Queensland Rail takes you inside the driver's cab, revealing what it takes to produce the state's finest train drivers.
The driver training program takes eight and a half months of intensive training, including hundreds of hours of classroom theory, cutting-edge simulator training and practical on-track experience.
Trainees are required to navigate a complex network made up of 850kms of track, 2,000 signals and 152 stations.
The most recent cohort of 67 Trainee Drivers has been put through their paces, to ensure they're fully prepared to safely operate Queensland Rail's South East Queensland train services.
The training program includes modules on rail safety, signalling systems, emergency procedures, and operational protocols, alongside on-track learning with experienced Tutor Drivers.
From day one, Trainee Drivers are immersed in Queensland Rail's safety-first culture, navigating complex real-time challenges in theory, via a train cab simulator and then on-track to ensure they get customers to their destinations safely and on time.
Train Driver roles are often filled internally from Queensland Rail's talent pool, including from roles like station customer service and Train Guards. This way, new drivers coming through the ranks have already spent time immersing themselves in the world of trains. This also means competitive internal pathways for career development at Queensland Rail.
To be considered to enter the training program, candidates must go through a comprehensive recruitment and selection process, including psychometric and psychomotor assessment.
Queensland Rail's Manager Train Service Delivery Training Mitchel Strathie said the world class driver training program ensured the next generation of drivers were at the controls to support Queensland's rail renaissance.
“Each one of our successful trainees embodies Queensland Rail's dedication to connecting communities," Mr Strathie said.
“With Cross River Rail, Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade and The Wave all being rolled out, we have an exciting rail future ahead.
“Our program delivers dozens of new drivers to the tracks each year, so we're making sure we keep our customers moving now and for decades to come."
Queensland Rail Trainee Driver Laurina Neumann is a couple of months into the program and said the course was challenging but rewarding.
“You need to be dedicated. When I get home after work, I'm studying and going over everything I've learned," she said.
“It is like learning an entirely new language. You're learning new systems, new equipment, how trains and railways operate – there's a lot to it.
“I'm proud of the amount of knowledge I've developed in the past couple of months. It is very rewarding."
Queensland Rail Tutor Driver Dave Ramsay joined Queensland Rail as a Guard before he undertook the driver training program in 2020. He now teaches the next generation of drivers.
“As a Tutor Driver, we're responsible for our trainees becoming safe and competent drivers.
“Before joining Queensland Rail I had completed two university degrees and this is the most intensive training course I have ever done but you definitely get back what you put in.
“I love driving trains and I love teaching people how to drive trains."
ENDS