A career as a signaller

[martin2345uk]

Do you know anything of Lostock Gralam SB...?

 

[Tom Quinne]

I’m afraid I don’t even know where that is, let alone anything about it.

Try a google search that usually reveals some info.

 

[martin2345uk]

haha fair enough well I have managed to find out it's a small signal box on the Mid-Cheshire Line between Chester and Manchester... that's about it!

 

[Llanigraham]

Should be something about it on this site:
http://photos.signalling.org

 

[martin2345uk]

Should be something about it on this site:
http://photos.signalling.org

Cheers matey!!

 

[R Trevithick]

The box is Plumley and is on the line between Plumley Station and Lostock Gralam Station

 

[martin2345uk]

Actually I have just had a less than pleasant thought... at first I was confused why I only had one test to do, the SJT... but I actually applied for another signalling role early in 2017 and for that I did do the English and Maths tests, and didn't get any further so guessing I did poorly on the maths..

But the results of these tests stay valid for 12 months so they are presumably just using my results from last time, which means I'm unlikely to get any further this time

 

[Freckles]

Evening, What usually comes after the second the Application Under Consideration message? Almost fainted seeing that Test Completed, changed!

Hi @uww11x, this is how my account looked from initial application through to getting the job (grade 2). The final message (application reassigned...) was the same day I had my interview and I got the nod a few days later. Since then I've just been dealing with HR to sort out my background checks, schedule my medical etc. Now I'm just waiting on a start date (purely guessing here but I assume it depends on when there is availability on a signalling school course).

As you'll see, it dragged on for a fair few months but from what I understand this is very much the norm, so I wouldn't get too disheartened if your application seems to sit dormant for an extended period of time.

Hope this helps!

Application Under Review - 17-May-2017 13:32:51
Application Accepted - 18-May-2017 07:05:16
Application Under Consideration - 18-May-2017 11:58:09
Invited to Test - 18-May-2017 13:43:54
Test Completed - 19-May-2017 09:17:29
Test Completed - 22-May-2017 08:45:33
Application Under Consideration - 15-Jun-2017 15:42:28
Application under consideration for assessment 2 - 15-Jun-2017 15:46:36
Application Under Consideration - 15-Jun-2017 15:52:03
Application under consideration for assessment 2 - 16-Jun-2017 09:54:05
Invite to Assessment 2 Pending - 26-Sep-2017 09:29:15
Invite to Assessment 2 Pending - 26-Sep-2017 09:55:37
Assessment 2 Scheduled - 26-Sep-2017 14:21:27
Application Reassigned to New Vacancy - 10-Oct-2017 14:07:08

 

[uww11x]

Hi @uww11x, this is how my account looked from initial application through to getting the job (grade 2). The final message (application reassigned...) was the same day I had my interview and I got the nod a few days later. Since then I've just been dealing with HR to sort out my background checks, schedule my medical etc. Now I'm just waiting on a start date (purely guessing here but I assume it depends on when there is availability on a signalling school course).

As you'll see, it dragged on for a fair few months but from what I understand this is very much the norm, so I wouldn't get too disheartened if your application seems to sit dormant for an extended period of time.

Hope this helps!

Application Under Review - 17-May-2017 13:32:51
Application Accepted - 18-May-2017 07:05:16
Application Under Consideration - 18-May-2017 11:58:09
Invited to Test - 18-May-2017 13:43:54
Test Completed - 19-May-2017 09:17:29
Test Completed - 22-May-2017 08:45:33
Application Under Consideration - 15-Jun-2017 15:42:28
Application under consideration for assessment 2 - 15-Jun-2017 15:46:36
Application Under Consideration - 15-Jun-2017 15:52:03
Application under consideration for assessment 2 - 16-Jun-2017 09:54:05
Invite to Assessment 2 Pending - 26-Sep-2017 09:29:15
Invite to Assessment 2 Pending - 26-Sep-2017 09:55:37
Assessment 2 Scheduled - 26-Sep-2017 14:21:27
Application Reassigned to New Vacancy - 10-Oct-2017 14:07:08

That's Brilliant Thanks!

 

[Llanigraham]

The box is Plumley and is on the line between Plumley Station and Lostock Gralam Station

I know someone who worked that Box.
She then moved on to a Box in Warrington but don't know where she is now.

 

[nom de guerre]

Good afternoon , All
This simulator at the signalling course is it the same simulator control that southern use in the control rooms to indicate train movement and whereabouts of the train etc or is there huge diffrence between signallers control and station controllers.
Reason being I cover control room at times and I see southern controllers useing this simulator. If that's the case and it's similar wanner get to more insight into it .

If your talking about what I think your talking about, then your miles of course and heading along the the wrong tangent.

"Cover" in what capacity?

Without wishing to sound unduly harsh, anyone working in an operational role at Control would already know the answer to your questions.

Does the "simulator" you refer to look like the lower right display in this image?

 

[Greatful]

"Cover" in what capacity?

Without wishing to sound unduly harsh, anyone working in an operational role at Control would already know the answer to your questions.

Does the "simulator" you refer to look like the lower right display in this image?

Morning ,

Thank you , yes the picture is the same? Im greatful for both reply on this , silly it may be i Thought it was a different simulator thats all.

Regards

 

[jdxn]

Morning ,

Thank you , yes the picture is the same? Im greatful for both reply on this , silly it may be i Thought it was a different simulator thats all.

Regards

The screens bottom right at CCF - which shows real time running. There is no 'control' on those screens although you can interrogate the trains to find out booked routes. It can also do 'replays' to look at the sequence of what happened. Can be useful while training or working out delay attribution. (Was booked order used; how long did a driver have a green without moving etc)
it is a different graphic but essentially has the same information as http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/sta#T_STAFFRD
The signals only show proceed (or not) aspects so no yellows etc although set routes are shown.
The four screens in front of the signaller are the ones used to operate signals/points/set routes.
The top right screen is the TRUST screen. Is has similar info to this: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/STA?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
although it can be intefrogated to find out the length of train and full details of the consist as well as a whole set of other stuff.
The top left is the System Information screen although in Westcad it may have a different name!

I wouldn't describe any of it as a 'simulator' - its all part of an real time workstation albeit that CCF is a viewing tool.

The signallers screens are only seen by signallers/SSMs
Lots of people inside and outside NR have access to CCF & Trust

 

[Greatful]

The screens bottom right at CCF - which shows real time running. There is no 'control' on those screens although you can interrogate the trains to find out booked routes. It can also do 'replays' to look at the sequence of what happened. Can be useful while training or working out delay attribution. (Was booked order used; how long did a driver have a green without moving etc)
it is a different graphic but essentially has the same information as http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/sta#T_STAFFRD
The signals only show proceed (or not) aspects so no yellows etc although set routes are shown.
The four screens in front of the signaller are the ones used to operate signals/points/set routes.
The top right screen is the TRUST screen. Is has similar info to this: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/STA?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
although it can be intefrogated to find out the length of train and full details of the consist as well as a whole set of other stuff.
The top left is the System Information screen although in Westcad it may have a different name!

I wouldn't describe any of it as a 'simulator' - its all part of an real time workstation albeit that CCF is a viewing tool.

The signallers screens are only seen by signallers/SSMs
Lots of people inside and outside NR have access to CCF & Trust

Thank you , this is so informative I am very greatful .

Kind regards

 

[Sinistah]

Ok guys. Just found out i was unsuccessful. I basically checked on the website and saw that it had been updated today. Its unfortunate because i really want this career. I was a bit annoyed because i had to chase them to find out that i had been unsuccessful having did the interview on the 12th october. Oh well. Just need to keep plugging away and eventually i will get the role i have been wanting for a long time now. Congrats to whoever got the role at farncombe

 

[martin2345uk]

Sorry to hear that mate. Can you get feedback on what to improve on for next time?

 

[Sinistah]

I will email lom and ask

 

[mitch.swiggins]

I will email lom and ask

do it, it’s worth it. it could help you prepare for your next interview and it shows that you’re keen to pursue a career as a signaller. I requested feedback for an interview I had back in March and this is what I got - “A positive interview with good answers throughout the template questions set. On this occasion another candidate scored slightly higher on the ‘planning & decision making’ section which increased the final total score for them.” - I took that onboard and I feel that I was at least slightly better prepared for my next interview. that said, there were more vacancies available for my last interview and I may have just gotten lucky.

 

[Colin178]

Hi guys has anybody ever worked at Bromley Cross SB near Bolton or have any info about it? I have applied for a Crossing Keeper position there a few weeks ago and patiently waiting after passing the SJT. Also do network rail employees get an annual bonus or is this dependent on company performance?

 

[Highlandspring]

There is a bonus scheme - a general scheme for staff and a seperate one for management grades - but how long much longer it will last given that NR is now directly accoutable to the DfT is debateable. You're supposed to get it in your July pay and the bonus is calculated through an arcane formula depending on company performance (althugh most of the measures are things that very few if any employees have any direct control over) and is usually subject to arbitrary reduction by the shadowy 'Rewards Committee' who do the calculations.

 

[uww11x]

Hi @uww11x, this is how my account looked from initial application through to getting the job (grade 2). The final message (application reassigned...) was the same day I had my interview and I got the nod a few days later. Since then I've just been dealing with HR to sort out my background checks, schedule my medical etc. Now I'm just waiting on a start date (purely guessing here but I assume it depends on when there is availability on a signalling school course).

As you'll see, it dragged on for a fair few months but from what I understand this is very much the norm, so I wouldn't get too disheartened if your application seems to sit dormant for an extended period of time.

Hope this helps!

Application Under Review - 17-May-2017 13:32:51
Application Accepted - 18-May-2017 07:05:16
Application Under Consideration - 18-May-2017 11:58:09
Invited to Test - 18-May-2017 13:43:54
Test Completed - 19-May-2017 09:17:29
Test Completed - 22-May-2017 08:45:33
Application Under Consideration - 15-Jun-2017 15:42:28
Application under consideration for assessment 2 - 15-Jun-2017 15:46:36
Application Under Consideration - 15-Jun-2017 15:52:03
Application under consideration for assessment 2 - 16-Jun-2017 09:54:05
Invite to Assessment 2 Pending - 26-Sep-2017 09:29:15
Invite to Assessment 2 Pending - 26-Sep-2017 09:55:37
Assessment 2 Scheduled - 26-Sep-2017 14:21:27
Application Reassigned to New Vacancy - 10-Oct-2017 14:07:08

I am still stuck on this, here's hoping!

Application Under Review 11-Oct-2017 12:57:45
Application Accepted12-Oct-2017 07:12:29
Application Under Consideration 12-Oct-2017 08:34:40
Invited to Test 12-Oct-2017 10:56:57
Test Completed 15-Oct-2017 13:59:18
Test Completed 16-Oct-2017 06:02:39
Application Under Consideration 02-Nov-2017 10:36:55

 

[Cavan]

What are the london allowance for signallers now and in Jan 2018? If you work within 16 miles charing cross do you get inner and outer allowance?

 

[nom de guerre]

If you work within 16 miles charing cross do you get inner and outer allowance?

No - it's one or the other. You'd 'just' get Inner.

AFAIA the only signallers eligible to receive both are those that have been displaced from an 'Inner' 'box to an 'Outer' one.

 

[TRain87]

No - it's one or the other. You'd 'just' get Inner.

AFAIA the only signallers eligible to receive both are those that have been displaced from an 'Inner' 'box to an 'Outer' one.

That's not true, I get inner and outer and I'm on the Pompey direct

 

[Cavan]

Someone as acton wells told me they got inner and outer so not sure what the deal is!

 

[nom de guerre]

That's not true, I get inner and outer and I'm on the Pompey direct

Someone as acton wells told me they got inner and outer so not sure what the deal is!

Happy to be corrected, but I'm struggling to see how a box can simultaneously be less than 16 miles from CX (the requirement for Inner) and 16 - 42 miles from CX (the bracket for Outer).

TRain87, I used to work in your area, and I received two regional allowances - but not Inner. How are the two payments described on your payslips?

 

[Cavan]

Okay let's hope an inner London signaller can clarify. Does anyone have the current rates for inner and outer?

 

[Tom Quinne]

£955 outer.

 

[Southernsig]

Does any of you lovely people know what desk the grade 8 at TBROC that was advertised until the end of october was for?

 

[Cavan]

Basingstoke grade 5 advertised today.