I want to be trained as a train driver where can i go?

Question

I'm interested to learn to be a train driver and make it as my career. but the problem is I do not know where to go for the interview and where to get help. Could you please help me.

Answer 1

Assuming that you are UK based (as this is the UK section of this site, Yanks take note), try this publication, which also has a jobs section.

As the moment (24/07/2007), there appear to be some vacancies for drivers:

http://www.railnews.co.uk/jobs/drivers.h...

RAILNEWS online

Answer 2

go to the csx website and follow it.

http://www.csx.com/?fuseaction=careers.c...

Answer 3

A train driver is called an engineer. You can advance to this position after about 5 years of working on the trains itself. First of all, you cannot be color blind! They will test you, and you will be disqualified if you are color blind. You must be able to read the signals along the tracks. Best thing to do is check out the net for community colleges in your state that will teach the basics. Sometimes you can find an ad in the paper that will have orientation sessions for people interested in "Railroad careers". Its an outdoor job, and is dangerous. People have lost limbs, etc, and even died. You should be able to lift about 80 pounds dead weight too, as you will have to replace train parts. I thought abuot doing it, but decided against it after my orientation, taht was about 3 years ago. I dont think much has changed since then. It did seem to pay well, and the other workers are like a family to one another. Its just not for everyone. Be cautious about paying a lot of money upfront. I think the course I was going to take was about $500 or so. It was at a community college. You could probably check out the websites for actual railroads to learn more. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Find out who your local TOC is and the location of the nearest depot. Check their website and see if they are taking on train drivers.

If your application is 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.

Bear in mind you must like your own company!

Best of luck it's a good job

Answer 5

to the station masters office...

Answer 6

First of all you need to apply to the TOC's (Train Operating Companies). You wil then get asked go for an assesment, for reaction, concentration, also have to do written tests numerical, and english. Then if you pass that part you will be asked to go for a psychometric test also need to have a strict medical be tested for drugs and alcohol, then have another inteview, if you are sucessful then you start training, where you will learn rules and regulations, traction, and routes, where you will be tested freqeuntly, While you are training you will be allocated a mentor, and this mentor is a train driver with plenty of years experience. some of the learning is residential, most of the training is on-the-job training, so you might be away from home for long periods of time. Depending on which company you work for, it wil take upto 2 years to qualify, When you pass out you will become train driver at your local depot, and be given duties. Every so often you will be tested on rules and regulations, also will undertake frequent drug and alcohol tests.

Good luck

P.S. This for the UK not the US

Answer 7

My response to a similar post:

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."