A career as a signaller

[LOM]

Just hope there’s still plenty of opportunity in terms of overtime and decent grades!
what’s the max working week now, is it 60hrs?

The whole idea is that there will be much less reliance on overtime meaning less fatigue and a happier and healthier workforce. If you are talking about relying on overtime before you even get a foot in the door then do not bother applying, frankly.

 

[Katey89]

I've also received the withdrawal emails for those 2 (I'm expecting Guildford to come up with this, as well).

A little disappointed, I had no difficulties with the 4th test. Here's hoping the replacement test is similar.

Fingers Crossed and good luck

 

[Tom Quinne]

Just hope there’s still plenty of opportunity in terms of overtime and decent grades!
what’s the max working week now, is it 60hrs?

Me too, although RDW has been crap the last three months
X6 12hr turns at the moment on a 12hr roster.

 

[83G/84D]

The whole idea is that there will be much less reliance on overtime meaning less fatigue and a happier and healthier workforce. If you are talking about relying on overtime before you even get a foot in the door then do not bother applying, frankly.

Agree, spoken to too many signallers young and old burning the candle at both ends. Tiredness leads to mistakes and loss of concentration which is not good in such a safety critical post.

 

[Javagem]

The whole idea is that there will be much less reliance on overtime meaning less fatigue and a happier and healthier workforce. If you are talking about relying on overtime before you even get a foot in the door then do not bother applying, frankly.

No not relying on it but it’s a nice boost if there is a bit available and I totally get the fatigue aspect in a safety critical role. I personally wouldn’t work loads of overtime and would probably only do it where I have more rostered time off in a week so as not to get overly fatigued. I’ve already applied, was successful and waiting for my place on Signaller school which was due to start in May but is now looking like September. I’m
Changing career After 20 years as an insurance manager to do something that really interests me - not just for money, as I wasn’t on a bad screw in my previous role (and didn’t have the benefit of paid overtime).

 

[Mills444]

Just asking but did anyone find their maths test (as in part of the SJT) quite difficult?

 

[GMac1502]

No not relying on it but it’s a nice boost if there is a bit available and I totally get the fatigue aspect in a safety critical role. I personally wouldn’t work loads of overtime and would probably only do it where I have more rostered time off in a week so as not to get overly fatigued. I’ve already applied, was successful and waiting for my place on Signaller school which was due to start in May but is now looking like September. I’m
Changing career After 20 years as an insurance manager to do something that really interests me - not just for money, as I wasn’t on a bad screw in my previous role (and didn’t have the benefit of paid overtime).

Hi Javagem, what signaller school are you waiting to go to? I'm also waiting for a date to start but not sure what school yet.

 

[Jaysub]

I've also received the withdrawal emails for those 2 (I'm expecting Guildford to come up with this, as well).

A little disappointed, I had no difficulties with the 4th test. Here's hoping the replacement test is similar.

Hey bud,
There is no 4th test at all,it was sent in error,its happened to me before,the sit judge test is already one of the 3 tests you have already done!

 

[Javagem]

Hi Javagem, what signaller school are you waiting to go to? I'm also waiting for a date to start but not sure what school yet.

Hi GMac, I was due to start in York but due to Covid my course got out back, I think I’m now going to Coventry.

 

[headshot119]

For those who are wondering about where they will go for signalling school. Just bear in mind that the company have suffered a training back log during the pandemic, and are also starting with this large recruitment drive to try and cut down on vacancies that aren't filled, as well as recruit people to fill new positions created to bring down the average working week of the grade as part of the fatigue management initiative.

Courses are being run as and when they can be, wherever a suitable location is available. It's no longer just the "big four" of York, Westwood (Coventry), Basingstoke and Perth. New locations have opened all across the country, and are still opening across the country (I read just a couple of days ago that space is available at The Quadrant in Milton Keynes), and you may find things are changed at the last minute.

Basically what I'm trying to say is, don't get too hung up about where you go. Put your life on hold for that 10 - 12 weeks, put the graft in, enjoy it, and take it as a bonus if you end up somewhere nice like York.

 

[Chumba]

Just asking but did anyone find their maths test (as in part of the SJT) quite difficult?

I found der maffs very hard but der inglish were eesy peezee init.

 

[Mills444]

I found der maffs very hard but der inglish were eesy peezee init.

Yea. Pretty much

 

[ChrisG85]

Just to repeat the advice throuout this thread regarding signalling school, there is a LOT of information to take in. Don't let that put you off or worry you though.

I'll be starting week 10 in York next week and despite the warnings on here, I still wasn't quite ready for how much there is to learn. What I will say though is that I've found my course to be thoroughly enjoyable. The course is designed to take people with no railway background and bring them right up to the required standard. The trainers have all been very friendly and very helpful, and they will do their best to explain differently if there's anything you find difficult to grasp. They need you to put the work in though, and time on the simulator is invaluable.

I've found that the classroom learning goes at quite a pace so I use a rough A4 pad for the classroom and copy it up neatly after class. That way I've done the work twice so hopefully it sticks in my mind, and it'll give me a nice book at the end to go alongside the rulebooks if I need to refer back to them. I can only speak for York, but you get a quiz to do at the end of each topic and I highly recommend using them and quizzing yourself or classmates regularly as it really helps the info to stick.

 

[Katey89]

I have some new reading material to keep me busy this weekend

 

[Mills444]

Nice, I've got a similar one.

 

[Kraken]

Just to repeat the advice throuout this thread regarding signalling school, there is a LOT of information to take in. Don't let that put you off or worry you though.

I'll be starting week 10 in York next week and despite the warnings on here, I still wasn't quite ready for how much there is to learn. What I will say though is that I've found my course to be thoroughly enjoyable. The course is designed to take people with no railway background and bring them right up to the required standard. The trainers have all been very friendly and very helpful, and they will do their best to explain differently if there's anything you find difficult to grasp. They need you to put the work in though, and time on the simulator is invaluable.

I've found that the classroom learning goes at quite a pace so I use a rough A4 pad for the classroom and copy it up neatly after class. That way I've done the work twice so hopefully it sticks in my mind, and it'll give me a nice book at the end to go alongside the rulebooks if I need to refer back to them. I can only speak for York, but you get a quiz to do at the end of each topic and I highly recommend using them and quizzing yourself or classmates regularly as it really helps the info to stick.

Really useful information, thank you. It certainly sounds like a fairly big grind - going to have to remember how I used to do revision 300 years ago or whenever I last had lectures and exams! Great tip about copying up all the notes in neat, I suppose that has the advantage that you can see the bits you didn’t quite understand the first time round.

 

[High Dyke]

Really useful information, thank you. It certainly sounds like a fairly big grind - going to have to remember how I used to do revision 300 years ago or whenever I last had lectures and exams! Great tip about copying up all the notes in neat, I suppose that has the advantage that you can see the bits you didn’t quite understand the first time round.

Absolutely. I've still got my notes from my time in signalling school - and that was nearly twenty years ago. Whilst some of the procedures have moved on, or been updated, the basic principles of signalling still apply.

 

[nom de guerre]

It's no longer just the "big four" of York, Westwood (Coventry), Basingstoke and Perth. New locations have opened all across the country, and are still opening across the country (I read just a couple of days ago that space is available at The Quadrant in Milton Keynes), and you may find things are changed at the last minute.

Basically what I'm trying to say is, don't get too hung up about where you go. Put your life on hold for that 10 - 12 weeks, put the graft in, enjoy it, and take it as a bonus if you end up somewhere nice like York.

My LOM has been told the latest 'devolution' requires each route to have its own signalling school. Certainly, my route has set up a brand new one - first intake started this week. Only a VDU (MCS) sim at present though - arguably a bit awkward for the several going to lever frame boxes...

 

[nom de guerre]

No not relying on it but it’s a nice boost if there is a bit available and I totally get the fatigue aspect in a safety critical role. I personally wouldn’t work loads of overtime and would probably only do it where I have more rostered time off in a week so as not to get overly fatigued. I’ve already applied, was successful and waiting for my place on Signaller school which was due to start in May but is now looking like September. I’m
Changing career After 20 years as an insurance manager to do something that really interests me - not just for money, as I wasn’t on a bad screw in my previous role (and didn’t have the benefit of paid overtime).

Although I believe the ORR diktat on the max 60hr working week doesn't officially come in until 2021 or 2022, many routes, including my own, are trying to get ahead of it and start recruiting the extra bodies needed now. So while there may be a transition period between now and then, the days of working 6 x 12hr shifts week after week - as the top 'Grabbers' do - will soon be over.

I wouldn't bank on anything more than basic plus guaranteed extras (Sundays, night shift premium, regional allowances if applicable). Could be worse, obvs...

 

[ChrisG85]

Really useful information, thank you. It certainly sounds like a fairly big grind - going to have to remember how I used to do revision 300 years ago or whenever I last had lectures and exams! Great tip about copying up all the notes in neat, I suppose that has the advantage that you can see the bits you didn’t quite understand the first time round.

I wouldn't say its been a grind because I've really enjoyed it, but you do need to put the work in. I have Saturdays off to relax (do the chores to which I've been assigned) and Sunday evening in the hotel I go back over my quizzes.
The first week or so it feels a bit like information overload but it soon comes together and and as the course progresses you find yourself understanding some of the earlier subjects better because you gain a broader understanding of the rules and different areas of the rulebook. And that is very satisfying. As I said previously, put the work in, do your simulator time (very useful), and you'll love it.

 

[Kraken]

Absolutely. I've still got my notes from my time in signalling school - and that was nearly twenty years ago. Whilst some of the procedures have moved on, or been updated, the basic principles of signalling still apply.

Well there’s a good incentive to do it nicely if it’s going to end up as a reference for the next twenty years!

 

[Kraken]

I wouldn't say its been a grind because I've really enjoyed it, but you do need to put the work in. I have Saturdays off to relax (do the chores to which I've been assigned) and Sunday evening in the hotel I go back over my quizzes.
The first week or so it feels a bit like information overload but it soon comes together and and as the course progresses you find yourself understanding some of the earlier subjects better because you gain a broader understanding of the rules and different areas of the rulebook. And that is very satisfying. As I said previously, put the work in, do your simulator time (very useful), and you'll love it.

Sorry, grind was the wrong word - more that it seems there’s a ton of stuff to learn and actively take in. I’m very much looking forward to the challenge whenever I get a date set.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

My LOM has been told the latest 'devolution' requires each route to have its own signalling school. Certainly, my route has set up a brand new one - first intake started this week. Only a VDU (MCS) sim at present though - arguably a bit awkward for the several going to lever frame boxes...

This is interesting as I was wondering if new recruits are being sent to schools in their geographical areas at the moment. I know this wasn't necessarily the case before lockdown but from what I've read on here recently, that seems to be more the case now

 

[Cumbo92]

Just to repeat the advice throuout this thread regarding signalling school, there is a LOT of information to take in. Don't let that put you off or worry you though.

I'll be starting week 10 in York next week and despite the warnings on here, I still wasn't quite ready for how much there is to learn. What I will say though is that I've found my course to be thoroughly enjoyable. The course is designed to take people with no railway background and bring them right up to the required standard. The trainers have all been very friendly and very helpful, and they will do their best to explain differently if there's anything you find difficult to grasp. They need you to put the work in though, and time on the simulator is invaluable.

I've found that the classroom learning goes at quite a pace so I use a rough A4 pad for the classroom and copy it up neatly after class. That way I've done the work twice so hopefully it sticks in my mind, and it'll give me a nice book at the end to go alongside the rulebooks if I need to refer back to them. I can only speak for York, but you get a quiz to do at the end of each topic and I highly recommend using them and quizzing yourself or classmates regularly as it really helps the info to stick.

Cheers for writing a reply like this has really helped sort of settle some concerns of mine and questions! I'm really excited too get started and learning!

 

[Tom Quinne]

Absolutely. I've still got my notes from my time in signalling school - and that was nearly twenty years ago. Whilst some of the procedures have moved on, or been updated, the basic principles of signalling still apply.

Snap, I often refer to them when something weird comes up !

 

[Javagem]

Although I believe the ORR diktat on the max 60hr working week doesn't officially come in until 2021 or 2022, many routes, including my own, are trying to get ahead of it and start recruiting the extra bodies needed now. So while there may be a transition period between now and then, the days of working 6 x 12hr shifts week after week - as the top 'Grabbers' do - will soon be over.

I wouldn't bank on anything more than basic plus guaranteed extras (Sundays, night shift premium, regional allowances if applicable). Could be worse, obvs...

I better give back word on the Lambo then

 

[ChrisG85]

Sorry, grind was the wrong word - more that it seems there’s a ton of stuff to learn and actively take in. I’m very much looking forward to the challenge whenever I get a date set.

eDefinitely. There's a lot to learn but before you know it you're halfway through and you can't believe how much you've learned.

 

[Tom Quinne]

I better give back word on the Lambo then

Working x6 12hrs with one off then another batch isn’t to bad for a short burst, I’ve done a month of it last year I did feel it after though.

We’re lucky our link has two rest workstations so your not flogged everyday, we also swapped desks after 4hrs to rotate around all three during each shift so again if one desk is having the **** kicked out of it you won’t have it all day.

Personally I think it should be down the individual to self assess their ability to work x hours over contract, not put a maximum in writing,

Whether your fully ladymanned or not, you'll always the lame, lazy and T.W.A.T links who will create RDW opportunitie.

 

[ChrisG85]

Cheers for writing a reply like this has really helped sort of settle some concerns of mine and questions! I'm really excited too get started and learning!

No worries. I know it's easy to say but try not to worry about it. I was nervous beforehand but it's been brilliant. A lot of work, but enjoyable. And take every opportunity to use the sim. It really helps.

 

[Javagem]

Working x6 12hrs with one off then another batch isn’t to bad for a short burst, I’ve done a month of it last year I did feel it after though.

We’re lucky our link has two rest workstations so your not flogged everyday, we also swapped desks after 4hrs to rotate around all three during each shift so again if one desk is having the **** kicked out of it you won’t have it all day.

Personally I think it should be down the individual to self assess their ability to work x hours over contract, not put a maximum in writing,

Whether your fully ladymanned or not, you'll always the lame, lazy and T.W.A.T links who will create RDW opportunitie.

I agree Tom, I think if you’re in a safety critical role, you should certainly be able to assess whether or not you’re fit to work any extra hours (and if this will affect your performance or not).
When the working time directive was brought into my old role, it negatively affected morale in my teams. Overtime was seen as a bonus and was a plus point for many staff - we had a good core bunch of people that were able to do it effectively.
I get the logic of more staff to share the hours around from a safety perspective but a nice balance can be achieved, I’m sure.