Working as a train driver long distance– one of the most promising. They pay well here and get good bonuses. How to become a long-distance train driver? Let's figure it out.
And here’s what’s worth understanding right away. This work is exclusively male and not easy. There are no self-taught people in this profession; they won’t hire you if you have health problems.
And most importantly, this profession cannot be mastered through courses; it can only be obtained through full-fledged training. The good news is that training to become a long-distance train driver really provides maximum salary opportunities in Russian Railways among drivers and fully pays for all time costs.
Long-distance train driver training
Anyone who completes training at a railway college, technical school or institute can become a long-distance driver. Only after you have completed your education can you get a job at a depot as an assistant driver.
At the same time, in order to start a career and become a long-distance train driver earlier and not waste time in vain, especially since everything has already been decided with the profession, you can enroll after the 9th grade of school.
Graduates of 9th grade are accepted for study by railway technical schools and colleges. Students study the following disciplines: technical characteristics, locomotive traffic rules on the railway, safety precautions, plumbing, radio communications, locomotive devices, electrical engineering and others; this knowledge is quite enough to drive a train.
Training to become a long-distance train driver at a university
A driver's career will go faster if you have a higher education diploma. After technical school or 11th grade of school, you can enter the Institute of Railways. In universities they study the same disciplines as in colleges, only in an in-depth program. University graduates, having successfully completed their training, have all the privileges to find employment in Russian Railways and work as a long-distance train driver.
How to become a long-distance train driver for Russian Railways?
There is also the opportunity to study at specialized training centers at Russian Railways. In such centers, they undergo theory, practice, and at the end of the training course, after successfully passing the exams, they issue a certificate with the right to drive a train. But these are not training courses, but rather full-fledged and rather lengthy training.
It’s hard to say where and how to train as a long-distance train driver. Each case is individual. What is clear is that those who successfully complete all stages of training will definitely find a place among the employees. There are many trains and there is always room on Russian Railways.
But let’s say getting into the profession isn’t so easy and doesn’t end with studying at an educational institution. When you already have a diploma of education in your hands, you will need to proceed to the next stage - an internship.
The trainee usually works under the tutelage of an experienced machinist who has at least 3 years of experience. The assistant driver's internship will last for at least 3 months, and practical training will end only when the driver sees that the trainee is ready for long-distance flights with passengers on his own. Then he will be able to drive a locomotive and will be qualified as a train driver.
This does not mean that a long-distance train driver ends his training here. Now his career begins. Then he takes a course to improve his qualifications in specialized licensed institutions.
In total, drivers have 3 skill levels:
- The first level is 3rd grade. The driver must work driving a locomotive without accidents for one year.
- The second level is the assignment of 2nd class. The driver must work in suburban services, transporting passengers or cargo for at least 2 years, if he has a diploma of higher or secondary specialized education, then for at least 1 year without accidents.
- The highest level is the assignment of 1st class. After the driver has received class 2 qualifications, he must work for at least 2 years without accidents; for certified specialists, at least one year.
Each stage of category upgrade is accompanied by a medical commission and, if detected, the slightest problem With your health, you can forget about your career. But this is the work in this profession, and when choosing training to become a long-distance train driver, this must be taken into account.
For a driver, each work shift begins with a medical examination and instruction. He must show up for his shift rested, healthy and focused.
Let's summarize how to become a long-distance train driver. The first step is to enroll in a college, university or technical school. You can enter college and technical school after 9th and 11th grades, and college after 11th grade of school and after graduating from high school.
Based on the results of the training, the graduate will receive an internship as an assistant under the guidance of a mentor - a driver. During the internship, the assistant gains experience and also improves his qualifications, and if everything is done correctly, he passes a medical commission, receives a category and starts working.
Here's how you can become a long-distance train driver and here's what you need to do to get there.
Train driver- a railway worker who operates passenger and freight trains, electric trains for various communications and purposes. The driver drives the train by controlling the locomotive. The profession is suitable for those who are interested in physics, labor and economics (see choosing a profession based on interest in school subjects).
Features of the profession
Trains differ in the type of locomotive (diesel/electric locomotive), as well as in the distance and purpose of the routes. For example, long-distance trains can carry cargo and passengers thousands of kilometers, while a commuter train does not leave the region and makes several trips a day. Major cities have their own railways and trains. industrial enterprises(factories, mines, mines) - the routes of such trains are even shorter.
And each type of train requires special training from the driver.
The driver must drive the train exactly on schedule, observing traffic rules, semaphore signals, etc. The train route remains virtually unchanged. However, the situation on the road is constantly changing. It may depend on the weather, how busy the train is, and other road users. For example, a truck stuck on the tracks requires immediate response.
Moving at high speed is often associated with unexpected events. Road conditions, road signs, instrument readings in the cockpit - all this requires constant intense attention. Therefore, a long-distance driver always works with an assistant (an assistant driver, who can also eventually become a driver). On steam locomotives, the crew includes a fireman - he ensures the operation of the locomotive by throwing fuel. However, steam locomotives are a rarity these days. In some cases (for example, in the subway), the driver works alone.
Long-distance train routes are divided into sections. And the driver is usually an expert on one of the sections of the route. At one of the stations, one locomotive crew is replaced by another and drives the train further. The old crew rests at the hotel and takes their place again when it comes time to lead the train back.
Drivers of local lines or the metro also need proper rest. For example, in the metro, drivers have special rest rooms where they can sleep after a shift and before starting a new day, if according to the duty schedule the driver has to put the train on the line in the morning.
Workplace
Railways, metro, large factories, mines and other enterprises that use railways for internal movement of goods.
Salary
Salary as of 03/02/2020
Russia 40000—100000 ₽
Moscow 110000—65000 ₽
Important qualities
Self-confidence, high sense of responsibility, quick reaction, ability to concentrate, good vision (including color vision), acute hearing. Diseases of the heart, blood vessels, central nervous system, bronchial asthma, disorders of the vestibular system, problems of the musculoskeletal system that limit movement are contraindicated for such work.
Knowledge and skills
You must be able to drive a locomotive, carry out minor plumbing work, and use radio communications. Know the structure of a locomotive and the rules of traffic on the railway.
Where to study to become a train driver (education)
Primary vocational education (PPE)
In one of the railway colleges you can get the following professions:
- "Assistant locomotive driver";
- "Assistant locomotive driver";
- "Assistant electric locomotive driver."
Secondary vocational education (SVE)
In colleges and technical schools you can get a specialty " Technical operation rolling stock of railways." Qualification "Technician".
On-the-job training
To work in the metro, you can get a job at a depot (on a metro line) and there undergo training as a driver. First, plumbing practice is carried out, then the future driver studies the equipment of the electric train and learns to operate the train. In the Moscow metro, simulators are used to speed up the process.
The profession of a driver is associated with the management of passenger and freight transport on various types railways. Such an employee controls the locomotive to which a steam locomotive, diesel locomotive or electric locomotive is attached. Against the backdrop of the expansion of the surface and underground transport network, the demand for electric train drivers began to grow rapidly. There are several ways to obtain a position of interest. Each approach has its own pros and cons. Before starting a career, applicants should evaluate own capabilities. Train drivers are hardy, healthy, strong people with well-developed technical thinking. Not everyone will be able to work in this direction.
In Russia, the profession of “train driver” arose almost 200 years ago. Even then, special requirements were placed on its representatives. To operate a locomotive, one had to have highly specialized knowledge, high speed reactions, responsibility, resistance to stress.
Technological progress has led to the emergence of compounds different types, work on each of them requires the presence of certain skills.
Also, the locomotive driver must get used to the specifics of the work process:
- Compliance with the schedule is one of the basic requirements for an employee. In some areas, a few seconds off schedule can cause serious problems;
- quick response to unusual situations. Trains run on rails, drivers regularly follow the same routes, but they cannot relax. We must ensure compliance road rules, technical indicators, semaphore signals, interference on the tracks. Everything is complicated by the fact that the trains move at enormous speeds, sometimes the time to make a decision is counted in seconds;
- a clear understanding of the characteristics of your site. To increase work efficiency, drivers are usually assigned a specific route or section of road. The slightest hesitation by the train driver threatens to disrupt the schedule and create an emergency;
- the ability to quickly recover and correctly distribute one’s strength. Staying in a closed cabin for several hours is associated with significant physical and psycho-emotional stress. Allotted breaks must be used to the maximum so that the quality of work does not decrease;
- careful attention to health. Before leaving for a shift, the employee undergoes a basic medical examination. They measure his pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and check for the absence of alcohol in his blood. Additionally, every few months the employee undergoes a full examination to confirm professional suitability.
The electric locomotive driver is the main person who is responsible for the passengers or cargo being transported. Depending on the direction, they drive their trains daily and repeatedly along a short route or cover hundreds of kilometers at a time. Moreover, the operation of each type of composition requires control, which requires special technical training.
Pros and cons of the direction
Demand and accessibility are the main positive aspects of this career option. Every year the number of specialized vacancies increases. Even young professionals without work experience can count on a good place. The variety of training options is also considered a significant plus.
Many people are attracted to the direction by how much machinists earn. Employees can expect a high base salary, impressive longevity bonuses and trouble-free service. Train drivers have the opportunity to retire earlier due to the complexity of the conditions. Depending on the conditions provided by the employer, the social package may contain extended medical insurance and paid trips to a sanatorium.
A significant disadvantage of the profession is significant stress on health. The worker expects long hours of work. At the same time, the employee is in one position almost all the time and does not even have the opportunity to warm up. This negatively affects the general condition of a person. Modern compositions have been brought to the maximum in terms of technical characteristics, but there is still a risk of developing “vibration disease”.
Many people are bothered by the need to constantly be in a confined space. Lack of communication among machinists working alone sometimes has a negative impact on the psyche. This career is not suitable for a person who is not good with technology - the employee must be able to cope with minor problems and evaluate the quality of operation of devices.
Workplace
A holder of a specialized education can obtain a position as an electric train driver in the metro, on short- and long-distance railways. Such employees are in demand at large industrial enterprises, mines, large construction sites, and geological exploration sites. Specialized drivers are also involved in operating trams.
Important qualities
Completing specialized training to become an electric train driver is not always enough for successful work towards. A number of requirements are put forward to applicants in physical and psycho-emotional terms. The absence of certain character traits can complicate the work process and increase its level of danger.
To work as a locomotive driver, you must have the following qualities:
- the ability to concentrate attention on important points and maintain it for a long time;
- high speed of reaction to changing conditions, emergencies, deviations from the usual norm;
- self-confidence, lack of fear before making decisions;
- developed sense of responsibility;
- technical mindset, love of technology, desire for self-development in terms of studying devices.
Special requirements are put forward for the health indicators of the future driver. The employee must have no vision or hearing problems. Color blindness is a direct ban on such work. Applicants with bronchial asthma, heart and vascular diseases, problems with the vestibular system or the musculoskeletal system may not pass the medical commission. Persons with mental disabilities are not allowed to serve in responsible positions.
Knowledge and skills
Contrary to popular belief, working in a train locomotive is a complex process that requires constant stress. Even those with technical professions need to study to become a machinist and get a first practical experience under the supervision of a professional.
Electric train drivers must have the following knowledge:
- locomotive control in a standard situation;
- responding to emergency situations according to instructions or specifics of the situation;
- carrying out basic engineering and plumbing work, troubleshooting simple problems;
- knowledge of the rules of behavior on the railway, compliance with traffic rules;
- understanding of the principles of radio communication and the ability to use it;
- the ability to communicate with passengers in unusual situations, the ability to control the actions of the crowd.
Studying at a specialized institution allows you to gain only a basic understanding of the specifics of the field. The bulk of skills and abilities are accumulated in the process practical work. Seminars are regularly held for machinists, which provide them with new knowledge and consolidate old ones. Additional independent studies in the field provide the opportunity for further career growth.
Where to study to become an electric train driver
For those interested, training to become a driver can begin at age 8. Children who are interested in this direction should visit the children's railway. Such branches are open in many Russian cities. Kids get the opportunity to manage a real train, acquire basic technical and engineering knowledge, and evaluate their innate talents. The profession of a machinist is taught at various institutions, which you can enter after the 9th grade. Applicants should prepare for the fact that in any case the emphasis will be on exact disciplines.
How long does it take to study to become a driver?
It can take from six months to 5 years to become a train driver. The indicator depends on the goals and form of training, the level of basic education, and the chosen path of development. In any case, for some time after receiving your diploma you will have to work as an assistant driver for from several months to 2 years. This is followed by special testing, which allows you to determine whether the employee is ready to independently manage the composition.
Primary vocational education
After the 9th grade, you can go to a railway college and get a profession there as an assistant driver of a locomotive, diesel locomotive, or electric locomotive. It will help you start a career in your chosen field, but in order to move up the career ladder you will have to study further. The salary of an assistant electric train driver is not so high, but the workload is significant. But such a place allows you to learn all the intricacies of the direction in practice and choose your specialization. Another advantage of this approach is that you can then learn to become a train driver using a simplified scheme.
Secondary vocational education
After the 9th or 11th grade, you can enter a technical school or college, choosing the direction “Technical operation of rolling stock.” This approach will take more time; as a result, the student receives the qualification “Technician”. Already in final courses or as additional education Students are trained to become train drivers, engineers, mechanics, car builders, and other areas. Further, if desired, you can obtain a higher technical education for vertical career development.
On-the-job training
Many representatives of modern youth and adults without specialized education are interested in how to quickly become a train driver with a further guarantee of employment. In this case, it is best to contact the depot directly in the direction of interest. Railroads and subways themselves often recruit apprentices who are offered highly focused training in operating a specific type of train. The training includes theoretical and practical classes in plumbing, locomotive equipment, traffic rules and other disciplines. To facilitate the process of assimilation of material, simulators are often used.
How much does a driver earn?
According to statistics, the salary level of machinists is above average. Assistants receive on average from 20 to 30 thousand rubles. After switching to independent work, the salary of employees ranges from 40 to 60 thousand rubles. The salary of a train driver who has completed a certain number of trips without emergency situations, may be within 100 thousand rubles. Many employers provide additional bonuses for the quarter, year, and length of service.
Subway drivers are often paid their salaries during the training process. This “scholarship” averages from 17 to 25 thousand rubles. In private industrial or mining enterprises, the income level can reach 150 thousand rubles per month. Also, the salary of an electric locomotive driver can be influenced by his type of employment, place of work, and the presence of additional responsibilities. The list of the latter often includes training new employees.
Contrary to popular belief, an electric train driver is no longer a purely male profession. Today, universities, technical schools and colleges are increasingly accepting girls who are well versed in technical disciplines. Every year the operation of locomotives and trains is improved, and the range of electronic applications is expanded. Now workers are valued not so much on physical strength, but on endurance, reaction speed, and knowledge of the basics of engineering.
If your work day begins with the phrase: “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! On behalf of the Russian Railways company, I and our crew are pleased to welcome you on board the Sapsan train, which means you are the driver of the fastest train in Russia. And your job is to “fly” every day without leaving the ground: after all, in some sections between St. Petersburg and Moscow, the train reaches a speed comparable to the take-off speed of a modern airliner. And certainly nowhere in Sapsan can you find a better view from the window than in the driver’s cabin. They don't sell tickets there, but you can try to make the driver's cabin your workplace.
1) Experience - at least 5 years, class - not lower than 2nd
You may not be a poet, but you must be a driver. And not lower than 2nd class - in order to get on the Sapsan. For those who are far from the railways, let us explain: to get 2nd class you need to work as an electric train driver for 3 years. The countdown begins with the 4th class, which allows you to control locomotives and electric trains. In the case of Sapsan, in addition to high class, you also need to have experience under your belt - at least 5 years.
2) Health - like astronauts
The path to the driver's seat lies through the medical examination. The physical requirements for candidates are strict. Future drivers will be tested for vision (it must be 100 percent), hearing, and the functioning of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Psychological testing is still needed to determine how attentive the candidate is and whether he is ready to bear responsibility for the lives of hundreds of people. And most importantly - no bad habits: Even the drivers don’t smoke at Sapsan!
3) Speak English!
Sapsan drivers are the only ones on domestic Russian trains who talk to passengers on English language. Therefore, future candidates should be tested for their basic knowledge during the interview. Of course, no one requires fluency, but also in popular expressions and in famous words You won't be able to limit yourself to Hollywood films.
4) “Driver’s license” for “Sapsan”
One specialized education (in Moscow, for example, train drivers at Railway College No. 52 or Moscow College railway transport) few. It is also necessary to obtain a special certificate, which gives the right to operate the Sapsan. The first drivers of trains new to Russia were trained in Germany at Siemens. And almost a year ago, such courses appeared in Russia: on February 1, 2010, the Locomotive Crew Training Center opened in St. Petersburg, where future drivers train. First, they practice theory and practice on the Sapsan simulator at the Center, then consolidate their knowledge on a real train at the Metallostroy depot, where the fastest train in Russia is registered.
Machinists are first born, and then become. This truth is also true for Sapsan drivers. Only the very best operate on high-speed trains best shots: drivers of the St. Petersburg junction, Moscow junction and Gorky railway. However, even an ordinary driver can get behind the wheel of the fastest train in Russia if he meets all the requirements. The main thing, as noted in the North-Western Directorate of High-Speed Transport, is that the candidate for Sapsan driver not only knows all the instructions, but also knows how to apply them competently and promptly: at speeds over 200 km/h there is not much time to think.
Let us add on our own behalf: drivers are truly the elite of railway transport, whose experience is also in demand in the management of Russian Railways. For example, the director of the Directorate for High-Speed Transport of JSC Russian Railways, Dmitry Pegov, went from being an assistant driver to heading the high-speed line and becoming the head of Sapsan.
By the way, you can ask your questions in the comments. We will forward them to Sapsan drivers and you will receive first-hand answers
To drive a train, you need to study, but how long does it take to study to become an electric train driver and where is it taught? Let's find out.
Moreover, this profession undoubtedly interests many children and young men. Young because in this profession there is a restriction not only by gender (women are not hired as drivers), but also by age.
Managing the train is quite difficult and not everyone can withstand heavy loads. Therefore, out of 10 people who want to train as an electric train driver, only two pass the selection. Some are not suitable for health reasons, others do not undergo the psychological stress, and still others cannot cope with the tasks.
Where can I learn to become an electric train driver?
Drivers enjoy benefits and privileges. They get high wages, paid vacation 1.5 months a year, receive vouchers to a sanatorium for a vacation with the family.
It sounds promising and profitable, so it’s time to find out where they study to become an electric train driver? It is also advisable to understand how long to study this profession.
To begin with, let’s understand that in order to become a driver, you first need to obtain the qualification “driver’s assistant,” and after gaining experience and relevant knowledge, working as an assistant for at least two years, and successfully passing the exam, you can become an independent driver.
Today, a variety of options offer training to become an electric train driver. educational establishments such as railway colleges, training centers, schools, higher education institutions, technical schools and the enterprises themselves that have training licenses with the right to issue certificates in their specialty.
Depending on which path is chosen, it will ultimately depend on how long to study to become a train driver and what kind of education the graduate will receive. Upon completion, as mentioned above, graduates can work as assistants.
Naturally, after university you can quickly build a career in railway practice. It's no secret that depot managers railway or the Minister of Railways started from the “bottom” - an assistant driver and, having higher education, climbed up the career ladder.
You can get an education by correspondence without interrupting work, so that without wasting time, you can gain practical skills and become a certified specialist.
Where do they study to become an electric train driver?
If we consider the top 10 transport establishments in the country, they include the following cities: Moscow, Samara, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Rostov-on-Don, Ulyanovsk, Sochi, Omsk, Khabarovsk. How long to study to become a train driver will depend on the education you receive - secondary vocational or higher education.
You can enroll in Moscow to study at the Moscow State Transport University, named after Emperor Nicholas II. This is a well-known and recognized university in the capital, where there are various areas of study and you can get education in a variety of specializations: locomotives, mainline transport, railway rolling stock.
There are more choices with colleges and technical schools. You can enter the College of Railway Transport at the same Moscow state university ways of communication to them. Emperor Nicholas II, College of Railway and Urban Transport, Naro-Fominsk Technical School near Moscow or Orekhovo-Zuevsky Railway Technical School Bondarenko. You can study at the Moskovia Vocational College.
Ultimately, choosing where to train as an electric train driver must be based on geographical considerations. And in the future it will always be possible to change your place of residence, especially since work allows you to move around the country.
In higher educational institutions they teach the same disciplines as in secondary ones, only more detailed study. The most popular specialties are automation and electrical engineering.
How long does it take to study to become a train driver?
Studying at a university in the specialties of automation and electrical engineering is 4-5 years, plus about 8 months of practice. Graduates may well take leadership positions when leaving for work.
In technical schools and colleges, studying to become a train driver will take from 3 to 4 years. The term will depend on previously received education (9th or 11th grade). Almost everywhere training is possible on a budget and contract.
Where else do they train to be an electric train driver?
In addition to universities and colleges, there is another option where you can learn this profession faster and for free. The companies JSC Russian Railways and Metropolitan are recruiting train drivers for training courses.
This option is very promising, since they train here at the expense of the future employer, pay a stipend and are guaranteed employment. In some cases, they are sent to receive a diploma on recommendation from educational institutions without competition, and you can study and continue to work.
How long does it take to study to become an electric train driver from the training centers of Russian Railways and the Metro? The terms can be minimal - from 1 month, but you need to understand that this option is available only to those who already have an education and the courses are not suitable for everyone.
The best option is to study at a college - this is where you can study to become a train driver. In this case, the training period will be about 3 years - that’s how long to study for it. But the final choice remains with the future driver – you.
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