Signalling Maintenance Technician

Demosthenis Savva is employed by the Docklands Light Railway, Serco Docklands Ltd in London. The DLR, as it is called, does not have train drivers or traditional visual signals. Instead each train has an onboard computer in continual communication with a central computer which provides fully automated train control.

How would you outline your role?

As a signalling maintenance technician my job is to maintain the railway operational equipment on the DLR and consists of regular inspection, testing and maintenance in order to prevent failures. On a scheduled basis we check signalling equipment such as point machines, axle-counters and inductive loops which are all used in controlling train movements, trackside and station installations and train units.

What are your main responsibilities?

My responsibilities are to assist my team leader, senior technician and FLRTs in planning and carrying out preventative maintenance or to respond immediately to a failure. An FLRT is a First Line Response Team which responds to failures and incidents that occur on and around the railway. They are skilled in signalling and rolling stock disciplines and each team consists of one signalling technician and one rolling stock technician. Rolling stock is the term used for railway vehicles. The teams work on a 24-hour basis throughout the year. All jobs that we undertake must be completed to the standard set by the industry and be completed in a timely manner as requested by the team leader or the control room technician. All records of work done must then be entered according to the correct system and in paper form.

What hours do you work?

I work 35 hours per week, all night shifts starting Sunday night though to Friday morning starting at 11.00pm till 6.00am.

What is your working environment like?

My working environment depends upon the particular job that I have to do. It may be in the open air working on a trackside fault or in an air-conditioned control room. All my colleagues are friendly and helpful and the general working atmosphere is great.

Who do you work with?

I mainly work with the night team leader and the maintenance team which consists of six people. These are three senior technicians and three junior technicians. When required we will assist the night FLRT's too.

What skills or qualities do you need?

For this job a driving licence is essential as we travel to different points on the network by road. We must also be able to read and understand electrical and electronic diagrams and be able to identify and solve problems quickly. Working in a team at night requires an ability to maintain good working relationships and the stamina to work continual night shifts.

Why did you choose this type of work?

I have always been interested in working outside the normal office conditions. When I was studying at college I chose to take an electrician's course and through this I realised that the skills I was learning were useful to the rail industry. After talking to someone who had worked on the railway I knew that I would be well-suited to my current role.

What training have you done?

All of my training since joining has come from the company and has included courses on points maintenance, axle counter and clamp maintenance and track awareness. I expect to attend many more internal courses prepared by the company

Do you use any special tools or equipment?

I use a digital multimeter which measures current, voltage and resistance and an oscilloscope which is used for checking signal strength and quality of the data signals that are transmitted between the vehicles and the central computer systems. I also use various other specialist tester units as well as the more traditional style of electro-mechanical tools.

What do you like/dislike about your job?

One of the things that I enjoy is that I am never alone on any job. In any position or job level you hold there is always someone that will help and assist you to correct and maintain railway equipment to the correct standards set. My dislikes were working nights but once you become used to them it becomes easier to handle.

What are the main challenges?

Fault finding can be difficult but there is always a strong team to assist.

How do you see your future?

I would like to see my future progressing through Serco in the signalling department as high as possible.

Demosthenis' route

• GCSEs
• A Levels
• City & Guilds Certificate in Electrical Installation: Distinction.

Demosthenis' tips

• Obtain an electrical background in electronics installations or diagram reading.
• Do some research into the docklands light railway signalling and telecommunications to learn how the system works.