A career as a signaller

[CoachB]

Thanks for the replies, both. Common sense tells me they wouldn't spend the money/time and there be nothing at the end of it. Makes complete sense.

Thanks for the helpful info!

Don't do the disrespectful thing which quite a few trainees have just done lately and applied and got jobs in different areas to the ones they were hired in before even finishing IST.

Trainees should only be applying for jobs in other areas after a period of time has passed in your hired area where there's been no vacancies and isn't any due to come up.

 

[Locky]

I'm trying to think why that would be disrespectful. Is it due to job scarcity? If I seen an offer come up while I was in IST and it was, for example, a higher grade paying more, I would probably jump at it because I'm thinking about me and my family's circumstance first and foremost. But I might be missing the point here lol - Wondering if this is a NR rule or just a taboo.

 

[godfreycomplex]

I'm trying to think why that would be disrespectful. Is it due to job scarcity? If I seen an offer come up while I was in IST and it was, for example, a higher grade paying more, I would probably jump at it because I'm thinking about me and my family's circumstance first and foremost. But I might be missing the point here lol - Wondering if this is a NR rule or just a taboo.

Reason being that the local staff in the area you’ve hired in have invested a lot (financially and in other areas) in having you trained and it’s not considered cricket to repay them by going away as quickly as possible.

 

[CoachB]

It's disrespectful because you've been hired by that manager for that area. They're paying for your IST training from their budget and have a plan for you once you come out of IST. Your not supposed to be able to apply for other roles until you have been in your current role for a year. So you get your first box in the area that hired you, get some experience under your belt then after a year if you want to move on then it's fair game.

For you to decide to jump ship before seeing your first year out for another area because of more money or not wanting to move to be within the required fatigue rules doesn't go down well with LOM's or other signallers in your area as they're right back to square one in terms of hiring for vacancies. They took a chance on you and you've repaid that by wasting their time.

 

[BrummieBobby]

It's disrespectful because you've been hired by that manager for that area. They're paying for your IST training from their budget and have a plan for you once you come out of IST. Your not supposed to be able to apply for other roles until you have been in your current role for a year. So you get your first box in the area that hired you, get some experience under your belt then after a year if you want to move on then it's fair game.

For you to decide to jump ship before seeing your first year out for another area because of more money or not wanting to move to be within the required fatigue rules doesn't go down well with LOM's or other signallers in your area as they're right back to square one in terms of hiring for vacancies. They took a chance on you and you've repaid that by wasting their time.

Agreed; I cannot describe how frustrating it is to spend time training new signallers only to see them leave for another location before or shortly after passing out.

From the trainees point of view, I would also caution against going up the grades too quickly, particularly if "claiming the grade" The LOM at the higher graded location can claim money back from you if you have claimed and then fail to pass out. I started as a grade 3, eventually moving to my current grade 8 position (With 3 years as a grade 6 in between) The jump between each position was noticeable, both in terms of pay and workload; don't just look at the pay.

 

[PinkBanana99]

I left Network Rail about 12 months ago after achieving my Grade 7 Relief and being a Signaller for 5 years, I am wanting to apply back for a Grade 7 that is more local however I know they've changed the IST. (I left due to wanting to try Control at a FOC)

Given it's less than 12 months am I still competent pending an assessment or will I have to redo the whole of IST again if I was successful.

Additionally, can I retain my Grade 7 or would I go back to a Grade 2 during OST training? Apologies but I know RMT and Network Rail changed the conditions not long before I left and I no longer have these to hand to check.

Thanks.

 

[Dazza75]

All trainees are recruited as, and paid Grade 2 whilst at IST. If you don't have a specific box allocated then you'll be expected to apply for potential vacancies within your chosen area. These may be higher than Grade 2.

Thanks High Dyke, that makes sense.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Feb 2025 ==

Yes it’ll fit all together, it’ll speed up the whole process goes from being slow to super fast to slow just can’t wait to start!

It will come together Feaky, I just can't stop thinking about it all!

 

[High Dyke]

I left Network Rail about 12 months ago after achieving my Grade 7 Relief and being a Signaller for 5 years, I am wanting to apply back for a Grade 7 that is more local however I know they've changed the IST. (I left due to wanting to try Control at a FOC)

Given it's less than 12 months am I still competent pending an assessment or will I have to redo the whole of IST again if I was successful.

Additionally, can I retain my Grade 7 or would I go back to a Grade 2 during OST training? Apologies but I know RMT and Network Rail changed the conditions not long before I left and I no longer have these to hand to check.

Thanks.

I can't say for certain. However, a colleague of mine, a GPR grade 3 retired in 2022, but returned to Network Rail a year later. He was expecting to have to start IST as a new starter, but the hiring manager recommenced him as a Grade 3. All his competencies had only been lapsed a year. It may come down to the hiring manager and how they approach the situation.

 

[Harby2506]

That's good that you only have to give a weeks notice, I wish mine was the same as we usually get a bonus at the end of March so I'll no doubt miss out on that! The waiting times were unreal for literally every location that they offered, I initially picked Chester on 7th March but then they cancelled that and offered me Newcastle the day before.

Hi guys I'm in the same boat. I'll be in same cohort as you for the training. I've got a late medical with no earlier availability so hopefully my work will be OK with my notice. They'll have to be i guess. Looking forward to it but very nervous too!

 

[feaky4]

Hi guys I'm in the same boat. I'll be in same cohort as you for the training. I've got a late medical with no earlier availability so hopefully my work will be OK with my notice. They'll have to be i guess. Looking forward to it but very nervous too!

Very nice! When’s your medical? Should be ok with the notice

 

[Dazza75]

Hi guys I'm in the same boat. I'll be in same cohort as you for the training. I've got a late medical with no earlier availability so hopefully my work will be OK with my notice. They'll have to be i guess. Looking forward to it but very nervous too!

Welcome Harby, good to have you in the same group. It's a bit of a squeeze trying to get a medical booked in good time, Feaky's and mine isn't while March with no earlier availability either but stand firm on your notice with your current employer, you have worked hard to get into this position.

 

[FiveMileHouse]

Placed on the reserve list this morning.

Let’s hope something appears in the future

Thanks all

 

[Dazza75]

Placed on the reserve list this morning.

Let’s hope something appears in the future

Thanks all

That's good, it means that you have a decent enough chance of getting a call in a few months or so, happy days.

 

[Job Hunter]

Placed on the reserve list this morning.

Let’s hope something appears in the future

Thanks all

I was placed on reserve list in october. Got a call in january so do not dispare

 

[tiptoptaff]

I didn't get shortlisted for Bristol area due to distance, so I've emailed them today to ask them to transfer my application to Cardiff.

Can anyone tell me the link structure for Cardiff, where vacancies are if any? Presumably they're all in WROC? Do they work 8s or 12s?

Thanks all

 

[ZackCulross]

G8 interview for Edinburgh today.
Now the waiting game.

 

[Dazza75]

G8 interview for Edinburgh today.
Now the waiting game.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Zack, did you think it went well?

 

[ZackCulross]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Zack, did you think it went well?

I felt like it went well, mostly the same questions I was asked the last time I had one for G9 last year, but I was placed in a reserve pool for a lower grade that time.

They changed the recruitment process meaning I had to resit everything unfortunately.

But this time I made sure to brush up on STAR technique as I haven't really used it before for other jobs.

 

[Dazza75]

I felt like it went well, mostly the same questions I was asked the last time I had one for G9 last year, but I was placed in a reserve pool for a lower grade that time.

They changed the recruitment process meaning I had to resit everything unfortunately.

But this time I made sure to brush up on STAR technique as I haven't really used it before for other jobs.

Oh brilliant stuff, it sounds very positive, I hope you get the job.

The star technique is pretty hard in my opinion as it's like story telling and it's not my thing really. I can do it but it's not natural, I much prefer a casual, ad hoc style interview but we can't pick and choose unfortunately!

 

[cxlla]

Placed on the reserve list this morning.

Let’s hope something appears in the future

Thanks all

Hello Friend. When did you undertake your interview? And how long did it take for you to be placed into the reserve list? Was it at the LSCC? How did you find it? I had mine earlier today.

 

[acw7]

I felt like it went well, mostly the same questions I was asked the last time I had one for G9 last year, but I was placed in a reserve pool for a lower grade that time.

They changed the recruitment process meaning I had to resit everything unfortunately.

But this time I made sure to brush up on STAR technique as I haven't really used it before for other jobs.

What sort of questions did they ask?

 

[ZackCulross]

What sort of questions did they ask?

Standard questions really.
Why do you want to work for NR as a signaller?
What do you know about NR?
then comp questions.
and senario question lastly.

 

[jdevlin55]

Standard questions really.
Why do you want to work for NR as a signaller?
What do you know about NR?
then comp questions.
and senario question lastly.

Just had my G9 interview think it went well just the waiting game now good luck

 

[ZackCulross]

Just had my G9 interview think it went well just the waiting game now good luck

good luck

 

[Bhall]

Just had my G9 interview think it went well just the waiting game now good luck

Hey, Did they say how many people they were employing for the G9/G8 role? Also did they say when they would be looking to provide the outcomes? I have mines later today thanks!

 

[rjb2025]

Just keeping my eyes out for any new vacancies and noticed there is 3 that have recently become live if anybody is looking for a signaller opportunity in the following areas below.

G2 in Cardiff

G7 - Derby

G8 - Colchester

 

[tiptoptaff]

Just seen they're advertising externally for an SSM at Cardiff - is that unusual or just an error?

 

[Jordan4321]

Just seen they're advertising externally for an SSM at Cardiff - is that unusual or just an error?

Most likely an error as I believe this was the first time it’s been posted at all

 

[SIMMY1012]

Hi

Looking for any information you can provide regarding the online tests for a trainee signaller with Network Rail.

Many Thanks

 

[ZackCulross]

Hi

Looking for any information you can provide regarding the online tests for a trainee signaller with Network Rail.

Many Thanks

Not really much information to give, the tests let you practice them before you do the real one's.

Memorygrid test is IMO the most difficult one, you need to remember the dots in order whilst doing a task in-between seeing a dot.

Other one is multi tasking, 3 tasks to do at the same time, maths shapes and keeping the car from crashing.

You will be recorded and via cam and mic to make sure its you completing them, if you refuse to be recorded, it's my understanding that you can still proceed but they may ask you to resit in person to prove you done them if they suspect you didn't.