To retrain as a railway shunter?

[Alcully]

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?

What does a shunter do? (And is that a stupid question?!)

No - not a stupid question at all - I can remember asking exactly the same thing!

They drive the engines into sidings.

Isn't that a bit of a dead end job?

(sorry, couldn't resist!!)

🤣

British rail? Defunct for 27 years.

Yes but who knows that the future holds ?

Until then I suppose I’d have to work for one of the regional rail companies

Labour are re nationalising the railways.

You could join the Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club.

Not for too much longer if Labour keep their promise to re-nationalise the railway system asap, which I sincerely hope they do.

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

Labour are re nationalising the railways.

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

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...

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.

You can then have a pint at The Wheeltappers and Shunters Club!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wheeltappers_and_Shunters_Social_Club

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

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.

That’s one consolation I suppose !

Gosh I didn’t realise govt involvement in private firms

Ah thanks for this !

Thank you so much for this link !

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.

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.

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