A railroad engineer, locomotive engineer, train operator, train driver or engine driver is a person who operates a train on a railroad or railway. The locomotive / railroad engineer is in charge of and responsible for driving the locomotive(s) as well as the mechanical operation of the train, train speed, and all train handling. The use of the term "Engineer" to describe this occupation should not be confused with professional engineer.
On many US railroads, the career progression is one that starts as an assistant (brakeman), conductor and finally, engineer. In the United States the engineer is required to be certified and re-certified every 2–3 years.
In India, an engine driver starts as a Diesel Assistant or Electrical Assistant (in case of electric locomotives). They then get promoted on a scale: B, A, and A Special. An 'A Special' driver drives the faster, more important trains.
In the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, train drivers are known as "locomotive engineers". In the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia, they are known as "train drivers", "engine drivers", "locomotive drivers", or "locomotive operators".
Read more about Railroad Engineer: Duties, Train Handling, Notable Railroad Engineers/train Drivers
Famous quotes containing the words railroad and/or engineer:
“People who make puns are like wanton boys that put coppers on the railroad tracks. They amuse themselves and other children, but their little trick may upset a freight train of conversation for the sake of a battered witticism.”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–1894)
“A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering.”
—Freeman Dyson (b. 1923)