2011 Newcomer

[PJW]

Hi all, I have just started work at Serco Docklands as an Assistant Project Engineer within Signalling.

Given the size of th organisation, Serco Docklands has been pretty well represented for people doing the exam (many of whom had had an NR background previously) and attending events so you might well be able to get some help and advice from such individuals.

I've done my background reading on this forum and have read the introductory threads....... Additionally, I will be attending the YM AGM on 20th Jan to help me get started. In the meantime, has anyone got info on the following?

Sounds as if you've made a sensible start already.
Do download the question papers from IRSE's webbsite to look at before and have as reference on the day.
Use the opporunity of networking in the various breakes to try to make contact with others in London with whom you may be able to arrange to study.

Is it ambitious to undertake 2 modules per year bearing in mind I have to learn from first principles(I am quite worried...)? I'm not quite sure whether these exams are designed for people coming from backgrounds other than signalling and therefore the level of difficulty will be higher for me?

Project Management experience, even if it were completely non railway, should help a bit in module 1 and module 7. However you still need the "railway domain knowledge" and since DLR is somewhat special, then choice of questions specifically applicable to that might be a bit limiting, so a deliberate widening of knowledge to include a little of other railways would also be useful- for compare and contrast if nothing else.
Two modules is sensible I feel- it may be with your experience that mod 1 and 7 could form a useful pair. There's quite a bit of overlap; a lot of people fail mod1 whereas mod7 generally has much higher pass rate. Suggest therefore you go for both and if you pass mod7 but fail mod1 then don't be too surprised, but probably better than just attempting mod 7.

I have not seen any set information regarding study groups in London for 2011, anyone know where they may be held?

Neither have I- basically it needs a group of people to form for mutual benefit and an employer willing to permit the use of a meeting room at the end of the day. Use the YM AGM / Exam Review and this Forum to try to get one started. There were groups at Euston and Holborn in 2010 which may well be continuing; I don't know about the Croydon group but since it was Peter Scott who was the main driver who has sadly now died I doubt that it will meet unless someone reinvigorates; however all these groups really are best run by the YM students themselves.

Can I get hold of the textbooks/technical papers etc at the IRSE Library and if neccessary purchase the listed textbooks? I am also particularly interested in the "green booklets" and technical papers. Atleast then I have all the material and can get started on studying.

The IRSE library is a sorry story; we lost much of it at the time of the divorce from IET. However I believe that it has been reconstituted to some extent; not sure what the arrangements are so suggest contact IRSE and asking. Certainly text books are available for sale from IRSE, including the new one on ERTMS. The old Green books have been republished in groups of 4 and can similarly be bought- you can quite often find originals on sale on EBay as the old generation of signal engineers downsize their homes or pass away.

Do I get access to past papers when I have completed an exam registration including model answers? I have already got a copy of the 2010 papers.

Yes I think that at least the last 5 years are included on the Study DVD, due for publication in April I think. Unfortunately we are not allowed to place all the old papers on this website, but I tend to take a more relaxed view of making copies available to a particular individual as a one-off; make yourself known to me at the event or in the pub afterwards.

Are there any tutorials held anywhere alongside the study groups to aid with your independant learning?

The format of Study Groups varies, but yes some can include tutorials. We do try to run some weekend YM exam events every year and these also can include such. Details not finalised for 2011 (but latest info will be presented on Thursday); it is actually easier to get individual volunteers to help than it is to get companies to make premises available / sponsor the event by providing lunch etc.

[quote]
I have a lot of questions in mind but do not want to bombard you with all sorts right now! I want to make sure I understand what I am letting myself in for so I can prepare well and remain commited and focussed.
/quote]

Indeed; come to listen and ask questions at the event, use the networking time wisely and if possible come and chat over a beer afterwards.