Train driver
Operator of a railway train
title: "Train driver" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["train-drivers", "railway-occupations"] description: "Operator of a railway train" topic_path: "general/train-drivers" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_driver" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Operator of a railway train ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox occupation"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Train driver |
| image | DSB train driver in 1987.jpg |
| caption | DSB train driver in 1987 |
| type | Engine occupation |
| activity_sector | Rail transport |
| competencies | Operating locomotive, multiple unit train, tram, or other rail transport vehicle |
| related_occupation | Fireman, secondman |
| :: |
| name = Train driver | synonyms = | pronounce = | image = DSB train driver in 1987.jpg | imagesize = | alt = | caption = DSB train driver in 1987 | official_names = | type = Engine occupation | activity_sector = Rail transport | competencies =Operating locomotive, multiple unit train, tram, or other rail transport vehicle | formation = | employment_field = | related_occupation =Fireman, secondman ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Czech_locomotive_driver.jpg" caption="Czech]] [[steam locomotive]] driver"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Outback_train_3_E.jpg" caption="The cab of a [[New South Wales Xplorer]] [[diesel multiple unit"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Führerstand_411.jpg" caption="ICE]] train"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Women_railroad_hostlers,Eng.(i.e._England)_LOC_24143749042.jpg" caption="1915}}–1920"] ::
A train driver is a person who operates a train, railcar, or other rail transport vehicle. The driver is in charge of and is responsible for the mechanical operation of the train, train speed, and all of the train handling (also known as brake handling). Train drivers must follow certain guidelines for driving a train safely.
Naming
British English terms for a train driver include engine driver, engineman, and locomotive driver. The term in North American English is railroad engineer, but the simpler term engineer is more commonly used. Terms for a train driver in other English dialects include locomotive handler, locomotive engineer, locomotive operator, train operator, and motorman. In American English, a hostler (also known as a switcher) moves engines around rail yards, but does not take them out on the main line tracks; the British English equivalent is a shunter.
Career progression
For many American railroads, the following career progression is typical: assistant conductor (brakeman), train conductor, and finally the engineer. For many years the fireman was next in line to be an engineer, but that classification has been eliminated. In the US, engineers are required to be certified and must then be re-certified every two to three years.
The traditional career progression in the United Kingdom (for steam locomotives) was engine cleaner, passed engine cleaner (i.e. the employee has passed the assessment for fireman), fireman, passed fireman (i.e. passed assessment for driver), and driver. Michael Reynolds, locomotive inspector of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway proposed a system of locomotive driving certificates, as a stimulus of improvement of service and competency. However, no such system was ever universally adopted by the railways of the UK.
In India, a driver starts as a diesel assistant (or electrical assistant for electric locomotives). They then get promoted on a scale: goods, passenger, mail express, and the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto express services.
The British transport historian Christian Wolmar wrote in October 2013 that train operators employed by the Rio Tinto Group to transport iron ore across the Australian outback were likely to be the highest-paid members of the occupation in the world at that time.
Notable train drivers
- Ben Chifley, former Prime Minister of Australia
- Christine Gonzalez, first female driver for a Class 1 railroad.
- Karen Harrison, first female train driver in the UK.
- Casey Jones, American engineer whose wreck on the Illinois Central Railroad on April 30, 1900, was immortalized in verse and music.
References
References
- (2005). "Analysing and modelling train driver performance". Applied Ergonomics.
- "What Does a Railroad Engineer Do".
- "2003 CFR Title 49, Volume 4; Part 240: Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers". United States National Archives and Records Administration.
- (January 1878). "Locomotive-Engine Driving". Crosby Lockwood & Company.
- (2010). "Railway Operations – I". Indian Railways Fan Club.
- Behrmann, Elisabeth. (3 October 2013). "Rio Replacing Train Drivers Paid Like U.S. Surgeons". Bloomberg.
- "Chifley, Joseph Benedict (Ben) (1885–1951)".
- López, Carlos Andres. (14 March 2017). "US' First Woman Train Engineer Speaks in Las Cruces".
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::