Why are train drivers called drivers and not train operators?

Question

trains are not like cars and run on tracks and yet the people in control of a train are called drivers. Driving a train involves pushing buttons, turning dials and using levers i presume and yet we still call train drivers drivers. To drive a train doesn't even sound good. A better word would be to operate a train or the person in control of the train is the train operator.

So anyone know why train drivers are called drivers and not something else??

Answer 1

A train "driver" is actually referred to as an engineer. The engineer "runs" the train, not "drives" the train.

Answer 2

In the UK, trains are "driven" in most instances whether you like the choice of word or not, therefore the person who does the driving ALONE is the driver, because somebody else on the train is responsible for everything else.

On one-person trains, where the jobs of two or more people are combined so that the driver does ALL of these things, he is called a Train Operator (as on the London Underground).

Where a man is ON the train but not actually driving it other  than starting it from a station, he is known as a Train Captain - as on Docklands Light Railway - but even in this case, he(/she) has to be able to drive the train manually under certain circumstances.

Answer 3

yeah i guess technically they not driving, i suppose its just a name given that's lasted over the years, its just a name possibly cause they at the front of the train like a driver would, dunno

Answer 4

Maybe it has stuck from olden days like most things when trains used to drive around similarly to cars duno mate just hope the one driving the virgin train that crashed and killed someone isn't going to be driving another one for a while

Answer 5

On the underground we ARE called train operators, companys that operate trains are called T.O.Cs (train operating company).

Anybody that operates a mechanically driven vehicle was called "the driver" simply because the vehicle is "driven".

Answer 6

Because a train driver drives the train. The Train operator  is the company who operate the train service.

Answer 7

Train driving involves a little more that pulling levers and pressing buttons.  That is why it takes about a year of intensive training to become one.

A large part of the job is interpreting what you observe, and reacting appropriately within the framework of rules and regulations.  From this point of view, the term "train driver" is entirely suitable.

By the way, some trains have gears which the train driver has to change; you've obviously never driven a 101 DMU.  Class 141s also had a hold gear button.

As usual, when the job is done professionally, it looks easy.  Not necessarily so.

Answer 8

Traditionally they are being called so. In fact it is also proper as driving a train not only involves operating the controls but watching the track i.e. keeping an eye out for signals and any danger or obstruction and being aware of the various conditions affecting the progress of the train e.g. weight vs. power of the locomotive, braking power, gradients, weather, and so on. The driver is also responsible for reporting any problems with the train and for carrying out minor repairs if possible.He has to coordinate between the instruction of the guard and the instruction from the control room ,station etc etc so actually they do drive the train on the track.

Answer 9

Train operators are the companies who run the train stock and lines. My friend works for a train company and that is his reply

Answer 10

they want to be called drivers because then they can apply for pimp my ride because only drivers of vehicles can apply for pimp my ride.

Answer 11

Regional semantics has a lot to do with it, as well as some history.

In the US and Canada the term most often applied to the one in control is the "locomotive engineer".  This has a more natural ring to, in as much as the engineer is controlling the engine and thereby the train that follows behind.

As far as history goes, many terms that are applied to North American railroads actually were hold over terms from the stage coach era of transportation, including "tie up," meaning to go off duty, "hot box," an overheated journal and "branch line," as examples.

In the UK the person behind the throttle is called the "driver," this also a term held over from the days of US equestrian propulsion.  I can only assume there were drivers in the UK as well.

But, again citing north American terminology, a train is neither driven, operated nor engineered.  Here the person "runs" the engine.

Answer 12

The early horse drawn rail lines were made of wood rails with iron straps laid upon stones.The persons in charge of these trains were trained coach drivers. It made pretty good sense to keep this name as technology superceded the early single vehicle configuration.

The 'coaches' and 'drivers' that we have today still carry the original names from the early days.

Answer 13

Perhaps because the Operators are the people behing the business and the drivers are just that.

Answer 14

Hillman Avenger - If you don't like the answers, WHY, OH WHY did you ask! Just sit at the back & keep quiet......

Here it is simplified thus: Train Driver & Train Fireman (traditionallly) Train operator is as other answers.

Suggest you try to change your name to Trabant/Austin Allegro. Perhaps?

Answer 15

I have noticed that the term "driver" is commonly used in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world. In the US, they are known as locomotive engineers. On an elevated/subway, they are termed "train operators", or Combined Rail Operator (CTA). As was stated before, these terms are largely regional/organizational(company-based).

So, as you stated, the term "driver" doesn't seem to "fit" the actual "duties" of such an individual, but that is a common term is the aforementioned areas.

Answer 16

A train driver controls the train itself while the operator is the company that owns the train and is responsible for its repair, servicing etc. The same distinction applies to road vehicles, e.g. goods vehicles.

Driving a train not only involves operating the controls but 'watching the road', i.e. keeping an eye out for signals and any danger or obstruction and being aware of the various conditions affecting the progress of the train e.g. weight vs. power of the locomotive, braking power, gradients, weather, and so on. The driver is also responsible for reporting any problems with the train and for carrying out minor repairs if possible.

Since the early days of railways the person controlling the train has been a driver in the UK and an engineer in US and Canada - the name came about because early locomotive engineers also drove the trains they built, e.g. George Stephenson, Daniel Gooch.

Answer 17

because they are not the only person to operate the train, there are intricate steps taken by lots of different people, so a train driver strictly drives the train, hence the name driver!

Answer 18

Basically it is tradition . as stated above can people be less inclined to be judgemental on recent events  all that happens is that the person making the comment looks and is a total *****

Answer 19

Everyone ignore the c**p answer from that richie05098, the crash was caused by faulty Rail, NOT THE DRIVER!!

People should refrain from making judgements before the facts are known,  the driver is a Professional, trained  for 2+ years to the highest standards with as much Responsibility as a airline pilot, (if not more- they carry more people!!) thanks!

Answer 20

Because a Train Operator is the Company thay operates the service.