GWR Shunters

[Tommytootoot]

Hi folks,
Can anyone give any info on the shunters role with GWR? I've just applied having failed the DMI for the talent pool earlier this year. I'm still hoping to get a shot at a drivers post in the future, but am I right in thinking that shunters qualify as drivers and come under the harmonisation? Or is that wishful thinking? Do you have an idea of salary and whether there is any chance of progression to driver?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Stigy]

Hi folks,
Can anyone give any info on the shunters role with GWR? I've just applied having failed the DMI for the talent pool earlier this year. I'm still hoping to get a shot at a drivers post in the future, but am I right in thinking that shunters qualify as drivers and come under the harmonisation? Or is that wishful thinking? Do you have an idea of salary and whether there is any chance of progression to driver?
Thanks in advance!

I’m not sure how GWR work in that respect, however shutters aren’t classed as drivers typically so have different terms. If they’re depot drivers, then they’re a driver grade (same entry requirements in terms of psychometric assessments and medical etc). However they’ll have their own salary scale, less than a mainline driver. @tiptoptaff may be able to shed more light.

 

[FGW_DID]

No, Shunters don’t drive. AFAIK the only Depot that has their own ‘Depot Drivers’ is us at Reading (known as Manoeuvrers). They do the same psychometric assessments but do different training as they only drive within the depot limits.
All the other depots may just have a normal mainline driver assigned to a ferry / shed turn.

As a Shunter you would be out on the ground, pulling points and directing the drivers either through radio comms / handsignals or light signals.

 

[tiptoptaff]

A shunter at Exeter, as that's where I know you've applied, does NOT come under the driver banner. They come under engineering. All depot moves at Exeter are done by mainline drivers.

If you wanted to go driving after being a shunter, you'd need to go through the entire process.

As mentioned above, there are Manos, ie depot drivers, at Reading, but they're a separate grade. SPM and Laira also have shed drivers, but they're technically mainline, even if they don't do any mainline work

 

[Tommytootoot]

Thanks guys, that clears up a few things. I'm hoping to get to another Dmi for driver, but it might be an option to get in and reapply internally if I can.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Thanks guys, that clears up a few things. I'm hoping to get to another Dmi for driver, but it might be an option to get in and reapply internally if I can.

If you can get in and go for it internally, you'll always be in a better position. As a shunter, you'll gain a raft of new experiences you can use in any future DMIs

 

[Tommytootoot]

Definitely worth a shot then....! Fingers crossed.....

 

[Andrew Ford]

No, Shunters don’t drive. AFAIK the only Depot that has their own ‘Depot Drivers’ is us at Reading (known as Manoeuvrers). They do the same psychometric assessments but do different training as they only drive within the depot limits.
All the other depots may just have a normal mainline driver assigned to a ferry / shed turn.

As a Shunter you would be out on the ground, pulling points and directing the drivers either through radio comms / handsignals or light signals.

I’ve just passed the stage 1 for a manoeuvrer at Reading.