Nov 21, 2011 - We wanted to know – what's it like driving ore trains in the mines? Challenges to the job. Treat yourself but don't become too extravagant.'
Kaitaraiwa Rerewhenua
Train drivers drive passenger or freight trains to destinations. They may also shift (shunt) carriages and wagons using trains or remote controls.
Pay
$23-$36 per hour
$38-$44 per hour
Source: KiwiRail, Rail and Maritime Transport Union, and Transdev, 2018.
Job opportunities
Chances of getting a job as a train driver are average because opportunities vary by region, and competition for vacancies is high.
Length of training
Vocational PathwaysMore
Pay
Pay for train drivers varies depending on their experience and role. They usually do shift work and receive overtime, which increases their take-home pay.
Pay for shunters
Shunters shift (shunt) carriages and wagons using trains or remote controls.
- Trainee shunters earn $24 an hour.
- Trained shunters can earn up to $33 an hour.
Pay for train drivers
Train drivers drive freight or passenger trains to destinations.
- Train drivers doing their initial classroom training earn $23 to $24 an hour.
- Train drivers doing on-the-job training earn $35 to $36 an hour.
- Qualified train drivers earn $38 to $40 an hour, increasing to $44 an hour for those with over 22 years' experience.
- Team leaders can earn $48 to $50 an hour.
Sources: KiwiRail and Rail and Maritime Transport Union, 'Multi-Employer Collective Agreement – 1 July 2018-30 June 2020', 2018; and Transdev, October 2018.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)
What you will do
Train drivers may do some or all the following:
- drive trains, either in cabs or with remote controls
- keep to schedules, and stop at stations to pick up or drop off passengers
- link and unlink carriages and wagons
- drive a locomotive (train engine) or use remote controls to shunt (push or pull) carriages and wagons to make up new trains
- check locomotives
- read about maintenance work happening on the tracks they drive on, and any rule changes
- operate points (levers that switch tracks)
- communicate with train control, other drivers and shunters, and passengers
- prepare documents about wagon loads
- act promptly and comply with safety rules during emergencies or breakdowns
- identify and fix or report faults with their equipment.
Skills and knowledge
Train drivers need to have knowledge of:
- emergency and safety procedures and first aid
- how to operate a locomotive (train engine) and its mechanics, including air brakes and electrics
- rail-operating codes and signals
- safety rules and regulations
- the correct way to use radio equipment
- shunting (pushing and pulling carriages and wagons using trains or remote controls).
Working conditions
Train drivers:
- do shift work, including nights and public holidays
- work in drivers' cabs, outside in railway yards, and on train tracks in all weather
- work in confined spaces and conditions that are hazardous (because they work with large machinery), and sometimes stressful (because there is a risk of hitting cars, animals or people on the tracks)
- travel within or between cities each day.
Jim Featherstone
Locomotive Engineer
Do you have a set daily routine?
'I might drive the passenger train from Wellington. It leaves there at 7.30am and gets into Palmy at 9.30am. In Palmerston North we change over and generally the outward-bound freight train we are going back on is on good time so you can get straight back on, do the brakes and get out of there.
'The freight train will probably be a full load, about 1,500 tonnes. It can be up to 900 metres long.'
What are your main concerns?
'God forbid there are people walking across the track. Or animals on the track, which is not very nice either – hitting sheep or cows or pigs or anything.'
What makes your job interesting?
'The trains all perform differently – they've all got their own little personalities and quirks. And there's always something different out there on the track to see each day.'
Are there any downsides to your role?
'You never know exactly what time you're getting home – that's one of the bad things. But nine times out of 10 you're there in pretty good time.'
Train driver video
Train drivers talk about the highlights and challenges of their job – 1.35 mins. (Video courtesy of KiwiRail)
First train driver: I've been driving trains now for the past 32 years. I enjoy the life of a locomotive engineer for the solitude that you have when you're out by yourself. You're doing your job, and there's just you.
Second train driver: I like the challenge of a heavy long train over a challenging track. There's a good sense of achievement when you get to the other end.
Third train driver: It's different, because you are not stuck in an office from 9 to 5, you're out there and every day's different – it's never the same.
Fourth train driver: I've always wanted to be a train driver.
Fifth train driver: You're pretty much your own boss.
Second train driver: For me, the least favourite route has got to be the suburban area, because of the volume of people – people at the side of the track, people on platforms, people on level crossings and unfortunately a lot of people don't have situational awareness about what's going on. So often we see them with earphones in, and a cellphone in front of them
First train driver: Yeah, with the earphones, they just can't hear the bells.
Fifth train driver: I'm lucky, so far not to have been involved in an actual incident, but I've had lots and lots of countless near misses.
Second train driver: Your heart goes into your mouth, you reach for the brake, you know that if something goes wrong you're not going to stop.
Fourth train driver: Before you cross over the tracks, remember, always.
Second train driver: Always.
Third train driver: Always.
Fifth train drive: Always expect trains, in either direction, at any time.
Second train driver: I like the challenge of a heavy long train over a challenging track. There's a good sense of achievement when you get to the other end.
Third train driver: It's different, because you are not stuck in an office from 9 to 5, you're out there and every day's different – it's never the same.
Fourth train driver: I've always wanted to be a train driver.
Fifth train driver: You're pretty much your own boss.
Second train driver: For me, the least favourite route has got to be the suburban area, because of the volume of people – people at the side of the track, people on platforms, people on level crossings and unfortunately a lot of people don't have situational awareness about what's going on. So often we see them with earphones in, and a cellphone in front of them
First train driver: Yeah, with the earphones, they just can't hear the bells.
Fifth train driver: I'm lucky, so far not to have been involved in an actual incident, but I've had lots and lots of countless near misses.
Second train driver: Your heart goes into your mouth, you reach for the brake, you know that if something goes wrong you're not going to stop.
Fourth train driver: Before you cross over the tracks, remember, always.
Second train driver: Always.
Third train driver: Always.
Fifth train drive: Always expect trains, in either direction, at any time.
Entry requirements
Becoming a shunter
To become a shunter, who shifts (shunts) carriages and wagons using trains or remote controls, you need to:
- pass a basic entry test and a medical test, which includes drug testing
- take training and induction courses run by KiwiRail.
Becoming a train driver
To become a qualified train driver you need to:
- have a full, clean driver's licence and no criminal convictions
- pass strict tests to show you are physically and mentally capable of being a train driver
- pass medical, drug and alcohol tests
- successfully complete on-the-job theory and practical training
- complete a New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations (Level 4).
Secondary education
No specific secondary education is required for this job but maths, English, and construction and mechanical technologies to at least NCEA Level 2 is useful.
For Year 11 to 13 students, the Gateway programme is a good way to to gain industry experience. This programme may help you gain a job but doesn't reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your training.
Personal requirements
Train drivers need to be:
- safety-conscious
- able to stay alert for long periods while working alone
- punctual
- able to think ahead and anticipate problems
- able to stay calm under pressure and in emergencies
- good communicators, in person and by radio.
Useful experience
Useful experience for train drivers includes:
- physical work in a setting where safety is important
- work in a shunting yard or other train-related work
- mechanical or engineering work.
Physical requirements
Train drivers need to have:
- good hearing and eyesight (with or without corrective lenses)
- accurate colour vision to correctly recognise signals and other instructions
- good reflexes
- excellent fitness and health, and good strength as they need to lift train parts that can weigh up to 25 kilograms.
They also need to be comfortable working in confined spaces.
Find out more about training
- KiwiRail
- [email protected] - www.kiwirail.co.nz
- Transdev
- (09) 969 7777 - [email protected] - www.transdev.co.nz
What are the chances of getting a job?
Demand for train drivers average, but expected to increase
Opportunities for train drivers are average because a number of train drivers are retiring, which creates vacancies, but competition for positions is high.
However, opportunities for train drivers are expected to increase in the long term. This is because the 2018-27 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport includes up to $400 million for rail improvements, including more commuter rail services and more rail freight trips.
Most train driver work is in Auckland and Wellington
Your chances of getting train driver work are best in Auckland and Wellington, which have major freight depots and urban commuter networks.
The Auckland City Rail Link will increase demand for train drivers in Auckland as it will extend the network and allow more trains to travel on all lines. One hundred new train drivers will be needed.
KiwiRail recruits train drivers in Hamilton, Palmerston North and Christchurch for freight operations.
Shunter opportunities limited
Shunters, who shift (shunt) carriages and wagons using trains or remote controls, tend to leave the role after a short time because the role is physically demanding.
However, the occupation is small so it can still be difficult to secure a position.
Two employers of train drivers
Train drivers work for:
- KiwiRail – driving freight and long-distance passenger trains
- Transdev – driving local Auckland and Wellington commuter trains.
Sources
- Dunkin, V, talent acquisition manager, KiwiRail, careers.govt.nz interview, October 2018.
- KiwiRail website, accessed September 2018, (www.kiwirail.co.nz).
- Maskell, L, senior recruitment consultant, Transdev Auckland, careers.govt.nz interview, October 2018.
- New Zealand Transport Agency, 'Draft Transport Agency Investment Proposal 2018-27', April 2018, (nzta.govt.nz).
- Transdev website, accessed September 2018, (transdev.co.nz).
- Wilson, S, 'Auckland City Rail Link to be Bigger and More Expensive', 24 July 2018, (www.nzherald.co.nz).
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)
Progression and specialisations
Experienced train drivers may move into managerial or training roles. They may also progress to become station managers or train controllers.
Train drivers drive trains between destinations or in railway yards (Photo: KiwiRail)
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Last updated 9 April 2019