What is the title of a train driver?

Question

One who operates/drives a train. What is he/she called?

A conductor?

An engineer?

What about the driver of a commercial boat/ship?

Do either of these professions require a college degree? If so, in what?

Answer 1

conductor for train. captain for boat.

i don't think you need a college degree (are you talking about public transportation?), but you'll need training.

Answer 2

For the train, he is a Locomotive Engineer...any water vessel requiring USCG Certification, he is a Captain....Education is never a hindrance in anything you pursue, but not required for either...You do have to qualify for both with courses and proficiency with the vehicle....

Answer 3

I prefer Mister, but sir or your highness will do also.

You may dispense with the salute, thank you.

Answer 4

On any ship, from the smallest rowing boat to the big ocean liners and war machines, the captain is the boss, the ones setting the rules and the one responsible if things go wrong.

He or she may have others to do the actual steering and to control the power, (either rowing or controling the engine) but it is the captain who tells them what to do. (Or he delegates that to others still, like the mate.)

If the owner of the boat and the captain are both aboard the same vessel, the owner tells the captain where he wants to go. The captain does, or does not as he thinks right, and only after the owner fires him, the owner can become captain and take over. In many cases the owner can not fire a captain when the vessel is at sea or even in motions on inland waterways.

To become captain of a commercial or navy vessel you have to learn a lot, comparable with University, but it is a separate education.

To become helmsman (the person doing the actual steering) you will be trained to some extend, but that is way less. Mostly it is about understanding the instructions the captain (or the one he puts in charge) is giving.

A pilot is someone trained to steer a boat through difficult water near and in a harbour.

He might hold the helm, but it is more likely that he will instuct the normal helmsman, and the person controling the power of the boat.

A pilot is responsible for his work, but it is still the captain who is responsible for the vessel. So if things go wrong in the hands of the pilot, insurance companies have a field day, but the captain will pay (or his company for him) part of the fines and maybe by loosing his license.

On the Dutch trains, the ones I am familiar with, the 'conducteur' (trainguard in Brittish English) has to obey the person in the driving cabin. He calls him/her master.

The guard is responsible for a lot of things, but the master is the boss.

Again, a dedicated training by the company rather than an University training. (But at least college level of intelligence is needed.)

Answer 5

An "engineer" operates a train.

A "pilot" drives a commercial vessel. Often times, on smaller ships, the pilot is also the captain, or commander. But not always. In the Navy, for example, enlisted men usually act as pilot. There can be more than one pilot on a ship.

I don't think you need a college degree for either, although there is a maritime academy in New York - a college for seamen.

Answer 6

It depends where you're working.  A train driver can be called a variety of things, including railway/locomotive engineer, train operator, or train/engine driver.  Usually, they are called railway engineers here in the US.

You don't need a degree to get a job as a railway engineer, but you will need a certification (renewed every three years) and will probably need to work your way up the ladder.  You will probably start out as a brakeman or conductor (the co-pilot of the train, so to speak), before you can become a railway engineer.  At these lower-level jobs, you will learn how to operate the train.

The certification requires some physical examinations (such as reaction time or eyesight/hearing tests) as well as a written or oral examination on train operation.  There is a short "road test" as well.  There are courses you can take to prepare for the exam; whatever railway you are working for can help you enroll for these -- some may require them or pay for them for you.

As for a boat/ship driver, I am not sure... I don't have expertise in this area.

Answer 7

Semantics are always problematic.

In North America it is the "locomotive engineer," when dealing with other than subways or elevated rail lines where the term "motorman" usually applies.

In the UK and where trains were developed under the British sphere of influence, the term is "train driver."

No college is required, per se, but the ability to read, write and retain at college level puts one at the forefront when considering prerequisites.  Other helpful prerequisites are good eye-hand coordination and the ability to think in three dimensions, even though under ideal circumstances you'll never leave the ground.

Requirements include good eye sight, good hearing, normal color perception and absence of other maladies that may result in unconsciousness or trouble with back problems.  There is a height requirement.

Of course anyone with a drug or alcohol problem doesn't stand a chance....