Waiting to start signaller school

[John1976]

Ive been accepted to start training to become a signaller and obviously Im ecstatic! Just wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice on what to expect regarding the exams.

I believe they are on a weekly basis but how stringent are the pass marks? Are they over 75% mark and do you get chances for resits if required?

I know im sounding negative but I AM looking forward to the course,just a natural worrier! Thanks in advance on any light you may shed...

 

[ralphchadkirk]

I'm afraid I can't answer your questions, but the very best of luck to you. You'll be fine!
After all - they want you to pass. They won't have shelled out thousands to train you if they thought you would fail.

 

[John1976]

Thanks for that. As a signaller yourself was your training split between classroom and signal box equally or was it mostly theory based?

 

[lauraGeeGee]

Yes, good luck to you!

Agree with Ralphchadkirk. I can only comment after having had driver training, which after all, covers the same Rule book that you will follow though some of the modules will vary. They don't take people on a whim and they would want you to get through the training and exams.

As for being a "born worrier" don't worry about that as that makes you a bit of a perfectionist with attention to detail. Job requirement of drivers and signallers so I was told during my training.

Which area will you be covering?

 

[John1976]

Im down to fill a post in the Warrington,Cheshire area. Being a worrier/perfectionist could be useful talent on the rail maybe!!

Just wondering if there's any kind of literature out there that covers the up to date rules and regs of the rail regarding signalling?

I know it can't be light bedtime reading and I should just wait to learn as Im taught it......suppose Im just being impatient!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Thanks for that. As a signaller yourself was your training split between classroom and signal box equally or was it mostly theory based?

I don't know - I'm not a signaller! I think there are a couple on here though.

 

[GB]

Im down to fill a post in the Warrington,Cheshire area. Being a worrier/perfectionist could be useful talent on the rail maybe!!

Just wondering if there's any kind of literature out there that covers the up to date rules and regs of the rail regarding signalling?

I know it can't be light bedtime reading and I should just wait to learn as Im taught it......suppose Im just being impatient!

The official rule book is posted online if you want to have a quick browse, I wouldn't recommend reading it in great detail at the moment though as it can be a bit of a head **** if you have little or no experience and may only serve to confuse matters. I would however suggest reading up and learning bell codes as this will play a big part of your signalling tuition at the start and it would help to get a head start....though it will be covered when you get there so dont worry if you cant remember all of them.

If you do fancy a little read of the great book then it can be found here http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/default.aspx

Socialising with your fellow trainees is one aspect of the course but dont be tempted to spend all night in the bar or watching the world cup all the time.

Most importantly though, if you dont know somthing or you are not sure then ASK, thats what the instructors are there for.

Have a good time and good luck!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Thanks for that. As a signaller yourself was your training split between classroom and signal box equally or was it mostly theory based?

From what I remember, its two weeks in classroom, two weeks on location, two weeks in classroom, two weeks on location and final week in the classroom.

It may sound like a short course (then again it may not) but the real learning comes from doing the job and getting the experience under your belt.

Oh, and should you fail an exam you do get the opportunity to resit it. As other have said, Network Rail will want you to pass as much as you do as they wont want to of wasted however much it costs putting you through the course.

 

[John1976]

Thanks for that GB,appreciate it. Had a look at that link and yes to the uninitiated like myself it does look like a bit of a head**** but Im sure it will become crystal clear with the training.
I'll try not to spend too long in the bar, England will have probably been knocked out by the 2nd week anyhow!

 

[herdster]

Hi John ,

Can i ask how did you go about getting this job , are they generally advertised. I noticed on the network rail site it sys they take on a few hundred every year ( seems a lot to me) however no positions advertised. Also what's the pay like , according to Rail mag last week the average signaller is on £48K which seems quite a high average.

Herdster

 

[GB]

according to Rail mag last week the average signaller is on £48K which seems quite a high average

Entirely depends on the grade and level of overtime.

 

[the sniper]

Can i ask how did you go about getting this job , are they generally advertised. I noticed on the network rail site it sys they take on a few hundred every year ( seems a lot to me) however no positions advertised.

They frequently advertise for signallers around the country. As you say, there are non at the moment, but if you search for 'signaller' every so often on the careers website, you'll normally see something advertised for somewhere.

Also what's the pay like , according to Rail mag last week the average signaller is on £48K which seems quite a high average

I think Grade 1 signaller's earn a basic salary of something around £21k, though this may depend on location.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Also what's the pay like , according to Rail mag last week the average signaller is on £48K which seems quite a high average.

Herdster

New Post:
Just thought it was worth posting that Rail have since admitted they got the figure wrong, they believed Network Rail's anti-strike propaganda email sent out to the press, without checking the facts. Nigel Harris says he got a number of emails on the subject following the publication of the last issue, he's come over all pro-signaller's now...

 

[GB]

Nigel Harris says he got a number of emails on the subject following the publication of the last issue, he's come over all pro-signaller's now.

Its funny becuase when I saw that article a couple of days ago I myself was also going to send him an email but then completely forgot, glad other people did though!

 

[SouthernCDiv]

Thanks for that GB,appreciate it. Had a look at that link and yes to the uninitiated like myself it does look like a bit of a head**** but Im sure it will become crystal clear with the training.
I'll try not to spend too long in the bar, England will have probably been knocked out by the 2nd week anyhow!

Yes Good Luck ! as for the Rule Book, it will never make sense
when you start in your box, that is when the 'real' training starts, and of course depending on size/grade of the box too, some have gone straight into places like London Bridge, that takes, or can take a year or so to learn, others a matter of a couple of months, but you will never stop learning, even if you have been in a box for years and years, there is always something that will make you say "I didn't know that" !

Have fun....and .... leave the bar at 10pm !

 

[John1976]

Yes thanks for that. Its one of the things that attracted me to a career as a signaller in the first place. What ive read is that it's a job were you never stop learning and applying that knowledge. It'll be good for me old grey matter that's a certainty....

 

[daza7789]

John, what school are you going to?
I did my training at watford a short while ago (sept 09) here is a rough outline of the structure of course (if it is still the same)

1 week on location (lom should give you a work book, you WILL need it so make sure you have it...filled out too, they can remove you from course if missing)
2 weeks with exam 1 on second friday
2 weeks with exam 2 on second friday
1 week on location (you will be given a work book again)
1 week with exam 3 on friday
1 week with exam 4 on friday
1 week on location (again....yep you guessed it.....)
2 weeks with 5th (final AB exam on second thursday)
1 week TCB conversion with exam on the thurday
final thursday night... go and get hammered (you will want to lol)
final friday. awards and massive pat on back.

12 weeks in total

I cant say a great deal different from what has already been said on this matter really, only this:

Dont read too far ahead in rule book.... you Will confuse yourself.
take the first few days at school to really get to know your classmates. we had a group of 10, and we all got on well. trust me it can make things so much easyer.
spend 'some time' in the evenings revising the days work,(sugest all meeting in hotel bar etc so you can bounce things off each other) rarther than leaving it all for the night before the exam. i say 'some time' because it can be very intense some days, and you will need to clear your head occasionally.
Take a good book/paper on exam days....... takes ages for them to be marked!
keep your notes safe, a few things come back in the final exam that you may have covered weeks ago.
heed what the trainers say. they will help you no end, (doesnt look great on them if people fail!)
Make sure, before you start school u have all modules or the rulebook, and that they are up to date.
and most importantly, have a GREAT time, i know there is alot of learning involved, but you will meet new people, hopefully all get on great, and have some good laughs (I am still in contact with all my group),

The pass mark for the exams is 70%, you get one warning if you fall between 60 and 70% ... known as a yollow card, people rarely use it!.
Comunications. comunications. comunications......Very important, first thing taught, and has a seperate exam.

Not much else I can say really, Im not trying to scare you mate, I have every faith in you (as you passed the pre-employment assesment then you have what it takes).
Its not easy, but at the same time its not torcher lol. I Hope all goes well mate, keep me updated, and if I can help ask, if you are not sure of anything in class ASK the teacher THERE AND THEN!!! dont feel silly if no one else has asked, chances are there will be other people in the room that dont understand too, but are to nervous to ask!!!

Good luck, and keep me updated

Daz

 

[John1976]

Thanks for going into so much detail for me Daz,its really useful to hear from someone who has just finished their training. Im not sure which school i'll be going to, Im still waiting for my references to clear. From what ive read off other threads this forum is really insightful, especially to someone like myself who's new to the rail industry and this thread is no different! Thanks again Daz, I'll do my best to keep you updated.

 

[peterl]

Can anyone tell me how you can apply to signaller school ? I tried talking to National Rail carrer helpline but all they said is to keep looking at the job vacancies webpage? I've never seen anything come up on there about signaller school. any help really appreciated.

Peter
(looking for a career in signalling - fed up with IT)

 

[the sniper]

Might help if you started looking on the Network Rail site instead... and vacancies are advertised as 'Signaller', not 'signaller school'.

 

[33056]

See here , though there are hardly any signallers jobs on there at the moment.

 

[peterl]

thanks for the link, however it requires a login ?
and thanks for the other reply however i have searched with signal, signaller etc - not seen anything though - i will keep looking.

 

[33056]

It does look as if you need to register to apply for jobs but, if you do want to be a signaller, N/R are the only people who employ that particular grade.

BTW, the vacancy homepage looks almost identical to the internal vacancy list which also requires registration, even for people already employed by N/R!

 

[Rellubus]

Does your pay start as soon as you start your training ?

Also, if you have to travel to Leeds for the training is the digs sorted for you ?

Thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Does your pay start as soon as you start your training ?

Also, if you have to travel to Leeds for the training is the digs sorted for you ?

Thanks

 

[jamie_k]

Does your pay start as soon as you start your training ?

yes, from the day you start working for the company

Also, if you have to travel to Leeds for the training is the digs sorted for you ?

Thanks

yes you are put up in a hotel for the duration of the course (except weekends) and your travel to and from leeds/watford at the beginning/end of the week is also paid for

*I am a signaller, if you need to know anything else dont hesitate to ask

 

[Rellubus]

Thanks for that Jamie.

1} you have to get selected 1st before you start the training programme?

2} Jamie what is the pay like from day one ? is this monthly paid ?

3} Do you have to work shifts ? {if so do you get paid shift allowance on top}

4} training is in Leeds, west yorkshire OR Watford, London

5} Is there any perks to this job, ? lol

Thanks Jamie

Jase
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thanks for that Jamie.

1} you have to get selected 1st before you start the training programme?

2} Jamie what is the pay like from day one ? is this monthly paid ?

3} Do you have to work shifts ? {if so do you get paid shift allowance on top}

4} training is in Leeds, west yorkshire OR Watford, London

5} Is there any perks to this job, ? lol

Thanks Jamie

Jase

 

[33056]

1} you have to get selected 1st before you start the training programme?

Yes, there is an aptitude test (of which they will send you examples to practise, if chosen to attend), plus at least one interview and you have to pass a medical.

2} Jamie what is the pay like from day one ? is this monthly paid ?

Depends on the grade of the box you are appointed to; IIRC training is at one grade lower than that of your appointed job. Pay is by bank transfer every four weeks.

3} Do you have to work shifts ? {if so do you get paid shift allowance on top}

Most definitely yes, if you are not prepared to work shifts (including nights and weekends) then don't bother applying. There is an allowance for working nights and Sundays are extra as they are outside the working week.

4} training is in Leeds, west yorkshire OR Watford, London

Correct. I don't think you have the choice of which one to attend, it depends on which one is running the next available course.

5} Is there any perks to this job, ? lol

Not really, though I think you can get something like 75% off a season ticket to work. Depending on your shift pattern and location this may or may not be of use to you.

 

[jamie_k]

Thanks for that Jamie.

1} you have to get selected 1st before you start the training programme?

you apply for a signaller vacancy, fill out an application form online. If you are succesful with this you will be invited to attend a selection centre where you will take a series of tests, which for example involves memory, logic, mental arithmetic, colour blindness. If you are successful with this you will have an interview, and if you are successful with that its a medical and references.

2} Jamie what is the pay like from day one ? is this monthly paid ?

as previously stated its 4 weekly, and depending on the grade of your box, the minimum possible starting wage will be around £19k

4} training is in Leeds, west yorkshire OR Watford, London

yes its Leeds OR watford, depending on when the next course is running, not entirely dependant on where you live! there was someone from Scotland as I remember on a course at Watford!

5} Is there any perks to this job, ? lol

not really, to enjoy coming to work every day is good enough for me!

 

[pukahoop]

Yes, there is an aptitude test (of which they will send you examples to practise, if chosen to attend), plus at least one interview and you have to pass a medical.
Depends on the grade of the box you are appointed to; IIRC training is at one grade lower than that of your appointed job. Pay is by bank transfer every four weeks.
Most definitely yes, if you are not prepared to work shifts (including nights and weekends) then don't bother applying. There is an allowance for working nights and Sundays are extra as they are outside the working week.
Correct. I don't think you have the choice of which one to attend, it depends on which one is running the next available course.
Not really, though I think you can get something like 75% off a season ticket to work. Depending on your shift pattern and location this may or may not be of use to you.

Hi can anyone tell me if there is somewhere on
Line that you can practice the assesment/
Apptitude test

Thanks

 

[33056]

I am not aware of anything on-line. If you are selected for interview, they should (or at least they did 10 years ago!) send you a book at least a week in advance to work through. This should be ample time to give you a good idea of what the tests involve.

 

[pukahoop]

Thanks,I will just wait and see when and where
A job surfaces.

 

[Lou2006]

Hello everyone.
I was wondering if anyone could help me out with a few questions I have about trying to become a signaller. Just to fill you in on my background, I have been trying to become a signaller since early 2009 and rather unusually I went for the signaller assessment test in Euston without having applied for any jobs (however I had completed the application form which an area manager received). I passed the test at level/grade 3. Since then I have applied for many signaller jobs at low and higher grades and only had one interview near the box to which I was applying.

At the moment I have two signaller positions that I am going for (or at least have not come back as unsuccessful), I have just completed a safety test via telephone and have been told that I will be doing a signaller assessment test. I am wondering (from your experiences), do they expect me to do this test again or is it a different one? And when you mention being interviewed, is this being interviewed by a generic Network Rail management team or by a manager who runs the signal box to which I have applied and has marked/shortlisted me out for this himself?

Thanks.