Course Information

This course is designed to train persons who are responsible for undertaking this course as part of their duties as a Signal Maintenance Tester on Network Rail Infrastructure. It is designed to develop a person’s knowledge, understanding and skills of carrying out Signal Maintenance Testing in accordance with the Signal Maintenance Testing Handbook (SMTH) and other applicable Network Rail Standards. The course is fully in compliance with Network Rail standards and we are one of their approved training providers of SMTH training.

Pre-Requisites

The course assumes that you have experience of being a signalling technician and have attended signalling specific training courses, such as Signal Engineering Maintenance 1 & 2 (SEM 1/2) or an equivalent. If you don’t think you have the required experience, please let us know when contacting us.

You should have a good command of the English language. 

You should hold PTS or equivalent for the railway you are working on.  

You will be required to complete and pass a pre-knowledge assessment prior to attending the course. Please note that this test has a limited number of attempts and needs to be completed well in advance of the course.

Course Outcomes

• Provide you with the knowledge and skill to undertake SMTH.a testing (core skills) on the operational railway
• Provide you with the knowledge and skill to undertake SMTH.b Aspect testing on the operational railway
• Provide you with the knowledge and skill to undertake SMTH.c Points testing on the operational railway
• Provide you with the knowledge and skill to undertake SMTH.d Cable Function Testing on the operational railway
• Provide you with the knowledge and skill to undertake SMTH.f Diversion of.a Circuit testing on the operational railway

Course Breakdown

Week 1

We will cover primarily theory by looking at the SMTH book, the defined tests and checks. There will be a chance for some practical work to learn and practice the tests. 

At the end of the week there will be a theory test on the application of the book (core testing). 

We also aim to undertake assessments on earth testing and wire count.

Week 2 

In this week, you will be allocated a day for your assessment to cover the various defined tests, we will cover (as needed):

• Aspect testing 
• Cable testing 
• Points testing 
• Cable diversion 
• Preparation of new maintenance test plan 

If a competence cannot be met in the additional modules, then the delegate will either go to re-training in that module or further mentorship depending on the amount of assistance required.

Assessment

Delegates will be assessed by completing a written theory test and complete a practical assessment observed by their assessor. All delegates will complete the SMTH.a theory test and practical, and other modules will be assessed separately if needed. Delegates will be issued a certificate of competency noting their modules taken, with additional mentoring needed until recertification.