A career as a signaller

[Buiadh]

Can anyone enlighten me, what is the operational difference between RDR and GPR and do they attract the same flexibility premium?

 

[Signaller2020]

Currently waiting to see if I have been shortlisted for G2 trainee position at Cardiff, are interviews still done via teams or are they now face to face? Thanks

 

[Kraken]

Can anyone enlighten me, what is the operational difference between RDR and GPR and do they attract the same flexibility premium?

I can’t speak for every line, but on our line the GPRs get 18% flex premium, have no booked Sundays and don’t know what location or shift they are working the following week, just what days they are working.
The RDRs get 12% premium, have no booked weekends or night shifts and know exactly which locations they are working off into the future.

I imagine GPRs will be asked to do overtime before RDRs too. So GPR = more money, more embuggerance. RDR = less money, better work/life balance. At least that was my way of looking at it when deciding whether to stay on the GPR vs going RDR.

 

[Lpf93]

Can anyone enlighten me, what is the operational difference between RDR and GPR and do they attract the same flexibility premium?

Everything that Kraken said but the RDR (in my area anyway) has some days that are spare so can be days or nights but quite a lot of their shifts are pre rostered hence the % difference. Pre rostered shifts are only days. A nice job for the % difference.
The RDR in my area only has rostered shifts Monday-Wednesday too so long weekend every week

 

[Buckshee]

Morning,

I've seen a few people asking about IST. I thought I'd share my experience so far.
I'm currently on week 4, looking forward to week 5 exams.

I am fresh to the rail and I tried to get a head start with learning, but I couldn't really find much.

Before I started school, I was in a box for 2 weeks just watching, it was like a second language . I wasn't able to complete my e-learning due to a technical issue, so I felt at a disadvantage.

IST used to be longer, but since they brought in e-learning they cut it down to 10 weeks. Personally I would have preferred the extra time in school, (but that could be due to the e-learning issue).

My instructor is amazing and has covered most of what the e-learning has.
I will say the first 3 weeks has been really overwhelming, and the observations and exams are daunting. We have a good class and make sure we test each other.
Get as much time on the sim as possible and step out of your comfort zone.

Anyway enough from me, on to week 5 I go.
If you have any questions please ask.

With IST do you get your food provided

 

[RailwayRookie]

With IST do you get your food provided

Lunch is provided, or an allowance if facilities don't exist..

As well as an allowance for Dinner. If you eat at the hotel it's all handled for you, it you eat elsewhere you have to claim it back.

 

[Kraken]

Everything that Kraken said but the RDR (in my area anyway) has some days that are spare so can be days or nights but quite a lot of their shifts are pre rostered hence the % difference. Pre rostered shifts are only days. A nice job for the % difference.
The RDR in my area only has rostered shifts Monday-Wednesday too so long weekend every week

Ah yes, should have mentioned that the RDRs have a load of spare shifts programmed. Also, a four day long weekend every single week? What a dream!

 

[trainchoochoo]

Anyone on IST 8th July? paddock wood?

 

[Trackman87]

anyone have any info on Liverpool st iecc, areas covered , rosters etc ,

Thanks

 

[Open_G]

Lunch is provided, or an allowance if facilities don't exist..

As well as an allowance for Dinner. If you eat at the hotel it's all handled for you, it you eat elsewhere you have to claim it back.

Just something to potentially be aware of, in my cohort a few of our group had a LOM who wasn’t keen on them eating out and claiming back. After 12 weeks of the same 5/6 dishes on the hotel menu I’m sure they could have done with being able to visit a local eaterie.

 

[RailwayRookie]

Just something to potentially be aware of, in my cohort a few of our group had a LOM who wasn’t keen on them eating out and claiming back. After 12 weeks of the same 5/6 dishes on the hotel menu I’m sure they could have done with being able to visit a local eaterie.

Sounds like a LOM that doesn't want to authorise them manually, whether you eat in the hotel or out, the allowance is the same. Just the amount of admin that changes.

 

[Amack92]

Had my face to face interview today. I think it went okay, it went over the allotted time. (Not sure if that's good or bad)
I was able to answer all the questions. Just hoping I answered them enough to show my knowledge of the role and Network Rail.
I was told I should hear by next Friday. I've read different things on here regarding time frame?
Also what are people's experiences whether or not judging if an interview has gone well.

 

[eleveneleven]

Had my face to face interview today. I think it went okay, it went over the allotted time. (Not sure if that's good or bad)
I was able to answer all the questions. Just hoping I answered them enough to show my knowledge of the role and Network Rail.
I was told I should hear by next Friday. I've read different things on here regarding time frame?
Also what are people's experiences whether or not judging if an interview has gone well.

No way of knowing how well it's gone unfortunately but from what you've said it sounds promising...

RE: time frames don't take what they say as gospel, I would add another 14 days to their expected timeframe

The hardest part of this whole process is the waiting.

Good luck mate.

 

[Amack92]

No way of knowing how well it's gone unfortunately but from what you've said it sounds promising...

RE: time frames don't take what they say as gospel, I would add another 14 days to their expected timeframe

The hardest part of this whole process is the waiting.

Good luck mate.

I really hope so!

Argh okay, just a waiting game then.

It was mentioned in the interview there are multiple positions on that line. Would they take on multiple people to cover the availability?

 

[Kraken]

Had my face to face interview today. I think it went okay, it went over the allotted time. (Not sure if that's good or bad)
I was able to answer all the questions. Just hoping I answered them enough to show my knowledge of the role and Network Rail.
I was told I should hear by next Friday. I've read different things on here regarding time frame?
Also what are people's experiences whether or not judging if an interview has gone well.

Generally I've found that if I think it’s all gone alright then it’s been a good interview. As long as the interviewers were’t having to drag the answers out of you and you feel you got your knowledge across then that’s all you can ask for really. Hope it’s a positive result for you!

I really hope so!

Argh okay, just a waiting game then.

It was mentioned in the interview there are multiple positions on that line. Would they take on multiple people to cover the availability?

They definitely would and have done down that line. They’ll take as many suitable people as they have gaps available usually.

 

[northwestern]

I just wondered if anyone who works for NR could advise how different the internal signaller vacancies are compared to the external careers site? At the moment only a handful of jobs in Scotland and Wales externally. Hoping for something in the North West at some point and just wondered if there were many internal jobs at the moment to give an idea of current recruitment needs?

 

[AJay55]

I found the 10 week training tough. I ended up using my talk but failed overall and wasn’t given an opportunity again. Make sure you apply yourself and ask questions. Probably done me a favour, as Its something you get or you don’t.

Just out of interest, did the NR offer you anything else, or did you leave the company?

 

[Ducatist4]

I'd assume the job offer was conditional upon you successfully completing signalling school.

 

[Brett55]

With IST do you get your food provided

Yeah, you get breakfast in the hotel, lunch during the course and a meal allowance at the hotel for the evening. Or you can pay and claim back if you eat lunch and evening meal elsewhere.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2024 ==

Currently waiting to see if I have been shortlisted for G2 trainee position at Cardiff, are interviews still done via teams or are they now face to face? Thank

Hi, I'm in South Wales. Mine was over teams, really relaxed.

 

[GringoInLondon]

I just wondered if anyone who works for NR could advise how different the internal signaller vacancies are compared to the external careers site? At the moment only a handful of jobs in Scotland and Wales externally. Hoping for something in the North West at some point and just wondered if there were many internal jobs at the moment to give an idea of current recruitment needs?

there's currently positions for: Folkestone, Rugby, Deansgate, Minster, Hastings, Pontrillas, Exeter, Guilford, East Kent, Derby, Chichester, Three Bridges, West Midlands, Doncaster and a few more...

Plus a few in Wales and loads in Scotland (as you mentioned)


I'd say there's about 35 positions

 

[Signal_Box]

I just wondered if anyone who works for NR could advise how different the internal signaller vacancies are compared to the external careers site? At the moment only a handful of jobs in Scotland and Wales externally. Hoping for something in the North West at some point and just wondered if there were many internal jobs at the moment to give an idea of current recruitment needs?

About 35-40 nationally

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I have just been invited to interview for G2 Trainee Hereford. It's in person according to the info I have.

I also have to complete a short video interview within the next few days responding to certain situations.

 

[AJay55]

I'd assume the job offer was conditional upon you successfully completing signalling school.

Yes, that's does make sense. Although other posters have suggested that NR may deploy you to other roles of you are unsuccessful at IST. It would be nice to have that added safeguard

 

[Ducatist4]

I think I've only heard of that happened if you are already employed by NR.

 

[Brett55]

One person on my course didn't make it last time and they gave him a crossing until the next IST. He's smashing IST now.

 

[AJay55]

One person on my course didn't make it last time and they gave him a crossing until the next IST. He's smashing IST now.

That's good to hear

 

[Ducatist4]

Yes, there are cases of people being allowed to re-doing IST, but there are an equal number of people that were just told to go home. If your attitude is good and you didn't fail massively then they might let you have a second bite at it.

 

[muz379]

Yes, that's does make sense. Although other posters have suggested that NR may deploy you to other roles of you are unsuccessful at IST. It would be nice to have that added safeguard

Whilst that can and does happen , nothing is guranteed .

I imagine a bit like being given the opportunity to attend IST over again something they would only do if you were putting every effort into IST but still struggling for whatever reason . It will also depend massively on something else suitable being available which is going to vary massively from location to location .

 

[signalit]

Hi,

Has anyone heard back with regards to the G2 Trainee position in Cardiff?

Still waiting to hear back, I can see someone has heard back regarding the Hereford position which closed on the same date

 

[Amack92]

Generally I've found that if I think it’s all gone alright then it’s been a good interview. As long as the interviewers were’t having to drag the answers out of you and you feel you got your knowledge across then that’s all you can ask for really. Hope it’s a positive result for you!

Yeah I think it went okay. Didn't ask about the life saving rules and they only asked about half of the NTS too.

They did ask about notice period, which could be a good sign. They did take the time to answer my questions even after the interview ran over too. That could just be procedure though.

I sent a follow up email and got a reply. Basically stating they'd be in touch with outcomes once all interviews had been completed. (Which were after mine on the same day) And offer matching had taken place. I'm assuming offer matching is them lining up suitable candidates?