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A career as a signaller

ZackCulross

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2016
Messages
196
Location
Edinburgh
Hey congratulations. I hope it goes well.
I have also passed all the online stuff and have been invited to an assessment centre. I have been told I need to prepare a presentation that I have to talk about for 15 minutes followed by an interview. Anyone else doing a presentation and if so any tips pls. Im so nervous
I genuinely so glad my assessment centre was only a virtual interview and a scenario question
I wouldve been nervous doing a presentation also, hopefully someone can give you tips.

All the best
 
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RailUK Forums

Bramley11

New Member
Joined
23 Jun 2022
Messages
1
Location
UK
Yeah valid point, I was expecting a minimum amount of time in your first box.

In that case, what are realistic earnings for a G2 position? I've seen a few number being banded about, with people saying to ignore your base rate as with Sunday/BH rate and the occasional OT, you can earn 20k over base pay. I'm just assessing whether taking the plunge is worth it, as although I'm sick to death working in Tech, it will be a big change and pay cut initially when including a daily 50 min commute.

The 12 month rule is very rarely enforced. Most LOMs would assist in progression. If you see a higher grade job, apply. You may not get it but it’s always good to get interview experience.
 

CoachB

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2022
Messages
128
Location
Scotland
Yeah valid point, I was expecting a minimum amount of time in your first box.

In that case, what are realistic earnings for a G2 position? I've seen a few number being banded about, with people saying to ignore your base rate as with Sunday/BH rate and the occasional OT, you can earn 20k over base pay. I'm just assessing whether taking the plunge is worth it, as although I'm sick to death working in Tech, it will be a big change and pay cut initially when including a daily 50 min commute.
Grade 2 with Sundays and half your shifts being nightshifts works out at around £48k a year before you add in any potential overtime. You also receive a yearly holiday pay supplement based on how much overtime you do over the year (Sundays count as overtime as they aren't contracted).
 

muz379

Established Member
Joined
23 Jan 2014
Messages
2,500
Hi guys, I've applied for a G2 box near me. I was wondering what the promotion process looks like. How easy would it be to climb the grades, from G2 -> G6,7,8 at Manchester ROC for example?

Is it advisable to do what I have done and get my foot in the door at a G2 box with the hope of applying for higher grades through the internal job board after a few months experience?

Yeah valid point, I was expecting a minimum amount of time in your first box.

In that case, what are realistic earnings for a G2 position? I've seen a few number being banded about, with people saying to ignore your base rate as with Sunday/BH rate and the occasional OT, you can earn 20k over base pay. I'm just assessing whether taking the plunge is worth it, as although I'm sick to death working in Tech, it will be a big change and pay cut initially when including a daily 50 min commute.
Just to clarify , have you applied for the training post scheme or a specific location ?

If it is a specific location then there is a 12 month rule which states that you have to stay at your first location for at least 12 months, although this doesn't always seem to apply, for instance if you apply for a higher graded post in the same LOM area they might decided that they'd rather get you trained in the higher graded location quicker especially if they have a few vacancies there and none at your current location. Even if your LOM did want to keep you to the 12 month rule, realistically you can start looking and applying for higher graded posts after about 9 months because with the recruitment process and then the typical delays getting released this can take you to 12 months anyway.

If you have applied for the T post scheme then the expectation is there that you will apply for vacancies anywhere from the start as you won't have a specific location after IST, you might be given a LOM to look after you but they might not even have any vacancies right away. With the T post it isn't unheard of for people to go straight into grade 6/7 locations. Indeed they just recently had a T post scheme at manchester ROC for grade 6 trainees. By the endof my IST everyone on a T post had gained a post at a box that was a grade 4 or above.

Grade 2 on a 4 person 12 hour roster with 12 hour sundays is worth at least £45k just doing your rostered nights and sundays, add onto that the occassional rest day working and all the other enhancements like for bank holidays, annual bonus, and annual holiday pay supplement and you should be able to quite easily achieve £50k.
 

izzybizzy

New Member
Joined
19 Mar 2026
Messages
3
Location
Kent
Hi, a bit of a random post. My spouse and I are signallers and hoping to move to another signalling centre. Our plan would be to apply for vacancies through the internal job list when they come up. We are a bit worried about possible geographical separation depending on outcomes of the interviews or when could be released from current roles. Has anyone done similar please? Thanks.
 

MikeOff

Member
Joined
18 Jul 2024
Messages
18
Location
Hellifield
Yeah valid point, I was expecting a minimum amount of time in your first box.

In that case, what are realistic earnings for a G2 position? I've seen a few number being banded about, with people saying to ignore your base rate as with Sunday/BH rate and the occasional OT, you can earn 20k over base pay. I'm just assessing whether taking the plunge is worth it, as although I'm sick to death working in Tech, it will be a big change and pay cut initially when including a daily 50 min commute.
Also worth noting that if you’re a new signaller you will be only paid your basic salary through signalling school and your initial box training. Count on this being a minimum of four months more likely five or longer. So no nights, Sundays, bank holidays during that time.

If you’re a T-Post and not found a post when you pass out your first box, your LOM may give you some shifts in the box but these again are highly unlikely to be Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Moving to higher grade box will also see you only get your current grade until you pass out that box.

Just some things to think about, the figures on paper are good but there are a few hurdles to jump at the beginning.
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Hey guys,
Sorry if this has been answered before but once you go to assesment center is the presentation neccesary for any and all signaller's grades and what is the presentation supposed to be about? If anyone can guide me to the correct page?
 

Fjord

New Member
Joined
30 Jan 2026
Messages
3
Location
Brighton
Hey guys,
Sorry if this has been answered before but once you go to assesment center is the presentation neccesary for any and all signaller's grades and what is the presentation supposed to be about? If anyone can guide me to the correct page?
Not 100% sure but I believe the presentation is only for grade 5 and above.


I have mine coming up in a few weeks, if you have a presentation you should of received an email requesting you to prepare for it.
 

uxierail

New Member
Joined
1 May 2026
Messages
4
Location
Chelmsford
I saw they said for the assessment center you can use a PowerPoint slides or respond verbally , i would prefer to respond verbally but would I be able to have notes at hand to look at ?
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Not 100% sure but I believe the presentation is only for grade 5 and above.


I have mine coming up in a few weeks, if you have a presentation you should of received an email requesting you to prepare for it.
I interviewed for a grade 9 position and didn't have to do a presentation.
I applied originally for another location and passed online assesment and interview wasnt processed due to the distance. I applied for Wembley now which is close enough so just waiting for assesment day at the center to be given.

marcho how recent did u go throught the process?
 

CharlieHotel

New Member
Joined
7 May 2026
Messages
4
Location
Crawley
I genuinely so glad my assessment centre was only a virtual interview and a scenario question
I wouldve been nervous doing a presentation also, hopefully someone can give you tips.

All the best
Thank you.
Hey guys,
Sorry if this has been answered before but once you go to assesment center is the presentation neccesary for any and all signaller's grades and what is the presentation supposed to be about? If anyone can guide me to the correct page?
Hi I posted the other day about this. I also have an assessment day in person next week and I have been given a scenario and i have been asked to do a presentation. This is for a G2 trainee position. I have done a PowerPoint slide thingy but very basic. I haven’t done lots of bubbles and colours etc. I’m hoping I have done it ok. I’m so nervous about it that I don’t even know how I’m going to be able to speak as I have never done a presentation before.
Good luck to everyone that has assessment centres coming up.
 

marcho

Member
Joined
22 Apr 2026
Messages
8
Location
Northamptonshire
I applied originally for another location and passed online assesment and interview wasnt processed due to the distance. I applied for Wembley now which is close enough so just waiting for assesment day at the center to be given.

marcho how recent did u go throught the process?
Fairly recent, my assessment centre was at the end of March. I was successful but not enough positions at the moment so am in the talent pool for 12 months. Also just realised I typed G9 position, it was actually G8. Apologies for the confusion.
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Fairly recent, my assessment centre was at the end of March. I was successful but not enough positions at the moment so am in the talent pool for 12 months. Also just realised I typed G9 position, it was actually G8. Apologies for the confusion.
Thank you! Did you have to do presentation for one person or was there a group and what topic did they ask presentation?
 

PluralSpy

Member
Joined
6 May 2026
Messages
8
Location
Manchester
Not 100% sure but I believe the presentation is only for grade 5 and above.


I have mine coming up in a few weeks, if you have a presentation you should of received an email requesting you to prepare for it.
Just got invited to an assessment centre for a G2 position, have to do the presentation
 

Ripper

New Member
Joined
15 May 2026
Messages
2
Location
Skipton
Hi all, first post here - I've never worked in the rail industry before but completed online assessment for a G2 trainee post and passed... that was on 5 May, so 10 days ago, and I'm still waiting to hear if I'll be invited to Assessment Centre. Is that kind of delay normal? I did receive a message saying 'sorry for the delay but we're really busy', and my guess is that it doesn't really mean I'm either more or less likely to get the invite - but would appreciate any insight. Thanks :)
 
Joined
16 Apr 2026
Messages
37
Location
UK
Just had a rejection from the recent Leicestershire signaller vacancies - gutted.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to shortlist you for an assessment day on this occasion, but we'd like to keep you on our reserve list in case any further opportunities arise."

I passed the online tests and video interview but never made it to an assessment centre. Searching the forum suggests reserve list placements aren't unusual, but in every case I've seen it followed the assessment centre.

Has anyone actually been pulled from a reserve list at this stage and then invited to an assessment centre - and does it realistically happen?

Candidate portal screenshot attached for context.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Hi all, first post here - I've never worked in the rail industry before but completed online assessment for a G2 trainee post and passed... that was on 5 May, so 10 days ago, and I'm still waiting to hear if I'll be invited to Assessment Centre. Is that kind of delay normal? I did receive a message saying 'sorry for the delay but we're really busy', and my guess is that it doesn't really mean I'm either more or less likely to get the invite - but would appreciate any insight. Thanks :)
You're spot on. For me, it took around 4 weeks from passing the video interview before I heard that I (hadn't) made it it to the assessment centre, including two placeholder emails during that period, just like you had.

Maybe if you're successful it'll be quicker, but probably not!
 

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PluralSpy

Member
Joined
6 May 2026
Messages
8
Location
Manchester
Hi all, first post here - I've never worked in the rail industry before but completed online assessment for a G2 trainee post and passed... that was on 5 May, so 10 days ago, and I'm still waiting to hear if I'll be invited to Assessment Centre. Is that kind of delay normal? I did receive a message saying 'sorry for the delay but we're really busy', and my guess is that it doesn't really mean I'm either more or less likely to get the invite - but would appreciate any insight. Thanks :)
I was invited to an assessment centre just over a week after passing my video interview. I’m also applying for a G2 box, so hopefully it’ll be quite quick for you too.

I’ve got my AC next week please wish me luck!
 

Tram Inn SB

Member
Joined
24 Apr 2026
Messages
76
Location
pontypool
I applied originally for another location and passed online assesment and interview wasnt processed due to the distance. I applied for Wembley now which is close enough so just waiting for assesment day at the center to be given.

marcho how recent did u go throught the process?

You realise Wembley is moving to Rugby within 18 months ?

They did specify this on the internal advert, don’t know about the external.
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
You realise Wembley is moving to Rugby within 18 months ?

They did specify this on the internal advert, don’t know about the external.
I am not sure that it specified that but I dont mind as I could move to Atherstone if needed thank you for the information must of missed that line
 

Jay1874

Member
Joined
21 Apr 2026
Messages
15
Location
Coventry
Rugby signaller recruitment event

Good morning!

So I am going the signaller day wed, my partner started as a signaller but is a controller now so it’s something I would love to get into, have you got any idea what the actual day is? Like I don’t want to turn up wed and it’s full of students or kids as I am 30 years old lol
 
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Ripper

New Member
Joined
15 May 2026
Messages
2
Location
Skipton
I was invited to an assessment centre just over a week after passing my video interview. I’m also applying for a G2 box, so hopefully it’ll be quite quick for you too.

I’ve got my AC next week please wish me luck!
Good luck! Out of interest which G2 box did you apply for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Gutted:
"Thank you for submitting your application and completing the stages of assessment. We can see from your results that you meet the standard we require, however, you have not been shortlisted, either due to high volume of applications, or because you might be too far from the chosen location to meet the safety standard. Because your scores will remain valid for 6 months, you can elect to move your application to a different location without having to submit a fresh application."

So, actually no explanation of why I failed to make the grade - it's not distance as I'm only 25 mins from the box I applied for. And the only other post I can see advertised is Inverness, which is not an option for me because of the distance. Fingers crossed something comes up in the next six months...

Good luck to anyone still in the process.
 
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Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Good luck! Out of interest which G2 box did you apply for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Gutted:
"Thank you for submitting your application and completing the stages of assessment. We can see from your results that you meet the standard we require, however, you have not been shortlisted, either due to high volume of applications, or because you might be too far from the chosen location to meet the safety standard. Because your scores will remain valid for 6 months, you can elect to move your application to a different location without having to submit a fresh application."

So, actually no explanation of why I failed to make the grade - it's not distance as I'm only 25 mins from the box I applied for. And the only other post I can see advertised is Inverness, which is not an option for me because of the distance. Fingers crossed something comes up in the next six months...

Good luck to anyone still in the process.
Its weird one it says usually 6 months scores are valid but u can move your apllication to another one within 12months so im pretty sure u can look out for next year and u should be fine i was checking everyday and now moved my application
 

SWTurbo

Member
Joined
19 May 2020
Messages
136
Location
South West
Just gathering info, I’m currently looking at the possibility of moving box due to my partner having to move for work, although it may not be required (and I’m happy enough where I am if not!)

The location she may be moving is close to a fair few boxes of all types, but they are predominantly AB or AB fringes, and I only hold a TCB ticket.

I’d heard rumours a few years ago of a TCB->AB short course for conversions, but also that it was a flop. If I were to apply to the AB boxes, would they put me through a full AB IST? Is it even worth a LOMs time to do so, or would they likely go for someone off the street?

TIA
 

bouff34

Member
Joined
6 Nov 2018
Messages
183
Just gathering info, I’m currently looking at the possibility of moving box due to my partner having to move for work, although it may not be required (and I’m happy enough where I am if not!)

The location she may be moving is close to a fair few boxes of all types, but they are predominantly AB or AB fringes, and I only hold a TCB ticket.

I’d heard rumours a few years ago of a TCB->AB short course for conversions, but also that it was a flop. If I were to apply to the AB boxes, would they put me through a full AB IST? Is it even worth a LOMs time to do so, or would they likely go for someone off the street?

TIA
there is a conversion course.. I think it is currently a four week course. You definitely shouldn't need to do the full AB IST!
 

CoachB

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2022
Messages
128
Location
Scotland
Good luck! Out of interest which G2 box did you apply for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Gutted:
"Thank you for submitting your application and completing the stages of assessment. We can see from your results that you meet the standard we require, however, you have not been shortlisted, either due to high volume of applications, or because you might be too far from the chosen location to meet the safety standard. Because your scores will remain valid for 6 months, you can elect to move your application to a different location without having to submit a fresh application."

So, actually no explanation of why I failed to make the grade - it's not distance as I'm only 25 mins from the box I applied for. And the only other post I can see advertised is Inverness, which is not an option for me because of the distance. Fingers crossed something comes up in the next six months...

Good luck to anyone still in the process.
If you've been told you meet the standard then the only reason you won't have been shortlisted will be due to large number of applications. Every application is scored and given a mark and if there's a large number of applications then it's possible that even if you hit the standard people will have scored higher than you which unfortunately pushes your application down the pile.
 

Tram Inn SB

Member
Joined
24 Apr 2026
Messages
76
Location
pontypool
Has anyone heard anything from the Cardiff positions, after they were moved from the “grade 4 pool” to a higher grade vacancy ?

Ta muchly
 

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