Locomotive driver is career in the rail industry, provisioning and preparing locomotives for train operations including checking and testing control systems as well as preparing relevant compliance documentation.
The primary objective of a Locomotive Driver is to prepare, manage and operate locomotives and trains safely in accordance with their level of competency, safe working qualifications in order to meet customer and operational requirements.
If you are green (new to the industry) there are many important aspects worth knowing.
- You will usually need to be available and flexible to work a 24/7 roster that includes both local working and barracks working.
- You will need to demonstrate a High regard for safety.
- You will nearly in all cases need to hold a valid open driver’s license.
- It will help to have a cat 1 rail medical/ fitness test
- You will need to have a traffic history infringement check
- A solid couple of years reference checking.
How long are the trips?
They are long days and even longer trips, where some trips can take 1-2days other trips can take 2-3weeks. There will be a place for you to stay off the train so you can get enough rest to start your shift nice and early the next day. Oh and be prepared to hold it because if you are they only one driving the train which will be the case from time to time, you can only take toilet breaks at set times as you will need to be upfront driving the train keeping alert for any safety hazards.
What will you be freighting?
You will be required to move anything and everything from passengers to coal, cars, furniture, food and even dangerous goods. Every train has a manifest which is a list of everything on board and it will be up to you to check and ensure all the cargo is safely contained.
How much does a Locomotive Driver earn? $$$$
A career in the locomotive industry can be very financially rewarding. While you may start on a wage that varies from $50,000.00 to $80,000.00 per year the goal is to take the next step to become a fully qualified locomotive driver. The time frame and wage to this step varies from company to company and job to job however a dedicated individual should be looking at possibly making this transition in a twelve to twenty four month time frame. As a Locomotive driver you should expect to make in excess of $120,000 per year.
Duties of a Locomotive Driver
- Proactively working towards and supporting the achievement of safety goals.
- Provisioning and preparing locomotives for train operations including checking and testing control systems as well as preparing relevant compliance documentation.
- Performing and maintaining locomotive train operations in accordance with specifications and procedures.
- 24×7 rotating shift roster 365 days a year including nights, weekends and public holidays
- Work in accordance with safety and operational standards and procedures
- Safely operate motor vehicles.
- Follow procedures to operate equipment to load/unload trains in a safe & timely manner
- Inspect and report faults on all relevant equipment by undertaking procedural checks
- Complete general labouring/admin duties to support efficient operation.
- Drive all forms of traction and trains operated at the depot competently in accordance with safety and operational standards.
- Provide a quality customer service to meet business objectives.
- Liaising with Train Control regarding the operation of the train schedules and efficiencies; and
Qualifications & abilities to help you secure employment as a trainee
- Hold a valid open driver’s license
- First Aid Certificate
- Above average numeracy and literacy skills
- Superior team-work skills
- Proven ability to maintain high levels of concentration for long periods of time
Police clearances must be no older than six months & can be filled out on-line through a number of different web sites and can generally be obtained in a time frame varying between 12 hours to 10 working days.
National Police Clearance issued by the Australian Federal Police
- Australian Federal Police
- ACT Policing (processed by the AFP)
- New South Wales Police
- Northern Territory Police
- Queensland Police
- South Australia Police
- Tasmania Police
- Victoria Police
- Western Australia Police Force
Rosters
You will be doing rostered work. Rosters vary however generally two weeks on and one week off. Shifts can vary between about five and eleven hours but in practice most come in at around seven to ten hours. Working hours are subject to what are known as the Hidden Regulations* which specify that you cannot work a shift longer than twelve hours and then only if there is no driving involved after the eleventh hour.
Jobs
There are currently no vacancies.