I have an interview next month and in a similar position re salary. Although in for a grade 3 post so not as big a difference in salary but would be interested to know as well
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A career as a signaller
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Shunkadunk
Member
Good luck to everyone above with interviews.
I have also been offered an interview as a signaller and have been looking at possible interview questions on indeed: https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/network-rail-signaller-interview-questions I don't know how accurate these are but one of the questions they have as an example is "What would you do if two trains were heading towards each other on the same track?" I was just wondering what would be a good answer to to this? What can a signaller actually do in this position to prevent a head on collision? I have looked it up and found a lot of information about how this situation can be prevented, but what would a signaller do if this was happening?
I have also been offered an interview as a signaller and have been looking at possible interview questions on indeed: https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/network-rail-signaller-interview-questions I don't know how accurate these are but one of the questions they have as an example is "What would you do if two trains were heading towards each other on the same track?" I was just wondering what would be a good answer to to this? What can a signaller actually do in this position to prevent a head on collision? I have looked it up and found a lot of information about how this situation can be prevented, but what would a signaller do if this was happening?
Yeah, so frustrating, barely a pay rise at all for the last 10 years in civil service then a reasonable one which comes into effect next month. Some to my potential new manager today and he said they also have g5 and -g7 in Cambridge so could potentially go for them once in and trained I guess
Signal_Box
Member
You won’t regret taking the promotion to signaller !
High Dyke
Established Member
Regarding Sunday OT. It depends if the location has base rostered Sundays or not
Sunday turns on base roster: You will be expected to work it. If a base rostered Sunday is uncovered then it will first be offered (in this order) to:
- relief signallers on equalisation basis
- resident signallers on equalisation basis
- relief whose flexible band doesn't cover the location concerned, bearing in mind equalisation
I don't have an editable copy of the National Rostering Principles on the home computer, but that information is shown in that document.
Hi everyone,
I’ve been lucky enough to be offered a grade 4 signalling role, with my medical due to take place next Friday. I know there’s been some recent questions regarding eyesight, but has anyone actually had a medical recently and do they test without glasses too? (I already know they do the main test with glasses on) but wondering if they do one without?
My eyesight is great with my glasses but absolutely awful without, I don’t think I’d be able to read the top line without them. Can anyone with a recent medical shed some light? I would be gutted if I were to lose out because of this
I’ve been lucky enough to be offered a grade 4 signalling role, with my medical due to take place next Friday. I know there’s been some recent questions regarding eyesight, but has anyone actually had a medical recently and do they test without glasses too? (I already know they do the main test with glasses on) but wondering if they do one without?
My eyesight is great with my glasses but absolutely awful without, I don’t think I’d be able to read the top line without them. Can anyone with a recent medical shed some light? I would be gutted if I were to lose out because of this
The Puddock
Member
Scotland doesn’t use equalisation for Sundays (or Rest Day Working), it has a well established ‘priority order’ instead. This is totally different and too complicated to go into here.
Carnoustie is a grade 3 box, open 24/7 with a 12 hour roster and booked Sundays.
Any idea if cupar is the same?
The Puddock
Member
Cupar is a grade 2, open 24/7. It also works a 12 hour roster but a different pattern from Carnoustie with different shift changeover times.
Tripl
Member
Thank you, and good luck!Good luck!
I'm just about to start Salford school next week!
I got told 23rd for school, and I have had my medical but I got my offer in April, so had plenty of time to sort it. Hopefully will see you there!
Goggins
Member
I think its more than likely given our start dates and locations. Just want to get started now on what looks like a challenging course but rewarding career
LJC2023
Member
With regards to the medical, does anyone know roughly how far in advance you undergo one of these before your start date?
Due to start on 30/10/23, and on my offer email said they are booked within 3 months of the start date.
Notice at my current job is 4 weeks, so just wanted to ensure that you are given ample time to hand a notice in before you start.
Thanks
Due to start on 30/10/23, and on my offer email said they are booked within 3 months of the start date.
Notice at my current job is 4 weeks, so just wanted to ensure that you are given ample time to hand a notice in before you start.
Thanks
CheeseNoMayo
Member
I’ve got a start date of 23/10 and I had the phone call today from the company that provides the medical to get it booked in. Hope this gives you an ideaWith regards to the medical, does anyone know roughly how far in advance you undergo one of these before your start date?
Due to start on 30/10/23, and on my offer email said they are booked within 3 months of the start date.
Notice at my current job is 4 weeks, so just wanted to ensure that you are given ample time to hand a notice in before you start.
Thanks
LJC2023
Member
Ah that’s great. Should be soon I hear then. Thanks mate
RailwayRookie
Member
Hi All,
New to the forum and had some questions, they have probably been answered already so i'm sorry for beating the same old drum but with 16000 posts on this thread its a long task to search through.
I have been offered a Grade 3 Signaller Role today subject to Medical and Referencing (shouldn't be an issue).
I do however have some questions regarding what happens now.
I assume once given the all clear I will be given a start date, would this date be when i start IST and if so as I believe the courses have long intervals, could that be a long wait?
Second, I have seen some posts about passing and then having to 'apply' for a position in their area, is this always the case or if my offer says I'm "Based at XXX SB", is that a guarantee that I will be in that box once passed?
Third, Is the training school the next one available or is it somewhat geographical as i'm in the Norfolk/Suffolk area and i believe theres one in Ipswich?
And Finally (for now), can anyone shed light on the following sentence?
"Upon passing competent for your first workstation/panel there is a commitment to keep you off the base roster until full required competency is achieved unless cover is required or as part of agreed training"
Is this about not being allowed to work solo until you are competent or am i interpreting it wrong?
Thanks in advance
New to the forum and had some questions, they have probably been answered already so i'm sorry for beating the same old drum but with 16000 posts on this thread its a long task to search through.
I have been offered a Grade 3 Signaller Role today subject to Medical and Referencing (shouldn't be an issue).
I do however have some questions regarding what happens now.
I assume once given the all clear I will be given a start date, would this date be when i start IST and if so as I believe the courses have long intervals, could that be a long wait?
Second, I have seen some posts about passing and then having to 'apply' for a position in their area, is this always the case or if my offer says I'm "Based at XXX SB", is that a guarantee that I will be in that box once passed?
Third, Is the training school the next one available or is it somewhat geographical as i'm in the Norfolk/Suffolk area and i believe theres one in Ipswich?
And Finally (for now), can anyone shed light on the following sentence?
"Upon passing competent for your first workstation/panel there is a commitment to keep you off the base roster until full required competency is achieved unless cover is required or as part of agreed training"
Is this about not being allowed to work solo until you are competent or am i interpreting it wrong?
Thanks in advance
Cheers thanks for the response was under impression from the info in the network rail advert that it was grade 3.
Just done my video based scenarios. Not a fun experience
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Jam67
Member
Hi there - I did my medical on the 7th of July, so pretty current.
Regarding the eyetest, I think it's up to you whether you wear your glasses or not - I have a +1.50 prescription for distance & +3.25 for reading, but I tried it without glasses to begin with & passed it no problems (he said that the threshold for signallers is actually only the second line down, which I though was pretty lenient TBH). I then asked if I could try it with my glasses on & could read the whole chart with no problems.
I fretted like mad before my medical about blood pressure & my diabetic HbA1c level, but both 'pass' levels were again very lenient IMHO, so I was worriting myself unnecessarily!
The worst news I got from the medical was that my left foot is actually an 8.5, while my right is only an 8, so all-in-all, I was quite pleased with that...
Thank you so much for your reply, did you need to be able to read the second line down unaided (without glasses)? As without my glasses I don’t think I could even read the first line. I’m -4.00 in both eyesHi there - I did my medical on the 7th of July, so pretty current.
Regarding the eyetest, I think it's up to you whether you wear your glasses or not - I have a +1.50 prescription for distance & +3.25 for reading, but I tried it without glasses to begin with & passed it no problems (he said that the threshold for signallers is actually only the second line down, which I though was pretty lenient TBH). I then asked if I could try it with my glasses on & could read the whole chart with no problems.
I fretted like mad before my medical about blood pressure & my diabetic HbA1c level, but both 'pass' levels were again very lenient IMHO, so I was worriting myself unnecessarily!
The worst news I got from the medical was that my left foot is actually an 8.5, while my right is only an 8, so all-in-all, I was quite pleased with that...
You could start straight at block school or have some time doing other things first; it varies. It could be a while.
If your contract is for a box then that's where you'll be, unless you're on the relief.
Block school location is decided on both availability and distance.
That is where your role requires you to work multiple locations or panels/workstations. It's to ensure trainees have the opportunity to train them all in a reasonable time.
Leedslad0113
Member
With regards to the medical, does anyone know roughly how far in advance you undergo one of these before your start date?
Due to start on 30/10/23, and on my offer email said they are booked within 3 months of the start date.
Notice at my current job is 4 weeks, so just wanted to ensure that you are given ample time to hand a notice in before you start.
Thanks
I’m waiting for my medical too. We have the same start date so might be on the same course. You got one of the Yorkshire positions?
Goggins
Member
I've got a start date 9th of October, and still haven't heard from the medical.. Hopefully hear something soon as i have a 4 week notice to give in as well
Jam67
Member
No, like I say, it's entirely up to you whether you wear your glasses or not, I simply chose not to, just to see if I could do it unaided - in your case, just wear your glasses & have done with it. He told me that the NR threshold for signallers was being able to read the second line on the chart, with or without glasses - I seem to remember he said that signallers could essentially be as "blind as a bat" & still pass...
I did my medical at Peterborough, & as I mentioned, I was beating myself up about it for weeks before the event - on the day though, I mentioned my concerns & he simply said, "don't worry, I'll do everything I can to get you through". Obviously you can't be a danger to yourself or others, but I don't think they're looking to fail people unnecessarily
Amazing, thank you very much for putting my mind at ease over this!No, like I say, it's entirely up to you whether you wear your glasses or not, I simply chose not to, just to see if I could do it unaided - in your case, just wear your glasses & have done with it. He told me that the NR threshold for signallers was being able to read the second line on the chart, with or without glasses - I seem to remember he said that signallers could essentially be as "blind as a bat" & still pass...
I did my medical at Peterborough, & as I mentioned, I was beating myself up about it for weeks before the event - on the day though, I mentioned my concerns & he simply said, "don't worry, I'll do everything I can to get you through". Obviously you can't be a danger to yourself or others, but I don't think they're looking to fail people unnecessarily
My medical is also in Peterborough so hopefully everything will be ok. I’m glad you got through yours with no issue, and I wish you the best of luck with everything
Just to add to this. Although I'm a driver and not a signaller I can only just about see the biggest letter on the top line. If you are fine with glasses or lenses you almost certainly won't fail.
Jam67
Member
The biggest problem I had with Peterborough was getting through the sodding gate to get to the medical facility! I was there at 8.15 however, so I suspect the folks on gate control were probably just getting settled in for the day & brewing their morning cuppa - it was the longest 10 minutes of my life though, waiting & watching the time before my appointment tick away!
Cheers for the best wishes - I officially started last Monday (the 24th), which was basically just an induction from 09.45, including trying to set me up on the computer (with only mixed results...) & then about three hours or so in the neighbouring signal box, which was great.
The rest of the two weeks before IST starts on the 7th of August was originally pencilled in for eLearning from home (once we sorted most of the IT issues) - basically eight courses on stuff like business ethics, security, counter-terrorism, data protection, fire safety, diversity & inclusion, asbestos awareness, etc. - but I'm now visiting one of the boxes I might end up in for 2-3 hours a day just to shadow the signaller & see how things operate. All-in-all, a nice gentle introduction & everyone's been really helpful thus far & has made me feel very welcome, which is helping to calm any nervousness
LJC2023
Member
Yes mate, sorted everything else just waiting for my medical.
The Puddock
Member
The Network Rail company medical standard is very clear that your vision is meant to be tested both corrected and uncorrected (i.e. with and without glasses) so if the practitioner really said that ”it’s up to you” then they aren’t following the correct proecdure. That needs to be reported because they may pass someone who otherwise doesn’t meet the standard. The required standard for signallers isn’t too onerous - the standard for air traffic controllers is much stricter - but it still exists for a very important reason.No, like I say, it's entirely up to you whether you wear your glasses or not, I simply chose not to, just to see if I could do it unaided - in your case, just wear your glasses & have done with it. He told me that the NR threshold for signallers was being able to read the second line on the chart, with or without glasses - I seem to remember he said that signallers could essentially be as "blind as a bat" & still pass...
It’s maybe also worth noting here that Network Rail is bringing occupational heath entirely in-house in November this year, ditching OH Assist and employing its own clinicians.
Jam67
Member
I think I may have inadvertantly generated a bit of a misunderstanding here then, but if you actually read back over what I've written in the preceding posts, you'll see that I didn't claim that the practitioner said what you're now attributing to him, that was my statement (I originally said, "I think it's up to you whether you wear your glasses or not" and then perhaps ill-advisedly doubled-down on that in my second post, based upon my interpretation of my own personal experience) - from your subsequent information about the NR medical standard, it appears that I was in error, and for that I apologise. For the record, however, any and all errors were entirely mine and any suspicion that the practitioner was in any way lax would be completely incorrect and should be nipped in the bud straightaway.
I suspect that I simply pre-empted the correct procedure somewhat by starting the test without glasses (& passing easily) before then almost immediately doing the same with glasses on, so I didn't actually give him much chance to give me the correct instructions, as I'd already carried them out.
As I say, my unfortunate wording and my seemingly incorrect interpretation of the process, but overall I have nothing but praise for the Optima Health team who dealt with my medical and doubt that an in-house NR clinician would have done anything differently.
This is really useful information, thanksThe biggest problem I had with Peterborough was getting through the sodding gate to get to the medical facility! I was there at 8.15 however, so I suspect the folks on gate control were probably just getting settled in for the day & brewing their morning cuppa - it was the longest 10 minutes of my life though, waiting & watching the time before my appointment tick away!
Cheers for the best wishes - I officially started last Monday (the 24th), which was basically just an induction from 09.45, including trying to set me up on the computer (with only mixed results...) & then about three hours or so in the neighbouring signal box, which was great.
The rest of the two weeks before IST starts on the 7th of August was originally pencilled in for eLearning from home (once we sorted most of the IT issues) - basically eight courses on stuff like business ethics, security, counter-terrorism, data protection, fire safety, diversity & inclusion, asbestos awareness, etc. - but I'm now visiting one of the boxes I might end up in for 2-3 hours a day just to shadow the signaller & see how things operate. All-in-all, a nice gentle introduction & everyone's been really helpful thus far & has made me feel very welcome, which is helping to calm any nervousness
I'm due to start a week tomorrow but don't start IST until mid September. I have been wondering what I will be doing and also what my pay will look like as a result (whether I'd be working limited hours or from home etc.)
I know what grade salary I'll be on whilst training so any information about pre-IST and IST pay (how it works?) would be great too!
Most likely be filling out paperwork, completing online modules that will help with some info for the start of IST, possibly visit your location(s) and a few other bits. 4 weeks is a long time to do stuff before IST so might get paid to sit at home.
Will be paid grade 2 before and during IST.