A career as a signaller

[Jordan4321]

Would you not have to interview for the position? I think there is a view that to just slot you into the role denies someone else an opportunity??

It’s a single location so same workstations just going from relief link to resident

 

[bouff34]

It’s a single location so same workstations just going from relief link to resident

Yep not saying that is the case. Probably depends entirely on your LOM - some would slot you straight in.. Others will ask HR and they will say there should be an interview process to ensure any other internal applicants aren't unfairly treated. You and I both know what the common sense way of doing things should be given that you are almost certain to be the best candidate!!!

 

[endofthetunnel]

Moving links like that depends on the local agreements usually, whether it’s based on seniority or closed interviews or whatever

 

[Trothy]

At my location, resident jobs are usually "offered" to relief staff via email and if there are no takers then they are advertised. If a relief does accept the job then their relief position is advertised instead. I think it's usually based on seniority if more than one relief express an interest.

 

[Jordan4321]

Happy days cheers all for info

 

[pilbocat]

Hopefully we will hear back soon

Have you heard back yet?

 

[Zowie]

Hello, role I applied for turned out to be relief instead of resident. Its relief for one location with 2 different panels. Does someone know how it works in regards to working Sundays? Will I have guaranteed Sundays throughout the years same as residents or only cover gaps? Also I am a bit confused in regards to premium, if it is same box does it mean there is no premium for relief? Thank you

 

[bouff34]

Hello, role I applied for turned out to be relief instead of resident. Its relief for one location with 2 different panels. Does someone know how it works in regards to working Sundays? Will I have guaranteed Sundays throughout the years same as residents or only cover gaps? Also I am a bit confused in regards to premium, if it is same box does it mean there is no premium for relief? Thank you

If it's the same box/location you get a 4% premium to cater for the fact that you won't have certainty over your shifts until the week prior... If you're a relief you'll likely have Sundays off but will be first in line to cover Sundays (i.e. ahead of the residents) if there are any gaps need covering...

 

[jamesm12345]

I got an email today saying that I won’t get offered an assessment centre day as they were over subscribed but they want to keep me on a reserve list. Gutted. Will keep Looking

 

[pilbocat]

I got an email today saying that I won’t get offered an assessment centre day as they were over subscribed but they want to keep me on a reserve list. Gutted. Will keep Looking

same happened to me too, fingers crossed for the next one

 

[GCI]

....
Current roster for Hexham
View attachment 140239

Weekends are not 12 hour shifts, box closes Sat/Sun night after last trains
Mon to Fri are 12 hour day night turns.

As stated in previous posting this is subject to change by early Jan 24.

Hi everyone, I’ve been following this thread for a long time now and a huge thanks to all contributors over the years, it’s a goldmine of information!

Quick question for anyone on, or familiar with, West Line / Tyne Valley boxes please - I understand there was a roster change being looked at recently, does anyone have an up to date example roster, or is it still essentially the same as the one for Hexham posted by Napier in post 16,934?

 

[martinn004]

Hello,
Need an advice? Recently I haven't been shortlisted for an Assessment day and been put on reserve list for the next 6 months. Question is: Should I ask to transfer my results and apply for different box? But the "Specific location" says "Talent pool". Or is it better for me to wait?
Thanks

 

[bouff34]

Hello,
Need an advice? Recently I haven't been shortlisted for an Assessment day and been put on reserve list for the next 6 months. Question is: Should I ask to transfer my results and apply for different box? But the "Specific location" says "Talent pool". Or is it better for me to wait?
Thanks

Your results apply to any box you choose to apply for - you can't transfer your results as such - they just count for all you apply for (but possibly only stand for six months and then you would automatically be asked to repeat them). Apply for as many as you like within reason!

 

[MistaMatthews]

Congratulations to you as well!

I wonder if there are some who never get a call and fall off the talent pool conveyer belt, which would be mightily disappointing.

Looks like that’s what’s going to happen to me! Only 2 months left!

 

[SnowCat]

I’m a grade 3 signaller in several grade 3 boxes. Most days and nights are pretty chill when everything is going well, after I’d been in job for 6 months or so I started to lose the constant low-level anxiety that something might go wrong and you do develop a muscle memory for the job. It’s a bit like driving a car - you find that you just do the job without necessarily constantly thinking about changing the gears and whatnot. That can be a bad thing if your system of work isn’t robust and can lead to mistakes! I read a lot of books on shift and build models. Some people play musical instruments, learn languages or even make clay pots.

Your job involves sending and receiving bell codes to tell adjacent signallers that trains are coming and going, answering phone calls from people at level crossings, managing level crossings under your control outside the box, finding gaps in train services so people can get on the line to carry out maintenance safely and other stuff as necessary.

When it’s busy and we have trains diverted then you are pretty much constantly working for the whole shift. I find you can get into a sort of ‘flow state’ when that happens and, whilst it’s not stressful, you do feel worn out after 12 hours.

Cons for me of the job I think I’ve mentioned before on here:

1. I really miss having people in the office to chat rubbish with and bounce ideas off. I always had lots of work friends in previous jobs and not having that means I basically only talk to my family with any regularity. It’s not great for keeping your social skills exercised!

2. Now I’ve passed out of all my locations there’s not massive amounts of professional development I feel I can do. If you do your job well nobody notices, if you screw up everyone will know your name instantly down the line. If you are dependent on recognition and proactively innovating at work then possibly not the best career choice.

3. Working on nights and weekends sucks!

Pros

1. I’ve never read so many books in my life! Being out on the steps of the signal box on a summer evening with a cup of tea and a book, and getting paid for it is pretty stellar.

2. I enjoy being the master of my own little part of the railway, I hate it when stuff goes wrong, but when you solve a problem and keep trains moving safely, or pull off some regulating move using your knowledge of timings to avoid delaying services it does feel very satisfying.

3. The upside of working unsociable shifts means I’m frequently off during the week, can do the school run myself and have some time whilst everyone else is working. I get 8 days off in a row every 4 weeks without using any leave. Total gift.

4. This varies but I absolutely love being able to jack up my salary with overtime. So far in this 4 week pay period I’ve added over £2k to my gross pay through working rest days. Not every period is like that but if there’s something you’re saving up for then it’s nice to know you can earn yourself some extra pocket money.

5. Big snorting trains going past all day is pretty cool I think.

For me, I enjoy the reactive nature of the job and the pros very much outweigh the cons. It can strangely be quite family friendly and the job itself is just quite fun really. Stuff does go wrong but you’re taught how to deal with it.

I’ve just thrown a load of thoughts down randomly so I’m sure I’ve missed stuff.

Thank you for taking the time to give us ‘wannabes’ such a balanced view of the role.

 

[SnowCat]

Just for all those in the telnet pool don’t ever give up hope. I interviewed last may, passed everything, placed in the talent pool in June. 8 months passed and almost forgot about it and gave up hope, accepting it’ll never happen, the ship has sailed. Much to my surprise I received a call this morning out the blue offering me a position starting 27th April. It does happen !!

Fabulous news. Congratulations!

 

[MylesHSG]

Hello, role I applied for turned out to be relief instead of resident. Its relief for one location with 2 different panels. Does someone know how it works in regards to working Sundays? Will I have guaranteed Sundays throughout the years same as residents or only cover gaps? Also I am a bit confused in regards to premium, if it is same box does it mean there is no premium for relief? Thank you

Just to add some extra information in case you're unaware of the relief role. You'll know what days you are potentially rostered on, but you won't know if it is an early/late/night until the Thursday before when the next week's roster is published. So you'll cover any gaps on the roster from vacancies, sickness, annual leave, ODD days etc. If it's a single location with multiple panels you'll get 4% premium, the premium scales up depending on distance between locations you cover.

Once you are fully passed out you may get unrostered spares where there is no shift for you to fill, in that case you'll get paid but won't have to work. However you have to be reasonably be able to be contacted by the roster clerk if you do need to fill a shift on that day, so don't make any concrete plans if you see those on your roster and take them as nice bonuses.

You will be rostered for an average of 35h per week, but obviously 35 doesn't fit into 8 or 12h shifts very well so it might even out over a 4, 8 or 12 week cycle.

As mentioned previously you won't be rostered on for any Sundays, but any Sundays not worked by the residents will be offered to the reliefs first, before being offered to any residents.

Bank holidays can also be a bit different as a relief, if you were going to be an unrostered spare you will probably be "booked off" which means you get paid for the day as it counts towards your 35h week, but won't earn any comp leave or extra pay for bank holiday working, however it is a guaranteed day off which you are getting paid for.

As a relief you might be earning slightly less than a resident who works 2/4 or 2/5 Sundays, but the resident will work more hours as the Sunday doesn't count in the 35h week. However, if you pick up Sundays or RDW you can easily match or exceed a resident it all depends how much you want to work rest days.

 

[Cardiff22]

Hi everyone,

Just after some info in regards to the the Cardiff G4 trainee role. It says it’s for a talent pool? Does that mean there will be a big intake for future vacancies?

 

[Zowie]

Just to add some extra information in case you're unaware of the relief role. You'll know what days you are potentially rostered on, but you won't know if it is an early/late/night until the Thursday before when the next week's roster is published. So you'll cover any gaps on the roster from vacancies, sickness, annual leave, ODD days etc. If it's a single location with multiple panels you'll get 4% premium, the premium scales up depending on distance between locations you cover.

Once you are fully passed out you may get unrostered spares where there is no shift for you to fill, in that case you'll get paid but won't have to work. However you have to be reasonably be able to be contacted by the roster clerk if you do need to fill a shift on that day, so don't make any concrete plans if you see those on your roster and take them as nice bonuses.

You will be rostered for an average of 35h per week, but obviously 35 doesn't fit into 8 or 12h shifts very well so it might even out over a 4, 8 or 12 week cycle.

As mentioned previously you won't be rostered on for any Sundays, but any Sundays not worked by the residents will be offered to the reliefs first, before being offered to any residents.

Bank holidays can also be a bit different as a relief, if you were going to be an unrostered spare you will probably be "booked off" which means you get paid for the day as it counts towards your 35h week, but won't earn any comp leave or extra pay for bank holiday working, however it is a guaranteed day off which you are getting paid for.

As a relief you might be earning slightly less than a resident who works 2/4 or 2/5 Sundays, but the resident will work more hours as the Sunday doesn't count in the 35h week. However, if you pick up Sundays or RDW you can easily match or exceed a resident it all depends how much you want to work rest days.

Thank you for that detailed answer, that's very helpful. I am trying to make informed decision and assess finances. I am currently earnig 50k+ and grade 4 is around 41k, I have seen a lot of posts about Sundays and how it affects your take home salary. Appears to me that being relief could give me better chance to do some overtime

 

[MylesHSG]

Thank you for that detailed answer, that's very helpful. I am trying to make informed decision and assess finances. I am currently earnig 50k+ and grade 4 is around 41k, I have seen a lot of posts about Sundays and how it affects your take home salary. Appears to me that being relief could give me better chance to do some overtime

I haven't seen the new for Jan 26 pay matrix, but if grade 4 is now £41k and then 4% on top brings it to say £43k that would be the minimum you will earn for a 35h week. However I don't think I've known of a signaller who has ever earned the minimum pay, I'm sure some exist but they are rare indeed. Obviously it is dependent on staffing levels at your location and other staffs willingness to do overtime (as it will be offered to you if they refuse) but I would be very surprised if your earning potential was less that £50k and it would probably be more than that.

 

[High Dyke]

Thank you for that detailed answer, that's very helpful. I am trying to make informed decision and assess finances. I am currently earnig 50k+ and grade 4 is around 41k, I have seen a lot of posts about Sundays and how it affects your take home salary. Appears to me that being relief could give me better chance to do some overtime

As MylesHSG has posted, regarding overtime and basic earnings.

Under the 2026 pay deal, the figure i have, for a Grade 4 is £42,598. If you add the 4% FP to that it gives a basic of £44,302.42 (according to the spreadsheet I have seen).

 

[ChrisRS]

Thank you for that detailed answer, that's very helpful. I am trying to make informed decision and assess finances. I am currently earnig 50k+ and grade 4 is around 41k, I have seen a lot of posts about Sundays and how it affects your take home salary. Appears to me that being relief could give me better chance to do some overtime

When I was a grade 3 resident I made close to 60k, shouldn't be difficult as a grade 4 with some Sundays and overtime.

 

[Zowie]

Thank you everyone for taking time to reply. That's very reassuring!

 

[SomeTrainboy]

Career as a signaller in North Lincolnshire

Hello, I was hoping some of you would help me, being a signaller is my dream job and I would love to become one, I'm just wondering how I get there.
I've applied to do engineering at college as I thought that would help, but I'm slightly nervous about how to actually apply / get into the industry.

 

[High Dyke]

Career as a signaller in North Lincolnshire

Hello, I was hoping some of you would help me, being a signaller is my dream job and I would love to become one, I'm just wondering how I get there.
I've applied to do engineering at college as I thought that would help, but I'm slightly nervous about how to actually apply / get into the industry.

Welcome. Keep an eye out for job adverts in local media or the Network Rail website. There are a few boxes left in North Lincolnshire (around the Grimsby / Immingham area), and towards Lincoln. The majority of the route from Cleethorpes to Scunthorpe is controlled from York.

 

[30022]

Looks like that’s what’s going to happen to me! Only 2 months left!

That’s absolutely gutting. Where did you apply for? Was it a box or ROC?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Mar 2026 ==

Career as a signaller in North Lincolnshire

Hello, I was hoping some of you would help me, being a signaller is my dream job and I would love to become one, I'm just wondering how I get there.
I've applied to do engineering at college as I thought that would help, but I'm slightly nervous about how to actually apply / get into the industry.

Have a look at the Network Rail website pages about being a signaller.

When it comes to the application it’s about have the ability to pass the assessments, as opposed to academic qualifications. Since it’s a safety critical role, you’ll also need real world examples of where you’ve personally dealt with emergency, or high pressure scenarios and had to make decisions quickly and with safety in mind. Being able to follow rules is important too, and assuming you get though to be offered a role, the ability to manage the intensive training programme which will require memorising a lot of information in a very short space of time.

 

[bilbo2]

Good luck with the day tomorrow let us know how it goes. Which area are you going for?

Thank you… I was going for Uttoxeter area and I’ve only just heard the outcome. I’ve not been successful but the email said I would be kept in the talent pool. Do they tend to recruit from there much?

 

[Mounty87]

Does anybody have the updated pay table since the pay increase? TIA

 

[emtm21]

Does anybody have the updated pay table since the pay increase? TIA

 

[Reiver_81]

I also got the ‘Talent Pool’ e-mail for Edinburgh G9. Fingers crossed for everyone in the same boat that these develop into offers!

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.