[Closed] Network Rail - Signaller

I'm a train driver, met a lot of signallers over the years. What's up?

I fancied that as a way into the industry, applied for mebbe six or eight but never got anywhere. Tjat's not much help, is it. 🙁

😀 Nothing up, I’ve applied and got through all the online tests and I’m now just waiting on an interview date! i was just after some up-to date info on the interview process as it’s far more structured than I’ve been used to in the past - the eight non core technical skills and so on.

Pondo, did you get as far as interview?

NR, ECRO here, similar to signaller but with moar power!  Signalling training is intense with lots of class work, learning of rules and scenarios on simulators.  Once you've passed out you go into a signalbox on your Route.  There are always lots of vacancies country wide but bear in mind the grand plan is for all the little lever/frame boxes and power boxes to close and go into Regional Operating Centres (ROC's) which are VDU/ wall of screens, point and click mouse control (and whilst the future a little bit soulless IMO).

The NR website should have a list of sample interview questions to prepare with.  Demonstrate conflict resolution, dealing with a crisis/emergency/negotiating/changing your managers mind/resolving a technical issue etc. It also pays to know our "life saving rules".

There are always plenty of engineering vacancies/project management and other operations jobs.  Once you're in its a great career where if you are competent, diligent and can cope with "big organisation" you'll have a job for life.

30 years as a signaller, but not much use for interview technique as I've been in my present position for 20.
The advice I can give is learn the phonetic alphabet, research the area you'll be working in from a railway perspective, any level crossings, tunnels, stations etc.
Communication is of the upmost importance with repetition showing understanding on the railway.
As Ming says learn the lifesaving rules

Also check out the non technical skills

Edit
Tried to post links but failed but easy enough to find in Google though

Thanks Gibby and Ming. I've been reading through the 155 page thread on Railforums about becoming a signaller!
Its just a waiting game now to see if i get an interview.

Guys, how might I find out what shift pattern my SB works? It’s a Grade 3 position on the ECML if that’s in any way relevant!

Signaller for 29 years, in before all the new application process so can’t help with that, I do know that the majority of us wouldn’t get the job these days if we had to apply for them, shame because the company is loosing out on some good people that don’t manage to jump through the hoops they seem to think are needed. If asked these days I say I steer trains, not planning leaving any time soon so pretty good job.

To get the shift pattern just phone the box and ask, we are 24hr opening and 12hr shifts, works out roughly a week on and a week off. Take away 6 weeks leave and public holidays then it’s 4 1/2 months a year.

Signalling Engineer here, so it's me that you can curse while you're waiting for your approach locking to time out.

are all train delays caused by signalling problems? or do they just say that over the tannoy because they don't know what's wrong, or don't want to say what's actually wrong?

No , not at all, trespass, troubled people, train defects, staff in the wrong place, passenger kicking off issues as well as track defects, OHL or third rail issues (traction power), weather, animals on the line  can all cause delays, to name but a few.

But signalling tends to be a favourite catch all term, and a generate the most delays and whilst the signalling maybe playing up it could be due to defective track, a third rail or OHL short (caused by litter/vandalism) blowing up the delicate signalling circuits, failed aircon in an equipment room leading to kit overheating etc.

leading to kit overheating

In 25 years of commuting (sad) in and out of the City .... on the first, really properly, hot day of the year ... the trains always royally mess up in the afternoon.... Over expanding points ??

Can you just ring a signal box?

Yes just ring the box most places will only too happy to help. You may even get a bit of inside information on the working of the place as well as shift patterns which can only help.
Also see if it's possible to visit the signalbox which again will give you a head start in front of anyone else.

Pondo, did you get as far as interview?

No, mate, never further than the initial application - good luck! 🙂