shunter driver

[Pepperami]

Hey guys

Can anyone doing the shunter job please give me some info on the day to day role of the job?


Have been given an opportunity for this role and although it's not what I had applied for or wanted to do, it's a foot in the door!

I'm just a little concerned that there might not be that much driving involved which is what I really want to do but I'm willing to take anything if it's a step in the right direction!

 

[TDK]

Hey guys

Can anyone doing the shunter job please give me some info on the day to day role of the job?


Have been given an opportunity for this role and although it's not what I had applied for or wanted to do, it's a foot in the door!

I'm just a little concerned that there might not be that much driving involved which is what I really want to do but I'm willing to take anything if it's a step in the right direction!

You will be driving at 5mph within the depot confines, fuelling, CET and prepping. There is no comparison to Shunter driving and mainline driving when it comes to the amount of driving involved. You have a lot of night shifts and unsociable hours and to be fair it is just a foot in the door if it's train driving you are wanting.

 

[Pepperami]

Thanks for the reply mate

Yeah I had a feeling that there wouldn't be too much driving involved and I'm just worried that if I take it I'm going to regret it as it really isn't what I wanted to do

I applied for and passed all the assessments and final DM interview for a mainline driver but because of this merger stuff going on I was told in the email I will be offered a position but on speaking to HR it could be a long wait.

The shunter jobs a long way off yet too March or April next year I think they were throwing me a bone but I don't mean that in a nasty way just offering me at least something as they knew how disappointed I was not to have had a start date and telling me it's going to be a while

Everything comes to those who wait
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have applied to SEern as well so I will see how that goes

 

[455driver]

You will be driving at 5mph within the depot confines, fuelling, CET and prepping. There is no comparison to Shunter driving and mainline driving when it comes to the amount of driving involved. You have a lot of night shifts and unsociable hours and to be fair it is just a foot in the door if it's train driving you are wanting.

According to some it is the pinnacle of train driving that us mere mainliners aspire to!

 

[TDK]

Thanks for the reply mate

Yeah I had a feeling that there wouldn't be too much driving involved and I'm just worried that if I take it I'm going to regret it as it really isn't what I wanted to do

If it is something you didn't want to do why apply for it and take a job off someone who really does want to do it? Sorry but you see very desperate for a train drivers job. You will certainly regret it if it is something that you do not want to do. If someone is in a job that they are not happy doing this usually is a pre cursor for mistakes and incidents.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

According to some it is the pinnacle of train driving that us mere mainliners aspire to!

Indeed 455, there is only one proper job on the railways and the rest are just filling in the numbers. I am with you 455 on this one

 

[GB]

<sits back and waits for the inevitable.....

 

[455driver]

<sits back and waits for the inevitable.....

Where is the popcorn smillie!

 

[cossie4i]

I would grab the chance with both hands as its shows you are willing.

 

[TB93]

According to some it is the pinnacle of train driving that us mere mainliners aspire to!

I wonder who that might be??

 

[455driver]

I would grab the chance with both hands as its shows you are willing.

But there is a chance that he will be stuck in the depot drivers (DD) job while other external candidates get taken on as trainee drivers.

It is all a risk whether to take the DD job or wait for a mainline position to come available, sit down and decide whether you would be happy in the DD position for a few (or a lot of) years and if the answer is no then wait for a mainline job, if you think you will be happy as a DD then take the job bearing in mind you might be there for a while.

 

[cossie4i]

But there is a chance that he will be stuck in the depot drivers (DD) job while other external candidates get taken on as trainee drivers.

It is all a risk whether to take the DD job or wait for a mainline position to come available, sit down and decide whether you would be happy in the DD position for a few (or a lot of) years and if the answer is no then wait for a mainline job, if you think you will be happy as a DD then take the job bearing in mind you might be there for a while.

I can see your point of view.

You may well have to wait some time before getting a mainline job but you will have some experience, which always helps. Also you will have a good idea about faults which again will help you.

 

[TB93]

Is this job for a TOC or FOC? because if it's freight then it's different to fuelling units.

 

[Pepperami]

I think you misunderstood TDK

I haven't applied for a job I don't want, I applied for a trainee driver position driving passenger trains and that is the job I want

I have not accepted the shunter job it's not till next year for starting and I wouldn't take it unless I am 100% sure I want the job so I am not taking anything away from anyone I thought I had explained myself correctly but by your reply I didn't so for that I apologise

It's not a freight job no so there is no fueling involved and again I apologise if I came over as something I'm not, I asked about what the job entailed as the phone call only mentioned the job would be coming around March next year I did ask for information but they did not have it to hand and said that more information would be available nearer the time

I certainly wouldn't want to take a job from someone who would love to do that peticular job and I know how many people want to get onto the railways and I count myself extremely fortunate to be in the position I am in having passed all those assessments

Sorry for any confusion

 

[90019]

Where is the popcorn smillie!

Here you go.

I'm sure it's only a matter of time before he arrives to tell us all that it's the best job that's ever existed in the whole world.

 

[Pepperami]

Before who arrives lol

 

[TB93]

Before who arrives lol

The one and only Mr Bev

 

[darren111]

Hi Pepperami,
Its me again the nice guy. I clearly understood your post and what you was asking for, which was info on shunters role. So Pepperami, its not you thats going nuts, its just takes others to maybe read your post again and understand what you were asking for. Simply info on shunters role. Unfortunately I cant give you any info because I dont know anything about role, but I am now hoping someone will respond with info so that I know too x

 

[455driver]

I think you misunderstood TDK

I haven't applied for a job I don't want, I applied for a trainee driver position driving passenger trains and that is the job I want

I have not accepted the shunter job it's not till next year for starting and I wouldn't take it unless I am 100% sure I want the job so I am not taking anything away from anyone I thought I had explained myself correctly but by your reply I didn't so for that I apologise

It's not a freight job no so there is no fueling involved and again I apologise if I came over as something I'm not, I asked about what the job entailed as the phone call only mentioned the job would be coming around March next year I did ask for information but they did not have it to hand and said that more information would be available nearer the time

I certainly wouldn't want to take a job from someone who would love to do that peticular job and I know how many people want to get onto the railways and I count myself extremely fortunate to be in the position I am in having passed all those assessments

Sorry for any confusion

Ignore TDK, I dont think he has had his hormone replacement therapy this month!

If it is for a TOC with diesel trains then there might be fueling, tanking (filling with water) and toilet tank emptying involved, other TOCs you will just be driving trains around and other grades will be doing all the listed jobs, it all depends.

Do some homework/research before making your choice.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I have applied to SEern as well so I will see how that goes

Just seen this bit, there wont be much fueling because most of the trains are electric, I dont know if the drivers do the tanking either but I think it is other grades that do that so it will be prepping units for service with quite a bit of driving thrown in.

 

[darren111]

455driver, Thank you for info, I now know something about the shunters role and heres hoping more sensible replies come in like yours.

 

[Dave1987]

Hey guys

Can anyone doing the shunter job please give me some info on the day to day role of the job?


Have been given an opportunity for this role and although it's not what I had applied for or wanted to do, it's a foot in the door!

I'm just a little concerned that there might not be that much driving involved which is what I really want to do but I'm willing to take anything if it's a step in the right direction!

It depends entirely on which TOC you have applied for. Some TOC's you literally just shunt and prep and that's it. Others you have to CET, refuel e.t.c

And the same goes for progression to mainline. Some TOCs its a natural progression to mainline, others you will be up against guards, platform staff, external applicants etc for mainline jobs. Read the job description properly before deciding.

 

[Pepperami]

Thanks for the responses and kind words guys

I'm sure TDK just misread the post from what I've read of his stuff on the forums he is very informative and knowledgeable and I'm sure he was trying to help

I've decided to stick to what I've applied for as I have now learned some more information. .... The shunter course is a shorter version of the mainline ones and if I were to accept it I would have to do it for a minimum of 12 months before applying for a mainline position and if I were to get that then I have to sit the stuff I would have missed taking the shorter training and TDK was right about making sure it's what I want, it isn't and I know that so I'm going to stick with it and hope the offer of the original position is made good. I understand that might be a while and it's worth the wait

 

[455driver]

It sounds like the right choice for you, good luck for the future.

 

[TDK]

I think you misunderstood TDK

I haven't applied for a job I don't want, I applied for a trainee driver position driving passenger trains and that is the job I want

I have not accepted the shunter job it's not till next year for starting and I wouldn't take it unless I am 100% sure I want the job so I am not taking anything away from anyone I thought I had explained myself correctly but by your reply I didn't so for that I apologise

It's not a freight job no so there is no fueling involved and again I apologise if I came over as something I'm not, I asked about what the job entailed as the phone call only mentioned the job would be coming around March next year I did ask for information but they did not have it to hand and said that more information would be available nearer the time

I certainly wouldn't want to take a job from someone who would love to do that peticular job and I know how many people want to get onto the railways and I count myself extremely fortunate to be in the position I am in having passed all those assessments

Sorry for any confusion

MDD will still fuel trains, being an MDD driving is just a part of the role. I thought from you OP you had the opportunity to take the job and was intending to, sorry to misunderstand your post. Personally I wouldn't consider a job if it's not what I wanted unless the job I really wanted as a 100% certainty by taking on the MDD role.

 

[Dave1987]

I think Bev is deliberately winding you all up with his posts. Some of you make it sound like Depot Driving is the worst job known to man and the only way to become mainline is by either being a guard or external. Someone has to shunt trains at depots and if it wasn't for the Depot drivers all mainline links would involve a shed and ferry turn.

 

[455driver]

My mate quite enjoys his turns on the shed, admittedly all he does is drive and prep the trains with the fueler doing the fueling and tanking but he says it makes a nice change but it can be very busy especially the night shifts.

 

[Aivilo]

A friend is a depot driver with southern. There are a few at selhurst that can go on the mainline and from memory all at stewarts lane can to.

As TDK says if mainline is your goal than that's what I would aim for, yes getting in is important but sometimes you can be stuck in that role for longer than you want

 

[387star]

My mate quite enjoys his turns on the shed, admittedly all he does is drive and prep the trains with the fueler doing the fueling and tanking but he says it makes a nice change but it can be very busy especially the night shifts.

What does prepping mean? Brake checks etc?

 

[Class2ldn]

Yeah brake checks, safety equipment checks etc. Basically giving the train a once over.

 

[SPADTrap]

Depot drivers mean no shunting required and early finishes!

 

[TDK]

What does prepping mean? Brake checks etc?

Preparing a unit for service, there is a lot involved in a full prep depending on the traction type.