Do train drivers have to learn routes?

Do train drivers have to learn routes? This means that trains cannot be driven on line-of-sight like road vehicles and so a train driver has to know what is ahead before it becomes visible. This is why train drivers can only work over routes they have learned and been assessed on; they cannot simply go anywhere like road vehicle drivers.

Is vaping on a train illegal?

Are you allowed to vape on a train? Vaping on a train is not illegal, however, most companies have banned it. All the big train companies, such as Transport For London, Northern, Virgin, Thameslink, etc., have banned the use of e-cigarettes both on the train and the platform.

Do train drivers stay in hotels?

The engineers and conductors get off the train, go to a hotel, rest until the next train comes and run it back to their origin point. The service crews, the coach and sleeper attendants, and the diner and snack car crews, stay with the train the whole way, at least on most routes.

Can train drivers go to the toilet?

Other than a refrigerator/watercooler and a bathroom there are almost zero ammenities on a locomotive. Only way a engineer can go to bathroom is by stopping his train or if the conductor is a certified engineer he could run for while.

Is there a bathroom in a train engine?

Yes, all over the road locomotives, and local use locomotives are equipped with toilets in small rooms in the front hood area of the locomotive. Some even have fold down sinks for hand washing. The toilets are similar to RV type toilets that have a hand pump for flushing, and holding tanks for the waste.

What are the cons of being a train driver?

In most of the interviews with drivers, lack of sleep time was cited as a problem with the management system, particularly the shift work [21]. Train drivers often complain that shift times change frequently, and they have to adjust their work schedules frequently.

What do train drivers do all day?

Complying with professional and federal rules and regulations relating to train operation and safety. Monitoring the speed, air pressure and other operational measurements of the train. Using mechanical controls such as throttles and air brakes to control the speed and motion of the train.

How long is a train drivers shift?

A 35 hour week which is generally averaged out over the whole year, shift cycle or similar. For example week 1 = 32 hours, week 2 = 39 hours and week 3 = 34 hours creating a 35 hour average. Shifts or turns generally range from around 6 hours to around 11 hours and vary from company to company.

Will a train stop if it sees you?

By the time a train operator sees you, it is too late to stop the train in time. An oncoming train is moving faster and is closer to you than it appears. Similar to an airplane traveling at 150 mph that appears to float onto the runway, it's hard to determine a train's speed and distance from you.

What do train drivers get paid?

As of Sep 26, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Train Driver in the United States is $17.76 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $28.61 and as low as $8.65, the majority of Train Driver wages currently range between $14.18 (25th percentile) to $19.23 (75th percentile) across the United States.

Do train drivers sleep on the train?

Does the Train Conductor Sleep on the Train? In a word, no. Neither the conductor nor the engineer is allowed to sleep on the train. They must be awake and alert throughout their entire shift.

Are train drivers home every night?

Locomotive Engineer employees work varying schedules and travel extensively to accommodate our 24 hours 7 days a week operation, which may include nights, weekends, holidays or on-call for emergency situations. Work may require travel and time away from home.

How do train drivers know when to stop?

Traffic lights, or rather trainline lights. Well before the train gets anywhere near the station it has lights that tell it to slow down, and stop. Depending on which lights are lit, depends on the drivers actions.

What are the top 3 priorities of a train driver?