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Original poster

Is ‘shunter for British Rail’ a working class job?

283 replies

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:15

Been dating a man for 7 months. He was born 1970 just FYI. His parents were both born in 1927 just for context and both long gone from this world.

I know his mum worked in a care home - but I really don’t know her level of seniority- could’ve bern a manager - could’ve had a more routine job - I haven’t asked.

Anyway - I know he was close to his Dad and seemed to be a happy family but had no clue what his Dad did for a living so asked him over the weekend and he said

‘Shunter for British Rail.

AIBU to ask if you’d class it as a working class job?

OP posts:
Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 09:37

MrsHamlet · 28/05/2025 09:36

It is much less dangerous now than it used to be. But being crushed between the buffers and the wagon was undoubtedly an appalling way to die.

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Yes completely agree ❤️

OP posts:
MyKingdomForACat · 28/05/2025 09:36

Yes

MrsHamlet · 28/05/2025 09:36

Correction · 28/05/2025 09:33

I’m really really sorry to hear about this ❤️

I’d not heard, up until now, of any fatalities in this role

Show quote history

It is much less dangerous now than it used to be. But being crushed between the buffers and the wagon was undoubtedly an appalling way to die.

Needspaceforlego · 28/05/2025 09:36

Not sure why it matters to you.

But to be a steam engine driver it took 5 years of training. They were the Airline Pilots of their day.
A shunter would have had the same training as a driver.

Would you say a airline pilot was working class?

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 09:36

MynameisJune · 28/05/2025 09:18

@Correction I’m not saying you’re too old but shunting is a fairly physical job. Walking up and down on ballast all day is exhausting and hell on your knees, feet and back.

Nowadays it can be a good way to get into a company and then move into train driving. I’d recommend train driving to anyone, starting salary around £60k a year, only 4 days a week and can range up to £100k a year depending on who you drive for and where.

The railway isn’t nationalised as it was in BR days, the rail freight sector is very much still private and no signs of be changing any time soon.

Thank you -, this is very useful info

im pretty sure DP’s dad never made it to train driving

OP posts:
OneMintWasp · 28/05/2025 09:33

x2boys · 28/05/2025 09:31

Most arnt
Despite what you read on mumsnet.

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I would agree. It's only on here that I actually hear this in anything other than past tense.
Edited to say I agree it's outdated and ridiculous

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 09:33

MrsHamlet · 28/05/2025 09:27

A relative of mine a was a shunter. Until he got crushed.

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I’m really really sorry to hear about this ❤️

I’d not heard, up until now, of any fatalities in this role

OP posts:
x2boys · 28/05/2025 09:31

driftingintheair · 28/05/2025 08:28

It’s 2025 - why on earth are some Brits still obsessed with a class system and sticking other people into class categories? It’s sad and ridiculous the number of threads on here about it.

Most arnt
Despite what you read on mumsnet.

OneMintWasp · 28/05/2025 09:31

Why on earth is anyone still assigning a 'class' to people...

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 09:30

heavenisaplaceonearth · 28/05/2025 09:29

You must be aware that’s incredibly unusual though? Did she survive 5 pregnancies in 7 years in the eighteen hundreds?

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Yes she survived - but last babies were twins tbh so technically 4 pregnancies

this was early 1900s

OP posts:
Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 09:29

Sallycinnamum · 28/05/2025 09:17

A shunter role is a route into becoming a train driver OP and is very competitive to get into. The hours are pretty awful too.

The regional rail companies as you term them will remain for the foreseeable future so if you want to explore this as a career bear this in mind.

Just so you're prepared, my local rail operator had 5000 applications for 5 shunter roles!

This is very useful info thank you

don’t think my partners dad ever became a driver tho

OP posts:
heavenisaplaceonearth · 28/05/2025 09:29

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:47

My great gran had

5 babies over 40 - last at 47! 💪🙌

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You must be aware that’s incredibly unusual though? Did she survive 5 pregnancies in 7 years in the eighteen hundreds?

titchy · 28/05/2025 09:29

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:22

To be fair I was just stating the facts - I didn’t say I cared and I honestly don’t care !!

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Well obviously you do or you wouldn’t be posting

MrsHamlet · 28/05/2025 09:27

Correction · 28/05/2025 09:06

Ok I’ll pop down today

however- a railway shunter appeals to me more than a coal miner tbh! So many fatalities historically in coal mines - can’t say this appeals if I’m being honest

Show quote history

A relative of mine a was a shunter. Until he got crushed.

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 09:24

ThrowawayAccount29 · 28/05/2025 09:18

Good golly, I’m clutching my pearls, gasping and trying desperately not to faint. Did you say A Shunter! Oh dear, how will you cope? What will you do if gasp he’s on minimum wage? 🙄 🙄

If you look up thread I’ve toyed with the idea of applying for a shunter job myself !

OP posts:
BoudiccaRuled · 28/05/2025 09:23

FloppySarnie · 28/05/2025 08:26

I’m really curious about why you’re interested in this OP. Has he risen up the ranks and is now CEO of a large multinational?

More like he inherited a nice terraced house a decade ago that's now worth £4billion and she's trying to work out how.

orangedream · 28/05/2025 09:22

This is one of the oddest questions I've seen here. You're trying to work out if a new boyfriend's deceased parents were working class? How could that be relevant?

Elektra1 · 28/05/2025 09:19

If the purpose of the question isn’t to determine his suitability, then what is it?

ThrowawayAccount29 · 28/05/2025 09:18

Good golly, I’m clutching my pearls, gasping and trying desperately not to faint. Did you say A Shunter! Oh dear, how will you cope? What will you do if gasp he’s on minimum wage? 🙄 🙄

MynameisJune · 28/05/2025 09:18

@Correction I’m not saying you’re too old but shunting is a fairly physical job. Walking up and down on ballast all day is exhausting and hell on your knees, feet and back.

Nowadays it can be a good way to get into a company and then move into train driving. I’d recommend train driving to anyone, starting salary around £60k a year, only 4 days a week and can range up to £100k a year depending on who you drive for and where.

The railway isn’t nationalised as it was in BR days, the rail freight sector is very much still private and no signs of be changing any time soon.

Sallycinnamum · 28/05/2025 09:17

A shunter role is a route into becoming a train driver OP and is very competitive to get into. The hours are pretty awful too.

The regional rail companies as you term them will remain for the foreseeable future so if you want to explore this as a career bear this in mind.

Just so you're prepared, my local rail operator had 5000 applications for 5 shunter roles!

pinkdelight · 28/05/2025 09:17

You’re way oversimplifying. Theatre directors are as middle class as it gets and get paid almost nothing. Plumbers are working class and make a mint.

Original poster
Correction · 28/05/2025 09:17

butterfly0404 · 28/05/2025 09:15

My son, ex-mlitary, has just applied for a Shunter job with an allied partner to the rail network. There is a stringent recruitment process with multiple tests. and a talent pool. It's a safety critical job and fairly well paid. Class doesn't come into it.

Thank you . This is very useful advice and I hope your son is successful 🙌

OP posts:
Koalafan · 28/05/2025 09:16

Correction · 28/05/2025 08:15

Been dating a man for 7 months. He was born 1970 just FYI. His parents were both born in 1927 just for context and both long gone from this world.

I know his mum worked in a care home - but I really don’t know her level of seniority- could’ve bern a manager - could’ve had a more routine job - I haven’t asked.

Anyway - I know he was close to his Dad and seemed to be a happy family but had no clue what his Dad did for a living so asked him over the weekend and he said

‘Shunter for British Rail.

AIBU to ask if you’d class it as a working class job?

Why does it matter?

butterfly0404 · 28/05/2025 09:15

My son, ex-mlitary, has just applied for a Shunter job with an allied partner to the rail network. There is a stringent recruitment process with multiple tests. and a talent pool. It's a safety critical job and fairly well paid. Class doesn't come into it.

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