A career as a signaller

[hihihihihi]

Hiya, recently applied for G4 Cardiff role. Got an email saying I passed the video questions and will be informed if I am invited to an assessment day.

Was wondering how long people have been waiting to know if they recieve that invite. Do I have any chance of getting in since I told them I cannot drive?

Thank you.

 

[motherwell1980]

Thought I would just hop on to update as I know lots of people search on here for advice and hopes of getting that call.

After 12 months in the talent pool I’ve heard nothing, waiting checking e-mails hoping for a call and nothing. So yes there is hope in the talent pool but not always a successful conclusion to it unfortunately. Looked like around 8 of us got the talent pool back then and I have only seen 1 on here say they got a call and position offered.

Having been in a talent pool elsewhere for around 3 years frustrating that it is only 12 months then you hear nothing from NR and just drop off.

Just thought for balance I would add in my experience being on the unsuccessful side of the talent pool.

Are you notified when you drop out of talent pool?

 

[ZackCulross]

Thought I would just hop on to update as I know lots of people search on here for advice and hopes of getting that call.

After 12 months in the talent pool I’ve heard nothing, waiting checking e-mails hoping for a call and nothing. So yes there is hope in the talent pool but not always a successful conclusion to it unfortunately. Looked like around 8 of us got the talent pool back then and I have only seen 1 on here say they got a call and position offered.

Having been in a talent pool elsewhere for around 3 years frustrating that it is only 12 months then you hear nothing from NR and just drop off.

Just thought for balance I would add in my experience being on the unsuccessful side of the talent pool.

Thats unfortunate
Might be worth emailing to clarify if your still in talent pool or thats it as when I handed documents in they did say they where going to hire more for talent pool.

 

[bouff34]

Hiya, recently applied for G4 Cardiff role. Got an email saying I passed the video questions and will be informed if I am invited to an assessment day.

Was wondering how long people have been waiting to know if they recieve that invite. Do I have any chance of getting in since I told them I cannot drive?

Thank you.

If I was a LOM (which I'm not thankfully) and I had 100 applications and one of them couldn't drive..... I wouldn't pick you to go forwards.... but that's only my opinion!

 

[Iron_Duke]

If I was a LOM (which I'm not thankfully) and I had 100 applications and one of them couldn't drive..... I wouldn't pick you to go forwards.... but that's only my opinion!

I'd be surprised if it's a barrier to entry. When I started my career as a Signaller, I couldn't drive but I made the commitment to NR that I would live near the signalbox. Obviously it's different for each location and individual.

 

[borte]

Can anyone confirm what they asses in the medical for vision? I've poor vision in one eye but perfect in the other - it's never bothered me and I don't even wear glasses. As being a signaller is a safety critical role I'm not sure if that makes me ineligible. I can't find any information online and NR haven't replied to my email yet. Thank you.

 

[NotMattch]

Can anyone confirm what they asses in the medical for vision? I poor vision in one eye but perfect in the other - it's never bothered me and I don't even wear glasses. As being a signaller is a safety critical role I'm not sure if that makes me ineligible. I can't find any information online and NR haven't replied to my email yet. Thank you.

Vision wise its your standard reading off the chart with both eyes and then again covering each eye test. There is a failure point, im similar to yourself where one eye is worse than the other and actually discovered I needed glasses during the medical.

I was basically told that my bad eye on its on is a fail, my good eye is a pass and together was a pass but I was advised to get glasses as the next medical I had I could possibly fail without them

 

[bouff34]

I'd be surprised if it's a barrier to entry. When I started my career as a Signaller, I couldn't drive but I made the commitment to NR that I would live near the signalbox. Obviously it's different for each location and individual.

I'm not saying it's a barrier if you are the only candidate but if there are two candidates and one can't drive??? Or as is normally the case-- there are loads and loads of external candidates.....

 

[Signal 427]

Can anyone confirm what they asses in the medical for vision? I've poor vision in one eye but perfect in the other - it's never bothered me and I don't even wear glasses. As being a signaller is a safety critical role I'm not sure if that makes me ineligible. I can't find any information online and NR haven't replied to my email yet. Thank you.

As @NotMattch mentioned you are assessed in each eye individually and then with both eyes together. If you wear corrective lenses, you will first complete the test without them and then repeat it while wearing them. Additionally they will test your peripheral vison followed by a colour vision test. I wear glasses however my eyesight is not that bad and I met the required standard without them. As a result, it was noted that for the role wearing my glasses would be a matter of personal preference.

It is common to have reduced vision in one eye but not the other. However, if you are considering a career in signalling would it not be sensible (and provide peace of mind) to have your eyes tested and obtain corrective lenses if they are needed?

 

[Mounty87]

Thanks a lot. Was as expected but wanted to be sure

 

[Badger27]

Random question for signallers.
Do you know what shift pattern the Signalling and Telecoms Operatives work?
Thanks

 

[Smudgeroonie]

Hey all. Lots of brilliant information on here. I've applied for a grade 2 trainee signaller job at Stockton on Tees. I've passed all the online stuff and await an invite to an assessment day. Can anyone give me advice on how best to succeed on the day? Also, any info on what shift patterns etc look like at Stockton?

 

[D6130]

Hey all. Lots of brilliant information on here. I've applied for a grade 2 trainee signaller job at Stockton on Tees. I've passed all the online stuff and await an invite to an assessment day. Can anyone give me advice on how best to succeed on the day? Also, any info on what shift patterns etc look like at Stockton?

As there's no longer a signalbox at Stockton, I would assume that this is a vacancy at Bowesfield box.

 

[NotMattch]

Random question for signallers.
Do you know what shift pattern the Signalling and Telecoms Operatives work?
Thanks

I know in our area its 8 hour shifts weekdays and 12 hour weekends on the basic roster

 

[Lucy83]

Thought I would just hop on to update as I know lots of people search on here for advice and hopes of getting that call.

After 12 months in the talent pool I’ve heard nothing, waiting checking e-mails hoping for a call and nothing. So yes there is hope in the talent pool but not always a successful conclusion to it unfortunately. Looked like around 8 of us got the talent pool back then and I have only seen 1 on here say they got a call and position offered.

Having been in a talent pool elsewhere for around 3 years frustrating that it is only 12 months then you hear nothing from NR and just drop off.

Just thought for balance I would add in my experience being on the unsuccessful side of the talent pool.

Likewise for grade 4 Derby. Gutted actually. Felt like I'd put my life on hold for a year and wish I'd just been rejected outright instead.

 

[Kingiq]

Hi, I have recently received the email of being in the talent pool at Chester and have some questions:
They advertised multiple positions at Chester, Warrington and Crewe and surprised that I was still in the talent pool and was wondering my chances of actually getting a call (grade 2)
What time of day do they usually ring?
I am worried if I miss the call that’ll be it?
What is the process of receiving said phonecall?

 

[ZackCulross]

Hi, I have recently received the email of being in the talent pool at Chester and have some questions:
They advertised multiple positions at Chester, Warrington and Crewe and surprised that I was still in the talent pool and was wondering my chances of actually getting a call (grade 2)
What time of day do they usually ring?
I am worried if I miss the call that’ll be it?
What is the process of receiving said phonecall?

I got call at 9am
Was in a job so they left a voicemail and I called them back and was offered a position.

 

[endofthetunnel]

Hi, I have recently received the email of being in the talent pool at Chester and have some questions:
They advertised multiple positions at Chester, Warrington and Crewe and surprised that I was still in the talent pool and was wondering my chances of actually getting a call (grade 2)
What time of day do they usually ring?
I am worried if I miss the call that’ll be it?
What is the process of receiving said phonecall?

Nothing to worry about if you miss a call, Network Rail’s not that kind of organisation, they’ll just try again or leave a message.

 

[trainguy27]

Afternoon folks, I need some advice!

I'm at an assessment day next week and have to do a presentation, I've never done one before! Would reading from a script be acceptable or do they prefere it all bullet pointed and then you divulge off of the points you make? I've written it all out as to what I'd say but it's whether to condense it into bullets or not? Cheers.

 

[Iron_Duke]

Afternoon folks, I need some advice!

I'm at an assessment day next week and have to do a presentation, I've never done one before! Would reading from a script be acceptable or do they prefere it all bullet pointed and then you divulge off of the points you make? I've written it all out as to what I'd say but it's whether to condense it into bullets or not? Cheers.

If you're going to read word-for-word off a powerpoint then save everyone the time and don't bother - there's nothing more boring than listening to someone read something to you.

Put it in bullet points and talk around them, it'll give you more freedom to express yourself. Knowing NR, this will be timed and make sure you're comfortable with the timings. It's always tempting to overload a presentation and then talk yourself out of time.

 

[parksy26]

Afternoon folks, I need some advice!

I'm at an assessment day next week and have to do a presentation, I've never done one before! Would reading from a script be acceptable or do they prefere it all bullet pointed and then you divulge off of the points you make? I've written it all out as to what I'd say but it's whether to condense it into bullets or not? Cheers.

I recently did mine and was successful for grade 6 Manchester ROC. I did a bullet point presentation for them to have visually with my own script to talk from describing the bullet points. I then gave them copies of the script aswell so they could go back over the presentation. Hope this helps

 

[jiggy911]

Hello people, hope all are well - has any body had their assessment day in London recently - how was the overall experience, interview, presentation etc, how difficuult was the process overall?

 

[trainguy27]

I recently did mine and was successful for grade 6 Manchester ROC. I did a bullet point presentation for them to have visually with my own script to talk from describing the bullet points. I then gave them copies of the script aswell so they could go back over the presentation. Hope this helps

Thank you so much, and they obviously didn't mind you reading from the script as it got the position. Well done!
I think I'll do the same but try to not read off the script as best I can, I know what I want to say but it's making air I don't miss bits on the day and finish to quickly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2026 ==

I recently did mine and was successful for grade 6 Manchester ROC. I did a bullet point presentation for them to have visually with my own script to talk from describing the bullet points. I then gave them copies of the script aswell so they could go back over the presentation. Hope this helps

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of questions did they ask you for your actual interview section? We're they all based around the non technical skills? I really want this job so want to as best prepared as I can.

 

[DougSouthWest]

I was wondering if anybody knew how long it takes to get the invite for assesment after passing the video interview stage? Im only asking becuase with my current job I travel a lot and I dont want to end up having to cancel my assesment because work drags me away.

 

[trainguy27]

I was wondering if anybody knew how long it takes to get the invite for assesment after passing the video interview stage? Im only asking becuase with my current job I travel a lot and I dont want to end up having to cancel my assesment because work drags me away.

I passed all my online assessments and then didn't hear anything for about 6 weeks, to be then told that due to the high number of applications I hadn't made the cut this time. 5 months later I got an email inviting me to an assessment day.

 

[izzybizzy]

Currently a signaller and was hoping to move to York ROC in the next couple of years. Does anyone know which grades they have please?

 

[godfreycomplex]

Currently a signaller and was hoping to move to York ROC in the next couple of years. Does anyone know which grades they have please?

Anything from 6 to 9.

Links (at present) are Kings Cross, Peterborough, York, Leeds, Sheffield and North Lincs

 

[izzybizzy]

Anything from 6 to 9.

Links (at present) are Kings Cross, Peterborough, York, Leeds, Sheffield and North Lincs

Thank you.

 

[mld]

Anything from 6 to 9.

Links (at present) are Kings Cross, Peterborough, York, Leeds, Sheffield and North Lincs

They have grade 3 camera crossing panel as well

 

[godfreycomplex]

They have grade 3 camera crossing panel as well

Ah yes