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A career as a signaller
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RailUK Forums
I'm sure there's probably a few more but the ones I can think of are:
Newport
Bristol
Basingstoke
Ipswich
Milton Keynes
Coventry (Westwood)
Walsall
Derby
Manchester
York
Preston
Larbert
Hi, just wondering what the observation was for and if your first test was mainly based on the rule book?I am just coming to the end of TCB IST, now into week 11. I cannot explain how much commitment it takes, the course is very good but I believe is set to test you mentally as much as anything else. Anybody with any questions regards the course and what it entails then feel free to message
Fishplate22
Member
+ Birmingham
Hi all
Fantastic forum, which I have read all of. I'm looking for more information regarding the Arbroath, Craigo to Stonehaven boxes. I have an interview soon and can find very little information for the type of questions I may get asked. Shift patterns, are they busy etc. I also felt I did terribly on the scenario test, don't know if anyone else felt that?
Fantastic forum, which I have read all of. I'm looking for more information regarding the Arbroath, Craigo to Stonehaven boxes. I have an interview soon and can find very little information for the type of questions I may get asked. Shift patterns, are they busy etc. I also felt I did terribly on the scenario test, don't know if anyone else felt that?
endofthetunnel
Member
Well, you won’t get asked shift patterns or if they’re busy!
I don’t know the area but -
As an external candidate you should try to find out details of the TOCs and FOCs those boxes might get and an idea of the general area and type of traffic they control - maybe stations or depots or sidings. For example maybe it’s a fast intercity box with a level crossing, or a lot of freight into a siding or port etc. Also, of course, things about network rail and safety.
This kind of thing is fairly easy to find by googling the boxes and the area, and by searching this forum in general. As external interviews that’s as much as can be expected of you, but it is important to do your own research. You can also look at photos of the boxes, or at google maps, or at realtimetrains to help get an idea what they’re like.
Thank you
Thank you
The advert is grade 2-4, does this mean that your grade 2 until passed out in your box at grade 4? I have studied a lot, was just looking for any extra info which may be pertinent to the interview, it seems u all help each other out here. Completely new to the rail industry so im not afraid to ask about the specific area which hasn't been touched on as much as other areas.
Location to me is more important rather than climbing the ladder to a higher grade as my family is settled and I've spent a long time away from home in my current career. Could this be looked down on in my interview?
Location to me is more important rather than climbing the ladder to a higher grade as my family is settled and I've spent a long time away from home in my current career. Could this be looked down on in my interview?
Sounds like there are several positions available ranging from G2 to G4.
I would suggest researching the company's safety vision and life-saving rules. Other than that, just focus on all the non-technical skills.
Feel like I’m at the final, final, final hurdle. Medical done and only thing left is drugs test to return. While there is nothing to be of any concern in the drugs test it still feels like the last hurdle. Start date is 9th jan before training commences late jan in York. Starting to feel like it’s finally going to happen. Not sure I want to let myself believe it yet.
Harls24
Member
Hi all,
Just having a read through the forum. It’s been a wealth of knowledge so thanks to all who have been a part of it.
I’ve just applied and interviewed for a signaller role G2. I wondered if anyone else had interviewed this week or heard anything in relation to this?
Just having a read through the forum. It’s been a wealth of knowledge so thanks to all who have been a part of it.
I’ve just applied and interviewed for a signaller role G2. I wondered if anyone else had interviewed this week or heard anything in relation to this?
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i feel exactly the same, got the job offer but because it's such a long time until starting it's more like a dream, my start date is also 9th jan then off to york, most likely on the same course, i have read people go in groups on the course don't know whether that means as a whole group or smaller groups within the class
Kraken
Member
When do you start with the company? Don’t suppose you could ask your LOM if he or she has any level crossings that you can work on for a few months and start a bit earlier maybe?
Think the offer originally came through in April this year. It’s been quite some time waiting.
SWTurbo
Member
I'd agree with Kraken here. Speak to your LOM, ask them if they have any gate boxes (LCs) that need covering as they're excellent intro to lots of the basics. Additionally, if they're happy to accommodate, go and visit your box, fringe boxes etc. as it will help when you're back from IST, even if it is just that you know the names and faces!
Where was the G2 role for?
Harls24
Member
It’s a Trainee Post for Grindleford, Edale, Furness Vale & New Mille Area
Leeward
Member
Just did the online tests again. Most definitely did better than last time but that Grid challenge is still a *******, eh? Haha.
@SWTurbo
I start on the 20th March, IST on the 27th. I haven't actually been made aware who my LOM will be or any contact information for them as of yet. I'll be starting at Immingham G2.
I've explained that I'm essentially floating in a temporary role with my current employment as unable to commit to anything longer term and that I'd be eager to start as early as possible but no luck as of yet.
If you gents believe i could message HR (my only contact currently) and ask for LC work & box sit ins I'd happily do so.
Kraken
Member
I
I wouldn’t ask HR for that kind of work, but I would definitely email them and find out some contact details for your recruiting LOM. Then you can get in touch with them and see if they have anything that you could do for a few months while you wait for IST. They might be crying out to fill a crossing keeper position (they equally might not, but worth asking).
I wouldn’t ask HR for that kind of work, but I would definitely email them and find out some contact details for your recruiting LOM. Then you can get in touch with them and see if they have anything that you could do for a few months while you wait for IST. They might be crying out to fill a crossing keeper position (they equally might not, but worth asking).
AverageJoe
On Moderation
I’m interested to know how the signallers feel when a driver used SG at a red.
According to the rule book if you cannot see an obvious reason to be standing at red then the SG should be used within 2 mins, but ideally straight away.
My instructor cringes when I do this like it’s some real irritant to the signaller and almost offensive to them.
Personally I don’t see it as a problem but I’d like to hear from signallers on this matter.
According to the rule book if you cannot see an obvious reason to be standing at red then the SG should be used within 2 mins, but ideally straight away.
My instructor cringes when I do this like it’s some real irritant to the signaller and almost offensive to them.
Personally I don’t see it as a problem but I’d like to hear from signallers on this matter.
endofthetunnel
Member
Personally it depends, as always!
Are you running early and sitting outside a station?
Have you been running on yellows following something for a while?
Is this perhaps a delayed approach controlled signal and it’s therefore always red when you get there?
Can you see a train trundling over the junction ahead conflicting with you?
For any of these I roll my eyes when I get a SG ping as soon as the train gets to the red, but it’s not like it ruins my day. I just acknowledge with a ‘Wait’ and get on with my signalling.
Stopping at a red at an unusual place, or maybe you’re at a station and you’re due away, absolutely send it straight away - I might need to talk to you or I might have forgotten you!
What annoys me most is when I get an SG and I’m already in the process of clearing the signal, so the driver now thinks I only did it because of them
AverageJoe
On Moderation
Thanks for the replyPersonally it depends, as always!
Are you running early and sitting outside a station?
Have you been running on yellows following something for a while?
Is this perhaps a delayed approach controlled signal and it’s therefore always red when you get there?
Can you see a train trundling over the junction ahead conflicting with you?
For any of these I roll my eyes when I get a SG ping as soon as the train gets to the red, but it’s not like it ruins my day. I just acknowledge with a ‘Wait’ and get on with my signalling.
Stopping at a red at an unusual place, or maybe you’re at a station and you’re due away, absolutely send it straight away - I might need to talk to you or I might have forgotten you!
What annoys me most is when I get an SG and I’m already in the process of clearing the signal, so the driver now thinks I only did it because of them
High Dyke
Established Member
Similar to Endofthetunnel for me. Press wait and get on with signalling.
I do give some trains a courtesy call though, once stopped at the signal, to give a brief outline of why they're waiting.
AverageJoe
On Moderation
For me when I press SG I’m not expecting it to speed anything up most of the time, nor do I want an apology.
It just makes sense to me, it’s in the rule book, it takes seconds and it just allows the signaller to know you have stopped and ready to go.
Sometimes it could be that a signaller in a small box could be preoccupied so the SG might even help them.
But yeh it seems the older drivers view it as a nasty thing to do
I know of one driver who is convinced that SG stands for Signal Go as every time he presses that button, the signal clears.Personally it depends, as always!
Are you running early and sitting outside a station?
Have you been running on yellows following something for a while?
Is this perhaps a delayed approach controlled signal and it’s therefore always red when you get there?
Can you see a train trundling over the junction ahead conflicting with you?
For any of these I roll my eyes when I get a SG ping as soon as the train gets to the red, but it’s not like it ruins my day. I just acknowledge with a ‘Wait’ and get on with my signalling.
Stopping at a red at an unusual place, or maybe you’re at a station and you’re due away, absolutely send it straight away - I might need to talk to you or I might have forgotten you!
What annoys me most is when I get an SG and I’m already in the process of clearing the signal, so the driver now thinks I only did it because of them