Criteria for eligibility

Studies: Minimum 10th grade; document certifying the completion of compulsory general education.
Minimum age: 18 years old.

Medical and psychological requirements: A medical and psychological evaluation is mandatory to demonstrate that a person is fit for the Chief of Train position.

Responsibility and attention: Concentration skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to take fast decisions in critical situations.

Course duration

The total duration of the qualification program is 886 hours, approximately 22 weeks.

The program is structured into modules of:

• theoretical training,
• practical training,
• production internship.

What will a chief of train learn?

Theory:

• Railway safety regulations and standards.
• Specific documentation for freight and passenger rail transport (journey logs, shipping documents, passenger lists).
• General knowledge about railway infrastructure.
• Types of railway rolling stock (locomotives, wagons, etc.).
• Communication and signaling procedures.
• Rules regarding the loading and unloading of goods for freight trains.

Practice:

• Coordination of train personnel (train conductor, mechanics, etc.).
• Verification of train conformity before departure.
• Communication with dispatchers and station personnel.
• Verification of braking systems and other equipment.
• How to prepare the train's accompanying documents.

Career stages of a train chief:

• Completion of theoretical and practical courses.
• Examination to obtain the qualification certificate.
• Production internship under the supervision of authorized personnel.
• Obtaining the authorization for the position and position supplements (e.g., brake tests, handling of certain installations, etc.), issued by the Romanian Railway Safety Authority (ASFR).

Main responsibilities: Monitoring all activities on the train (e.g., passenger embarkation and disembarkation, the way goods are secured within the wagons, etc.).
Coordination through communication with railway station teams and dispatchers for efficient activity management.

Professional development: A career as a train conductor can provide opportunities for advancement into technical or training/supervisory roles within the company.