How can I train to be a train driver?

Question

How can I train to be a train driver?

Answer 1

Very long process,you will do route knowledge and rules and regulations by the ton,,,,,,no drinking 10hrs before duty and unsociable hours.....

source

14 years with BR many years ago.

Answer 2

look for a railway that is hiring drivers..expect to be drug tested often and to be away from home alot...

Answer 3

go and get a track and a few thomas the tank trains and practise fist

Answer 4

buy you own train n drive it up and down the road for practice first

Answer 5

The Severn Valley Railway (only Kidderminster to Bewdley at the moment due to rain damage) does gift packages which people can buy to have a go at driving a steam train.

Answer 6

Just because you want to be a train driver doesn't mean you have to train . Truck drivers do not have to truck do they ? I'm fed up with these ridiculous rules based on an outdated language which force us to do unnecessary things - enough !

Answer 7

You mean an engineer? If so, you would do well to google "train engineer education" and that would tell you.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Do you want to drive modern trains as an occupation, or a steam train on a preserved railway. If you want to do it as an occupation then you need to apply to any of the railway companies like Silverlink, Virgin etc. If you want to drive a steam train then you need to get involved with a preserved railway (probably on a voluntary basis) and eventually you should be able to train to drive one of the steam locomotives.

Answer 9

i tnought of that question yesterday but didnt post it another sighn of Capology at work.

Answer 10

You cant, only true experiance and time out there can teach you how to really drive a train. You will need to pass some tests to become an employee of the railways (any TOC) so you will need good maths, english, concentration, logic, adapatability to start with. Then it will take you a few months if you pass the interviews and medicals, drugs and alcohol tests before you go to learn the basics of the job, then you have another couple of months studying the rule book and passing you basic exams before you get anywhere near the depot. Then you will have to learn the routes that are covered at that depot which can take a few more months, which include, signals, platform lengths, stop marks, tunnels, juctions, signal boxes, stopping distances, power marks, etc, etc. Then you have to get your traction test, so depending how many different types of trains your company has will take time, plus the types of tracional power, be it AC, DC, Diesel, or combinations there of.

Only once you have mastered all that will you be allowed into the front of a train with an experienced driver, who will drive the train whilst you watch and tell them where everything is on that route for a few weeks, will you be allowed to start your driving, this will be done with the instructor sitting with you for at least 100hrs of daylight driving and 50hrs of night driving before they even consider you partially safe to take the final tests. This is done by a Manager or Inspector of the railways, you will be expected to show all your skills you have learnt in written, Oral and practical tests before you get your final cards.

Even then you will have a number of penalty points added to this card as a fresh driver as you will be 'at risk' stage.

So far so good. Not quite, dependant on the depot and TOC you join, you may not be driving at once, depending on the 'Link' you go into on the master roster as a new driver, as most often get the worst jobs around until you et some seniority under your belt and join a proper 'Link' of work.

Many Trainees drop out of the courses or cannot take the strain and workload to begin with.

If you suceed though, it is a good wage and an interesting job as long as you dont mind the shift work and can handle the abuse and stress of dealing with the problem customers and commuters when your train is cancelled, the staff attacked, breakdown or fares go up, etc, etc.

Answer 11

Your best bet would be to write "on spec" to the train operating companies in your area (GNER, Virgin etc), to register your interest.

Then, look out for advertisements in the press.  One of the best publications for this is Railnews.  Maybe you could ask a railway employee to get hold of one for you, or check on the web.

http://www.railnews.co.uk/

Also, look on the indiviual TOCs websites, which usually have a careers section.

Answer 12

Apply to your local TOC if they are taking on train drivers and if successful you will undergo an initial assessment. If you pass this you will attend an all day assessment incorporating various tests including reactions, prioritising, speed, accuracy and memory. Also various interviews.

If you've had laser eye treatment or are colour blind you needn't apply.

If successful you will then undergo training, depending on the TOC you could be out driving after about a year but realistically I would say a minimum of 2 years.

As a very rough guide allow 6 months for learning rules and traction followed by a minimum 7 months with a driving instructor. This is all dependant on how many traction types and routes you will sign.

Answer 13

Unless you're looking to do it professionally, scenic railroads and museums are good places to start. Since most of them are non-NORAC and don't interchange regularly, they're more lax about teaching people. They're usually oriented as educational enterprises, and they like having extra volunteers to help out. I was taken as an apprentice on a tourist line when I was thirteen or fourteen years old, so I got a good feel for trains. It's a good way to start out, and then you can certify for the "real deal."