Do you get paid a wage while training to be a train driver?

Question

Do you get paid a wage while training to be a train driver?

Answer 1

Of course you do, what a silly question.

In the company I work for you start off on a low training wage, this lasts for about 8 weeks, then once you pass basic rules you increase to trainee drivers wage, this lasts for a year or until the end of your training, then another increase to relief drivers wage where you complete your next set of training and instruction and as soon as possible and you get on what is called a link working your wages increase to full drivers pay.

Answer 2

No - sorry - and it's a 25 year training period - Don't do it!

Answer 3

Yes.

Answer 4

yes you do, but its at a lower rate. the last time I looked it was arround about £17.5k pa.

But some train operating companies pay more.

Joolz

Answer 5

its illegal not to mate....

Answer 6

Yes, of course, but first you have to get through all the tests and questioning first.

Good luck if you go for it.

Answer 7

Yeppers, in the States anyway, no idea if yo are in the U.K.

On most RR's the engineer postion, (U.S.) is a promotion from a different service so before you are accepted into the engineers training program you are already an employee. Very seldom do they hire for engineers directly from outside the ranks.

There is a training rate, roughly equal to the lowest rate of pay in the operating department, which is nothing to sneeze at, it is more than most people are making when they come to work fo rhte RR, probably $3000.00 a month but I may be mistaken on that part.

The program will last from 6 to 9 months, includes extensive classroom work on operating rules, mechanical and air brakes, and hazmat training.

You will need to be able to pass a drug screening, hearing and visual acuity test and you cant be color blind.

Right now U.S. RR business is pretty healthy so most railroads are hiring, no guarantees but be persistent.

Answer 8

Kevan M, is 100% correct, although there is a way around the low salary of a trainee driver. When I was a trainee driver, i'd already worked on the railway for 3 years as a T & RS Technician (fitter in normal language) and I was lucky enough to keep my original pay grade whilst training.

Answer 9

1st of all the train driver is called an engineer,  2nd most railroads don't hire you to start out as and engineer, you will work as a brakeman/conductor.  then promote to fireman status/aka student engineer.  you get paid for training