One word for train driver

Driving a train is a very difficult and demanding job to have, however, there are trains all throughout the world and therefore, there is an absolute necessity for folks to work this job. This also begs the question – what are people who drive trains called around the world?

The preferred version is a “locomotive engineer”. This is because the term “locomotive engineer” most accurately describes an individual who is fully qualified and trained to safely drive a train from one destination to another. This term will also be understood, regardless of where you live or travel.

Locomotive Engineer

When we use the term “locomotive engineer”, we are discussing the individual who drives and operates the locomotive, also known as the train. This is a person who is highly trained, certified and qualified to be in this position. A “locomotive engineer” may drive passenger, freight, or cargo trains.

The term “locomotive engineer” is typically used in North America – specifically in the United States and Canada. However, this term may be used throughout the world as it is the technical and correct term for this position of employment.

We can now look over some examples that include the use of this term:

• My husband is a locomotive engineer and currently works for the Ontario Northland Railway in Ontario, Canada.
• To become a locomotive engineer, one must first work as a locomotive conductor to gain the necessary experience and qualifications.
• A locomotive engineer is a demanding job, that often takes you away from home for days at a time and requires constant travel.

Engineer

Another term that is often used to describe the person who drives a train is an “engineer”. While this term may seem generic to some, for those working within the rail industry it is a perfect way to depict the difference between someone who drives the train and the conductor.

As the conductor is the person who does the majority of the work; building the trains, taking them apart, servicing customers (for freight trains), and assisting with passengers (for passenger trains) – it is important to distinguish them from the “engineer”, who merely drives the train.

Here are a few examples of how this particular term can be used in a sentence:

• I was working as a conductor for over five years before I was trained and then certified as an engineer.
• I am working as the conductor on today’s freight service, while Chris is taking the engineer position.
• As the engineer, your job is to remain within the cab or front of the train and to ensure a safe trip from departure to the destination.

Railroad Engineer

The term “railroad engineer” is a broad term that encapsulates anyone who drives a train for work, regardless of the specific type of train that they drive. Most “railroad engineers” begin as brake operators, switch operators, or conductors, and work themselves towards promotions through experience and proper training.

This is another term that is quite specific to North Americans, however, it can be heard in Europe as well. The term “railroad” is quite apparent in meaning, therefore, calling someone a “railroad engineer” would be accepted and understood by most.

The following examples highlight the use of this specific term:

• My grandfather was a railroad engineer for the Canadian National Railway for nearly 40 years before retiring.
• Becoming a railroad engineer takes an abundance of hard work and dedication.
• Families of railroad engineers have to be able to adapt and understand the long hours and travel.

Train Driver

Another very generic term for someone who works this job is a “train driver”. We can use this term regardless of where we are in the world and it will generally be understood, as it is very straightforward. A “train driver” is the person who is driving the train.

As driving a train requires a specific classification of license or certification, much like driving a car or truck, then saying someone is a “train driver” is seemingly quite appropriate.

We will now look over various examples that use this term:

• He is a train driver by trade and has been in the business for nearly twenty years.
• The life of a train driver is often quite lonely, yet extremely busy all at the same time.
• Train drivers are often required to travel long distances for work and sleep in bunkhouses along the way.

Engineman

Another excellent term that we can use to describe someone who drives trains for a living is an “engineman”. This is another fairly universal term, that someone should understand regardless of where they live. This is because a locomotive is also referred to as an engine.

An “engineman” may also be the type of individual who knows how to work on or repair train engines as well, making them dual qualified for their position of work.

Here are a few examples that utilize this particular term:

• My older sister is an engineman or should I say, an engine-woman!
• My brother was always very interested in and passionate about trains growing up, so he became an engineman by profession.
• Becoming an engineman may take a lot of hard work, but it comes with outstanding pay and a great pension.

Locomotive Operator

We can use the term “locomotive operator” similarly to our other terms. We should consider an operator to be someone who operates specific equipment or a machine. Therefore, a “locomotive operator” would be someone who knows how to or is qualified to operate or drives the train.

Saying that someone is a “locomotive operator” is far more common in Europe, however, we can hear the use of this term in North America or Australia as well.

The following examples highlight the use of this term in a sentence:

• I am now a locomotive operator by trade, after having gone to college to work on heavy equipment vehicles.
• Being a locomotive operator is considered to be a skilled trade certified position.
• Locomotive operators are in charge of driving the train, but also ensuring that the train is operating correctly and safely at all times.

Loco Pilot

Another term that we can choose to use as an alternative is a “loco pilot”. While this term may seem odd or highly uncommon, it can certainly be used to accurately depict or describe someone whose job is to operate or drive trains.

While this term is not used commonly, it is very popular and exclusive to India. A “loco pilot” in India, is considered to be a person who is responsible for driving trains and ensuring the proper maintenance of trains during transit. This is also considered a senior-level position.

We can now look over the following examples that highlight the use of this term:

• My husband was just hired as a loco pilot in India because of his experience, so we will be relocating.
• A loco pilot is regarded as a high-level professional position in India.
• He has been working as a loco pilot out of New Delhi, India for nearly ten years now.

Hogger

The term “hogger” is a slang term that was, at one time, very common when referring to someone who drove trains. This term originated not to be taken as derogatory, but because a steam engine was often referred to as a hog.

Therefore, because an engineer would be driving said “hog”, they were often referred to as “hoggers”, “hogheads” or “hogmasters”. While this term may have been popular in the 1800s and early 1900s, it is not used often in the present day.

For additional clarity on the use of this term, here are a few examples:

• Hogger is often considered an insulting term in the present day, so we won’t see it used commonly.
• Hogger was a term that was used at the height of steam engine use.
• Some people may see the term hogger as relating to pigs, however, it referred to how much energy and maintenance a steam engine required.

Freight Engineer

We can use the term “freight engineer” consistently with the rest of our alternate terms. This is because the term “freight” refers to the goods or cargo that is carried by train. Therefore, a “freight engineer” is someone who operates or drives a freight train.

This is another very commonly used term, regardless of where someone may live. This is because most trains nowadays are freight trains, as opposed to passenger trains. Freight trains haul goods across countries and even internationally. Therefore, “freight engineers” are an in-demand job at all times.

Here are a few examples of how we can use this term:

• Freight engineers are generally very hard-working individuals.
• Just like other skilled trade positions, freight engineers require schooling and an abundance of trips or practice runs.
• Freight engineers carry goods, cargo, dangerous materials, cars and more – as opposed to people or travellers.

Motorman

The final alternate term that we will be highlighting in this article is a “motorman”. We will often consider a “motorman” to be someone who operates or drives a motor-driven vehicle; however, this term is also used to describe someone who drives a train.

A “motorman” may also be used to describe a locomotive employee or engineer that will also inspect and maintain the engine of a train – which makes them highly qualified and certified at their job.

Finally, we will go over our last examples for this article:

• My husband works as a motorman for the Canadian Pacific Railway, which often takes him far away from home.
• A motorman is also a term used to describe someone who drives a streetcar or subway train.
• A motorman is a demanding, yet very financially rewarding job, that can provide a good life for a family.