A career as a signaller

[tiptoptaff]

Most likely an error as I believe this was the first time it’s been posted at all

Suspected as much

 

[SigBhoy88]

Hello all,

I'm currently a Signaller with Network Rail and have been in the job for almost 4 years now but I'm new to the forum so I apologise if this isn't the best place to ask this. I'll happily be pointed in the right direction. I have an unusual situation and I'm hoping someone else here may have had a similar experience or can perhaps provide some advice.

Firstly, I work in a single-manned location. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in July last year and due to having very high blood sugar levels initially I was started on a course of Gliclazide tablets (which can cause hypoglycaemia) alongside Metformin. As a result I was only allowed to work whilst accompanied. Once my blood sugar levels had stabilised after about 6 weeks, I was able to stop taking Gliclazide and have been on just Metformin ever since and have been able to work alone normally.

The twist is that I was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I found out in October that I actually have late-onset type 1 diabetes or LADA which is a comparatively rare variant of diabetes. This is a progressive disease where my body has still been producing some of it's own insulin but over the past few months this has gradually reduced and in the very near future I will be dependent on injecting insulin, which brings back a very high risk of hypoglycaemia.

I am aware of other Signallers who are insulin-dependent working in single-manned locations. However, I assume they are allowed to do so because most people who are type 1 diabetic have been so from a young age and so they are able to demonstrate that they have good control of their blood sugar levels using insulin. For myself, it will all be new to me and so I doubt I will be allowed to carry on as I am, due to the high risk of having a hypo.

Obviously this is a source of stress for me at the moment as I don't know what it will mean for my job. To exacerbate the situation, I have just become a father for the first time which only adds to the pressure. Does anyone have any insight or has had the same situation before?
Would Network Rail want me to work accompanied while I adjust to taking insulin and how long a period would I need to demonstrate good control for? I imagine it could take months, if not years for me to learn how to medicate properly, and then need a stable period to convince Occupational Health that I'm OK to work alone. Surely they won't want to pay 2 people to do one persons job for such an extended period like that.
Would they look to try and move me to a multi-manned location if possible? This would be a higher grade than I currently work so I can't imagine they will want to do that.
Would they look to move me into another role completely?
Or can they finish me altogether on medical grounds as not fit for the job? i.e should I be starting to think about an alternative career?

I apologise for all the detail but hopefully you can appreciate my concern over the future of my career. I'm just hoping to get an idea of what my fate might be so I can prepare for it when I do start on the insulin. Any help or advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[tiptoptaff]

Hello all,

I'm currently a Signaller with Network Rail and have been in the job for almost 4 years now but I'm new to the forum so I apologise if this isn't the best place to ask this. I'll happily be pointed in the right direction. I have an unusual situation and I'm hoping someone else here may have had a similar experience or can perhaps provide some advice.

Firstly, I work in a single-manned location. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in July last year and due to having very high blood sugar levels initially I was started on a course of Gliclazide tablets (which can cause hypoglycaemia) alongside Metformin. As a result I was only allowed to work whilst accompanied. Once my blood sugar levels had stabilised after about 6 weeks, I was able to stop taking Gliclazide and have been on just Metformin ever since and have been able to work alone normally.

The twist is that I was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I found out in October that I actually have late-onset type 1 diabetes or LADA which is a comparatively rare variant of diabetes. This is a progressive disease where my body has still been producing some of it's own insulin but over the past few months this has gradually reduced and in the very near future I will be dependent on injecting insulin, which brings back a very high risk of hypoglycaemia.

I am aware of other Signallers who are insulin-dependent working in single-manned locations. However, I assume they are allowed to do so because most people who are type 1 diabetic have been so from a young age and so they are able to demonstrate that they have good control of their blood sugar levels using insulin. For myself, it will all be new to me and so I doubt I will be allowed to carry on as I am, due to the high risk of having a hypo.

Obviously this is a source of stress for me at the moment as I don't know what it will mean for my job. To exacerbate the situation, I have just become a father for the first time which only adds to the pressure. Does anyone have any insight or has had the same situation before?
Would Network Rail want me to work accompanied while I adjust to taking insulin and how long a period would I need to demonstrate good control for? I imagine it could take months, if not years for me to learn how to medicate properly, and then need a stable period to convince Occupational Health that I'm OK to work alone. Surely they won't want to pay 2 people to do one persons job for such an extended period like that.
Would they look to try and move me to a multi-manned location if possible? This would be a higher grade than I currently work so I can't imagine they will want to do that.
Would they look to move me into another role completely?
Or can they finish me altogether on medical grounds as not fit for the job? i.e should I be starting to think about an alternative career?

I apologise for all the detail but hopefully you can appreciate my concern over the future of my career. I'm just hoping to get an idea of what my fate might be so I can prepare for it when I do start on the insulin. Any help or advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I think the only people who can give you definite answers are your LOM, and Occy Health mate.

 

[SigBhoy88]

I think the only people who can give you definite answers are your LOM, and Occy Health mate.

Yeah I know ultimately it will be their decision and I will need to have that conversation soon. I was just hoping someone might have had the same situation, or know of someone who has, so I can mentally prepare for it but probably a long shot.

 

[Open_G]

Hello all,

I'm currently a Signaller with Network Rail and have been in the job for almost 4 years now but I'm new to the forum so I apologise if this isn't the best place to ask this. I'll happily be pointed in the right direction. I have an unusual situation and I'm hoping someone else here may have had a similar experience or can perhaps provide some advice.

Firstly, I work in a single-manned location. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in July last year and due to having very high blood sugar levels initially I was started on a course of Gliclazide tablets (which can cause hypoglycaemia) alongside Metformin. As a result I was only allowed to work whilst accompanied. Once my blood sugar levels had stabilised after about 6 weeks, I was able to stop taking Gliclazide and have been on just Metformin ever since and have been able to work alone normally.

The twist is that I was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I found out in October that I actually have late-onset type 1 diabetes or LADA which is a comparatively rare variant of diabetes. This is a progressive disease where my body has still been producing some of it's own insulin but over the past few months this has gradually reduced and in the very near future I will be dependent on injecting insulin, which brings back a very high risk of hypoglycaemia.

I am aware of other Signallers who are insulin-dependent working in single-manned locations. However, I assume they are allowed to do so because most people who are type 1 diabetic have been so from a young age and so they are able to demonstrate that they have good control of their blood sugar levels using insulin. For myself, it will all be new to me and so I doubt I will be allowed to carry on as I am, due to the high risk of having a hypo.

Obviously this is a source of stress for me at the moment as I don't know what it will mean for my job. To exacerbate the situation, I have just become a father for the first time which only adds to the pressure. Does anyone have any insight or has had the same situation before?
Would Network Rail want me to work accompanied while I adjust to taking insulin and how long a period would I need to demonstrate good control for? I imagine it could take months, if not years for me to learn how to medicate properly, and then need a stable period to convince Occupational Health that I'm OK to work alone. Surely they won't want to pay 2 people to do one persons job for such an extended period like that.
Would they look to try and move me to a multi-manned location if possible? This would be a higher grade than I currently work so I can't imagine they will want to do that.
Would they look to move me into another role completely?
Or can they finish me altogether on medical grounds as not fit for the job? i.e should I be starting to think about an alternative career?

I apologise for all the detail but hopefully you can appreciate my concern over the future of my career. I'm just hoping to get an idea of what my fate might be so I can prepare for it when I do start on the insulin. Any help or advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Don’t know if you’re aware of this…. There are Bluetooth monitors available which can provide live (or as good as live) updates to your phone alarming as blood sugar drops or rises rapidly, or reaches a certain point. My OH has this and it means her diabetes is more under control than ever. She can eat/insulin dose accordingly. She also sets all her other phone notifications to silent when working so that the only thing accessible on it is her blood sugar app. I know we are not allowed to use mobiles in a box but this is a very specific use.

 

[SigBhoy88]

Don’t know if you’re aware of this…. There are Bluetooth monitors available which can provide live (or as good as live) updates to your phone alarming as blood sugar drops or rises rapidly, or reaches a certain point. My OH has this and it means her diabetes is more under control than ever. She can eat/insulin dose accordingly. She also sets all her other phone notifications to silent when working so that the only thing accessible on it is her blood sugar app. I know we are not allowed to use mobiles in a box but this is a very specific use.

Hi Open_G,

Yes I was given one of these monitors when I was diagnosed with type 1 and have worn it since. I'm hoping that that might help my cause but I gather that Occupational health will want to see evidence that I can manage my blood sugar while using insulin before I can work alone and I don't know how long that might take / how long they'd be willing to give me. The monitor certainly helps as it can alert you to a hypo coming on but I'm sure they won't let me continue to work on that basis alone.

 

[Trothy]

This is too be managed by your LOM and Occupational Health, also if you're a member of the union make sure your rep is involved.

In short I don't think you need to worry about your long term prospects employment wise.

They might look into moving you to a multi manned location, they might look at a different role but you would keep your current salary. They might have you work accompanied for an initial period of time.

There are lots of long standing negotiated protections for signallers, including stood off arrangements, which would mean approx 2 years of them having to try and find you another position before they could "get rid of you".

 

[SigBhoy88]

This is too be managed by your LOM and Occupational Health, also if you're a member of the union make sure your rep is involved.

In short I don't think you need to worry about your long term prospects employment wise.

They might look into moving you to a multi manned location, they might look at a different role but you would keep your current salary. They might have you work accompanied for an initial period of time.

There are lots of long standing negotiated protections for signallers, including stood off arrangements, which would mean approx 2 years of them having to try and find you another position before they could "get rid of you".

Thank you, that is reassuring

 

[Jordan4321]

I was just wondering if any reliefs in a single box location (4% fp) could let me know how you find overtime in a fully staffed box (4 residents - 1 box relief) in a general year with normal annual leave taken

 

[Kraken]

I was just wondering if any reliefs in a single box location (4% fp) could let me know how you find overtime in a fully staffed box (4 residents - 1 box relief) in a general year with normal annual leave taken

I am not a single-location relief but that job sounds to me like a recipe for tons of spare shifts sat around at home if it’s already got 4 people there. Unless somebody goes off long-term sick. Can’t think there will be an abundance of overtime but you never know. If one or more of the residents don’t like taking their Sunday shifts you could be quids-in.

 

[class442]

Hi all, this might be a silly question. I'm considering becoming a signaller in the future. Been talking with my other half about the impact this could have on family life.

Say we have kids and one had an emergency at school etc, I imagine I wouldn't be able to leave work to attend to them, especially if working in a single person box, since train service would grind to a halt.
What are the rules around this sort of thing?

 

[Harby2506]

Very nice! When’s your medical? Should be ok with the notice

Thanks Feaky...Medical 25th March, handing my notice in before this though to make sure I'm ready for start of training.

 

[C70]

I was just wondering if any reliefs in a single box location (4% fp) could let me know how you find overtime in a fully staffed box (4 residents - 1 box relief) in a general year with normal annual leave taken

I am a 4% FP relief and love it. You get a fair number of spare days and there is generally more overtime than you might think (I average 2-4 RDW per month). People are always on courses, holidays or simply moving on to other boxes.

You’ll never be one of the mega-earners, but the work/life balance is fantastic.

 

[D1015]

I am considering a career in signalling and would be looking at grade 3-4 in mechanical boxes. What are the aptitude tests like, and is the 10-12 weeks IST course the same as for those who are working in higher grade power boxes or ROCs?

 

[Jordan4321]

I am a 4% FP relief and love it. You get a fair number of spare days and there is generally more overtime than you might think (I average 2-4 RDW per month). People are always on courses, holidays or simply moving on to other boxes.

You’ll never be one of the mega-earners, but the work/life balance is fantastic.

Happy days great to hear as long as I can moderately make up for the Sundays is my main concern so thanks for the info

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2025 ==

I am not a single-location relief but that job sounds to me like a recipe for tons of spare shifts sat around at home if it’s already got 4 people there. Unless somebody goes off long-term sick. Can’t think there will be an abundance of overtime but you never know. If one or more of the residents don’t like taking their Sunday shifts you could be quids-in.

Thanks for the info much appreciated

 

[Manda2194]

Quick question for current signallers.

How do rostered bank holidays work? Obviously you get a little extra if you take the higher rate of pay but do you get more if you’re rostered or is the additional bank holiday pay covered by the higher rate of pay.

Essentially I’ve got my allocated block well falling over may bank holiday so I’m debating whether to move it because I’m moving house and need all the money I can get

 

[feaky4]

Thanks Feaky...Medical 25th March, handing my notice in before this though to make sure I'm ready for start of training.

Wow that is pretty late! Specially since network rail will already know your notice period, as long as your confident with the medical and stuff shouldn’t be a problem

 

[RailwayRookie]

Say we have kids and one had an emergency at school etc, I imagine I wouldn't be able to leave work to attend to them, especially if working in a single person box, since train service would grind to a halt.
What are the rules around this sort of thing?

It's possible to leave a single manned location in times of exceptional circumstances, including childcare etc

There may be a 'Spare' relief signaller on duty than can cover the box, or a MOM to cover awaiting a relief or even the remainder of the shift, other operation requirements considered.

You will almost certainly have to wait for the relief to arrive before you can leave but the railway will try every possible way to get you out of the box before considering saying no.

I am considering a career in signalling and would be looking at grade 3-4 in mechanical boxes. What are the aptitude tests like, and is the 10-12 weeks IST course the same as for those who are working in higher grade power boxes or ROCs?

The IST course is the same if you are going to a grade 2 lever frame or grade 9 powerbox.
It's not uncommon to do a 10 week AB course and then a 2 week TCB conversion afterwards or you could just do a 10 week TCB and never touch a lever in training, learning 'the frame' on location. If your end location is solely TCB signalled.

The course content isn't grade dependent, as the rules are the same from G2 to G9, its handy to do the AB>TCB route as you will fall back on some AB rules during degraded working.

But Like most things, it will depend on course availability more than anything.

 

[D1015]

Brilliant, thanks for that @RailwayRookie

 

[ZackCulross]

Talent pool for G8 edinburgh for me.

 

[Bhall]

Talent pool for G8 edinburgh for me.

Sorry to hear that Zack! Do you know what the talent pool actually means? If another role comes up do you need to interview etc again? Is it likely another role will come up soon or is vaccines few and far between?

 

[ZackCulross]

Sorry to hear that Zack! Do you know what the talent pool actually means? If another role comes up do you need to interview etc again? Is it likely another role will come up soon or is vaccines few and far between?

Basic understanding is that they don't have a position straight away but if one pops up in 12 months, I should get offered the job.

There is many people in this thread that have had similar experiences, I have a mate who go the call after 6 months and is now in IST.

So there is hope

 

[chloeu]

Talent pool for G8 edinburgh for me.

I received the same email. Unfortunate but trying to look at it as optimistically as possible!

 

[D1015]

Talent pool is not game over, 90% of the time on the railways it usually ends well. It's a longer wait, but it's hopefully there. So well done to everyone who's got in. Better than a milquetoast "your application was not successful" followed by pithy 'feedback' (certain TOCs come to mind). You're good. Just sit tight.

 

[Bhall]

Basic understanding is that they don't have a position straight away but if one pops up in 12 months, I should get offered the job.

There is many people in this thread that have had similar experiences, I have a mate who go the call after 6 months and is now in IST.

So there is hope

Ah that’s good news then! Fingers crossed something comes up soon! I just got the same email for G9 edin although I was convinced I applied for G8 so not sure what happened there lol I asked for feedback on my interview but they said they couldn’t provide me with that so I suppose will just need to go again

 

[Jock the Scott]

I received the same email. Unfortunate but trying to look at it as optimistically as possible!

I received the same email.

Talent pool is not game over, 90% of the time on the railways it usually ends well. It's a longer wait, but it's hopefully there. So well done to everyone who's got in. Better than a milquetoast "your application was not successful" followed by pithy 'feedback' (certain TOCs come to mind). You're good. Just sit tight.

I was speaking to the interview team after the interview and asked when the next training course would likely be. They advised for Scotland, ideally they want to keep the cohorts in Scotland rather than send them down south. Although they have sent to York previously.

The next course would be June/July, possibly in Glasgow, as there are no spaces sooner. They also advised that there is a training center ( no pun intended) in Perth. However didn't have dates.

I may be optimistic, however given than there is no training until June/July. They may hold off a few months, before advancing with medicals etc. as it saves money etc

 

[jdevlin55]

Talent pool for G8 edinburgh for me.

I just got the same email for G9

 

[ZackCulross]

I received the same email.

I was speaking to the interview team after the interview and asked when the next training course would likely be. They advised for Scotland, ideally they want to keep the cohorts in Scotland rather than send them down south. Although they have sent to York previously.

The next course would be June/July, possibly in Glasgow, as there are no spaces sooner. They also advised that there is a training center ( no pun intended) in Perth. However didn't have dates.

I may be optimistic, however given than there is no training until June/July. They may hold off a few months, before advancing with medicals etc. as it saves money etc

Yeah if we are all being optimistic you could see it as 8 people had interviews ( that I'm aware of ) 19th had 4 times and 20th had 4 time slots.

If everyone who had interviews got the same talent pool email then normal training group is 10 people.

Mostly depends on internal applications, but based off 4 G8 positions and a couple G9 and even G7 once internal moves are made.

Could be like you said, wait till we can get everyone together.

 

[Reiver_81]

I also got the ‘Talent Pool’ e-mail for Edinburgh G9. Fingers crossed for everyone in the same boat that these develop into offers!

 

[The Difference]

All those waiting for G9/8 Edinburgh, I waited 6 months on the reserve list before finally being offered my role as a G9 at Edinburgh, and I’m currently at week 6 at IST right now. I gave up hope after 4 months and that feeling when I finally got the offer was one I’ll never forget. So don’t give up hope, as somebody else said above being put on the reserve list usually ends up as good news. Good luck to all, and hopefully see you at the Edinburgh ROC in the future.