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A career as a signaller

Woody27

Member
Joined
10 Apr 2020
Messages
155
Location
Plymouth
It wasn’t really about practicing the test , more about checking it out, to get a feel of it, ended up cracking on and completing it, a very unnatural experience, I think I covered most things, however, I’m a bit worried by the video quality of my answers, but rather than discard them, I uploaded them anyway!
 
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Jaytee1977

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2022
Messages
16
Location
Scarborough
Morning guys
I completed the online assessments on 4th August. I'm just wondering how long it takes to find out if I did well and what is the next step
 

Woody27

Member
Joined
10 Apr 2020
Messages
155
Location
Plymouth
Morning guys
I completed the online assessments on 4th August. I'm just wondering how long it takes to find out if I did well and what is the next step
Hi jaytee, you should get an email saying either you’ve not met the requirements needed, or you’ve passed the assessment and would be moved onto the next step, the time scale of this is difficult to say!
 

MikeyFord

Member
Joined
12 Jul 2022
Messages
22
Location
UK
Morning guys
I completed the online assessments on 4th August. I'm just wondering how long it takes to find out if I did well and what is the next step
It was about 3 weeks for me before you get an email inviting you for interview I have no idea of timescale if your not successful though I'm afraid.
 

89jordanbj

Member
Joined
16 Dec 2019
Messages
208
Location
Newport
Is there anyone in here work in the park junction box in Newport? Do you know the hours/shift pattern?
I cover Park Junction as part of my relief role. I don't have the exact roster for the residents but it is a 12 hour roster working 3 or 4 days a week with a block of 8 days off every 4th week. The residents also get 2 Sundays each month (1 day shift, 1 night shift).
 

Jaytee1977

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2022
Messages
16
Location
Scarborough
Hi jaytee, you should get an email saying either you’ve not met the requirements needed, or you’ve passed the assessment and would be moved onto the next step, the time scale of this is difficult to say!
Thanks #Woody27

It was about 3 weeks for me before you get an email inviting you for interview I have no idea of timescale if your not successful though I'm afraid.
Patience is they key then. Cheers @MikeyFord
 

Chrisjhbrown

Member
Joined
21 Dec 2020
Messages
22
Location
Peterborough
My LOM has said he is going to try and get me in at Uffington, but not sure. I start IST on October 17th!
Will u be doing ab cause they are ab in that box , they liaise with us for line blocks on the Stamford’s and we test the bells , i been up there see what it’s like there side , if u wanna know anything let me know in a message !?
 

Railrunnerjb

Member
Joined
24 Jun 2022
Messages
11
Location
Newport
I cover Park Junction as part of my relief role. I don't have the exact roster for the residents but it is a 12 hour roster working 3 or 4 days a week with a block of 8 days off every 4th week. The residents also get 2 Sundays each month (1 day shift, 1 night shift).
That sounds perfect! Im starting in there on the 12th Sep before Signalling School.
 

Jaytee1977

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2022
Messages
16
Location
Scarborough
As a Grade 2 signaller what is the realistic pay they receive as I keep getting told that it is way more than the advertised salary.
Just a bit concerned with the impending doom of the cost of living. Which I'm sure we all are cheers
 

Coppernob2014

Member
Joined
14 Feb 2022
Messages
37
Location
Peterborough
As a Grade 2 signaller what is the realistic pay they receive as I keep getting told that it is way more than the advertised salary.
Just a bit concerned with the impending doom of the cost of living. Which I'm sure we all are cheers
I’ve got an app on my phone which says take home for grade 2 is £1721 every four weeks.

However, someone asked about grade three and were told a figure higher than what my app says so don’t take it as gospel!

I was wondering if NR staff get discounted rail fares? I know part of the rejected terms from the strikes was 75% discounted?
 
Joined
15 Apr 2020
Messages
310
Location
Wakefield
Currently new employees of NR don’t get travel discount except for on season tickets (and it’s quite complex to explain so I won’t..!) but yes it seems it may be part of the deal in the current dispute. The non ops deal which they accepted included 75% off leisure travel and a better season ticket deal.

In terms of take home pay it really depends. Normally you can add a Sunday day and a Sunday night shift to your standard salary per 4 weeks, plus a week of nights at time plus 10%, so at grade 2 that’s in the region of £650 on top of basic (all pre tax obviously)

If you’re in a box with no nights or no Sunday then you won’t get that, or if you’re somewhere in need of lots of overtime you can take a lot more.
 

Jaytee1977

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2022
Messages
16
Location
Scarborough
I’ve got an app on my phone which says take home for grade 2 is £1721 every four weeks.

However, someone asked about grade three and were told a figure higher than what my app says so don’t take it as gospel!

I was wondering if NR staff get discounted rail fares? I know part of the rejected terms from the strikes was 75% discounted?

Currently new employees of NR don’t get travel discount except for on season tickets (and it’s quite complex to explain so I won’t..!) but yes it seems it may be part of the deal in the current dispute. The non ops deal which they accepted included 75% off leisure travel and a better season ticket deal.

In terms of take home pay it really depends. Normally you can add a Sunday day and a Sunday night shift to your standard salary per 4 weeks, plus a week of nights at time plus 10%, so at grade 2 that’s in the region of £650 on top of basic (all pre tax obviously)

If you’re in a box with no nights or no Sunday then you won’t get that, or if you’re somewhere in need of lots of overtime you can take a lot more.
 

Coppernob2014

Member
Joined
14 Feb 2022
Messages
37
Location
Peterborough
Thanks for the response. Can I also pester people for their opinion on Pensions? I’m not sure which to opt in to. I want to make sure I and my family have a good pay out when the time comes
 

Signal_Box

Member
Joined
25 Dec 2021
Messages
640
Location
UK
Just make sure you take the one and only chance to join the Railway Pension Scheme in year 5 of employment.
 

illberries

Member
Joined
5 May 2022
Messages
16
Location
Swindon
I’ve got an app on my phone which says take home for grade 2 is £1721 every four weeks.

However, someone asked about grade three and were told a figure higher than what my app says so don’t take it as gospel!

I was wondering if NR staff get discounted rail fares? I know part of the rejected terms from the strikes was 75% discounted?
Can I ask what the app is you use please? :)
 

Coppernob2014

Member
Joined
14 Feb 2022
Messages
37
Location
Peterborough
Can I ask what the app is you use please? :)
Sure, link is below! It’s not specific to Network Rail, but I’ve used it for years and usually gets it accurate.

 

Leeward

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2022
Messages
59
Location
Birmingham
Just had my interview for Worcester area vacancy.

Despite all the preparation I admit I had a little bit of a rush of terror attack 5 mins before going in, haha. The LOM however was lovely and put me right at ease. It was certainly a more laid back interview than I was expecting. May have fumbled/drawn a blank one or two times but I was flowing well for the most part so I'm about 80% sure I impressed.

Just so glad it's over... for now.
 

nom de guerre

Member
Joined
24 Nov 2015
Messages
774
I’ve got an app on my phone which says take home for grade 2 is £1721 every four weeks.

However, someone asked about grade three and were told a figure higher than what my app says so don’t take it as gospel!

I was wondering if NR staff get discounted rail fares? I know part of the rejected terms from the strikes was 75% discounted?


Generic salary calculator apps will likely underestimate the real take home pay for a signaller as they do not account for some of the 'guaranteed extras' (eg Sundays, night shift allowances and, depending on where you're based, regional allowances).

For staff who joined NR or its predecessor after 1995, the only discounted rail travel currently available is a (75%) season ticket subsidy, up to a maximum value of £2750.
 

Woody27

Member
Joined
10 Apr 2020
Messages
155
Location
Plymouth
Just had my interview for Worcester area vacancy.

Despite all the preparation I admit I had a little bit of a rush of terror attack 5 mins before going in, haha. The LOM however was lovely and put me right at ease. It was certainly a more laid back interview than I was expecting. May have fumbled/drawn a blank one or two times but I was flowing well for the most part so I'm about 80% sure I impressed.

Just so glad it's over... for now.
Mines next week for another position, nervous doesn’t cut it! I’ll prep as much as possible, but will probably just freeze hope all goes well for you
 

Ozifer212

New Member
Joined
15 Aug 2022
Messages
3
Location
Worcester
Just had my interview for Worcester area vacancy.

Despite all the preparation I admit I had a little bit of a rush of terror attack 5 mins before going in, haha. The LOM however was lovely and put me right at ease. It was certainly a more laid back interview than I was expecting. May have fumbled/drawn a blank one or two times but I was flowing well for the most part so I'm about 80% sure I impressed.

Just so glad it's over... for now.
I was at 9.30 this morning!... my first interview in a long time so was a little nervous but I crammed hard and although I waffled a bit, felt I held my own. The advice from this thread was really helpful and the interview was as expected and as described.
The LOM was indeed lovely and set a relaxed comfortable tone....
Good luck to you!... guess we find out soon so let us know
 

Leeward

Member
Joined
10 Jun 2022
Messages
59
Location
Birmingham
I was at 9.30 this morning!... my first interview in a long time so was a little nervous but I crammed hard and although I waffled a bit, felt I held my own. The advice from this thread was really helpful and the interview was as expected and as described.
The LOM was indeed lovely and set a relaxed comfortable tone....
Good luck to you!... guess we find out soon so let us know

Oh good, glad you thought the same. It was also my first interview in many years, let alone a video one.

Were you also told that decisions would be made within the next three days?
 

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