Another Shunter MB2 Question. (Ground-non driving role)

[Ducatichick]

Hey everyone.

I am about ready to burst now waiting to start my new job at SWR.
I have to say that the whole process of applying / interviewing and onboarding with SWR has been extremely pleasant and the recruitment staff are super!

I have accepted the offer of a ground shunter (as per title) and I know that I have two weeks of training at Basingstoke ROC ahead of attending at my depot (Woking) shadowing a colleague and then passing out to do it without supervision.

the reason for my post is that I’d really like to attend fully prepared for this training as I want more than anything to do well and be a valued member of my (soon) team, is there anyone here who has been through this training who can advise me whether I should take any material with me? What I might expect to be learning on this course and whether there is anything I could read prior to the course to prepare me a little in advance?

I do not have any background in the railways or with DC so this is a very exciting new learning experience for me and I do sometimes suffer with a little “imposter syndrome” or self doubt.

I can’t bloody wait for this career change and so desperately want to do well. Any offers of advice or what to expect would be so gratefully received.

I know that most of the questions on here are focussed towards trainee or passed out drivers so I’m calling out to fellow ground Shunters.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Like with to be trained Guards and Drivers + other grades, the advice is relax and wait for training to begin. The courses will fully equip you for what you need to become fully productive and the risk in being over eager is that you may learn something completely wrong. You can at most learn Phonetics and NTS skills. Thats about all I'd advise learning ahead of the game. Congrats and its good to see you're looking eagerly to starting!

 

[lbr97]

Firstly congratulations on your new job! As a former MB2 myself I can confirm everything you will need to be successful in the role will be taught on the course and reinforced when you do your training shifts with a mentor shunter! The only thing I would recommend you attempt to learn beforehand, if you wanted to, is the phonetic alphabet if you don't already know it.

 

[Bigfoot]

Phonetic alphabet, and try to get in the habit of saying numbers individually like one seven instead of seventeen. Although the time is always the time in 24 hour format of course.

Otherwise you will learn and be taught everything on the course. They presume you know nothing, and trying to teach yourself and potentially learning something incorrectly is not going to help you in the long run.

 

[Horizon22]

Attitude is the main thing here - you’ll be taught everything you need to know.

The phonetic alphabet and a cursory knowledge of the railway geography around the should be more than enough.

You seem to be approaching this in the right way and I’m sure the imposter syndrome will disappear in no time once you start.

 

[Ducatichick]

Hey everyone I’m so sorry for the delay in replying. I’ve been busy running an ultramarathon (never again).

Thank you so much for the replies, I love this railway family, you’re all so welcoming. Phonetic alphabet is already very much part of my vocabulary - has been since I was a nipper.

Three weeks to go! Can’t blooming wait!

Firstly congratulations on your new job! As a former MB2 myself I can confirm everything you will need to be successful in the role will be taught on the course and reinforced when you do your training shifts with a mentor shunter! The only thing I would recommend you attempt to learn beforehand, if you wanted to, is the phonetic alphabet if you don't already know it.

If you don’t mind me asking-what are you doing now if not MB2?

 

[lbr97]

Hey everyone I’m so sorry for the delay in replying. I’ve been busy running an ultramarathon (never again).

Thank you so much for the replies, I love this railway family, you’re all so welcoming. Phonetic alphabet is already very much part of my vocabulary - has been since I was a nipper.

Three weeks to go! Can’t blooming wait!



If you don’t mind me asking-what are you doing now if not MB2?

Wow congratulations on running an Ultra! Not a easy task! I'm currently a depot driver

 

[Ducatichick]

Wow congratulations on running an Ultra! Not an easy task! I'm currently a depot driver

Ahh awesome! Do you think you’ll ever fancy mainline driving?

Thank you-it’s my last one I think. I’m getting to old (I know that’s no excuse but I’m going to just use it anyway ) and the training is such a time theif.

 

[lbr97]

Ahh awesome! Do you think you’ll ever fancy mainline driving?

Thank you-it’s my last one I think. I’m getting to old (I know that’s no excuse but I’m going to just use it anyway ) and the training is such a time theif.

Maybe one day! If you have any questions about the MB2 role feel free to drop me a message

 

[Ducatichick]

Maybe one day! If you have any questions about the MB2 role feel free to drop me a message

Thank you so much. I really appreciate that