Train Drivers are responsible for driving trains in a safe, punctual, economic manner over various routes.
Occupational Profile
Train Drivers are responsible for driving trains in a safe, punctual, economic manner over various routes in accordance with rail rules, regulations and procedures. A Train Driver could work in a number of rail environments, such as high speed, passenger, freight, underground, metro, suburban, cross border, depots, sidings or maintenance sheds; moving passengers, goods, empty coaching stock or driving on-track machines to perform infrastructure maintenance work.
Train Drivers can be required to work for long periods of time on their own, they must be able to maintain a high level of concentration and be able to make instant complex decisions quickly during normal and degraded conditions e.g. severe weather conditions, infrastructure failures and emergency working. They must be able to communicate clearly and accurately with stakeholders and may be required to supervise others to enable compliance with regulations through safe and effective rail operation. A driver has overall responsibilities for passengers, staff and goods on the train. Responsibilities may include communicating with: the signaler, crossing attendant, operations control, other rail industry personnel or the British Transport and the civilian police.
A Train Driver will work shifts that include weekends, evenings and nights. On freight or engineering trains, train drivers usually tend to be rostered more night shifts. On long-distance routes, there may be a need for overnight stays.
Main duties typically include:
- Responsibility for ensuring the train is fit to enter into service
- Driving the train safely and to time at all times
- Being fully up to date with the route features and how to react to changing conditions
- Ensuring the correct protocol is followed consistently throughout the duration of the journey
- Dealing with customer enquiries promptly, politely and in the correct manner
Summary of standard
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/train-driver/
Full standard
