Train engine driver

We all love to travel by train. But have you ever thought about the role of a engine driver? It is a job that amazing as well as serious. Train drivers perform an important role in transport industry today. Many people use train to travel or transport goods. An engine driver is responsible for the safety of both people and goods, and also the safety of train and track. Becoming a train driver provides individuals with a good job for life, as long as they remain focused and hardworking.

If you are willing to become a train engine driver, you must posses following skills.

• Good mechanical knowledge
• Good hand-eye-co-ordination
• Ability to concentrate for long time period
• Physical stamina
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal with members of public
• Good reaction times
• Good memory
• Flexibility
• Excellent awareness of health and safety regulations and emergency procedures
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• A responsible attitude
• A good judgement and decision making calls
• Reliability

In sri lanka, to become a train engine driver there are several educational and professional qualifications needed. Following is a list of qualifications needed for the exam of class 3 engine driver.

• Educational qualifications
  • Passing six subjects in G.C.E. ordinary level in once with credit passes for four including language or literature, mathematics and science
  • Passing all subjects in G.C.E. advanced level in once including pure mathematics, physics and one other science subject
• Professional qualifications
  • Completing a two year full time NVQ level six course about diesel engines in German railway technical training center- rathmalana or in one of government technical training center or in one of technical colleges under the national apprenticeship and training authority, or one of the following courses
    • National diploma in technology from university of Moratuwa or hardy institute in ampaara
    • National diploma in engineering issued by national apprenticeship and training authority
    • National advanced diploma in engineering issued by ministry of education and higher education
    • Diploma in technology issued by open university of sri lanka

Responsibilities of a train engine driver can be listed as follows,

• Checking the engine and general state of the train prior to starting each journey.
• Ensuring that the correct freight is loaded if necessary
• Ensuring that the precise route is known and agreed with the control center
• Finding out about any problems which are currently affecting the route
• Maintaining an awareness of track conditions and weather conditions
• Following signals
• Following safety regulations at all times
• Keeping the train under control and at the appropriate speed at all times
• Keeping control of instruments including brakes
• Making announcements to passengers
• Opening the automatic doors for passengers when arriving at stations
• Maintaining an awareness of emergency procedures
• Making sure that restrictions are kept to at all times
• Stopping the train at the appropriate stops on each schedule
• Alerting the driver taking over duty about any incidents or engine issues
• Keeping record of any problems which may occur
• Recording any delays which have affected the service
• Alerting the control center to any hazards which have been along the route

Salary

Like most of jobs, train engine driver salary is based on the experience. A train driver in srilanka typically earns around 31400 LKR per month. Salary range from 14500 LKR to 50000 LKR. How ever according to different sources, they say train engine drivers earn around 33990 LKR to 73510 LKR ranged payments.