First exam

[SWer]

I have worked in signalling since 1992, I have a Foundation Degree in Railway Engineering(Signalling) and I work within Signal Engineering at NR.

What exams should I start with. I completed the IST course in 2007 and the layout stuff is still relatively fresh...I think.

[Peter]

I have worked in signalling since 1992, I have a Foundation Degree in Railway Engineering(Signalling) and I work within Signal Engineering at NR.

What exams should I start with. I completed the IST course in 2007 and the layout stuff is still relatively fresh...I think.

There is no real hierarchy of one paper following on from the next - they all test different areas. You allusion to doing the IST stuff and that being fresh is a reasonable start point for going for that first / now. Build on the things that you have most experience of and that are current in your mind. I did module 2 in the October after I did IST and it was a great help (although I would say that the IRSE layout has more challenges than a typical course based layout, so don't be complacent)

The one notable exception is the compulsory module 1 which is so brad ranging that career experience tends to be what is important. If you have been around in signal engineering since 1992, this is a great benefit in trying to think "what sort of situation have I dealt with is relevant to what they are asking".

Currency of experience is an interesting question since, provided you state the period / practice you are answering for, you could be talking about appropriate layouts / controls / equipment from the 1920s (unless of course the question specifically says something about electronic processor based systems!). So, for instance, if you have Faulting experience on Aster 1W tracks and chose to answer a module five question like "for a track circuit of your choice do .....", just because it is not something we would put in new today does not mean that your engineering experience on it cannot be used to answer the question.

In summary: do first what you are most comfortable with (try old papers) and don't expect to find other modules easier for having completed earlier ones!

[SWer]

Thanks Peter

[desozapeaterr]

Hi SWer
I read your thread and moderator thread both, sorry i have joined late in this forum,but being a contractor of signaling i canot stop to do comments.as you are doing very good Job in Railway.Why shouldnot start your own business it will help you to learn more there.