A career as a signaller

[muz379]

Is this accurate? I wasn’t aware NWR Signallers got a 4.5% pay rise this year as this chart suggests? Their website also still shows Grade 9 at £52,851. I’d be happy if it is, as the salary is even better than I was expecting. Cheers.

Yes a 4.5% payrise was agreed about a month back , for the Janurary 2024 Pay anniversary. Network Rails Pay anniversary is 1st Jan so depending on how swiftly a pay deal is sorted out next year there might also be another payrise very soon .

 

[The Difference]

The chart is right. Grade 9 now sits at £55,229. The pay rise was agreed the end of September, 4.5% for 2024, back pay still not fully reimbursed yet though.

Perfect, thank you. I had searched online and got so many mixed reports that X amount was rejected and then seen 2 different Unions with different amounts agreed. So I wasn’t 100% sure. Appreciate that, thanks again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Oct 2024 ==

Yes a 4.5% payrise was agreed about a month back , for the Janurary 2024 Pay anniversary. Network Rails Pay anniversary is 1st Jan so depending on how swiftly a pay deal is sorted out next year there might also be another payrise very soon .

Thanks for that. As my other reply shows I had searched and never found a definitive answer. I did notice in my pre contract agreement it states my next pay review will be January 2025. Interesting they still show my offer at the old £52,851 though. Thanks again for the info, it’s appreciated.

 

[muz379]

Thanks for that. As my other reply shows I had searched and never found a definitive answer. I did notice in my pre contract agreement it states my next pay review will be January 2025. Interesting they still show my offer at the old £52,851 though. Thanks again for the info, it’s appreciated.

No worries , yeah your offer will be at the old rate of pay because the increase hasn't been implemented yet for signallers , it is the december pay when we are actually getting the increase .

I know you will only be on G2 at training but just make sure when you get access that your rate of pay is correct in the system for the new Grade 2 rate of pay . It can easily be corrected if not .

 

[RyanBaxendale]

Hello just been offered a relief position in a ROC covering 3 panels does anyone know how the rota will work and like does it change or will it be like the current rota that just 12 week blocks and rolls over?

 

[The Difference]

No worries , yeah your offer will be at the old rate of pay because the increase hasn't been implemented yet for signallers , it is the december pay when we are actually getting the increase .

I know you will only be on G2 at training but just make sure when you get access that your rate of pay is correct in the system for the new Grade 2 rate of pay . It can easily be corrected if not .

That makes sense then. Thanks for the heads up too, I will make sure that’s the case when it comes to it as I don’t start until Jan. It can’t come quick enough though!

 

[Llanigraham]

Hello just been offered a relief position in a ROC covering 3 panels does anyone know how the rota will work and like does it change or will it be like the current rota that just 12 week blocks and rolls over?

Would be useful to know which ROC, as I don't think they are all the same

 

[Sg90]

Hello everyone, thank you first of all to all contributors of this thread. The information available is so helpful.

I am currently P.E. teacher that has become disillusioned with what I do, after discussing with my wife a few weeks back we agreed that I need to get out. I have always been fascinated by the railways and the timing of a G2 Trainee position available not too far from me was too tempting to turn down. It's like it's meant to be!

I applied and passed the initial application check.

I then did the online tests and scored well and passed through to the next stage.

I found the video assessments were quite enjoyable, it certainly got me thinking on my feet and fortunately, by working with children - communication and working with others is a huge part daily so that helped sway my answers.

I have been informed that the video assessment stage was successful and now I must book an assessment centre interview, just waiting for 'business slots' to become free.

I'm so excited, still a long way to go but on the way!

I just wanted to clarify/ask about Colchester.

So the job I applied for was a G2 Trainee at Colchester. I have since noted that Colchester has G8 roles. Is that in addition to G2s? Or is the G2 simply the Trainee route in, then as others have written, you apply internally once the roles become available?

So stations share different graded roles or is a particular station this grade and this signal centre that grade?

Sorry about the essay! Did I say that I'm excited?

I’m a PE teacher and in the exact same boat, fed up with a job that isn’t what it used to be and applied for a grade 2 post in Scotland. It’s scary the amount of teacher leaving the profession.
Good luck with your application.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Oct 2024 ==

Hi
Looking for any info as I have applied for a Grade 2 trainee signaller post for Laurencekirk. Just waiting for the interview slots to open.

I have read through the thread and other places but can’t see anything too specific for the locational.

Does anyone know the shift pattern for this box. The advert said 12 hours 7am-7pm-7am but from some research the box doesn’t operate 24h.

And for a grade 2 salary post training. Some suggest adding £10k on top with extras, is this realistic. I’m currently on a £50k salary and can afford to drop salary but trying to plan if the other half will need in increase their hours.

The residential training, where is it based and is it 5 days a week or a mix of that and in the box.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Buiadh]

.

 

[Sg90]

Laurencekirk is 24/7 and operates 6am-6pm-6am, they're currently advertising that vacancy internally though so if an internal candidate goes for it they'll get first preference. There are additional vacancies in Craigo and Inverkeilor which can be difficult to fill internally and are often "starter boxes" that signallers often gravitate away from in time, the reason is that they aren't 24hr and close out at night so earnings are limited.

10k in a fully staffed 24/7 box is realistic, a box that closes at night might be more problematic, although if you were to get a box that isn't fully staffed and are keen for overtime you can make a lot more in both situations.

Training for you would probably be Perth or Shettleston though further afield is an option if there are no spaces. It's 5 days a week residential, you'll not get much time in a signal box until you pass IST currently with the way the course is designed.

Thanks Buiadh for the info, really helpful. Info of the hours varied online so great to know.
If there a closing date on the internal advert as I noticed it’s been put back up on the careers website?

With the 6-6-6 shifts don’t know details on rota, days on/off.

Fingers crossed I can get to join the signalling community

 

[bhabloke]

Perfect, thank you. I had searched online and got so many mixed reports that X amount was rejected and then seen 2 different Unions with different amounts agreed. So I wasn’t 100% sure. Appreciate that, thanks again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Oct 2024 ==


Thanks for that. As my other reply shows I had searched and never found a definitive answer. I did notice in my pre contract agreement it states my next pay review will be January 2025. Interesting they still show my offer at the old £52,851 though. Thanks again for the info, it’s appreciated.

If your contract states the next pay review will be 2025, then you will not see the pay rise announced recently. Your pay will remain at the rate of £52,851 until that pay review in January 2025.

 

[The Difference]

If your contract states the next pay review will be 2025, then you will not see the pay rise announced recently. Your pay will remain at the rate of £52,851 until that pay review in January 2025.

That doesn’t sound right to me as all employees should move the same accordingly. I will keep an eye on it and see what happens. I won’t be moving to the top Grade 9 for a while anyway, so I’m sure it will be fine by then. I will just need to double check my salary equals the new Grade 2 come IST in January when I start.

**UPDATE**
I also can’t find in my contract where it states my next pay review will be January 2025 as I just read through it all again. Maybe I made it up or it was in an email (I have checked emails too and can’t find it) I’m not fussed anyway, as I don’t start until January, so if it did state that somewhere, it will move come my start date accordingly.

 

[SimplyLovely]

Just back from a fantastic visit to Greenloaning signal box. Very very interesting and reinforced how much this career would suit me.

Spent an hour there and then got invited to see Blackford too which has a level crossing which was nice to see.

Has made me even more excited for my interview on Wednesday!

 

[CoachB]

If your contract states the next pay review will be 2025, then you will not see the pay rise announced recently. Your pay will remain at the rate of £52,851 until that pay review in January 2025.

Having recently questioned this myself given the wording of network rails pay review FAQ signallers are what's known as spot rated roles.

This means that all signaller wages all go up at the same time regardless of when we started.

 

[muz379]

Having recently questioned this myself given the wording of network rails pay review FAQ signallers are what's known as spot rated roles.

This means that all signaller wages all go up at the same time regardless of when we started.

Precisely this , it is a graded role . So everyone that works at say a Grade 4 location will be paid the same rate of basic pay .And so on with all the other grades .

The only differences come through overtime/other enhancements . Or personal grades that people hold because their previous location was closed and they have ended up in a lower graded post .

 

[The Difference]

Precisely this , it is a graded role . So everyone that works at say a Grade 4 location will be paid the same rate of basic pay .And so on with all the other grades .

The only differences come through overtime/other enhancements . Or personal grades that people hold because their previous location was closed and they have ended up in a lower graded post .

That would be my understanding of any role such as this too. Appreciate the feedback from others.

 

[Cheney B50]

Netherfield fringes to Doncaster PSB (Newark Castle), Allington SB and Nottingham Station workstation

Mansfield fringes to Nottingham Station workstation and Shirebrook (Robin Hood line). They also have some interaction with the Nottingham tram network.

That’s great thank you, what system do they use?

Netherfield fringes to Doncaster PSB (Newark Castle), Allington SB and Nottingham Station workstation

Mansfield fringes to Nottingham Station workstation and Shirebrook (Robin Hood line). They also have some interaction with the Nottingham tram network.

Thats great thank you, do you know what system they use?

 

[800001]

Good afternoon, forgive this question as it may of been answered many times, but does anyone know if there is a document showing the 12 week training plan for signaller? Ie what occurs each of the 12 weeks? TIA

 

[Open_G]

Good afternoon, forgive this question as it may of been answered many times, but does anyone know if there is a document showing the 12 week training plan for signaller? Ie what occurs each of the 12 weeks? TIA

Genuinely I wouldn’t worry too much about what’s ahead, IST to me was a series of getting through to the next stage in 2 week blocks, whether it was written exam or practical assessment.

You’ll be most concerned with understanding what you’ve just been told rather than worrying about what comes next- and that’s fine. Just as an example the idea of a wrong direction move or passing a signal at danger is terrifying when you don’t even really get basic signalling. Don’t worry about it until you get to it.

 

[High Dyke]

Thats great thank you, do you know what system they use?

You're welcome. Both workstations use the computer based WestCad system. As far as I know, the signallers in that link work both workstations. They sit side by side.

 

[muz379]

Good afternoon, forgive this question as it may of been answered many times, but does anyone know if there is a document showing the 12 week training plan for signaller? Ie what occurs each of the 12 weeks? TIA

You should get given a course plan with what topics you do on what day before you start IST . Although it isn't set in stone exactly . Obviously there is a sensible order to do things in and the exams / practical sessions are set in stone . But equally the tutor might do something slightly out of order if they feel it better explained alongside something else . Or if it is obvious in an afternoon everyone is struggling to concentrate they might let you get off a little earlier and cover that topic another day that week .

The first 2 weeks is e learning at your managers direction - Different peoples experiences with this vary some met with their managers more than others , some got told to do additional mandatory generic E learning as well . I was very much left to it . And also got my manager to arrange some box visits during this time as well .

Then the there is 10 weeks classroom based . I think oficially the times are Monday 9:30-4:30. Tuesday - Thursday 9-4 and Friday 9-1 . Again tutors might slightly vary the times , or if everyone is in agreement have a shorter lunch and finish earlier . Outside of those times though you will want to be putting practice in on the sim and revising for exams . So for example it wasn't uncommon for a few of us who were local to stay for a few hours on friday afternoon and practice on the sim . Or if the tutor felt that everyone was done for the day at 2-3 . We might go back to the hotel and chill for a bit then get together again 4-5 and do a bit of quizzing each other .

The course has a multiple choice exam end of week 1 , observed practical in week 3 , multiple choice & written exam end of week 5 ,observed practical in week 7 , multiple choice & written exam in week 9 and then the final week is the final practical observations - although you will only be in one of those days.

If you do Absolute Block IST and you need to to TCB as well then add another 2 weeks on for a conversion . Although it is far more relaxed . You will have a shorter exam and observed practical in the second week of that course .

 

[800001]

You should get given a course plan with what topics you do on what day before you start IST . Although it isn't set in stone exactly . Obviously there is a sensible order to do things in and the exams / practical sessions are set in stone . But equally the tutor might do something slightly out of order if they feel it better explained alongside something else . Or if it is obvious in an afternoon everyone is struggling to concentrate they might let you get off a little earlier and cover that topic another day that week .

The first 2 weeks is e learning at your managers direction - Different peoples experiences with this vary some met with their managers more than others , some got told to do additional mandatory generic E learning as well . I was very much left to it . And also got my manager to arrange some box visits during this time as well .

Then the there is 10 weeks classroom based . I think oficially the times are Monday 9:30-4:30. Tuesday - Thursday 9-4 and Friday 9-1 . Again tutors might slightly vary the times , or if everyone is in agreement have a shorter lunch and finish earlier . Outside of those times though you will want to be putting practice in on the sim and revising for exams . So for example it wasn't uncommon for a few of us who were local to stay for a few hours on friday afternoon and practice on the sim . Or if the tutor felt that everyone was done for the day at 2-3 . We might go back to the hotel and chill for a bit then get together again 4-5 and do a bit of quizzing each other .

The course has a multiple choice exam end of week 1 , observed practical in week 3 , multiple choice & written exam end of week 5 ,observed practical in week 7 , multiple choice & written exam in week 9 and then the final week is the final practical observations - although you will only be in one of those days.

If you do Absolute Block IST and you need to to TCB as well then add another 2 weeks on for a conversion . Although it is far more relaxed . You will have a shorter exam and observed practical in the second week of that course .

Thank you for this! This really does help me! Appreciate you taking the time to reply.

 

[The Difference]

You should get given a course plan with what topics you do on what day before you start IST . Although it isn't set in stone exactly . Obviously there is a sensible order to do things in and the exams / practical sessions are set in stone . But equally the tutor might do something slightly out of order if they feel it better explained alongside something else . Or if it is obvious in an afternoon everyone is struggling to concentrate they might let you get off a little earlier and cover that topic another day that week .

The first 2 weeks is e learning at your managers direction - Different peoples experiences with this vary some met with their managers more than others , some got told to do additional mandatory generic E learning as well . I was very much left to it . And also got my manager to arrange some box visits during this time as well .

Then the there is 10 weeks classroom based . I think oficially the times are Monday 9:30-4:30. Tuesday - Thursday 9-4 and Friday 9-1 . Again tutors might slightly vary the times , or if everyone is in agreement have a shorter lunch and finish earlier . Outside of those times though you will want to be putting practice in on the sim and revising for exams . So for example it wasn't uncommon for a few of us who were local to stay for a few hours on friday afternoon and practice on the sim . Or if the tutor felt that everyone was done for the day at 2-3 . We might go back to the hotel and chill for a bit then get together again 4-5 and do a bit of quizzing each other .

The course has a multiple choice exam end of week 1 , observed practical in week 3 , multiple choice & written exam end of week 5 ,observed practical in week 7 , multiple choice & written exam in week 9 and then the final week is the final practical observations - although you will only be in one of those days.

If you do Absolute Block IST and you need to to TCB as well then add another 2 weeks on for a conversion . Although it is far more relaxed . You will have a shorter exam and observed practical in the second week of that course .

That is fantastic information provided and gives everybody an insight on what to expect (as you mentioned it may change depending)

If you can, I have a question on the back of this. Does everybody not do absolute block and TCB at IST? I am going to be a Grade 9 Signaller at Edinburgh, but gathered all IST would teach the same principals regardless.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CoachB]

That is fantastic information provided and gives everybody an insight on what to expect (as you mentioned it may change depending)

If you can, I have a question on the back of this. Does everybody not do absolute block and TCB at IST? I am going to be a Grade 9 Signaller at Edinburgh, but gathered all IST would teach the same principals regardless.

Thanks in advance.

If you're going into a ROC, signalling centre or power box you'll be put on a 10 week TCB IST course as you'll only need to learn TCB.

If however you decide at a later date you wanted to move to an AB signalbox you would undergo a 4 week AB conversation course.

 

[The Difference]

If you're going into a ROC, signalling centre or power box you'll be put on a 10 week TCB IST course as you'll only need to learn TCB.

If however you decide at a later date you wanted to move to an AB signalbox you would undergo a 4 week AB conversation course.

Ahh ok mate. Thanks for the reply, it’s appreciated. I was trying to gather information to try and learn some bits before starting, but I think I’m just going to trust the process of the course as others have suggested and put the hard work in then!

 

[SimplyLovely]

Don’t suppose there is a list of upcoming IST course dates that anyone has access to?

Would be good to get a feel of when about you could expect to be starting if successful at the moment.

 

[CoachB]

Don’t suppose there is a list of upcoming IST course dates that anyone has access to?

Would be good to get a feel of when about you could expect to be starting if successful at the moment.

As far as I'm aware there isn't a list that's available to anyone outside of the onboarding team.

However given how quickly IST places fill up the average wait time is something like 3-4 months depending on region

 

[endofthetunnel]

Don’t suppose there is a list of upcoming IST course dates that anyone has access to?

Would be good to get a feel of when about you could expect to be starting if successful at the moment.

Even if there was such a list it really depends on your area and manager so it’s not worth reading!
Different regions use a selection of different centres depending on how many they need and some even will book ahead knowing they are recruiting externally - but this is discouraged as it leads to cancellations. Some will be desperate to get trainees through so are always checking for cancellations or pushing for new dates whereas others like those recruited without a box just take the date they’re given as it’s not a big rush.
Plus it’s a very fluid system with courses added or cancelled all the time due to trainer availability etc.

 

[SimplyLovely]

As far as I'm aware there isn't a list that's available to anyone outside of the onboarding team.

However given how quickly IST places fill up the average wait time is something like 3-4 months depending on region

Even if there was such a list it really depends on your area and manager so it’s not worth reading!
Different regions use a selection of different centres depending on how many they need and some even will book ahead knowing they are recruiting externally - but this is discouraged as it leads to cancellations. Some will be desperate to get trainees through so are always checking for cancellations or pushing for new dates whereas others like those recruited without a box just take the date they’re given as it’s not a big rush.
Plus it’s a very fluid system with courses added or cancelled all the time due to trainer availability etc.

Thanks both for replying, sounds like it really varies so I shall just wait and see!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Oct 2024 ==

Right all, first ever signallers interview in 40 minutes.

Hopefully all my time on this thread pays off!

 

[lae150]

Does anyone know anything about a signalling box at Ely, Cambs? The trainee grade 2 jobs were advertised for specifically Ely with a postcode which is near the station but i have no idea where it is based as i thought it was controlled by Cambridge box.

 

[RailwayRookie]

Does anyone know anything about a signalling box at Ely, Cambs? The trainee grade 2 jobs were advertised for specifically Ely with a postcode which is near the station but i have no idea where it is based as i thought it was controlled by Cambridge box.

There's no box at Ely, there is an operational depot there however so that is most likely the postcode they have used.

You are correct about Ely being signalled from Cambridge but there is the Fen line from Ely to King's Lynn and the Hereward Line from Ely to Peterborough that are all manually signalled still so the vacancies are likely for the boxes on these lines.