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Train and Tram Drivers

Train and tram drivers drive diesel, diesel-electric, electric and steam locomotives that transport passengers and goods on surface and underground railways, and transport passengers in trams.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£36,617
£63,756
£101,069

New workers start around £36,617. Normal pay is £63,756 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £101,069.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 24,483 vacancies for this type of job

3.63%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • May check travel passes, collect fares and deal with passenger queries.

  • May make passenger announcements and controls automatic doors.

  • Maintains radio contact with control centre.

  • Makes scheduled stops for the loading and unloading of freight and coupling/uncoupling of carriages and tubs.

  • Stops as directed to allow passengers to embark/ disembark.

  • Watches for track hazards, observes signals and temperature, pressure and other gauges.

  • Starts train or tram when directed and operates controls to regulate speed.

  • Checks safety equipment, regulates the heating of passenger compartments and records engine defects or unusual incidents on the journey.

  • Checks controls, gauges, brakes and lights before start of journey and studies route, timetable and track information.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Pre-Trip And Post-Trip Vehicle Inspections

  • Trunking

  • Truck Driving

  • Train Operation

  • Flatbed Truck Operation

  • Effective Communication

  • Occupational Safety And Health

  • Vehicle Inspection

  • Emergency Response

  • Operational Efficiency

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communication

  • Customer Service

  • Loading And Unloading

  • English Language

  • Operations

  • Collections

  • Professionalism

  • Management

  • Time Management

  • Detail Oriented

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.