To become a locomotive engineer you must pass a selection process that includes:

• tests assessing your personality and intelligence
• a medical test including hearing and eyesight
• drug tests.

You must also:

• successfully complete a training programme that includes tests on the theory and practical aspects of locomotive driving.
• have a current driver's licence
• have no criminal convictions.

To drive freight trains you must be capable of shunting wagons to and from the train and be certified in train inspection duties before you can do further on-the-job training

A minimum of School Certificate or NCEA Level 1 English and maths is needed to become a locomotive engineer.

Locomotive engineers go through an extensive on-the-job training process. First, they must complete a six-week theory course at Woburn training centre in Wellington. After this:

• urban commuter train locomotive engineers must complete 500 hours of on-the-job training, working alongside an experienced locomotive engineer – this usually takes between six and 12 months
• freight train and long distance passenger train locomotive engineers must complete 1,040 hours of on-the-job training

Once they have gone through training, trainee locomotive engineers are assessed by a locomotive operation manager before being given charge of a train.

Useful experience for locomotive engineers includes:

• work in a shunting yard, or other train-related work
• mechanical or engineering work.