A career as a signaller

[Cardiff22]

Hi everyone, is there many vaccines that come up for cardiff internally I’ve been looking for a while as someone who’s external but only seen one come up in about a 18 months. I had passed all stages but didn’t get an assessment centre date. Would it be better looking at other roles in NR and then maybe look to move to a signaller role after a few years experience in that role? Any help is much appreciated!

Hi everyone, is anybody able to answer this please?

 

[Ib5]

Grade 10 does seem to be reserved for SSM's . But I don't think an SSM is automatically a 10 , I am sure there are some lower graded SSM posts about .


Adding additional grades whilst not without its own problems does seem the easier fix unless literally everywhere was going to get regraded . But then the issue if you downgrade certain places is they become less desirable to work at and can struggle to fill vacancies , plus as you said existing staff retain their grade anyway , if anything that also might make some existing staff less likely to want to move if they are getting paid a higher grade than the location they are working and won't necessarilly benefit as much from moving elsewhere . You already get that to an extent in some places with people that have been relocated following box closures .

Some of the issues are I imagine historical as well with locations not having submitted a regrade pack for decades despite gaining traffic or more complicaed infastructure . Ultimately it relies on the staff working at the location to put a regrade pack together with assistance form reps and management .
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That’s correct, usually SSM is one grade above the highest signaller grade at the location, although the minimum is I think is an 8 for any SSM position, there are a few 9s kicking about but the majority are 10.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Aug 2025 ==

Hi everyone, is anybody able to answer this please?

Wales route operate a talent pool approach entry at grade 2 for the route rather than a location. Unless there is specific demand for a location - with 4 West Wales locations closing very soon most if not all open vacancies have been filled by internal moves.

 

[Cardiff22]

That’s correct, usually SSM is one grade above the highest signaller grade at the location, although the minimum is I think is an 8 for any SSM position, there are a few 9s kicking about but the majority are 10.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Aug 2025 ==



Wales route operate a talent pool approach entry at grade 2 for the route rather than a location. Unless there is specific demand for a location - with 4 West Wales locations closing very soon most if not all open vacancies have been filled by internal moves.

Thanks for the reply mate any idea when there will be another intake for G2?

 

[Ib5]

Thanks for the reply mate any idea when there will be another intake for G2?

Unfortunately a batch of pool signallers are currently floating about waiting to go to school so not this year I very much doubt. After a significant time of undermanning they have taken on heavily to plug the many gaps.

 

[Cardiff22]

Unfortunately a batch of pool signallers are currently floating about waiting to go to school so not this year I very much doubt. After a significant time of undermanning they have taken on heavily to plug the many gaps.

That’s fair enough il keep an eye out if you hear anything can you let me know on here? Probably be next financial year then I assume? Thanks for the info mate really appreciate it!

 

[shaunk26]

I've just been reading through the thread and find myself in a similar position as other candidates. Was emailed yesterday to be told I was not shortlisted for final interview at the assessment day which I'm naturally disappointed with. But told I will remain on file for 12 months. Hopefully that means something comes up to allow me to eventually get going.

 

[redkiterail]

I've just been reading through the thread and find myself in a similar position as other candidates. Was emailed yesterday to be told I was not shortlisted for final interview at the assessment day which I'm naturally disappointed with. But told I will remain on file for 12 months. Hopefully that means something comes up to allow me to eventually get going.

Yes and no it all depends on how your score is to that intake you can be successful for interview for one application and not for the other for each signalling vacancy you can over 500 applications normally its about 10 per opening that gets interviewed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

That’s fair enough il keep an eye out if you hear anything can you let me know on here? Probably be next financial year then I assume? Thanks for the info mate really appreciate it!

It all depends on budgets and operational needs it is know that sometimes to many people get hired and a control or signal box is over staffed and the manager will allow numbers to go back down to subscribed limit before hiring again

 

[ironside91]

Anyone still waiting to hear about G9 at W Hampstead?

 

[StandardTom]

Has anyone heard anything about the G8/9 positions at Rugby SCC/ROC? I have been in the talent pool for just over 3 months now and i haven't heard anything, or seen anything on here.

 

[douglasd01]

Hi all,

I’m considering a complete career change and have been looking at the signaller role, specifically the Grade 9 position. I was wondering if anyone here has gone straight into a Grade 9 role without having worked in signalling before?

Is it doable for someone starting fresh in the industry, and what’s the learning curve like? Also, I’d be really interested to hear whether you find the job rewarding day to day.

Any insights (especially the take home salary inc all taxes and deductions for this Grade) would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gator op]

Yes it is a one day course , the PDS's (briefers) deliver it in my area .

Pass/Fail exam at the end with ongoing competency managed on your LOM days .

Thank you for clearing that up as I wasnt sure what was happening.

 

[Cardiff22]

Yes and no it all depends on how your score is to that intake you can be successful for interview for one application and not for the other for each signalling vacancy you can over 500 applications normally its about 10 per opening that gets interviewed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==


It all depends on budgets and operational needs it is know that sometimes to many people get hired and a control or signal box is over staffed and the manager will allow numbers to go back down to subscribed limit before hiring again

Appreciate the info mate! If anyone hears or know of any movement for South Wales G2 positions could you let us know on here? In the meantime il keep a look out, thanks again everyone!

 

[Buiadh]

Hi all,

I’m considering a complete career change and have been looking at the signaller role, specifically the Grade 9 position. I was wondering if anyone here has gone straight into a Grade 9 role without having worked in signalling before?

Is it doable for someone starting fresh in the industry, and what’s the learning curve like? Also, I’d be really interested to hear whether you find the job rewarding day to day.

Any insights (especially the take home salary inc all taxes and deductions for this Grade) would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, it happens, some here are very keen for you to know that they got a high grade job straight off the street! I think it depends on the area, as to their recruitment policy, however. Which are you looking at in particular?

Is the training doable? Absolutely. IST can be intense but if you knuckle down it's not too bad. Once you pass that you'll train at your place of work, by this point you'll be deemed competent when you get there, some are quicker than others.

Take home for G9 I can't help you with, unfortunately. I'm a lower grade and though I rarely turn down offered overtime a quick bit of maths says I've taken home 62% over my salary during the past 12 months, I imagine that'd scale but YMMV.

 

[douglasd01]

Yes, it happens, some here are very keen for you to know that they got a high grade job straight off the street! I think it depends on the area, as to their recruitment policy, however. Which are you looking at in particular?

Is the training doable? Absolutely. IST can be intense but if you knuckle down it's not too bad. Once you pass that you'll train at your place of work, by this point you'll be deemed competent when you get there, some are quicker than others.

Take home for G9 I can't help you with, unfortunately. I'm a lower grade and though I rarely turn down offered overtime a quick bit of maths says I've taken home 62% over my salary during the past 12 months, I imagine that'd scale but YMMV.

Thanks for the reply mate, much appreciated. I’ve applied for London Liverpool Street (I think!) EC2M.

There are G8 and 9 to apply for, so I thought I’d go for it.

 

[Ib5]

Thanks for the reply mate, much appreciated. I’ve applied for London Liverpool Street (I think!) EC2M.

There are G8 and 9 to apply for, so I thought I’d go for it.

Inner London locations have difficulty recruiting due to their location obviously, cost of living or even living “close” ie 60 minutes out is going to be very very expensive.

Liverpool Street IECC controls from its name sake out along the London area of the East Anglian Mainline towards Colchester.

Liverpool Street signallers get the high rate inner London allowance (number escape me now) but it’s in the region of £2/3000 per year paid over the 13 pay days on top of salary.

With rostered nights, Sundays you’ll Net £85k wirhout day working (overtime).

Unfortunately signallers at grade 7 and above will without much effort being slipping into the 60% (decreasing personal allowance) bracket so I’d suggest when your close start increasing your additional pension payments to offset the amount you pay in tax.

The street to grade 7+ is very steep, but IF you want to learn, and apply yourself there is no reason why you can’t and won’t pass out and succeed.

Bear in mind though until you do pass out you’ll be on grade 4 money, grade 2 until you finish signalling school. Depending on how quickly you pick up the job you could be on grade 4 for at least a year, especially at a big location like LS.

 

[douglasd01]

Inner London locations have difficulty recruiting due to their location obviously, cost of living or even living “close” ie 60 minutes out is going to be very very expensive.

Liverpool Street IECC controls from its name sake out along the London area of the East Anglian Mainline towards Colchester.

Liverpool Street signallers get the high rate inner London allowance (number escape me now) but it’s in the region of £2/3000 per year paid over the 13 pay days on top of salary.

With rostered nights, Sundays you’ll Net £85k wirhout day working (overtime).

Unfortunately signallers at grade 7 and above will without much effort being slipping into the 60% (decreasing personal allowance) bracket so I’d suggest when your close start increasing your additional pension payments to offset the amount you pay in tax.

The street to grade 7+ is very steep, but IF you want to learn, and apply yourself there is no reason why you can’t and won’t pass out and succeed.

Bear in mind though until you do pass out you’ll be on grade 4 money, grade 2 until you finish signalling school. Depending on how quickly you pick up the job you could be on grade 4 for at least a year, especially at a big location like LS.

Really appreciate you taking the time to explain all that, I’ve got a much clearer idea of what the pay actually looks like!

Sounds like a steep learning curve but definitely worth it in the long run compared to my current role. Thanks again for breaking it down.

 

[vit]

Really appreciate you taking the time to explain all that, I’ve got a much clearer idea of what the pay actually looks like!

Sounds like a steep learning curve but definitely worth it in the long run compared to my current role. Thanks again for breaking it down.

Hi mate!
Have you applied already?

 

[douglasd01]

Hi mate!
Have you applied already?

Hello!

Yes, I have, I’ve passed everything apart from the assessment Centre. I think that’s the next step anyway.

My application is at the point where they screen your location.

 

[vit]

Hello!

Yes, I have, I’ve passed everything apart from the assessment Centre. I think that’s the next step anyway.

My application is at the point where they screen your location.

Well done!
I have just finished the video interview. Fingers crossed.

 

[douglasd01]

Well done!
I have just finished the video interview. Fingers crossed.

Good luck mate!

 

[Yappi Yappo 23]

Anyone still waiting to hear about G9 at W Hampstead?

I have been added to a talent pool

 

[ironside91]

I just received an update. I have been added to a talent pool

Nice, what's the likelihood of getting a job guys?

 

[nom de guerre]

Liverpool Street signallers get the high rate inner London allowance (number escape me now) but it’s in the region of £2/3000 per year paid over the 13 pay days on top of salary.

Inner London allowance is currently £3270. You’d also get LAOS 2 allowance, which is £1260.

 

[Ib5]

Inner London allowance is currently £3270. You’d also get LAOS 2 allowance, which is £1260.

An extra £4500 on top of your salary, nice. But you’d have to get into central London each working day.

But then again that allowance will pay for your season ticket each year rather than our of your pay.

 

[Badger27]

Sell me the dream folks.

So I’ve been intrigued with being a signaller for about a year. Lots of friends working at network rail. Pension, work pattern, job security, progression etc.

Currently in a H&S role on £42k plus car. Monday to Friday 8-4.

Easy enough but can be stressful, can be unrewarding, can be annoying, can be boring!

I had an interview at the start of the year which I turned down due to feeling loyal to my employer.

I now have another interview offer (not saying I will get the job)

Question is, am I putting the signaller role on a pedestal or is it a really good job? It is for a grade 3 role.

Am I jumping out of something better for something worse?

Sorry for the long post, just looking for similar experiences, anyone who has been in the same boat as me.

Thanks

 

[connorh]

Anyone heard anything back about the G9 Glasgow role? My application is still "assessment centre' stage.

 

[NoEyeDeer]

I know this is a signaller section but there is a job came up at glasgow and was wondering if anyone knew anymore information on it, the job is a incident support controller, anyone know the shift patterns? And also the salary is 63k, is sundays ontop of this? Im just trying to get a gauge of the salary as i would have to relocate for the role if was successful, i can make more than 63k in my grade 3 signaller role, but obviously if you have 26 12 hour sundays a year the salary would be circa 80k any information would be appreciated

 

[Badger27]

I know this is a signaller section but there is a job came up at glasgow and was wondering if anyone knew anymore information on it, the job is a incident support controller, anyone know the shift patterns? And also the salary is 63k, is sundays ontop of this? Im just trying to get a gauge of the salary as i would have to relocate for the role if was successful, i can make more than 63k in my grade 3 signaller role, but obviously if you have 26 12 hour sundays a year the salary would be circa 80k any information would be appreciated

You make more than £63k as a grade 3?

 

[NoEyeDeer]

You make more than £63k as a grade 3?

Yes. Last year just under 70k. Colleague about 75k

 

[tiptoptaff]

Yes. Last year just under 70k. Colleague about 75k

Do you live in work?