A career as a signaller

[Kraken]

Current Grade 3 Signaller.

Most days are fine. It depends on your location. I trained in a busier location to where I work now, however you adjust to it accordingly. You get into a routine pretty quickly. Day to day you have challenges like regulating trains and fitting in line-blocks but with experience this becomes second nature. On a regular day it can be a bit mundane in all honesty, I've gone through a lot of books and many cups of tea. Shift work can be difficult, particularly if you have young children, getting into a good routine is beneficial. Some people complain about loneliness, but it hasn't bothered me yet, you always have someone on the phone or visiting your box. Extra trains running can also make things challenging, as can scheduling errors, but it is rewarding to come up with a solution. A regular "busy day" for me will be two or three line-blocks, two or three trains running around in my loop, a movement into and out of my ground frame, and some extra freight or light loco movements alongside regular passengers service, and regulating due to some trains running late. Even on such a busy day I will still have plenty of time sat doing nothing in-between all that.

Worst aspect is when things go wrong, i.e. defective signals, points failure, track circuit failures, adverse weather conditions such as flooding. Sometimes you can be dealing with multiple failures and things going wrong, all at once. When it goes wrong you need to know your stuff and how to work around it. You need to think things through and triple check everything as you are more prone to make a mistake in stressful situations. Keeping calm is essential. When on the phone to Operations Control it can sometimes be a bit demanding and pressuring, they'll often prioritise train running over every else and you have to learn to be assertive with them. Ultimately you have responsibility for your area of track, don't feel forced into doing something you think it is unsafe or wrong. You also come to dread GSMR calls from train drivers as it is very rarely if ever good news from them.

Knowledge fade when you finish IST is a real thing, and keeping up with your rules knowledge is vital. It's tedious committing it all to memory, but in the long run you're making your own life easier by doing so. Outside of emergency situations though you do have time to think it through and double check your rulebooks, "Take 5" is drilled into you. The rules aren't always black and white, they can be interpreted differently by different signallers, and don't cover every conceivable situation either. Sometimes you're faced with a situation where the rulebook doesn't have the answer and you just have to make the safest decision and go with common sense, after covering yourself with Operations Control or your LOM first. Although extremely stressful in the moment, it is very rewarding when you work through a difficult situation. When you first sign off to work independently you'll be full of nerves and can often think the smallest thing is a catastrophy, but eventually you mellow out with experience.

Management is hit and miss. My first LOM was regarded by some as a mythical being as you never ever saw him. My current LOM is better, but obviously extremely overworked and stressed. Unlike other's experiences on here, management in my area is decent at recognising hard work and achievement, and checking in on you during stuff like degrading working even if it is only a phone call. The fair culture policy is decent if you mess up, so long as you hold your hand up and don't try cover it up. Office politics is a thing even in single-manned locations, and you might come to dread handovers from certain signallers, or working to certain ones in adjacent boxes, but you get on with it. On the whole my experience is that the vast majority of signallers are a good bunch. Best advice is to keep your box tidy for handovers, help out your colleagues when you can, and ensure you give a thorough handover before you clock off.

Overall though the job is great. Brilliant work-life balance, decent pay, and no matter how stressful a day has been you sign off and soon forget about it. I applied to this job on a whim not really expecting to get anywhere, but it was the best decision I could ever make career wise. I'm earning an extra grand each month after tax compared to my last job, whilst working a third less hours and with 90% less stress. I would highly recommend this job to anyone interested, although admittedly it isn't a job for everyone.

This is a really good summary barring the management aspects which obviously vary between locations. A great description of the job which tallies almost perfectly with my experience of grade 3 single-manned boxes.

 

[wilbur1985]

I'm doing a network rail signalling insight day tomorrow and I was wondering if anyone knew what I could expect to be doing tomorrow?

 

[Shan8822]

Hello,

A G6 signaller position has become available near me and I would love to apply. I just dont know if I am wasting my time as the first question they have asked in the application is asking more about me and my current role. I have been raising my daughter for the last 4 years and before that was cabin crew for 11 years. I just dont know what to write in this first part of the application as I feel they will immediately disregard me as I wont have an impressive first answer. Any parents out there who were in similar situations looking to return to work after being at home and was successful , or generally had a gap in CV and can guide me on the sort of answer that can help?

Many thanks

 

[Rab Smith]

You tell the truth! Raising a family is not something to hide. Lots of women and men take a sabbatical from working to raise children.
It shouldn't make any difference if you also have other work experience.
You have nothing to lose from applying so good luck!

 

[Shan8822]

You are right , I am proud of the last few years Its just a worry coming back to the work force I guess.

Many thanks for the reply

 

[Kraken]

Hello,

A G6 signaller position has become available near me and I would love to apply. I just dont know if I am wasting my time as the first question they have asked in the application is asking more about me and my current role. I have been raising my daughter for the last 4 years and before that was cabin crew for 11 years. I just dont know what to write in this first part of the application as I feel they will immediately disregard me as I wont have an impressive first answer. Any parents out there who were in similar situations looking to return to work after being at home and was successful , or generally had a gap in CV and can guide me on the sort of answer that can help?

Many thanks

You spent 11 years doing an absolutely safety-critical role in which communication played a vital role. You were trained to calmly deal with problematic situations in accordance with your judgment and a set of rules. Exactly like signalling. Cracking bit of experience there.

To be honest I find parenting a lot harder than signalling. At least train drivers do what I want them to do when I ask them.

 

[Shan8822]

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to reply . Haha that is true, hardest job I have done. I just worry that not everyone values the job as a parent. Appreciate the reassurance Do you have any tips for the online assessment and what it involves, can I study for it , if so where? Im just thinking ahead that if I am invited I would like to be prepared.

Thankyou

 

[Shan8822]

Hello,

I have been asked to do an online assessment for a signaller role that has become available near me and I didnt know if anyone has done it recently and give me guidance of what I should be revising? And where there are practice tests. I did think maybe they would send some practice material but they havent. Is it a SJT test or? I did look at previous threads but the info I found was from several years ago. Hoping someone has done it recently and could help?

Thank you

 

[md81]

Hello,

I have been asked to do an online assessment for a signaller role that has become available near me and I didnt know if anyone has done it recently and give me guidance of what I should be revising? And where there are practice tests. I did think maybe they would send some practice material but they havent. Is it a SJT test or? I did look at previous threads but the info I found was from several years ago. Hoping someone has done it recently and could help?

Thank you

I cant remember the exact details but there was definitely a long SJT and a videogame style test where you have to multitask between moving a car through obstacles like a basic space invaders game, but doing basic maths and another test at the same time. I didn't feel like I could have revised much - but I didn't pass so perhaps I did need practice!

 

[melonfarmer]

Shift Pattern - Network Rail Shift Signalling Manager

Hi all,
I couldn't find this specific question so apologies if repeating other posts here.

Simply looking for information on what a typical rota looks like for a shift signalling position. Any help much appreciated as I couldn't see this listed anywhere on Network Rail career platform.
Thanks

 

[mld]

Is this for York?

 

[melonfarmer]

Nope, Edinburgh but I guess many rotas follow a similar structure.

 

[mld]

I don’t know if Edinburgh do 12 hours.
York do and a typical roster would look something like this

SMTWTFS
NNNN///
/DDD///
////NNN
////DDD
D///SSS
//SS///

S is spare and you could be days or nights, week 6 would have a briefing day put into it a couple of times a year to get your hours up to 35 a week. Sundays don’t form part of the working week.

 

[melonfarmer]

That's great thanks. I did similar shifts for a distillery years ago - this seems manageable. Although the 7 straight days off is unheard of compared to what we used to do so I'm surprised to see that. We never got more than 5 days off!

Do you find there is a lot of overtime?

 

[mld]

That's great thanks. I did similar shifts for a distillery years ago - this seems manageable. Although the 7 straight days off is unheard of compared to what we used to do so I'm surprised to see that. We never got more than 5 days off!

Do you find there is a lot of overtime?

There’s always overtime, it’s always threatened that it’ll go but it never does. Most areas though now cap you to working a maximum of 60 hours in a rolling week (so a max of 5/7 days) but you can still pick up a lot

 

[muz379]

Does anyone have an example of a G7 signallers shift pattern? I am a TM for CX at the moment but thinking of being a signaller instead and I am curious as to how the patterns differ (do they call them diagrams for signallers?). Also does anyone know where NR does it's training? The ad says you have to go to a hotel Sunday-Friday but it does not say where?

Might get a slightly better response if you post your location or a vague area cos rosters do vary from location to location.

If you are a resident at a location you'll follow a fixed pattern of shifts which will depend on the negotiated roster and the location opening hours/ staffing arrangements. Slightly different to train crew in that you won't have different random book on times they'll all be fixed.

As for training, network rail have training locations for signallers up and down the country, on my route they try and get you at the training centre in the route but that's not always possible if for instance it's fully booked for a few courses they can send you anywhere. Accomodation will be paid and Sunday travel if needed should also be paid.

To be honest I find parenting a lot harder than signalling. At least train drivers do what I want them to do when I ask them

Well most the time anyway

 

[Kraken]

Well most the time anyway

“No, I’m NOT going into your goods loop. It’s NOT FAIR. I don’t even love you anyway”

 

[Munch91]

Afternoon,

New to the forum.

Has it been known being taken on as Grade 2 and being given a higher grade after IST and competence sign off?

Thank you.

 

[muz379]

Afternoon,

New to the forum.

Has it been known being taken on as Grade 2 and being given a higher grade after IST and competence sign off?

Thank you.

its not really about being given a higher grade after sign off.

As a signaller the grade you are paid will be based on the location you work. If you are taken on to work a specific location you'll already get the grade of that location when you pass out. And if the location is a 4 or higher you'll get a Grade 4 whilst training at the location after IST.

If you are taken on as a T post then you won't yet have a permanent location and will be expected to apply for internal jobs listings once you start at IST. If successful you will then end up with the grade of the location you secure a job at when you pass out. If you don't secure a job by the end of IST then you'll be given a location to train by your manager but I believe the agreement is that this won't be anything above a grade 4. You will end up with the grade of that location once you pass out. In all likelihood though it's going to be a lower grade box they know they have a vacancy or secondment coming up in on the basis that you'll apply for it and secure it.

We had a few T posts on my course and the lowest grade job of all of them out of IST was a grade 3. But some secured jobs at grade 4 or 5 boxes and a few at a 6. It's going to be route dependent though.

 

[Shan8822]

I cant remember the exact details but there was definitely a long SJT and a videogame style test where you have to multitask between moving a car through obstacles like a basic space invaders game, but doing basic maths and another test at the same time. I didn't feel like I could have revised much - but I didn't pass so perhaps I did need practice!

Hello,

Many thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear you didnt pass. I dont have my hopes high aswel lol. I am trying to study a bit but its pretty tricky stuff. Was the SJt asking you safety related questions ?

Thanks

 

[cxlla]

Can anyone please enlighten me with regards to a query.

If you are employed as a grade 3 signaller and you are to complete IST.

Should you begin to receive grade 3 pay as a signaller as soon as you complete IST?

This is what is stated on the network rail website. But others have said that boxes etc may need to be signed off before receive the pay advancement.

Thanks

 

[LW17]

Can anyone please enlighten me with regards to a query.

If you are employed as a grade 3 signaller and you are to complete IST.

Should you begin to receive grade 3 pay as a signaller as soon as you complete IST?

This is what is stated on the network rail website. But others have said that boxes etc may need to be signed off before receive the pay advancement.

Thanks

I'm currently training a Grade 3 box and I'm getting Grade 2 pay. I was recruited into a pool and there is no positions at this box that i'm training currently.

 

[md81]

Hello,

Many thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear you didnt pass. I dont have my hopes high aswel lol. I am trying to study a bit but its pretty tricky stuff. Was the SJt asking you safety related questions ?

Thanks

the best I answer I can give you is 'yes', always go for safety answers where you can. Some of them are not possible to link to safety, they are sometimes not even opposites so it can be quite tricky to work out what they want to get out of you. But, if you understand the job brief I would imagine most of the answers will be fairly obvious eg: another member of staff asks you to help with a task, do you a) drop what you are doing and help b) ask them to wait until you finish your tasks c) ignore them. Being a safety critical role you need to make sure your tasks are completed properly or there may be a problem, so it's pretty clear what the answer is. The other questions are looking at personality rather than aptitude. What I didn't like was the options were 'strongly agree, agree, no opinion, disagree, strong disagree' on a set of questions which there just isn't a way to have a strong feeling about, its not a situation where a strong feeling is needed because calmness is what id consider is a primary concern for a safety role. But again, I didn't get the role or any feedback so who knows!

 

[kevinlockley]

Hi guys,

have passed the online assesment and have been invited to do an online interview.
Anyone got any tips or what type of questions they will ask.
Thanks

 

[CBURT73]

Good morning - first time poster. I have recently applied for a G2-Trainee Signaller position on the Kent route and yesterday received an email saying I had successfully passed the online stages of the process. Within the email it said that they will be reaching out shortly to confirm if I have been invited to an assessment day. I don't suppose anyone knows what the current timeline for this looks like? Just not sure how soon to start preparing or getting my hopes up. Thank you!

 

[Munch91]

Morning,

I have recently gone through the process-
I applied 30/08/25
The interview/assessment day was 22/10 and then conditional offer was 27/10.

It took a while for assessment day kept getting weekly emails apologising for the delay.

Providing everything come back start date is Dec.

Hope this helps.

 

[CBURT73]

Morning,

I have recently gone through the process-
I applied 30/08/25
The interview/assessment day was 22/10 and then conditional offer was 27/10.

It took a while for assessment day kept getting weekly emails apologising for the delay.

Providing everything come back start date is Dec.

Hope this helps.

Yes very helpful - really appreciate it!

 

[gusdakota88]

Hello all,

I start my signaller training next week as grade 2 but I’ve been hired to cover Dumfries area not a specific box or location, is this common? Is it likely I will be moved around and asked to work different locations regularly once I’ve completed IST? Not fussed as I’m just happy to get started and get going but just more curious than anything else

Thanks

 

[trainguy27]

Afternoon all. Just wondering if anyone applied for the high peak role recently, and has heard whether they're through to the assessment day? I've passed all the online but have been waiting for the best part of 2 weeks as to whether I'm invited to the assessment day?

 

[CoachB]

Hello all,

I start my signaller training next week as grade 2 but I’ve been hired to cover Dumfries area not a specific box or location, is this common? Is it likely I will be moved around and asked to work different locations regularly once I’ve completed IST? Not fussed as I’m just happy to get started and get going but just more curious than anything else

Thanks

Yes this is the common way NR hire signallers now. You'll have the ability to apply for vacancies in your hired area while at IST however I found it best to concentrate on passing IST first then apply for any internal vacancies for your area once you've passed IST.

If you don't apply for any vacancies or there hasn't been any then your LOM will have a training plan for you and will place you in a box for training after IST that there's likely to be a vacancy coming up in soon with the expectation that you would apply and get that role.

As for moving around box to box while training this won't happen unless you were to get a relief role and even then you get passed out of your home box first then move onto training in the next box.