Commuter trains gliding between stations, freight trains chugging across the heartland… Every kind of train needs a steady, experienced locomotive engineer at the controls, and railroad conductors and yardmasters to keep track of passengers and cargo.
Locomotive engineers drive freight or passenger trains between stations. They alter their methods and speed based on the type of freight they carry, weather conditions, and the quality of the rails themselves. These engineers monitor speed, air pressure, battery use, and other instruments to ensure that the locomotive runs smoothly.
Keeping in contact with dispatchers over the radio helps them stay informed of delays and schedule changes. Railroad conductors help travelers onto the train, take tickets, make announcements, and stand by while the train is in the station. Yardmasters stay at the station to oversee the activities of workers in the rail yard; moving cars for the right configuration of a train, loading freight, and making sure all equipment is safe. By regulation, Locomotive Engineers must pass the Canadian Rail Operating Rules exam in order to be considered qualified.
Depending on where they work in Canada, they will have to re-certify their credentials by passing this exam either every two or every three years. Contact Us Careers Members. Customers X. Careers Home Menu X. Career Areas. I build the future. What will you build?
View Jobs. They should also have a good understanding of mechanics and possess a high level of physical stamina. Before becoming a train engineer, candidates are typically required to hold an entry-level position to build experience and receive on-the-job training. Entry-level positions available at railroad agencies or private railroad businesses include switch operators or brake operators, which involves coupling and uncoupling train cars, operating switches and communicating with other train professionals.
Before advancing to a train engineer position, candidates are generally required to hold the role of train conductor. Related: Guide to Updating Your Resume. Train engineers must receive extensive on-the-job instruction and are required to complete formal engineer training programs. Most railroad companies offer federally-approved training programs that combine classroom instruction and hands-on training to teach candidates how to use the equipment, operate trains in various weather conditions, follow safety practices and transport a variety of materials.
Candidates may also enroll in training programs offered at community colleges and universities. Train engineers must be licensed and certified by the Federal Railroad Association. Once a candidate has completed a formal training program and earned hands-on experience, they can obtain their license by passing an exam that tests their knowledge and technical skills of operating trains safely, pass a hearing and vision test and agree to a background check.
Train engineers are also required to demonstrate their knowledge of train routes. To remain licensed, train engineers are required to pass periodic tests and physical exams, as well as random drug and alcohol screenings. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the train engineer career path:. A train engineer is responsible for operating a train and driving it from one destination to the next.
Tran conductors, on the other hand, work on the ground and are responsible for assisting the train engineer with whatever they need. They oversee switching cars, lining switches, ensuring the train is in correct working order, radio communication, watching the track ahead and calling out signals to the train engineer and processing paperwork. Train engineers typically drive passenger trains between destinations or freight trains carrying goods and cargo.
They also operate commuter trains that connect commuters from suburban areas to metropolitan cities and long-distance trains that transport travelers from one part of the country to another. Most train engineers operate diesel-electric trains, while others drive trains powered by electricity or battery. In addition to obtaining a license from the Federal Railroad Association, train engineers must also obtain a commercial driver's license.
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