Main duties

Railway locomotive engineers

• Operate locomotives to transport passengers and freight on railways
• Operate communication systems to communicate with train crews and traffic controllers to ensure safe operation and scheduling of trains
• Inspect assigned locomotives and test operating controls and equipment.

Yard locomotive engineers

• Operate locomotives to switch, couple and uncouple cars for loading and unloading
• Perform switching operations according to written switching orders or dispatched instructions
• Inspect locomotives, replenish fuel or perform routine maintenance on locomotives.

Education

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Experience as a conductor is required for railway locomotive engineers and may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
• Experience as a railway yard worker may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
• Railway locomotive engineers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.

Language

• IELTS – 5 minimum.

Experience

• Have at least two years full-time in the past five years.