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Transport & StorageISCO 8312

Shunter

A shunter is a person who moves locomotives and wagons around a yard to put trains together, split them up, and place each vehicle where it needs to be.

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Rate 5 of the 31 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

check train engines

assess railway operations

operate radio equipment

read railway circuit plans

perform wagon coupling

About shunter

The work is carried out in marshalling yards and sidings. The shunter drives the shunting locomotive, couples and uncouples wagons, and assembles a train in the order the service requires, taking account of what each wagon weighs and carries. Railway points are operated to route a movement, and railway warning systems are used so that everyone working on the ground knows what is about to move. Some yards are worked by remote control rather than from a cab.

Inspection and upkeep belong to the job too. A train shunter checks the condition of locomotive engines, carries out routine maintenance on them, inspects the track being worked over, and assesses how the railway operation around the yard is running.

What a shunter driver needs is precise awareness of everything moving nearby, along with mechanical engineering knowledge sufficient to tell a fault from a noise, and strict adherence to the signalling and safety procedure of the yard. Requirements for the post are set by the railway operator and by the rail safety rules of each country.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (31)

train operating procedurestrain operating proceduresThe different practices, routines, and procedures regarding the safe operation of trains in order to prevent collisions, derailments, or unplanned exceeding of speed limits.principles of mechanical engineeringprinciples of mechanical engineeringThe principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.physical characteristics of railwaysphysical characteristics of railwaysFamiliar with all physical aspects of the railway, including train stations, the incline and decline of the right-of-way and speed limits.dangers of marshalling activitydangers of marshalling activityThe dangers and difficulties that accompany marshalling activity, including noise, dust, ingestions or vehicle collisions.railway framework legislationrailway framework legislationThe legislative framework governing the different aspects of railway transport, including licensing of railway undertakings, railway infrastructure capacity, railway safety and the legislation that ap...mechanics of trainsmechanics of trainsThe mechanical aspects and principles of the mechanics involved in trains.rail infrastructurerail infrastructureThoroughly understand the characteristics of railway infrastructure: rail technologies, track gauges, rail signalling, rail junctions, etc.check train enginescheck train enginesEnsure that train engines comply with regulations before commencing a journey.assess railway operationsassess railway operationsReview and study existing railroad equipment, facilities, systems and processes in order to improve railway safety and efficiency, increase quality, and reduce costs.operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...read railway circuit plansread railway circuit plansRead and comprehend circuit plans during initial construction, during troubleshooting, maintenance, and testing activities and while repairing or replacing components.perform wagon couplingperform wagon couplingPerforms wagon coupling in marshalling yards. Use coupler mechanisms to connect rolling stock in trains.comply with railway safety standardscomply with railway safety standardsEnsure compliance with minimum safety standards for freight cars operated by railway companies subject to European legislation.shunt outbound loadsshunt outbound loadsShunt outbound freight loads to and from inbound and outbound trains.drive vehiclesdrive vehiclesBe able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.deal with challenging work conditionsdeal with challenging work conditionsDeal with challenging circumstances in which to perform work, such as night work, shift work, and atypical working conditions.operate railway vehiclesoperate railway vehiclesDrive railroad vehicles or other railway equipment in a competent and safe manner.shunt rolling stock in marshalling yardsshunt rolling stock in marshalling yardsShunt rolling stock to form trains in marshalling yards.operate railway warning systemsoperate railway warning systemsOperate and maintain grade crossing warning systems, signals and railroad signal equipment such as hot box detectors and interlocks.enforce railway safety regulationsenforce railway safety regulationsPromote and enforce safety procedures and EU regulations to ensure that railway safety is generally maintained and continuously improved, taking into consideration the development of European legislat...perform maintenance on locomotivesperform maintenance on locomotivesPerform general maintenance of locomotive parts such as wheels, springs and brake rigging traction motors. Test and repair safety appliances, air compressors, safety valves, fuel systems, shutters and...operate railway switchesoperate railway switchesOperate railroad switches to control the direction of trains in order to route them to their destinations.perform routine maintenance on railway enginesperform routine maintenance on railway enginesPerform routine tasks to maintain railway engines, such as replacing oil and lubricating engines.operate railway communication systemsoperate railway communication systemsOperate railway communication systems. Make announcements over the public address system or communicate with central train administration.oversee operational safety on trainsoversee operational safety on trainsOversee all operations in a defined area, as part of a team that manages operational safety and train services for a specific geographical location.operate switching locomotivesoperate switching locomotivesOperate locomotives for switching, coupling and uncoupling rail cars for loading and unloading freight.perform rail track inspectionsperform rail track inspectionsPlan and implement regular inspections and investigations of the rail track system in order to provide optimal coverage of the railway network in a given area. Inspect aspects such as track alignment,...test the braking force of trainstest the braking force of trainsTest that the breaking force of trains functions as required after coupling.use hand signal for transport proceduresuse hand signal for transport proceduresUse hand signals for transport procedures such as shunting loads and trains in long curves.operate railway control panelsoperate railway control panelsOperate various types of railway control panels such as Individual Function Switch (IFS), One Control Switch (OCS) or Entrance Exit (NX).control train movementcontrol train movementControl acceleration, braking, and overall operation of train in motion.
Optional (6) — show
electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.electrical wiring planselectrical wiring plansPictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the...load animals for transportationload animals for transportationLoad and unload animals safely into containers or cages for transportation. Make sure they are secure and safely established in the transport vehicle.keep written records of cargokeep written records of cargoKeep written records of the quantity of goods loaded or unloaded. Track times, dates and tasks completed.assist in the movement of heavy loadsassist in the movement of heavy loadsProvide assistance in the relocation of heavy loads; set up and operate a rigging system of ropes and cables in order to move heavy cargo.compare shipment contents with waybillcompare shipment contents with waybillCompare contents of shipments (loaded or unloaded) with listing on waybill or other shipping records; ensure that every shipment is routed to the correct destination.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

railway electronic technician7 shared essential skillslevel crossing signalperson6 shared essential skillstrain driver6 shared essential skillsrail switchperson5 shared essential skillsrailway station manager5 shared essential skillsoccupational railway instructor4 shared essential skillsrail operations manager4 shared essential skillsrolling stock inspector4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a shunter do?

Shunters move shunting units with or without wagons or groups of wagons in order to build trains. They manage the driving of locomotives and are involved in switching wagons, making or splitting up trains in shunting yards or sidings. They operate according to the technical features, such as controlling movement via a remote control device.

What skills does a shunter need?

A shunter needs 31 essential skills, including train operating procedures, principles of mechanical engineering, physical characteristics of railways, dangers of marshalling activity, railway framework legislation.

Will AI replace shunter jobs?

The AI disruption score for shunter is 43/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: mechanics of trains, keep written records of cargo, compare shipment contents with waybill. Most resilient: deal with challenging work conditions, load animals for transportation, physical characteristics of railways.

Quick Facts

SectorTransport & Storage
ISCO GroupDrivers and mobile plant operators
Essential Skills31

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