Profession "train driver": description, specificity, advantages

Among the many working specialties there are those about which one is dreaming since childhood. They are shrouded in a halo of romance and high professionalism. One of them - the profession of "train driver". He is the most important in rail transport, and his activity is connected with the management of the locomotive.

A short excursion into the history of the profession

As soon as the first rails were laid and the first train was released, the question of its management became acute. For a trip to be successful, not only the relevant knowledge is necessary, but also specific character traits.

In Russia, the profession of "train driver" arose in the distant 1834. Initially, on the rails were small trains of only four cars. Their speed did not exceed 33 km / h. But after increasing the power and the speed limit to 42 km / h, people needed to cope with the increasing load. Therefore, training courses were organized to gain knowledge and skills in the management of rail transport.

Especially in demand were the machinists in the days of the Soviet Union. The laying of the rail was proceeding at a tremendous pace, various compositions were being manufactured in the country for the transport of goods and passengers. Qualified people, fully trained to manage the staff, were required.

Special features of the specialty

The profession of a machinist is more often regarded as a purely masculine one. However, no one will restrict female representatives if they deign to learn this skill. But for the choice to be conscious, it is necessary to know exactly the description of the profession of "train driver".

The specialty has a number of specific features, which should be noted. Activities require not only endurance, but also excellent health. Therefore, upon admission to the relevant educational institution, a medical certificate of fitness is required.

The "train driver" profession means knowing the technical features of the machine and the automatic devices that are in the locomotive cab.

The driver needs the utmost concentration. To avoid an accident, it is necessary to pay attention to road signs, weather conditions and instrument readings. Long-distance trains always put assistants, who insure the chief engineer and give an opportunity to relax.

The main duties of locomotive driver

When the train is moving, the driver with the assistant performs the following main functions:

• Follow signs and signals on the railway track;
• Observe the indications of the dashboard, which indicates the uninterrupted operation of the entire rolling stock;
• Monitor the condition of the locomotive, its integrity;
• Give the set signals at the entrance to the station;
• Are responsible for the safety of maneuvers;
• When faults are detected, they must immediately inform the station attendants.

The profession of "train driver" implies frequent absences from home. But it gives an opportunity to see many new places. Therefore, people who are hungry for new experiences and are ready to study the technical characteristics of rail transport, often choose this specialty.

Toy railway

Those children who write an essay on the topic "My future profession - the train driver" during the lessons on vocational guidance, it is necessary to visit the children's railway.

Such organizations exist already in many cities of Russia. Those who dream of driving on rails are not only a toy, but a real full-fledged structure, organize special training. After gaining the necessary knowledge, the guys can work as real conductors, on duty at the station, and even help the driver to drive a real train with the passengers.

The children's railway not only provides entertainment services for the skating of small children, but also is an institution of additional education. Children aged 8 to 15 years can study various railway specialties and consolidate the acquired skills in practice.

The profession of "train driver" for children is not only mastered in the classroom. On real trains of a slightly reduced format and on a narrower rail track, under the strict guidance of an adult, a teenager learns the basics of complex craftsmanship.

On the children's railway, everything is real. As far as technical capabilities are concerned, all equipment corresponds to a similar one on general-purpose routes. And, although the rails do not have access to the general track, the composition fully corresponds to the full-fledged passenger locomotive and people are the real ones.

Teaching driving skills

Dreaming of conquering a heavy car and becoming a long-time manager is useful to know where to get the profession of a train driver. They teach specialties in railway technical schools, entry is possible after 9 classes of a comprehensive school.

The main disciplines that future students will be trained in are related to the technical sciences, the rules for the safety of transportation of people and goods, the fundamentals of railway traffic.

In order to competently manage the whole composition, it is necessary to study its characteristics and to have knowledge of the software and the principles of its operation.

To realize the dream, it remains only to choose the nearest educational institution, the list of which is quite extensive. Among the most famous singles out: Saratov, Samara, Orenburg, Penza technical schools of railway transport.

To obtain higher education, you must enter the state high schools of communication, where you can get the profession of a train driver and the qualification of a railway engineer. The universities are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Rostov, the Far East and other areas.

The demand for the profession

Before choosing a future profession, it is important to know its prospects. The locomotive engineer specializes in the list published by the Russian newspaper a couple of years ago.

Employers' demands for labor exchanges speak about demand, among which 33% of the total corresponded to the work of the "machinist".

Pros of the specialty and its shortcomings

Like any other, the profession of a machinist has its unquestionable merits. One of them is associated with a halo of romance, when a person is constantly on the road and sees many new places. But this dignity breeds a flaw. The specificity of the profession forces a person to be separated from the family for a long time, which some may not like.

But the colossal responsibility for the lives of passengers and the safety of cargo guarantees a decent pay. Russian railways, in addition to wages, provide their employees with additional support in the form of premiums, trips to a sanatorium and long holidays.

Minus are the high stresses on the body and the effect of harmful factors on health. The driver's shift lasts for 12 hours, which he spends in a confined space and concentrating the most attention.

The thorny path

After training, all specialists begin their journey with an assistant driver. Depending on the basic education and practical skills, a beginner may be an assistant from several months to two years.

Only after testing by a professional and passing the appropriate interview, a person is entrusted to lead the rolling stock independently .