Network Rail - Signaller

[Marc1986]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone on here could help me with what sort of roster signallers work? I appreciate this will vary from box to box. Would it be every other weekend off or not this frequently? Are the pensions with Network Rail as lucrative as they are with Toc's?

Thanks in advance

 

[mwnl]

in west Yorkshire it was, week of 9pm to 6 am, two days 1pm to 9pm, 1 day off, week of 6am to 1pm, week off, then 3 days 1pm to 9pm and continue into the 9pm to 6am shifts

 

[jim8970]

Does anyone also know shift times for off track operative?

 

[rchta455]

I recently applied for the Nottingham trainee role, sat the online tests and received a vaguely encouraging e-letter stating I'm "under consideration". Anyone else in the same boat?


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[NX]

Yes.

NX

 

[Alistair G.]

As stated above, each box will be different in their approach to rosters and some may even differ from the outlined 6, 14 & 22 :00 hours start. We do weekend on, weekend off at our box but the weekend on is 12 hours instead of 8... So u still work the same amount of hours.

What will be really interesting is what happens when all these boxes close and move into the ROC's!..... A lot of different rosters and nobody will like change.... Something is going to have to give.... If I remember right something similar happened at Cardiff when it first opened??.

 

[Nippy]

As said it varies greatly depending on the box. At TVSC half start at 06:00 or 18:00 and half start at 07:00or 19:00 most shifts are 12 hours long with the exception at the moment of the Reading Meal Relief being a 10 hour shift. we generally work 3 days a week with Sundays extra.

 

[NX]

Mr Nippy. With regards to TVSC the position I've applied for is at Didcot as a Grade 3 crossing workstation.

I assume they are on the same 12hr/3 day week as proper signaller workstations?

My application is currently awaiting approval/rejection for invite to the signaller assessment. I'm a little ****ed off as I attended and passed the full signaller assesment at grade 3 pass in 2009, which early this year saw me progress straight to LOM interview again at TVSC for a G7 signaller role. But now the process has changed meaning my old assesment isn't worth the computer mo memory its stored on, and I have to do the lot again

We'll see.......

NX

 

[carriageline]

The assessment is probably exactly the same as you sat in 09 (lift counting, map search etc)

You will know quite quickly if you have got an assessment (once the vacancy has closed and they have jotted up the scores from the SJT). Incase you didn't know, the highest 8 from the SJT get through to assessment. Then the highest 6(or is it 5?! ) go through to interview.

What I do wonder if (incase anyone can answer) they have 2 vacancies, do they interview 10 (so 5 for each vacancy) or do they still just interview 5?

I have attached our base roster, FD is free day, E is earlies, L is lates and N is nights! Of course, the days are at the top (Sunday to Saturday!), and sp are spare days.

This is for a 5 man box, but will give you some kind of idea! Also be aware, a lot of boxes have 'local agreements' like the official times for us are 6-2-10, but we relief 5:30-12:30-20:30

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[NX]

I remember that quota from the different stages stuff, sounds very strange to me, but what do I know ! lol

The SJT is weird, as are most of these new assessments a number of the questions could have had a number of correct answers, it depends on what the assessors are looking for !

I remember, have nightmares about that lft test !

Oh well, we'll see what happens.

NX

 

[carriageline]

Many people will disagree with me but the quota (at certain stages anyway) is much fairer. It stops the line manager being picky or choosing his mates for the interview stage, as now the people who are (on paper at least) 'best' for the job go through to the interview

I agree about the SJT, certain questions could have a right answer depending what way you are looking at it. Some strange questions in there!


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[NX]

If appointed to for example a G3 signaller role, would I have to resit the assessments to go to a G5+ position ?

NX

 

[carriageline]

There is no 'level' system any more. A pass is a pass and you can apply for any grade with it, it's just the score that matters and what your fellow candidates got!

The assessments now only last 3 years too, even if your internal!

 

[Nippy]

Yes the xing desk is on a 12 hour roster. Not exactly the same but the same general principle.

 

[Bodiddly]

Have any signallers on here heard what will happen when the boxes close and all the work goes to the new ROC? Have NR ruled out compulsory redundancies for signallers?
As far as I understand it, there is a huge amount of staff displaced when the ROC's open and the boxes are closed. Or is it the signalling staff are offered other roles within the company. I would be interested to know what the plans are.

 

[carriageline]

From experiences in my area, they are finding other vacancies in the route (MOMs and signallers are all I have seen so far) With the amount of vacancies we have that will probably never be filled (I hear it's a a company wide problem!) and the amount of signallers who will just take the money, I wonder how many will be displaced. There is no compulsory redundancy agreement at the moment


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[Driver068]

Can anyone provide any information regarding seeking a career as a signaller

 

[danchoochoo]

yeah its boring

 

[High Dyke]

If appointed to for example a G3 signaller role, would I have to resit the assessments to go to a G5+ position ?

NX

Yes, if you haven't taken the TEA test (no nothing to do with signallers drinking habits... ) - but the Test of Everyday Attention, or it has expired having previously taken it.

Had to attend an assesment centre a few weeks ago after applying for promotion from G3 - G5. Didn't get an interview...even though i passed the tests.

 

[carriageline]

Sorry to hear that HD it isn't a brilliant system. Everyone that sits the test could theoretically pass the test, but not get the interview as you need to be in the top 5-6 (I'm sure you already knew this!) if a lot of people get to the assessment, then competition can be tough!


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[The Planner]

yeah its boring

Helpful....:roll: I presume thats based on vast amounts of experience....

 

[High Dyke]

Sorry to hear that HD it isn't a brilliant system. Everyone that sits the test could theoretically pass the test, but not get the interview as you need to be in the top 5-6 (I'm sure you already knew this!) if a lot of people get to the assessment, then competition can be tough!


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Thanks. I am informed that 7 out of 9 went through for interview as places 5, 6 & 7 all achieved the same score.

 

[carriageline]

I wondered what happened in that scenario! As well as how many people they interview if more than one vacancy!


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[High Dyke]

I'm not sure. The cynics amongst us think that basically if you're experienced you're not really wanted - despite suggestions that long-term employees make better workers. However if you have experience of computer games they are the sort of person they need...even if you aren't good enough to be a signaller!

With so many box closures occuring it can only be a matter of time before they have to consider letting staff go under the Voluntary Severance scheme - even if, like me, you still have about 20 years service left. That said there are many vacancies and about 400 signallers awaiting transfer to new signalling positions. Unfortunately though current employees are just playing musical chairs...and the chairs are getting fewer and fewer.

 

[Bigbadkeith]

If you want a safe job in a SB which is never gonna close then you want to get in at Peak Forest Sth, Great Rocks or possibly Buxton. They have been given closing dates for about 10-11 years time but, certainly Peak and Rocks, it's highly doubtful that it will happen.

 

[Driver068]

Is there a way to make a career as a signaller, where do you start?

 

[carriageline]

Of course! Keep an eye on network rails career site, search for signaller. That's the only way to come in! Then YOH have the situational judgement test (sit this online), then the fun assessments you sit if you scored high enough


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[NX]

Neath and Brecon Junction SB slated closure date at the latest eta 2042, we all know these dates are stick a sticky fingure in the air and guess so it's going to last well into the 2050s if the line stays open.



NX

 

[TomBoyd]

Is there a way to make a career as a signaller, where do you start?

As carriageline said, the NR jobs site has all the listings, I think there are 3 on at the moment.

They tend to be the lower grade, more isolated jobs that NR have trouble filling from internal candidates, but my advice is to get in to one of them and then troll the internal jobs list for a good power box/ROC/IECC.

 

[carriageline]

I believe Basingstoke ASC is on there (grade 8 if I remember) which is a brilliant box to get into


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