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AIBU?

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Original poster

To retrain as a railway shunter?

34 replies

Alcully · 31/12/2024 11:37

I’d love to do this job - ideally as a shunter for British Rail ! Maybe one day this will become a reality!

Anyway, until British Rail becomes a major employer again, in the meantime, can anyone advise me on prospects /conditions for this job please?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Kimmicat · 31/12/2024 19:07

Were you in to Thomas the tank as a child? 🤣
I used to want to be the fat controller, as an adult I’m just fat 🙈

Katemax82 · 31/12/2024 18:55

Just apply on your local companies website if there is a vacancy..you will be assessed accordingly

BlackChunkyBoots · 31/12/2024 15:35

lleeggoo · 31/12/2024 15:16

You need to work for TfL before you can apply as a driver, worth looking into though.

Yes, you start on stations before applying to be a tube driver.

JoanOfArchers · 31/12/2024 15:32

AmandaHoldensLips · 31/12/2024 15:19

I fantasise about driving one of those little street sweeper machines that womble around in the early hours of the morning.

🤣 womble around 🤣

Ginmonkeyagain · 31/12/2024 15:28

@BlackChunkyBoots so true - still traumatised by the hi-vis safety trousers that came up to my nipples. 😆

AmandaHoldensLips · 31/12/2024 15:19

I fantasise about driving one of those little street sweeper machines that womble around in the early hours of the morning.

lleeggoo · 31/12/2024 15:16

You need to work for TfL before you can apply as a driver, worth looking into though.

Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:34

Curtainqueen · 31/12/2024 11:48

Don't the drivers themselves usually put the trains into sidings? They do where I am.

I suppose they might do but there are still dedicated rail shunting jobs

OP posts:
Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:33

Sallycinnamum · 31/12/2024 12:25

I will also add thst many rail companies are actively recruiting women into these roles offering more family friendly hours so now would be a good time to apply.

Thank you - this is very encouraging

OP posts:
Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:32

BlackChunkyBoots · 31/12/2024 12:29

Rail firns want to be seen as good employers dor women these days so yes, your sex might be an advantage. But BEWARE! A lot of uniforms and PPE STILL don't fit women well including the bastard boots. Pay is fine, though.

If you live in the SE have you thought about becoming a tube driver?

Ah thank you!

Their stance on women is encouraging!

no that’s interesting I’ve never considered being a tube driver

OP posts:
BlackChunkyBoots · 31/12/2024 12:29

Rail firns want to be seen as good employers dor women these days so yes, your sex might be an advantage. But BEWARE! A lot of uniforms and PPE STILL don't fit women well including the bastard boots. Pay is fine, though.

If you live in the SE have you thought about becoming a tube driver?

Sallycinnamum · 31/12/2024 12:25

I will also add thst many rail companies are actively recruiting women into these roles offering more family friendly hours so now would be a good time to apply.

BrightOrangeDahlias · 31/12/2024 12:13

BrightOrangeDahlias · 31/12/2024 11:53

This ^

There may be a limited number of shunting jobs at rail freight sites or maintenance locations for passenger rolling stock. Your best bet, OP, is to identify who operates any of these type of sites in your area and see if they have an jobs going. E.g. DB Schenker / Freightliner / GB Railfreight, or the TOCs like GWR, SouthEastern, Avanti West Coast etc...

Edited
Show quote history

Also: many of the passenger rolling stock maintenance depots are operated by the train manufacturers, so check on the jobs page of their websites too. E.g Siemens / Alstom / Hitachi / CAF / Stadler amongst others all run maintenance sites in the UK.

Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:04

Chersfrozenface · 31/12/2024 11:56

Join Rail UK Forums
https://www.railforums.co.uk/
There is a Railway Jobs & Careers board - ask on there.

You can look for 'shunter" jobs on line but many involve moving things like HGV trailers and shipping containers around yards, not rail rolling stock. So the above link would be a good place to start.

Thank you so much for this link !

OP posts:
Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:04

BrightOrangeDahlias · 31/12/2024 11:53

This ^

There may be a limited number of shunting jobs at rail freight sites or maintenance locations for passenger rolling stock. Your best bet, OP, is to identify who operates any of these type of sites in your area and see if they have an jobs going. E.g. DB Schenker / Freightliner / GB Railfreight, or the TOCs like GWR, SouthEastern, Avanti West Coast etc...

Edited
Show quote history

Ah thanks for this !

OP posts:
Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:03

taxguru · 31/12/2024 12:01

Exactly. Various train operating companies are already back under Govt control, but they're still being managed/administered by private firms, such as Northern, and there's been no improvement at all, in fact, their services are worse since govt control. Of course, Network Rail is also government controlled. In fact, it's arguable, the railways have always been "controlled" by the government as the private firms involved had little freedom - fare were set by govt, routes were set by govt, type of trains used was set by govt, etc etc.

Show quote history

Gosh I didn’t realise govt involvement in private firms

OP posts:
Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:02

Sallycinnamum · 31/12/2024 11:58

OP apply now but it is incredibly competitive as many become shutters with a view to be a train driver. It's not uncommon to have thousands of applicants for a handful of jobs.

As for BR, it doesn't exist and although it's true the railway will be fully nationalised god only knows what this will look like in practice.

That’s one consolation I suppose !

OP posts:
taxguru · 31/12/2024 12:01

lleeggoo · 31/12/2024 11:52

Labour are re nationalising the railways.

That doesn't mean 'British Rail' will return. OP suggested it still exists.

Exactly. Various train operating companies are already back under Govt control, but they're still being managed/administered by private firms, such as Northern, and there's been no improvement at all, in fact, their services are worse since govt control. Of course, Network Rail is also government controlled. In fact, it's arguable, the railways have always been "controlled" by the government as the private firms involved had little freedom - fare were set by govt, routes were set by govt, type of trains used was set by govt, etc etc.

Original poster
Alcully · 31/12/2024 12:01

Sallycinnamum · 31/12/2024 11:58

OP apply now but it is incredibly competitive as many become shutters with a view to be a train driver. It's not uncommon to have thousands of applicants for a handful of jobs.

As for BR, it doesn't exist and although it's true the railway will be fully nationalised god only knows what this will look like in practice.

Thank you this is useful into

OP posts:
Sallycinnamum · 31/12/2024 11:58

OP apply now but it is incredibly competitive as many become shutters with a view to be a train driver. It's not uncommon to have thousands of applicants for a handful of jobs.

As for BR, it doesn't exist and although it's true the railway will be fully nationalised god only knows what this will look like in practice.

Chersfrozenface · 31/12/2024 11:56

Join Rail UK Forums
https://www.railforums.co.uk/
There is a Railway Jobs & Careers board - ask on there.

You can look for 'shunter" jobs on line but many involve moving things like HGV trailers and shipping containers around yards, not rail rolling stock. So the above link would be a good place to start.

BrightOrangeDahlias · 31/12/2024 11:53

Curtainqueen · 31/12/2024 11:48

Don't the drivers themselves usually put the trains into sidings? They do where I am.

This ^

There may be a limited number of shunting jobs at rail freight sites or maintenance locations for passenger rolling stock. Your best bet, OP, is to identify who operates any of these type of sites in your area and see if they have an jobs going. E.g. DB Schenker / Freightliner / GB Railfreight, or the TOCs like GWR, SouthEastern, Avanti West Coast etc...

lleeggoo · 31/12/2024 11:52

Labour are re nationalising the railways.

That doesn't mean 'British Rail' will return. OP suggested it still exists.

Curtainqueen · 31/12/2024 11:48

Don't the drivers themselves usually put the trains into sidings? They do where I am.