C2C Shunter Driver Position

[BertieB]

Hi all,

I've been very on keen on a career as a train driver but missed out on the C2C seat to street intake earlier this year, I did however successfully apply for the Shunter Driver role and have been told I will be on their next intake later in the year.

Whilst I really like the sound of the Shunter Driver role itself and know I would enjoy it, unfortunately It will be a 10k+ pay cut for me, so I would be using it to get into the mainline driver role. So really just have a few questions to help me decide whether to take the opportunity of hold out for another mainline role.

1. Is progression into the mainline driver role fairly common and typically how long would someone be in the Shunter role (understanding I would be back of the queue as such)

2. I've seen a lot of people move from Shunter to mainline on a part time basis, is this the norm for C2C?

3. Is there any opportunity to increase pay view OT in the Shunter role, and what might the shifts look like?


Not expecting to get all the answers on here but hopefully I can get some some guidance to help me weigh up the pros and cons!


Thank you!

 

[thejedtrain]

To my knowledge, no street to seat c2c has gone live at all in 2025, last time it went live was end of last year, around October time. Hoping to see it go live this year and soon!

 

[357]

1. Is progression into the mainline driver role fairly common and typically how long would someone be in the Shunter role (understanding I would be back of the queue as such)

They will never admit this but they will try their best to keep you in the depot for as long as possible. Progression is no longer guaranteed.

2. I've seen a lot of people move from Shunter to mainline on a part time basis, is this the norm for C2C?

Yes.

3. Is there any opportunity to increase pay view OT in the Shunter role, and what might the shifts look like?

The roster used to be based around shifts of 6/7 hours and as a result you were working on more days than the mainline drivers who did longer shifts and less of them.

Overtime used to be readily available.

 

[jimfrst]

1. Shunters that have just been selected for the next drivers course have waited around 5 years.

2. At the moment all shunters going driving have to go part time for 2 years before being electable for full time.

3. There is opportunity for overtime as there are several vacant lines in the rosters but when they are filled it won't be as readily available.

Shifts vary between 6:00 and 8 hrs in length. Depending what depot you are at.

Earliest start is 04:15.
With various other shifts starting throughout the day.
Latest night shift start is 23:59.

 

[BertieB]

Thank you all for your replies, very helpful!

 

[357]

Shunters that have just been selected for the next drivers course have waited around 5 years.

Wow. When I was there anything more than 2 years was considered an unusually long time!

That was in the days of the 50% progression agreement and 6 months part time.

 

[43066]

1. Shunters that have just been selected for the next drivers course have waited around 5 years.

2. At the moment all shunters going driving have to go part time for 2 years before being electable for full time.

Seven years between joining and passing out as a fully qualified full time driver? That seems absolutely bonkers. It also very much underlines my usual advice which is that, if you want to go driving, wait until you’re offered a straightforward trainee driver role.

Why waste years doing a job you don’t really want, which is much less well paid, with far worse shifts, and seemingly no guarantee of progression within a reasonable timeframe?

 

[357]

Seven years between joining and passing out as a fully qualified full time driver? That seems absolutely bonkers. It also very much underlines my usual advice which is that, if you want to go driving, wait until you’re offered a straightforward trainee driver role.

Why waste years doing a job you don’t really want, which is much less well paid, with far worse shifts, and seemingly no guarantee of progression within a reasonable timeframe?

I'd say for myself that the experience I gained working as a Train Dispatcher helped me greatly in the Shunter position, and the experience I gained as a Shunter has helped me greatly on the mainline.

Particularly now I work for a TOC where the driver is given much more responsibility as I can be hundreds of miles from any control/on-call/tech support. When dealing with various train faults and unusual situations, I find myself falling back on shunting experience on a regular basis.

Not to say I agree with the way things now seem to be done at c2c - but I would say that people have left c2c as a shunter to go mainline with various other companies, and the experience you gain doing a year in the depot will be helpful for the rest of your career.

 

[whoosh]

Particularly now I work for a TOC where the driver is given much more responsibility as I can be hundreds of miles from any control/on-call/tech support. When dealing with various train faults and unusual situations, I find myself falling back on shunting experience on a regular basis.

*Cough* Class 180s. *Cough*

 

[GooseWaffe]

Hi all,

I've been very on keen on a career as a train driver but missed out on the C2C seat to street intake earlier this year, I did however successfully apply for the Shunter Driver role and have been told I will be on their next intake later in the year.

Whilst I really like the sound of the Shunter Driver role itself and know I would enjoy it, unfortunately It will be a 10k+ pay cut for me, so I would be using it to get into the mainline driver role. So really just have a few questions to help me decide whether to take the opportunity of hold out for another mainline role.

1. Is progression into the mainline driver role fairly common and typically how long would someone be in the Shunter role (understanding I would be back of the queue as such)

2. I've seen a lot of people move from Shunter to mainline on a part time basis, is this the norm for C2C?

3. Is there any opportunity to increase pay view OT in the Shunter role, and what might the shifts look like?


Not expecting to get all the answers on here but hopefully I can get some some guidance to help me weigh up the pros and cons!


Thank you!

Hiya, firstly well done!
Now, to the questions

1: Yes, it’s gone back to seniority, after you pass out, you express interest, and then if you get into the interview they’ll ask you some knowledge based questions (things you will already know in your role as a shunt driver)
Some people have been in and out in a year and some have been longer. Depends on attitude, attendance and how you answer those questions.
I believe the longest someone stayed before moving up was about 6 or 7 years

2: i’ve heard it happen, not sure how often i’m afraid

3: there’s overtime, but it fluctuates when new shunters pass out as there’s a LOT more people, a normal week is a 35 hour week, 5 7 or 8 hour shifts, majority mon-fri with others including weekends and nights.

Hope i was able to help!

 

[BertieB]

Hiya, firstly well done!
Now, to the questions

1: Yes, it’s gone back to seniority, after you pass out, you express interest, and then if you get into the interview they’ll ask you some knowledge based questions (things you will already know in your role as a shunt driver)
Some people have been in and out in a year and some have been longer. Depends on attitude, attendance and how you answer those questions.
I believe the longest someone stayed before moving up was about 6 or 7 years

2: i’ve heard it happen, not sure how often i’m afraid

3: there’s overtime, but it fluctuates when new shunters pass out as there’s a LOT more people, a normal week is a 35 hour week, 5 7 or 8 hour shifts, majority mon-fri with others including weekends and nights.

Hope i was able to help!

Thanks for the advice!

Are you currently going through training? How long is it? I've mainly heard 6 months but heard 3 months somewhere too, so wanted to clarify.

And with the seniority situation, does this mean we are automatically at the back of the queue when starting?

Thanks for your help!

 

[357]

I've mainly heard 6 months but heard 3 months somewhere too, so wanted to clarify.

When I started there, I started in December and was qualified by March.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Aug 2025 ==

And with the seniority situation, does this mean we are automatically at the back of the queue when starting?

Yes

Interestingly seniority isn't supposed to be used anymore as it can lead to age discrimination - someone who's older is much more likely to have more seniority - but as with many things with the way this particular TOC works, they choose what recommendations and rules suit them and what doesn't.

 

[GooseWaffe]

Thanks for the advice!

Are you currently going through training? How long is it? I've mainly heard 6 months but heard 3 months somewhere too, so wanted to clarify.

And with the seniority situation, does this mean we are automatically at the back of the queue when starting?

Thanks for your help!

Yes, currently training.
And I’ve gotta say, I really like the way they do things. Friendly people and they only ever go as fast as the slowest person. Very little pressure.

Yes, the training is around 3 months, but if it needs to be more it can be.

Yes you are put to the back of the list, the other seasoned shunters will have their time first, but also, they’ve still got to pass the little exam thing, so you may end up being ahead if they dont pass.
It’s done by time in role only from what i hear.

 

[Jaytrains]

Do u

Yes, currently training.
And I’ve gotta say, I really like the way they do things. Friendly people and they only ever go as fast as the slowest person. Very little pressure.

Yes, the training is around 3 months, but if it needs to be more it can be.

Yes you are put to the back of the list, the other seasoned shunters will have their time first, but also, they’ve still got to pass the little exam thing, so you may end up being ahead if they dont pass.
It’s done by time in role only from what i hear.

Do u know when the next training course starts?

 

[GooseWaffe]

Do u

Do u know when the next training course starts?

I believe one is in a few months time, however they may have already filled the spots. Keep an eye out regardless!
If i see anything, and remember……, I’ll chuck it on here

 

[thejedtrain]

Does anyone know the next trainee train driver for c2c? None this year

 

[GooseWaffe]

Does anyone know the next trainee train driver for c2c? None this year

They had one start January i think there was one after but I can say that for certain

 

[thejedtrain]

Can’t see any vacancies for trainee train drivers this year, think the people that started this year was from last years vacancy?

 

[GooseWaffe]

Can’t see any vacancies for trainee train drivers this year, think the people that started this year was from last years vacancy?

It’ll most likely be later on in the year, the current trainees are from around october

 

[Ne2theside]

Hello can I ask, does working at different depots mean different tasks like do they Shunt trains at east ham depot the same as they do at Shoeburyness depot

 

[jimfrst]

At Shoeburyness they shunt in the yard and in and out of the platforms.
East Ham shunt around the yard and in the shed.
East Ham is a maintenance depot so have to occasionally propel or haul dead units around to specific roads for them to be repaired.
Both depots prep trains to enter service.
Shoebury shunters get used to setting up and using the GSMR when shunting to and from the platforms.
East Ham don’t need to set up GSMR as they only drive in the depot but tend to gain better traction knowledge as it is a maintenance depot.

 

[Ne2theside]

that's sounds cool so each depot as its perks, which one would you pick lol

 

[jimfrst]

I worked at East Ham so would naturally lean towards East Ham depot but not a lot in it really.
The main factor would be travelling time if you are closer to one depot then that would be the better one to go to.
With East Ham if you get the train you need to allow 12-15 min for a taxi from Barking to the depot (cab paid for by c2c).
At Shoebury it’s a short walk from the platform so add 5 min extra on your commute time.

 

[357]

+1 for east ham.

You'll get much more experience at a maintenance depot. Shoeburyness barely even prep trains but pretty much only move them from platform to sliding and back again.

There was a ridiculous amount of "pride" amongst some staff regarding what was the better depot, though.

A couple of people I still talk to shunted at both and both said they liked East Ham more.

 

[JamesP23]

Hello everyone

Have recently been offered a trainee shunter role with c2c. Pleased about it but like most people, it’s just a route in to becoming mainline.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge as to how c2c run their shunt to mainline training?

Apparently it’s done by seniority but does anyone know roughly how long it takes?

Is there minimum period you have to work as a shunter?

And how long is the actual shunt to mainline training course?

I’ve heard once qualified as mainline via the shunter route, you’re only allowed to work part time as a mainline driver for a set period of time?

Thank you

 

[GooseWaffe]

Hello everyone

Have recently been offered a trainee shunter role with c2c. Pleased about it but like most people, it’s just a route in to becoming mainline.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge as to how c2c run their shunt to mainline training?

Apparently it’s done by seniority but does anyone know roughly how long it takes?

Is there minimum period you have to work as a shunter?

And how long is the actual shunt to mainline training course?

I’ve heard once qualified as mainline via the shunter route, you’re only allowed to work part time as a mainline driver for a set period of time?

Thank you

Firstly, congratulations!
I believe that technically, you only need to pass out and do your 6 months however, it IS done on seniority so there will be people ahead of you.

If memory serves me right, the training for shunt-main is around 6months? Please dont quote me on that.

Yes, when you go shunt to main, you’ll be part time until a full time slot becomes available

 

[JamesP23]

Firstly, congratulations!
I believe that technically, you only need to pass out and do your 6 months however, it IS done on seniority so there will be people ahead of you.

If memory serves me right, the training for shunt-main is around 6months? Please dont quote me on that.

Yes, when you go shunt to main, you’ll be part time until a full time slot becomes available

Hi

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - I really appreciate it.

That’s good that you only have to do 6 months after passing out to be able to apply - my only concern is, waiting on seniority, is there anyway to find out roughly the current wait list ect maybe the depot manager might be able to give a realistic idea of for example if I joined next month, based on who’s been there longest and number of shunters, how long it would realistically take to get a shot?

And eventually, when you do pass out as mainline, does that mean you might only be able to do it part time, for a long time, if you are waiting on a spot to come ie if someone retires? That could be a few years no?


I am pleased but it’s just there’s so many questions and have to make sure it’s the right choice for us you know


Thank you again!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Oct 2025 ==

1. Shunters that have just been selected for the next drivers course have waited around 5 years.

2. At the moment all shunters going driving have to go part time for 2 years before being electable for full time.

3. There is opportunity for overtime as there are several vacant lines in the rosters but when they are filled it won't be as readily available.

Shifts vary between 6:00 and 8 hrs in length. Depending what depot you are at.

Earliest start is 04:15.
With various other shifts starting throughout the day.
Latest night shift start is 23:59.

Hi

Was just reading through your reply with great interest as have just been offered a trainee shunter role but only took it as a route to mainline.

I’ve seen conflicting messages about how long it takes, some say no longer than 2 years but then read your message! So the current batch of shunt to mainline have had to wait 5 years? I’m all for working your way up but 5 years?

And then to only be able to do it part time?

Can I ask if you work at c2c - I’ve been trying to find someone who works there or did work there to give me the reality of shunter progression and not the dressed up version you may get from managers trying to just get you in the door ect

Thanks mate

 

[jimfrst]

I do work at c2c.
Some people only did between 6 months and 2 years before going driving.
Others are 5+ years.
At the moment it is based on seniority where the shunters at the top of the list have an interview and are asked a few rules / knowledge based questions by driver managers.

If they fail this stage it moves to the next person in the seniority list.
Currently there is an agreement that however many street to seat drivers are taken on then the same amount of shunters will progress to a mainline course provided they pass the interview stage.

It’s difficult to give an exact timeline to go driving as there are so many variables.
At East Ham 8 shunters have been selected for the next driver course, this will leave roughly 8/9 shunters eligible for the next course.
At Shoeburyness there must be 15-20 shunters (not sure of exact numbers).
Then there are another 8 shunters in training plus if any on your course pass out before you there are potentially 30-40 who would be in front of you who are eligible to go driving.

Some might not want to go driving, fail the interview, have incidents or poor sickness records which would stop them going driving for any upcoming courses and could bump you up the list.

Past few years have been 1-2 shunters to drivers courses per year and classes of 8 but lines are being filled in the roster so there is no guarantee that there will be as many course or they will be as large.

If it carries on as it has been you could be on a course in 2 - 3 years.
Especially if drivers retire, or leave and more lines need to be filled.
However if all the lines are filled and courses slow down you could be looking at 6+ years in the depot.

Probably not the answer you were looking or hoping for but I wouldn’t let it put you off joining as a shunter as it is a good job and you will gain knowledge that will aid you when you do go forward to a driver course.

Again things can change but currently shunters go into the part time driver roster for 2 years then are eligible to go full time provided there are vacant full time lines.
But there are some part time drivers don’t want to go full time, if the part time becomes full then potentially the shunters could be able to go straight into full time roster.

But once you have been driving for 2 years it gives you the opportunity to move to another TOC if any qualified driver vacancies are advertised as most want minimum 2 years experience.

 

[JamesP23]

Thank you very much for your reply and explaining how it all really works.

Can I ask how comes some people were able to get on the shunt to main training after only six months - 2 years when others had to wait 5+ years?


It does concern me there’s seem to have people a lot of drivers joining via street to seat and shunt to main the last few years and will do for the next few years. I’m worried they will reach capacity once I’m shunting then stuck

Just wish I could get a place on their street to seat - so much more straight forward although of course won’t get all that experience that the shunters do

Still don’t know what to do


Thanks mate

 

[jimfrst]

Some people only waited 6 months as that was mainly before street to seat was introduced and there were more shunter to mainline courses per year.
And one course the application process was changed where everyone could apply and the shunters who got the highest score went through. So some who had just done 6 months had the knowledge fresher in their mind than others who had been in the depot longer.
Rather than the seniority process where the top 8-10 take the interview/ and test as it was back then

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Oct 2025 ==

There is no guarantee you will get on a street to seat course, so you could turn this down and never get another opportunity.
Could always apply for street to seat course with other TOC’s while you are working as shunter.
Others had done that in the past and were driving quicker than if they stayed in the depot and waited for their turn.