What are train drivers shifts like?

Nearly all passenger drivers (95%) reported working 8 h shifts, compared to 26% of freight drivers. One third of freight drivers reported working 12 h shifts, with 44% working shifts of varied lengths. Drivers rated their schedules as regular (19%), sometimes regular (22%) irregular (23%), or very irregular (36%).

What is the shift pattern for a train driver?

Shifts or "turns" generally range from around 6 hours to around 11 hours and vary from company to company. Some companies operate their turns over a 4 day working week. Days where you are not required for duty are called rest days (RD). Some operators have a fixed pattern of rest days and some do not.

How many hours do train drivers work UK?

Train drivers work 35 hours per week, spread over 4 to 5 shifts (also known as turns). These may include weekends, evenings, nights and Bank Holidays. Freight engine drivers tend to work more night shifts and do long-distance routes, which often entails overnight stays away from home.

What hours do train drivers work Australia?

Average hours for full-time workers: 45 hours a week, which is average (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au). Train Drivers' salary (average) $140,000* per year (source: seek.com.au). *Salaries vary depending on your skills and experience.

What happens if a train driver falls asleep?

Yes, you read it right. Even if a driver falls asleep in a moving train, his train will not have an accident and there are many reasons for this. All the trains in India have two loco pilots. Even if one loco pilot falls asleep, the other loco pilot is able to face any kind of situations.

Train Driver Lifestyle

Is train driving stressful?

Train driving is quite peaceful, as long as you don't encounter any issues! You feel like you have a sense of responsibility to take care of passengers and make sure everyone is safe and you have to remain professional throughout.”

Do train engines have toilets?

There are no restrooms in railway engines, and there is no passage that leads to the long line of coaches it is attached to. Superfast trains such as Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express do not stop long enough at stations for the loco pilots to alight and use the toilets in the next coach.

How many days off does a train driver get?

Train drivers get from 35 to 40 days' holiday a year as they often work unsociable hours, and at bank holidays and weekends. Train driving can be ideal for people who want to change career. Training is provided by each of the respective train operating companies, and a recruit will be a fully qualified within a year.

Do train drivers work nights?

More commonly these train driver shifts may simply be arranged as alternate weeks of lates & earlies. There may be the occasional week of nights during which you will carry out preparation and positioning of trains ready for the next morning's service. At freight TOCs there is a greater preponderance of night work.

Do train drivers get breaks?

You must guarantee the following breaks to your rail drivers, according to their working time: If they work between 6 and 8 hours, they must have a break of at least 30 minutes. If they work for more than 8 hours, they must have a break of at least 45 minutes.

Is a train driver an easy job?

Becoming a train driver is slightly easier because positions are externally advertised unlike the Tube. However, they are extremely competitive with thousands often applying for a single role.

Can Train Drivers do overtime?

Train Drivers usually work a 35-40 hour week, which will include shift work, evenings, weekends and public holidays. Overtime is common.

Is it boring being a train driver?

yes it can be rather boring at times and can be difficult to concentrate when your getting towards the end of a 9 hour shift after being awake at 02.45. The time off is obviously a huge bonus as well... not many places where you get a 4 day week.

How many days a week does a train driver work?

Most companies operate on a 35-hour week. This could be spread over four or five shifts (known as turns) including weekends, evenings and nights. On freight or engineering trains, you would usually do more night shifts.

What age can I be a train driver?

Most train operating companies require you to be a minimum age of 21 before you can apply.

What skill do you need to be a train driver?

the ability to stay calm in stressful situations. sound judgement, quick reactions and initiative. to be able to observe rules and regulations, as Train Drivers are expected to follow set procedures. stamina to keep alert and concentrate for long periods, as driving trains can be tiring and monotonous.

What qualifications does a train driver need?

How does being a train driver work?

These train drivers are responsible for monitoring instruments, braking on time, and knowing the route that the train needs to take to get to where it's going. They must also have intimate knowledge of how many cars are loaded on the train and other details that make driving and braking the train different.

How much do Lner drivers earn?

The average LNER train driver salary range is £30,000 to £70,000. The average TFL train driver salary range is £57,217 to £61,620. The average Scotrail train driver salary range is £50,659 to £56,245. The average Northern Rail train driver salary range is £40,104 to £57,546.

Where does the poop go on a train?

The traditional method of disposing human waste from trains is to deposit the waste onto the tracks or, more often, onto nearby ground using what is known as a hopper toilet. This ranges from a hole in the floor to a full-flush system (possibly with sterilization).

Are train engines air conditioned?

Engines are also kept running to provide air conditioning or heat for the crew, which may be aboard even if the train is idling in a yard.

How many cars can one locomotive pull?

At any given time on Class Is' networks, trains stretching from 10,000 to 15,000 feet long are snaking their way to a destination. Pulling well more than 100 cars, the trains are much longer than — and in some cases more than double the size of — a typical 5,000- to 6,000-foot train.

How long does it take to learn to drive a train?

In general, becoming a London Underground train driver will require that you undergo 22 weeks of training. However, if you opt to train outside of London Underground, you might have to sit through 48 weeks of training.

How do train drivers know when to stop?

The railways use a train detection systems which can tell signallers exactly where every train is and how fast they are going. There are also systems that can automatically stop trains if the driver doesn't take the correct course of action or passes through a red signal.

Can you wear glasses as a train driver?

If you wear glasses, you can still be a train driver in some cases. When driving the train, you must wear your glasses at all times, and your vision must be within the following parameters: Distance vision shall be at least 6/9 in the better eye, and 6/12 in the other eye.