A career as a signaller

[AA Steve]

Hi, I too interviewed for the G7 Cardiff on Tuesday. Do we know if they usually contact all successful candidates at the same time? Still haven’t heard anything.

I have no idea bud, this is all a first for me. Maybe someone else on here would know? Fingers crossed for you though.

 

[OwZ523310]

I have no idea bud, this is all a first for me. Maybe someone else on here would know? Fingers crossed for you though.

No worries, thanks! Congrats and good luck!

 

[Woody27]

Hi all, first time posting on the forum. Does anyone know what the medical entails eyesight-wise? I wear glasses so does anyone know if I’d be allowed to keep them on during the eyesight part of the test? Thanks in advance.

Yes mate

 

[Prospire]

Hi, I too interviewed for the G7 Cardiff on Tuesday. Do we know if they usually contact all successful candidates at the same time? Still haven’t heard anything.

Keep us posted on when you hear. Good luck!

 

[NC99]

Got offered the job today for the recent Grade 2 London roles. Absolutely made up. Been told I'm going to be based at Willesden - can anyone tell me any more about the Willesden boxes at all? Shift patterns, traffic, are nights required etc? Cheers

 

[Mechy]

Got offered the job today for the recent Grade 2 London roles. Absolutely made up. Been told I'm going to be based at Willesden - can anyone tell me any more about the Willesden boxes at all? Shift patterns, traffic, are nights required etc? Cheers

Many Congratulations! You’ll be going to one of the following if it is one of the Willesden vacancies…

Neasden Jn (Grade 2)
Dudding Hill Jn (Grade 2)
Acton Canal Wharf (Grade 2)
Richmond (Grade 5)

Or Willesden Relief

The current vacancy is a pool which will then see your box allocated to you when you pass signalling school.

All boxes are on 12 hour shifts, they are all 24 hour however Neasden and Dudding Hill aren’t always open on Sundays.

 

[NC99]

Many Congratulations! You’ll be going to one of the following if it is one of the Willesden vacancies…

Neasden Jn (Grade 2)
Dudding Hill Jn (Grade 2)
Acton Canal Wharf (Grade 2)
Richmond (Grade 5)

Or Willesden Relief

The current vacancy is a pool which will then see your box allocated to you when you pass signalling school.

All boxes are on 12 hour shifts, they are all 24 hour however Neasden and Dudding Hill aren’t always open on Sundays.

Thank you mate. Ah I see, so they all come under Willesden then. The vacancy ad listed all of those above along with Willesden, so I thought I got that particular box

 

[Mechy]

Thank you mate. Ah I see, so they all come under Willesden then. The vacancy ad listed all of those above along with Willesden, so I thought I got that particular box

Willesden relates to the depot. The jobs that were recently on the market were anglia region jobs, so are for the north London line boxes. The Willesden carriage shed boxes on the west coast mainline all fall under the West Coast South region. It all gets a bit complicated within London!

 

[NC99]

Sounds it! Thanks for your help mate

 

[Dwselli]

Yes mate

Thank you, probably sounds like a stupid question but I’ve read mixed reports of whether you’re allowed to keep them on. Thanks for clearing that up

 

[The Puddock]

Thank you, probably sounds like a stupid question but I’ve read mixed reports of whether you’re allowed to keep them on. Thanks for clearing that up

You'll be tested with them and without them.

 

[Dwselli]

You'll be tested with them and without them.

Oh really? That’s slightly worrying as my distance vision isn’t great hence the need for glasses.

 

[DC36]

Oh really? That’s slightly worrying as my distance vision isn’t great hence the need for glasses.

Don't worry, mine is appalling without my contacts but I still passed. They just need to know your vision with and without. It's just noted on my file I need to wear glasses/contacts, much the same as it is on my driving licence

 

[The Puddock]

Oh really? That’s slightly worrying as my distance vision isn’t great hence the need for glasses.

The standard required without your glasses is much lower than with your glasses. If you can read the second line down on the eye chart (6/36, the one with just two letters) without your glasses then you'll be fine.

 

[Jaytee1977]

Hello, this job hasn't actually started yet it's going to be a crossing panel for the Peterborough re-signalling expected to go live next month I believe. I work in a different part of York ROC but for most of the signalling sub rocs overtime is available pretty much all the time. I imagine there has already been a roster agreed so could email the hiring manager asking for the shift pattern.

Hey there
Thanks for the feedback. What are the chances of me getting access if I was ti pay a visit. Thought it would stand ne in good stead if I could visit and ask a few questions and get eyes on the place before interview

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Jul 2023 ==

Hello, this job hasn't actually started yet it's going to be a crossing panel for the Peterborough re-signalling expected to go live next month I believe. I work in a different part of York ROC but for most of the signalling sub rocs overtime is available pretty much all the time. I imagine there has already been a roster agreed so could email the hiring manager asking for the shift pattern.

I don't suppose you have any similar info on the grade 7 position. Just in case I'm lucky enough haha

 

[Dwselli]

Don't worry, mine is appalling without my contacts but I still passed. They just need to know your vision with and without. It's just noted on my file I need to wear glasses/contacts, much the same as it is on my driving licence

Thank you both, much appreciated.

 

[cowboysfan]

Hey there
Thanks for the feedback. What are the chances of me getting access if I was ti pay a visit. Thought it would stand ne in good stead if I could visit and ask a few questions and get eyes on the place before interview

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Jul 2023 ==


I don't suppose you have any similar info on the grade 7 position. Just in case I'm lucky enough haha

No worries, I often see people getting shown around and all the new workstations are built just not yet operational so should be able to get a visit organised if you email the hiring manager. The grade 7 roles I believe are for the same re-control of Peterborough which will cover Peterbrough station and another section of the Peterborough area and will also require you to learn the Hitchin workstation which is already in York ROC to form a 3 workstation grade 7 link.

 

[Jaytee1977]

No worries, I often see people getting shown around and all the new workstations are built just not yet operational so should be able to get a visit organised if you email the hiring manager. The grade 7 roles I believe are for the same re-control of Peterborough which will cover Peterbrough station and another section of the Peterborough area and will also require you to learn the Hitchin workstation which is already in York ROC to form a 3 workstation grade 7 link.

Thanks for your info much appreciated. I will email the hiring manager reference a visit

 

[Signal_Box]

Looks like there’ll be a UKRF link at Cardiff soon!

Welcome to the ROC people….

 

[Dwselli]

Hi all,

I start signaller school in Bristol this week, the maths and English exam, are they PASS/FAIL or more to grade where you are at?
Really worried as I left school 40 years ago and wasn't aware this was coming up, be awful to lose the job because of this.

Hi, apologies for digging out an old message but are you currently at signalling school? If so how are you finding it? I have no rail experience and have read very mixed reviews.

 

[endofthetunnel]

Hi, apologies for digging out an old message but are you currently at signalling school? If so how are you finding it? I have no rail experience and have read very mixed reviews.

You’ve picked a message from over a year ago so hopefully they’re not at IST any more!
There’s 100s of messages in this thread from people during/after school who’ve come from outside the industry, most of them have enjoyed the process and done very well. It is hard work and you need to put the effort in but it’s worthwhile and a great job at the end of it.

 

[Woody27]

Hi, apologies for digging out an old message but are you currently at signalling school? If so how are you finding it? I have no rail experience and have read very mixed reviews.

Hi, I came from construction, left IST in February, as posted many times on here, it’s a tough course, just because of the amount of information that’s thrown at you, but if you put in the study time and use all available sim sessions you’ll be fine.
YouTube is a great source of info if you have zero knowledge of the railway, plenty on there to grasp the basics

 

[Stonesy]

I applied for signalling roles 3 times over the last 2 years, and have been unsuccessful each time. In December I applied for the role of Grade 5 Train Delay Attributor, and today found out I was successful. Pay grade is exactly the same as a signaller. It was my ambition to go into signalling, but it seems like I found the perfect role for my skillset so I'm perfectly OK to have found a different path
I wish everyone well in their endeavours to become signallers, but if it doesn't happen, there are other great opportunities to look out for

Are you still in this role how do you find it

 

[Pcoftw]

Hi All,

I’ve been reading through this thread on various bits and bobs about signalling and have put in an application for the grade 9 Wimbledon ASC. I have searched for more information using the search thread but there isn’t much information out there. Can anyone tell me more about the location? Is it an 8 hour or 12 hour location? Anyone have a rota? What is overtime opportunity like? Does this location come into the 60 hours a week cap? How busy is the location (I know it’s grade 9) does it feel like a grade 9? Lastly, I know this is subjective but realistically average earning per month with overtime e.t.c? Take home preferably… Also anything else you think is important to add will be great thanks.

Bump… Can anyone help with the above?

 

[ASFOS]

Hello,

Does anybody know if there is a Bell Signals app that we can download to memorise the bell codes. I believe there was one but it is no longer on the app store.

 

[Jovisd79]

Hi all so just had the call offering me grade 2 at Cambridge, tbh was hoping it was going to be g3 or g4. Can anybody realistically give me some idea how much extra you earn for the nights and Sundays? I've asked them for the roster pattern but still not an idea. I'm guessing at least a couple of Sundays a month but unsure how much extra that'll equate to?

 

[Llanigraham]

Hello,

Does anybody know if there is a Bell Signals app that we can download to memorise the bell codes. I believe there was one but it is no longer on the app store.

Cut'n'paste them from where-ever you have seen them seems to be the best bet.

 

[CheeseNoMayo]

Evening guys! Has anyone who was recently offered one of the G2 positions in Yorkshire heard anything from NR about medicals or next stage of the onboarding process after sending off the forms they require? Cheers

 

[bhabloke]

Loads of new vacancies have appeared on the recruitment page.

 

[lambo79]

Evening guys! Has anyone who was recently offered one of the G2 positions in Yorkshire heard anything from NR about medicals or next stage of the onboarding process after sending off the forms they require? Cheers

Hi Cheese, no nothing yet. Sent the forms off but no medical info yet. Suppose we've got a few months until the course starts so may be a while yet...