A career as a signaller

[Tifudog]

Thank you for the replies!

Ahh, I won't get my hopes up, but at least it's more encouraging than an all out 'unsuccesful'. I've asked for feedback anyway to improve should anuthing else come up in future.

Congratulations on the job offer Tifudog!

Thanks mate, I hope you hear something positive

 

[ThanksGordon]

Thank you for the replies!

Ahh, I won't get my hopes up, but at least it's more encouraging than an all out 'unsuccesful'. I've asked for feedback anyway to improve should anuthing else come up in future.

Congratulations on the job offer Tifudog!

Like people have said here in the past, there's obviously a lot of competition when these jobs go up, so just getting near is something in itself.

 

[BS1990]

Hi, I was on the reserve list for worksop area, didnt think id hear back, but got an offer last week, medical in Doncaster yesterday…start York sig school 4th Apr..so you may well hear something

Hi,
I was on the reserve list from december and got a call 3 weeks ago and offered the worksop area, had my medical and supposed to be also starting at york on april 4th but still awaiting confirmation on that start date. How long after your medical did you receive confirmation?

 

[Tifudog]

Hi,
I was on the reserve list from december and got a call 3 weeks ago and offered the worksop area, had my medical and supposed to be also starting at york on april 4th but still awaiting confirmation on that start date. How long after your medical did you receive confirmation?

Hi,
I was on the reserve list from december and got a call 3 weeks ago and offered the worksop area, had my medical and supposed to be also starting at york on april 4th but still awaiting confirmation on that start date. How long after your medical did you receive confirmation?

my screen shot is the most current email from HR. Hope this helps.

 

[BS1990]

View attachment 110431

my screen shot is the most current email from HR. Hope this helps.

Cheers, ive just spoken to someone on the phone and its all confirmed im starting on the 1st april and course in york on the 4th, they just sorting an employee number out which has been the hold up. See you there

 

[Simotrfc]

Is anybody starting IST in Preston around 14th March?

 

[RailwayRailway]

Went to York , wouldn’t say I struggled with any thing it’s just the shear volume of info you have to learn and bringing 9 years of track and overhead experience it only amounted to about 20% of knowledge as it’s all from a signaller perspective. They are long days of morning sim or afternoon sim and would revise with a friend for 2 hours each night

 

[Tifudog]

Cheers, ive just spoken to someone on the phone and its all confirmed im starting on the 1st april and course in york on the 4th, they just sorting an employee number out which has been the hold up. See you there

Ha brilliant news…yeah see you there

 

[Amberk]

Hi, I was on the reserve list for worksop area, didnt think id hear back, but got an offer last week, medical in Doncaster yesterday…start York sig school 4th Apr..so you may well hear something

I also start school in York on the 4th

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2022 ==

Cheers, ive just spoken to someone on the phone and its all confirmed im starting on the 1st april and course in york on the 4th, they just sorting an employee number out which has been the hold up. See you there

Another one. Me too

 

[Tifudog]

I also start school in York on the 4th

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Feb 2022 ==


Another one. Me too

See you there too

 

[Frothy_B]

A question for any current Devon/Cornwall Signallers, or anyone else in the know really.

The currently advertised Cornwall Relief says Lostwithiel. I've done a bit of research and it seems Lostwithiel is controlled from Exeter PSB? So Lostwithiel would be the "home box" for admin purposes I guess?

In relief roles like this, where the "home" box is actually controlled from elsewhere, do you need to live within/move to 60 minutes of your home box, or the PSB it is controlled from?

I would guess this position is to provide relief to the Liskeard, St. Blazey, Goonbarrow and St. Erth boxes, or at least some of the above?

 

[Coppernob2014]

Congrats to Tifu, Bs and Amberk. I am desperately hoping that I am successful after my interview.

Quick question, how long after interview do you tend to hear a yay or nay?

 

[headshot119]

A question for any current Devon/Cornwall Signallers, or anyone else in the know really.

The currently advertised Cornwall Relief says Lostwithiel. I've done a bit of research and it seems Lostwithiel is controlled from Exeter PSB? So Lostwithiel would be the "home box" for admin purposes I guess?

In relief roles like this, where the "home" box is actually controlled from elsewhere, do you need to live within/move to 60 minutes of your home box, or the PSB it is controlled from?

I would guess this position is to provide relief to the Liskeard, St. Blazey, Goonbarrow and St. Erth boxes, or at least some of the above?

Lostwithiel is not controlled by Exeter PSB, it is it's own signalbox just the Exeter side of Lostwithiel station.

There are some (Though not many) locations where relief signallers are still based at closed signal boxes, travel time would be considered to the former signal box location, not where now controls that area.

 

[Railwayer]

Hello,

I've been trawling this thread for the past couple of months and it was very helpful in my interview process, so thanks for that! Wealth of information.

I applied for a Grade 2 signaller position recently and have been placed on the reserve list for both the Middlesbrough role and Worksop, Harrogate, Scarborough etc role.

I was just wondering what the chances are of being called up, if any? I can't imagine many people would refuse the job offer!

Thank you

Hello,

Just to give you a boost I was put on the reserve list too for the same role and have just had the phone call today offering me a job.
Fingers crossed you get the same!

 

[Frothy_B]

Lostwithiel is not controlled by Exeter PSB, it is it's own signalbox just the Exeter side of Lostwithiel station.

There are some (Though not many) locations where relief signallers are still based at closed signal boxes, travel time would be considered to the former signal box location, not where now controls that area.

Ah thankyou. I'd read elsewhere that Lostwithiel had moved to a panel at Exeter. Good to know it's still an operational box in its own right!

 

[BS1990]

Congrats to Tifu, Bs and Amberk. I am desperately hoping that I am successful after my interview.

Quick question, how long after interview do you tend to hear a yay or nay?

Firstly good luck with your interview!

I found out I was unsuccessful 10days after my interview and was then placed on the reserve list for around 5/6 weeks untill I was finally offered the role.

Im guessing each area is different depending on how busy they are.

 

[Amberk]

Is anybody starting IST in Preston around 14th March?

No

Congrats to Tifu, Bs and Amberk. I am desperately hoping that I am successful after my interview.

Quick question, how long after interview do you tend to hear a yay or nay?

Mine was around a week. I did get a interim email between to say I was in the top of the talent pool and my interview was very good and they had overrun interviewing so would be in touch soon. They rang the next day

 

[Tifudog]

No

Mine was around a week. I did get a interim email between to say I was in the top of the talent pool and my interview was very good and they had overrun interviewing so would be in touch soon. They rang the next day

Exactly the same sequence of events I experienced , see you all in York

 

[Amberk]

Exactly the same sequence of events I experienced , see you all in York

Odd isn't it. The onboarding process has been fairly disjointed I've found. Info not great. Finally had an answer to my various questions this week so my mind is a bit more at ease. I sent you a pm but I'm not sure if you can get them yet if your new

 

[CivilSig]

Hello,

Hello,

Just to give you a boost I was put on the reserve list too for the same role and have just had the phone call today offering me a job.
Fingers crossed you get the same!

Oh really that's brilliant, well done!
I've got everything crossed I hear the same

Out of interest, was it the Middlesbrough roles or Yorkshire?

 

[BS1990]

Odd isn't it. The onboarding process has been fairly disjointed I've found. Info not great. Finally had an answer to my various questions this week so my mind is a bit more at ease. I sent you a pm but I'm not sure if you can get them yet if your new

I agree, i emailed for an update and was told my pre employment checks were complete and ill receive a email with all the confirmation in a day or so but never came and still hasnt, it took me to get them to ring me and she confirmed it over the phone and told ill get an email monday. I was just concerned as i have a notice period at my current job so needed the confirmation.

 

[Tifudog]

I agree, i emailed for an update and was told my pre employment checks were complete and ill receive a email with all the confirmation in a day or so but never came and still hasnt, it took me to get them to ring me and she confirmed it over the phone and told ill get an email monday. I was just concerned as i have a notice period at my current job so needed the confirmation.

That was my concern..”giving notice” but im gonna bite the bullet and just leave, although its most likely my notice will be served,but saying that what can they (current employers really do?) my new signalling role is more important to me than a few days lost pay!

 

[Railwayer]

Oh really that's brilliant, well done!
I've got everything crossed I hear the same

Out of interest, was it the Middlesbrough roles or Yorkshire?

Yeah looking what other people have said I got the feedback email saying I was in the top pool so I asked for further feedback and they sent me a really in depth what I did good at interview email- really helped boost my mood!

It was the Yorkshire Area, training for me will be in July but that works well for me and family life so I’m happy!

Any questions just ask, wish you the best of luck!

 

[Steveswan10]

You going to Bristol school mate? If so, looks like you might be on the same course as me, I'm from the Hereford area.

Hi I'm from the Hereford area and I'm starting in Bristol on 7th March (was supposed to be 14th March) and will hopefully be in Leominster

 

[Ronnie215]

Advice. NRDC or CARE pension scheme. Which one should opt for?

 

[Steveswan10]

Hi I'm from the Hereford area and I'm starting in Bristol on 7th March (was supposed to be 14th March) and will hopefully be in Leominster

Sorry ment 14th Feb-been writing March so much its on auto lol (but was originally ment to be going to York on 7th feb)

 

[BS1990]

That was my concern..”giving notice” but im gonna bite the bullet and just leave, although its most likely my notice will be served,but saying that what can they (current employers really do?) my new signalling role is more important to me than a few days lost pay!

Yeah its a tricky one, i was concerned id hand my notice in then my start date would be pushed back for what ever reason. Fingers crossed all goes well!

 

[High Dyke]

Advice. NRDC or CARE pension scheme. Which one should opt for?

Here's a post from earlier asking that very question (Page 461)

The CARE scheme is a larger contribution from yourself and Network Rail at 10.86% of pensionable salary paid by employer and 7.24% from yourself. Where as NRDC is up to 7% from employer and up to 4% paid yourself (you have the choice of % but caps and 7% and 4%). If you are looking to the future the CARE scheme offers you better for the long term from what I understand at least which is why I joined the CARE scheme a year ago when I joined the company. Eventually will switch to the RPS after 5 years employment(although not sure if its better).

At the end of the day, seek advice from a qualified financial advisor. The final decision does rest with what suits you best.

 

[Sawasdee]

.

 

[Signal_Box]

Unfortunately you’ll always get the ££££ monkeys who are driving and signalling as a cash cow, no interest in either job.

Personally if I was in a driver talent pool I’d stick with it, there two very very different jobs with few crossovers aside from both being in rail operations.