A career as a signaller

[Signaller2020]

Does anybody know whether Pontrilas SB is a 12hr roster or 8hr?

Awaiting news on whether or not I have got to the interview stage for Cardiff but tempted to apply for this post also. Only issue is my commute would be longer and more costly, particularly based on an 8hr roster.

Thanks

 

[Tom Quinne]

It is a VERY safety critical job with the potential to kill people.
Although, other careers carry a similar risk, lorry and bus drivers, ships captains, airline pilots, etc.
If the training, rule books and company policies are STRICTLY adhered to, you then put you, your colleagues and the public in the safest position possible.

Those other jobs you quote your not expected to know aspects of other people’s jobs so they don’t balls up.

Cowboy COSS or PC trying to do work their not meant to, ensuring traincrew are safe when inspecting their trains, managing cow boy contractors in T3s who claim to have PICOP permission etc.

All whilst working to method of operation which date from the 1850s, and often equipment from the turn of the 20th century.

Not many planes, Lorries or ships out there preform 21st century work levels with 19th century equipment.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Does anybody know whether Pontrilas SB is a 12hr roster or 8hr?

Awaiting news on whether or not I have got to the interview stage for Cardiff but tempted to apply for this post also. Only issue is my commute would be longer and more costly, particularly based on an 8hr roster.

Thanks

Mixed 8/12 I believe, my advice put in for it competition for Cardiff is going to stiff the more apps you have in the better chance you have of getting lucky.

 

[Signaller2020]

Mixed 8/12 I believe, my advice put in for it competition for Cardiff is going to stiff the more apps you have in the better chance you have of getting lucky.

Cheers Tom. I'm aware that they will use my test results from my previous application, but do I need to answer the 70 questions again or is there a way of copying them to my app?

 

[Defenestrate]

Cheers Tom. I'm aware that they will use my test results from my previous application, but do I need to answer the 70 questions again or is there a way of copying them to my app?

Copy and Paste into a word document, then you can do the same into the new application...and improve the answers as and when you see fit.

 

[Signaller2020]

Copy and Paste into a word document, then you can do the same into the new application...and improve the answers as and when you see fit.

Not sure if there is a way to access my answers as I have already submitted my original application?

 

[Gallius]

Not sure if there is a way to access my answers as I have already submitted my original application?

Click on the application details icon for the application you've already submitted then click the application assessment tab which will show all your answers to the questions which you can then copy into a Word document.

 

[Signaller2020]

Click on the application details icon for the application you've already submitted then click the application assessment tab which will show all your answers to the questions which you can then copy into a Word document.

Brilliant. Thank you

 

[Llanigraham]

Does anybody know whether Pontrilas SB is a 12hr roster or 8hr?

Awaiting news on whether or not I have got to the interview stage for Cardiff but tempted to apply for this post also. Only issue is my commute would be longer and more costly, particularly based on an 8hr roster.

Thanks

Pontrilas is 12 hour, 0600 - 1800 - 0600.

 

[Signaller2020]

Pontrilas is 12 hour, 0600 - 1800 - 0600.

Thank you

 

[Tom Quinne]

Cheers Tom. I'm aware that they will use my test results from my previous application, but do I need to answer the 70 questions again or is there a way of copying them to my app?

I wrote into a word document then copy and pasted them across.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Pontrilas is 12 hour, 0600 - 1800 - 0600.

Could of sworn the local SB where 8 & 12s?

 

[Llanigraham]

Could of sworn the local SB where 8 & 12s?

Local to where?
Friend is relief on the southern Marches and tells me it is 12's.

 

[Tom Quinne]

Local to South Wales, I know the two remaining Valley boxes are 8hrs / 12hrs assumed the Marches SB where as well.

 

[Llanigraham]

Local to South Wales, I know the two remaining Valley boxes are 8hrs / 12hrs assumed the Marches SB where as well.

No, all bar one of the Boxes south of Shrewsbury are 12's. The only exemption is Dorrington.

 

[Allaboard78]

I've passed the tests!!!

 

[Ducatist4]

No nothing more, you just get a discounted season ticket.

 

[Llanigraham]

Does anyone have any idea what the roster is for Onibury??
Cheers!

nevermind, just read up a couple of posts

It was the next Box north of mine; 12 hours, officially change over was 0600 - 1800 - 0600, but common usage was to change 30 minutes earlier.
Neat and easy little Box to work.

 

[nom de guerre]

Some NR employees receive free local travel as their route has formed an alliance with the dominant local TOC.

 

[Leafage]

During the acceptance process and filling out the numerous forms, I seem to remember mention of being offered "charity days" (I believe it was up to 5 per year).
Has anyone any experience of this?

I ask as I'm a blood donor and I'm looking at donating platelets. This is a similar process to whole blood but can only be done at a specialist centre and not the village halls we know and love. As a result it'd be around a 5-6 hour process, door to door.
Thanks in advance.

 

[thecrofter]

During the acceptance process and filling out the numerous forms, I seem to remember mention of being offered "charity days" (I believe it was up to 5 per year).
Has anyone any experience of this?

Any NR employee can take up to 5 days Volunteer Leave per year provided it fits their Policy criteria. Unless it's changed recently, then it used to be fitting in with these six categories:

1. A charity with a UK regsistered charity number
2. Undertaking School Governor duties
3. Local Cadet Forces in line with NR's Armed Forces covenant (whatever that may be)
4. Community Rail Partnerships
5. Community Safety e.g. Trespass, suicide prevention and emergency services support
6. Promotion of STEM subjects and careers in the rail industry

As admirable as your blood platelet donation intention is, I don't think it fits the above criteria but that shouldn't prevent you being able to do such in normal working time as long as you have an accommodating line manager.

 

[Leafage]

Any NR employee can take up to 5 days Volunteer Leave per year provided it fits their Policy criteria. Unless it's changed recently, then it used to be fitting in with these six categories:

1. A charity with a UK regsistered charity number
2. Undertaking School Governor duties
3. Local Cadet Forces in line with NR's Armed Forces covenant (whatever that may be)
4. Community Rail Partnerships
5. Community Safety e.g. Trespass, suicide prevention and emergency services support
6. Promotion of STEM subjects and careers in the rail industry

As admirable as your blood platelet donation intention is, I don't think it fits the above criteria but that shouldn't prevent you being able to do such in normal working time as long as you have an accommodating line manager.

Brilliant, thanks for the concise answer.
It won't be platelet donation then, however as you state, hopefully I can fit this in somehow.

 

[Defenestrate]

Some NR employees receive free local travel as their route has formed an alliance with the dominant local TOC.

E.g. Wessex route with SWR

 

[Tom Quinne]

Wales & Western have reduced travel on GWR.

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Evening all, does anyone know if the Wateringbury position is 8 or 12hrs? Also as a grade 3 in that geographical location what will the likely pay be when you factor in shift allowances, Sunday’s and a tiny bit of OT? Thanks all!

 

[ScumBagCollege]

I've applied for this and am at the same stage as you.

Just been notified that I didn't get to the interview stage for this job, gutted. A better candidate has been identified.
I do have 2 more applications in, so fingers crossed. Gonna keep trying.

 

[Amanda]

Just been notified that I didn't get to the interview stage for this job, gutted. A better candidate has been identified.
I do have 2 more applications in, so fingers crossed. Gonna keep trying.

Me too! Keep your chin up.

 

[nom de guerre]

Evening all, does anyone know if the Wateringbury position is 8 or 12hrs? Also as a grade 3 in that geographical location what will the likely pay be when you factor in shift allowances, Sunday’s and a tiny bit of OT? Thanks all!

Wateringbury is a Grade 2. 12hr roster.

I'd imagine you’d clear £35K with a little overtime. Several higher graded boxes nearby too, so chances to move up the ladder without too much upheaval.

 

[WoollyMammoth]

Wateringbury is a Grade 2. 12hr roster.

I'd imagine you’d clear £35K with a little overtime. Several higher graded boxes nearby too, so chances to move up the ladder without too much upheaval.

Thanks for your reply @nom de guerre and continued good advice! I’ve put in an application so we shall see! Got a few on the go now...!

 

[Cyclist]

I am going through a 69 question application for a G3 signaller position, it is asking me various competency questions such as "Do you have experience in X". I am wondering if they want a 100% "yes" answer to every question. If they do, it wouldn't be worth my time to fill it out.