Earning your train engineer's license would qualify you to operate a locomotive. Whether you complete a training program at a college or through a railroad company, you'll learn how to safely operate a passenger or cargo train. Keep reading for more details about the training options, coursework and job requirements. Find out the typical salary for a train engineer.
Where Can I Receive Training?
Most railroad engineers receive their training through a railroad company; however, you can also complete a training course through a university, community college or technical school. Regardless of where you receive your training, federal guidelines for an engineer's license mandate that your training program include classroom theory, simulator training and hands-on instruction. After you complete a training program, you'll need to pass a criminal background check and a medical screening to receive your engineer's license.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Training Locations</b></td><td>Rail companies, universities, community colleges, technical schools</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Requirements</b></td><td>High school diploma or GED, license, good vision and physical health</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Topics</b></td><td>Bridge construction, freight delivery, rail operation</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary*</b></td><td>$71,870 for locomotive engineers in 2020</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoINeedToBecomeATrainEngineer">What Do I Need to Become a Train Engineer?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most railroad companies look for a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma. You'll need to earn a license from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to work as a train engineer. You'll also need to have good vision, dexterity, mechanical aptitude and physical health to work as a train engineer.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanILearnInATrainingProgram">What Can I Learn in a Training Program?</h3><p>Training programs that prepare you for licensing cover how railroads are built and operated. This includes how bridges are constructed, tracks are designed and signals are operated. Other course subjects will explore rail operations that deliver commuters, passengers and freight. You can also expect to learn about intermodal shipping, or the process of moving freight from ships to rail.
</p><p>During your training, you can expect to operate different types of locomotives and work with a variety of rail equipment. You can also expect to complete testing requirements for your engineer's license using the same equipment.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIExpectInTheWorkforce">What Can I Expect in the Workforce?</h3><p>After you earn your license, you'll need to complete periodic testing to keep it. This testing usually comes in the form of randomly scheduled drills that involve navigating railroad obstacles, addressing a simulated malfunction or navigating a signal in a particular manner.
</p><p>You'll also need to be aware that the implementation of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 will affect the industry in a wide variety of ways. These include the implementation of regulations and practices the industry hasn't established or considered. New regulations will limit the amount of consecutive hours you can work and will set minimum standards for the amount of time you need to spend off duty at your home station.
</p><p>If you plan on working as a train engineer delivering freight or transporting passengers for long distances, you'll need additional training specific to the rail territory you plan on working in. This training will cover different geographic, safety and weather issues related to that territory.
</p><p>According to the BLS, demand for locomotive engineers is expected to drop three percent between 2019-2029 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). In 2020, the BLS reported that median earnings of train engineers were $71,870.</p>
