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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career

You are here: Home > Forum > New to SimSig? > Newcomers > New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 12:37 #63809
TomDavies
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1 posts
Hi all,

I'm currently working as an accountant but I've decided that it's time for a career change, I'm still young (in my early 20s) and I've always been interested in trains, so after a bit of research I came across some signalling jobs with Network Rail.

I've applied for a grade 8 job at London Victoria, I don't know if this was ridiculously optimistic on my part, perhaps someone can advise, but I earn a good salary in my current job and wouldn't really want to cut down on that.
I got invited to complete the SJT yesterday and I've filled it in today. Seemed quite straightforward.

But I don't currently have any signalling experience, and so I thought it could only be beneficial to try it out before/if my application goes any further, so here I am. I don't know if mentioning SimSig in an interview would help but I can't see how it could hurt as it demonstrates a greater level of interest in getting the job.

If anyone has any help, advice or recommendations I'd be thrilled to hear from you!

Thanks. Tom.

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 14:35 #63814
Underwood
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746 posts
Good luck!

Don't know what anyone else's thoughts are, but I was told once by a signaller NEVER mention SimSig at an interview, they won't be interested...if that really is a bad thing I don't know.

Flight operators love people who have tried flying in Microsoft FS so I can't see why NR would throw away anyone who's played SimSig?

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 14:53 #63815
Ron_J
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I'd wager most managers won't have a clue what Simsig is or what it's about. I wouldn't have thought mentioning it would give you any advantage, quite the opposite. The psychometric assessments for signaller recruitment have recently changed and if you pass the assessment and are invited to interview then you have already demonstrated you possess the requisite aptitude for the job. In any case the interview is geared towards real life experience; they send you to signalling school to learn the mechanics of the job. You want to do everything you can to avoid giving off even the vaguest 'trainspotter' vibes at interview as that is a surefire way of having your application rejected.
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 14:58 #63816
madaboutrains
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307 posts
You may find this diagram useful.

Victoria Eastern (Towards Kent): https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4cN1n8sdJnxbmxROElNdHlhSFk/edit

Victoria Central (Brighton Mainline):
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4cN1n8sdJnxSGM3aDRGMVdQOWM/edit

May be interesting for you to see what you will be working....

RIP Feltham Panel 1
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 15:33 #63817
GeoffM
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6274 posts
Anecdotal evidence suggests that mentioning SimSig can go one of two ways, and there's no way of knowing in advance which was it will be. Some have reported positive reactions; fewer have reported negative reactions - depends on the interviewers. However, signalling school assumes you know absolutely nothing so while it might give you a head start, it's equally possible you'd learn some bad practices too.
SimSig Boss
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 17:51 #63825
northroad
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870 posts
" said:
You may find this diagram useful.

Victoria Eastern (Towards Kent): https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4cN1n8sdJnxbmxROElNdHlhSFk/edit

Victoria Central (Brighton Mainline):
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4cN1n8sdJnxSGM3aDRGMVdQOWM/edit

May be interesting for you to see what you will be working....
Wow some great pictures there. You must have taken them before the panels were commissioned did you as there are no TD's anywhere to be seen. Must admit I prefer the Sim Sig versions though.

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 17:57 #63826
madaboutrains
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307 posts
I took them earlier this year. Only finished making the diagrams today.

Victoria is a panel box and Simsig simulates the box as an IECC or computer base VDU system. This is why they are a lot different....

RIP Feltham Panel 1
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 18:10 #63828
JamesN
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1570 posts
Maidstone emergency alarm should be ME, not MS
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 18:30 #63829
northroad
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870 posts
" said:
Maidstone emergency alarm should be ME, not MS
Sutton has lost it's Platform 3

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 19:19 #63831
madaboutrains
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307 posts
Thanks for letting me know
RIP Feltham Panel 1
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 20:45 #63834
madaboutrains
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307 posts
It is actually "MS" of Victoria Panel diagram. Weird. Must be either a mistake or Maidstones Code for their auto or control signals. eg. EH for Eastleighs Autos and E for their controlled.
RIP Feltham Panel 1
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 15/08/2014 at 20:57 #63835
Firefly
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Quote:
Flight operators love people who have tried flying in Microsoft FS so I can't see why NR would throw away anyone who's played SimSig?
What makes you think that? I don't believe that's the case. Airlines don't take on anyone that can't already fly. Two particular training organisations in the UK have a very thorough selection process and I don't believe having used MSFS would sway things either way. What they do like to see is that people have at least had a trial flying lesson so that they know they like flying.

FF

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 16/08/2014 at 03:57 #63836
GeoffM
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6274 posts
" said:
Maidstone emergency alarm should be ME, not MS
" said:
It is actually "MS" of Victoria Panel diagram. Weird. Must be either a mistake or Maidstones Code for their auto or control signals. eg. EH for Eastleighs Autos and E for their controlled.
James is correct. Also, emergency alarms have nothing to do with signal prefixes (possible Scottish exceptions): it's the signal box code.


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SimSig Boss
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 16/08/2014 at 07:08 #63837
kaiwhara
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584 posts
Online
" said:
It is actually "MS" of Victoria Panel diagram. Weird. Must be either a mistake or Maidstones Code for their auto or control signals. eg. EH for Eastleighs Autos and E for their controlled.
Talking to a Signaller at Eastleigh that I know very well, the signals prefixed EH are actually from those on the North end of Panel 1 (basically Allbrook Junction and North) are actually because this section of Eastleigh Panel was resignalled a fair while after the rest of it (mid 90's IIRC?). This is also why this section is the only one in Eastleigh's control that utilises Flashing Yellows for divergent routes. Nothing to do with Auto's.

I did notice some errors and ommisions from your diagrams. Nothing serious, but I'll compile them and let you know if you get in touch with me.

Andrew

Sorry guys, I am in the business of making people wait!
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 16/08/2014 at 17:03 #63842
GeoffM
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6274 posts
" said:
" said:
Maidstone emergency alarm should be ME, not MS
" said:
It is actually "MS" of Victoria Panel diagram. Weird. Must be either a mistake or Maidstones Code for their auto or control signals. eg. EH for Eastleighs Autos and E for their controlled.
James is correct. Also, emergency alarms have nothing to do with signal prefixes (possible Scottish exceptions): it's the signal box code.
Upon talking further to peeps in the box itself, it would appear the back panel and the front desk are not consistent with each other and have probably been that way since installation.

SimSig Boss
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 16/08/2014 at 19:48 #63846
madaboutrains
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307 posts
Thanks please feel free to do this for me PM me the changes that need to be made.
RIP Feltham Panel 1
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 16/08/2014 at 19:52 #63847
madaboutrains
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Its MS for some reason on the panel diagram?

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10383632_316338741876960_5165453562827696475_n.jpg?oh=01c87962c0c20f724f432aaed0052aa3&oe=547576C0

RIP Feltham Panel 1
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 16/08/2014 at 22:34 #63854
BarryM
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2158 posts
MAT,

I am unable to view a correct image of these files. What program are you using to create the images?

Barry

Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 16/08/2014 at 23:49 #63855
Roadrunner
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111 posts
Post #4, docs.google. ... open them using your browser, then click on the down arrow, top centre, to download (and save somewhere). Open the saved file with Adobe Reader to view (and magnify).

Post #17, is a picture, simply view with a web browser.

Hope that helps.

Last edited: 16/08/2014 at 23:51 by Roadrunner
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 17/08/2014 at 11:08 #63869
Underwood
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746 posts
Just what I heard from other Pilot's saying operators (or some at least) like people who fly's in MSFS and has a hobby of it in a way, as apparently it shows them (the operator) that the person applying has some passion in flying and therefore could be passionate in doing their job.
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 27/01/2015 at 18:53 #68481
ajm
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1 posts
I am also new to this and enjoying using SimSig but stuck.. ( I am NOT a signaller )... some trains seem to go on wrong routes without me even going near them.. can I stop them earlier?? how do I reroute them? they seem locked in once on the wrong route then all hell breaks loose hahahaha
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 27/01/2015 at 19:09 #68483
KymriskaDraken
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963 posts
If you send one the wrong way the Driver should stop and get on the phone to complain. If he does then you can put the signal back to Danger, wait for the approach locking to time out (usually two minutes) and then try again. If the train accepts the wrong route then you're stuffed (unless you edit the timetable and reverse the train).


Kev

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 27/01/2015 at 19:53 #68485
Colourlight
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117 posts
Years ago it would have been unheard of to walk off the street straight into a
high grade Signalbox. It was quite common for a would be signalman (that,s what we were called back then), to start as a boxboy, go to Signal school and gradually work your way up.
Nowadays it is not possible to do that so it is getting to be normal to go straight into a Large signalling centre. The training time for Kings Cross used to be around 18 months starting from scratch.
However, due to the advent of the ROC,s which will eventually replace all the existing Signalboxes/Signalling Centres I don,t know if Network Rail are recruiting at the present time.

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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 27/01/2015 at 20:20 #68486
Steamer
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3913 posts
" said:
I am also new to this and enjoying using SimSig but stuck.. ( I am NOT a signaller )... some trains seem to go on wrong routes without me even going near them.. can I stop them earlier?? how do I reroute them? they seem locked in once on the wrong route then all hell breaks loose hahahaha
Have you taken a look at the Wiki? There's lots of information on there to help new players. In particular, take a look at the pages linked to at the bottom of this page.

I see from your Shoutbox post that you're currently playing Victoria Central. This is a pretty complex area, and I'd recommend starting with something in the beginner category (Royston is traditional) so you can get a grasp of the basics before returning to VC. There are about a dozen such simulations, just over half of which are free to play.

Good luck, and have fun!

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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New to SimSig and looking to get into Signalling as a career 27/01/2015 at 21:21 #68490
belly buster
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368 posts
" said:
I am also new to this and enjoying using SimSig but stuck.. ( I am NOT a signaller )... some trains seem to go on wrong routes without me even going near them.. can I stop them earlier?? how do I reroute them? they seem locked in once on the wrong route then all hell breaks loose hahahaha
If they are routing without you doing anything, I think you have the auto button pressed. You can cancel the autos by right clicking the roundel next to the blue "A" for the route, or by cancelling the route itself (right click the signal and cancel route).

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