

 

Really? Okay.

 

Signaling varies considerably depending on the grade of the panel worked on.

There's some lower grade jobs available at the present time: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/10846.aspx?JobSearchCriteria=signaller||||||0|90000|Full+Time||

Those salaries go up considerably for the more intense roles.

To answer the initial question, for Guard jobs, think in terms of £20 - 25k basic. Many earn considerably more if they are willing to put the hours in.

Driver salary information is readily available - http://www.aslef.org.uk/information/102222/102225/companies/

 

Just to point out that the signaller's salaries in the Network Rail link are for a basic 35 hour week only. Depending on location you can add an allowance for night shift plus Sundays (not included in the basic 35 hour week) - not all locations will work these.

 

The pay for signallers is roughly 19k - 37k depending on grade. Sundays are not part of the working week so you could add another 3-5k ontop. Then there is the night shift allowance, overtime pay, bank holiday pay and other enhancements so its difficult to give an accurate figure.

If your a relief signaller you also usually get between 18%-32% felxability allowance.

When I left in Feb 2008 I was a grade two relief on an extra 18% and by the time I left I had earned before tax about 31K. So as you can see, its not all about the graded pay and there is money to be earned if you want it.

 

Forgive my ignorance but why do drivers get paid so much more than conductors (notwithstanding the safety aspect).

On a Virgin Train if you have a Train Manager who is in charge of the train the Driver or the Manager.

Take this scenario (similar to aeroplane) train stuck for ages for whatever reason who would make the decision to hand out free refreshments the driver or manager. On a plane it would be the pilot who is the Captain is it the same on a train ?

 

Slough new which controlls paddington area is grade 10 top grade and TVSC formally Reading PSB is a grade 8.crossing keepers are grade 1,2

 

I'm a Grade 2 signaller and if I work my rostered Sundays (3 out of 4) with the odd Rest Day worked I earn about £30000 per year. It all depends on how many hours you are willing to put in. Once you get up into the higher grades it is quite possible to earn in excess of £45-50k.

Remember though, signalling is certainly not for everyone and the working alone element is a lot of peoples down fall.

 

That's a very, very good question!

Ok, Drivers get paid more for the skill and responsibility required for their role.

The Guard certainly used to be in charge, and probably still is with some TOCs but they are doing their best to degrade the Guarding grade and remove them.

The Driver drives and checks the train is safe (loco), the Guard ensures the train is loaded safely, everyone is in posession of a valid ticket and tells the Driver when to depart once it is time and safe to do so.

In the scenario you mentioned, the Catering Manager (Senior Steward/Onboard Services Manager/Catering Team Leader) uses their discretion. The Guard is there in an operational and revenue protection role. The Stewards are there to feed the passengers!

 

This is the important thing, there is a world of difference between a crossing keepers job and an IECC controlling stations with 500-1500 trains a day.

As a rough rule

Grade 1: Small crossing box - controls level crossings only, usually with "slots" to release a controlling boxes signals.
Grade 2: Large crossing box, very small mechanical box.
Grade 3: Small mechanical box or panel, usually passing only.
Grade 4/5: Larger mechanical boxes, with some regulating or small panel.
Grade 6: Smaller PSBs or quieter workstations, can cover some large areas. Moderate number of posts.
Grade 7: Medium sized PSBs and IECCs, reasonable number of posts.
Grade 8: and above, the busiest workstations and panels in the busiest centres. Not many of these jobs exist and there is a lot of competition is some areas to get into them. Can earn up to 50k with overtime, but it's highly likely to take quite a few years to get into these jobs and are very high pressure.

 

So there is no "captain" as it were like on a ship or plane and the responsibilities are shared

 

The driver is responsible for the "safe operation" of the train.

 

That is correct, the driver now has lead responsibility.

 

Sometimes the guard can ask the catering service to dispense free food during extreme late running. The guard should be in charge of all on board staff (trolleys, ticket examiners revenue protection) etc.

 

I agree

 

In some cases, yes. Although the RPIs seem to be a law unto themselves sometimes

 

So in conclusion a Train Driver is not like the Captain of a Ship or Aeroplane - his jurisdiction is restricted to " the driving aspects of the journey" not what happens in the "cabin"

 

Sort of, though he has lead responsibility for the overall safe operation of the train. On a DOO service, the driver is also technically the Guard in some aspects too.

 

Lol how did we manage to drift so far from the original topic!

 

Surely an airplane captain can't for example override the cabin crew and decide who gets a free upgrade to first class?

 

I have no idea! I mean as per the Rulebook, which refers to Guards in the operational sense only.

 

Down on London Underground it's
£36k for a "quiet" signalbox like Hammersmith, Upminster or Amersham.
£40k for somewhere a bit busier like Edgware Road, Harrow on the Hill or Barking
£42 if you're reserve (so do various, and have a not as good roster)

If you're a signalman in a control room (so multi site operation per desk, and a number of desks per room - for all or most of a line) you're gonna be on £50k.

Oh and then there's 52 days leave/banked rest days!