All about the profession of a train driver

The railway gave birth to a host of very important varieties of human activity. But before you associate yourself with it, you need to find out the basic nuances of specific types of work. Perhaps the most important topic in this context is to learn all about the profession of train driver.

This kind of activity, as a train driver, has a rather long history. It is generally accepted that in our country, this profession appeared in 1836. It was then that the first practical movement began along the section of the first Russian railway from Bolshoi Kuzmin (now part of the city of Pushkin) to Pavlovsk. If we count the history from the first full-fledged passage along the entire railway line, then the date of the profession can be considered November 11, 1837.

Of course, one could recall the dates of the launch of railways abroad. But to describe the essence of the profession, this is not required. More importantly, today the driver is fundamentally different from the driver of the first half of the XIX century. And yet, there is an undoubted similarity between them. In the cab of an electric train, as well as on an old-fashioned steam locomotive, you will have to focus on driving and not be distracted. High technology has significantly changed not only the process of locomotive movement, but also its management. However, the consequences of the error are still fatal. Moreover: the level of knowledge and skills that a driver should possess has grown by two orders of magnitude over the past 180 years. Without these specialists it is impossible to imagine the movement both on the main railway lines and within the stations.

The locomotive team, both freight (freight), and passenger, fire, repair, military, sanitary and any other train, refers to the "traction". And despite all the changes that domestic rail transport has undergone, the drivers from the moment of its foundation remain an elite.

Of course, the advantages already mentioned above include prestige and a relatively high salary. And also it is worth emphasizing that the drivers will be needed for at least several decades. Even if the full automation of locomotive movement suddenly begins (which is very doubtful), those who enter the profession now have every chance to work out until the end of their careers. As you can see, this is a fairly stable area of ​​human activity. It is definitely worth mentioning the romantic component of trips by rail. True, professionals can rarely take the time to admire the beauties. And the “romantic clatter of wheels” will gradually become a routine. But this is largely offset by a number of benefits and privileges that railroad workers can claim. They try to provide material assistance in difficult cases.

And now it’s worth mentioning the obvious disadvantages of the profession of a driver:

• harm to health - constant sedentary work, it is impossible to once again stand up and stretch;
• high initial requirements for the state of health - because of them, many who wish are screened out during the selection for training;
• training takes a very long time, much longer than with drivers of vehicles, turners or operators of construction vehicles;
• the level of responsibility is always great, which causes constant tension;
• you have to be in a monotonous atmosphere all the time - they even travel most often along more or less the same routes;
• specialization is very narrow - to occupy another position on the railway will have to be retrained.

It is worth noting that in recent years, health requirements are only increasing. After all, transportation speeds increase, as does their tension. Have to:

• manage the train for many hours in a row, and on some routes for several days, albeit intermittently;
• to be extremely attentive;
• have impeccable vision, hearing, vestibular apparatus;
• eliminate problems with the heart, breathing, central nervous system;
• be prepared for long and systematic business trips;
• develop the skills of the highest discipline and self-discipline.

The easiest way to say, of course, is that the driver’s work comes down to the fact that he should bring the staff entrusted to him “from point A to point B” at the appointed time. But in practice, other nuances are immediately revealed. The job description says, for example, that the driver should always have a certificate confirming his right to control a particular type of locomotive. There are indicated and such tasks as:

• continuous improvement of their qualifications and general technical culture;
• the exception of overload and other violations during the movement of the composition;
• compliance with generally accepted rules of negotiations with dispatchers and other movement leaders;
• prevention of accidents, crashes and property damage;
• rational use of the material part of the railway in general and rolling stock in particular;
• monitoring the health and normal operation of safety devices, engines, radio communications;
• records management;
• prompt elimination of all malfunctions on the locomotive, if this is not possible - release of the haul and communication to the relevant services;
• elimination of obstacles for other trains;
• elimination of interference for repair and restoration work;
• Fulfillment of orders of dispatchers and other responsible persons;
• inspection of the rolling part at each stop;
• notification of dispatchers about all cases when other railway workers violated safety rules.

More duties of drivers are:

• notification of any emergency braking and other emergency situations;
• the elimination of oil spills, the release of other substances or goods;
• saving material and other resources (not interfering with normal operation);
• delivery at the end of the shift of all necessary documentation;
• compliance with labor protection, fire, environmental, sanitary safety standards;
• when transporting special goods - compliance with chemical, radiation and biological protection standards;
• compliance with the established technology rules for traffic along the main routes, shunting;
• objective shift health monitoring;
• regular confirmation of qualifications;
• compliance with established signs, semaphore signals, other requirements, restrictions and notifications.

A professional machinist thoroughly knows the locomotive device and the features of its work. Before going on a flight, you will definitely have to study the route profile and its other features, the most difficult and dangerous sections. It is very important to know the places of constant signals, signs, the location of crossings and the permitted places of transition of the railway track. Since rail transport is a source of increased danger, first aid skills cannot be dispensed with.

Another locomotive team should:

• conduct maintenance of the composition;
• to independently eliminate minor malfunctions and defects in his work;
• to act successfully and in a balanced manner in a critical situation;
• know the rules of the railway;
• be able to use radio communications;
• Know the requirements for the operation and storage of inventory;
• be able to check the serviceability of all locomotive systems;
• assess the compliance of the actual state of rolling stock with official regulations.

Of course, becoming a train driver today is very difficult. The corresponding education is given in specialized colleges and technical schools. They teach not only the actual driving of trains, but also provide a theoretical basis. Much attention is paid to such subjects as mathematics, information technology, physics. Note: those who want to become subway drivers can take a training course directly at the depot.

An undoubted advantage for the future driver will be the availability of technical education in a related profile or higher education in the railway sector. True, this option is mainly suitable for those who are immediately going to move to a leadership position.

A train control specialist is most often interested in Russian Railways. Significantly fewer drivers work in the subway, on the access roads of various enterprises and organizations (usually mines and large factories, but sometimes individual military units). The salary of the driver in Russian Railways is usually higher than in other structures. In 2020, its average level is 70,000 rubles. The region of work plays a role.

Locomotive passenger service teams receive more revenue than their freight counterparts. The salary on electrified lines exceeds the salary of managers of diesel locomotives. The farther the travel distances, the greater the salary. Also taken into account:

• running out of time;
• experience;
• skill level;
• day or night working hours.

The starting point is usually the position of assistant driver. In this position, the average income is 40-50 thousand rubles per month.The most experienced may eventually become instructors of locomotive teams. These experts not only pass on the accumulated experience, but also give practical recommendations on how to go through difficult areas, how to solve certain problems. Important: instructors also act as supervisors of the quality of work of subordinates, since their qualifications allow you to immediately notice any mistake.

A special uniform for locomotive crews is issued as mandatory as at the dawn of railway transport. Today it is a wool blend kit. No one makes special demands on shoes. But you must have a reflective vest with you. Interestingly, some particularly passionate people even become steam engine drivers. Such locomotives are found in single copies today, and are used mainly for excursions and recreational trips. But since even they rarely travel, they attract the most ordinary drivers, who in everyday life are engaged in diesel and electric locomotives. It is very important for them to obtain additional clearance, since the engine is officially recognized as a separate type of rolling stock.

As already indicated, the train driver can work not only in Russian Railways, but also in other organizations. The traditional “vertical” career is available to him. True, in order to become a dispatcher, a station manager, a head of a distance track or other narrow specialist, an additional education is required, moreover, a higher education. And very strict requirements will be imposed on its quality on any railway.

Likely career paths will include:

• exploitation;
• Maintenance;
• rolling stock design;
• general management (these are precisely the very exemplary profiles of higher professional education).