Locomotive Driver

The primary objective of a Locomotive Driver is to prepare, manage and operate locomotives and trains safely in accordance with their level of competency, safe- working qualifications and established operational procedures, in order to meet customer and operational requirements.

In order to operate and manage train movements to meet the requirements of customers and the business, the Locomotive Driver will be responsible for:
- Ensure the safe, economical and efficient operation of motive power unit(s) by preparing, cleaning, starting, operating, monitoring, shutting down and stabling the unit(s) in accordance with operational procedures.
- Ensure the safe, economical, efficient and timely movement of freight from one location to another by the application of train management techniques, conducting marshalling and shunting operations and observing timetable schedules.
- Ensure all rail safety workers who are associated with the train being worked by the driver have applied the core safe working and operational procedures by observation and validation to the required standards.
- Ensure the identification, response and corrective action to emergency and dangerous situations by the appropriate application of skills, experience and training, certification, self-development and task familiarisation.
- Ensure vigilance is maintained, signal indications are observed, their meaning comprehended, and the required behaviour is applied to meet operational standards.
- Ensure contribution to the commercial viability by effective communication, team participation, and quality of service delivery, compliance with organisational policies and legislation and in the planning of personal work activities.
- Ensure the appropriate operational status and usage of property, assets and equipment (such as radios, motor vehicles, safety equipment, office facilities etc.) by effective maintenance and care to maintain reliable service delivery.
- Ensure that rolling stock, including braking systems, are in a fit and serviceable condition by conducting examinations and minor maintenance, and where appropriate, identifying and rectifying minor faults and failures and communicating with relevant personnel to operational standards.
- Involvement in continuous improvement and maintaining of housekeeping standards within work area.
- Ensure the appropriate behaviour is displayed when engaging with external customers at the load point.
- Recording, processing and monitoring train performance information where required.
- Provisioning and preparing locomotives (single & multiple units) for train operations.
- Checking & testing locomotive control systems.
- Performing and maintaining locomotive train operations in accordance with specifications and procedures.
- Performing/coordinating shunting movements both independently and in cooperation with Shift Managers in accordance with established procedures and standards.
- Achieve specific corridor fuel targets (litres per GTK), implementing fuel saving strategies by monitoring train performance and utilising the locomotive fuel saving features when appropriate.
- Maintaining up to date knowledge of client site requirements, network and safe working policies, procedure, standards and regulations.
- Provide on the job instruction and monitoring to drivers of lower classifications to the extent of their skills and competence.
- Operate company or client motor vehicles as required and perform other duties as allocated by the Shift Supervisor/Operations Manager and/or Planning Team.