How to Become a Loco Pilot

- Salary, Qualification, Skills, Role and Responsibilities

Who is a Loco Pilot?

Driving the train doesn't set its course. The real job is laying the track ~ Ed Catmull

A loco pilot or locomotive pilot is a professional responsible for operating trains. He or she starts, stops, or controls the speed of the train. A locomotive pilot ensures that the train operates according to time schedules and signals. These loco pilots are responsible for carrying people and products to distinct destinations.

A loco pilot has thorough knowledge and understanding of the railway operations, rules, regulations, protocols, and measures to take in times of emergency. Their role is crucial in ensuring passenger and freight trains' smooth and safe operation. Here, in this article, we will discuss everything on how to how to become a loco pilot.

Quick Facts for Loco Pilot

Industry
Railway
Average Salary in India
₹37500
Suitable for
Male, Female

Individuals can take up a career as a Loco Pilots, it is not gender-specific. Men, women, and others can choose a career as a Loco Pilots. In India, individuals from both genders enjoy equal benefits because gender is insignificant in this career.
Any special needs
No

People with special needs should not choose a career as locopilot. The career as a Loco Pilot is not suited to everyone, specifically those with physical disabilities. It is not suitable for candidates with special needs. Physical strength is important for loco pilot qualification.

Table of Contents for Loco Pilot

What is the role of Loco Pilot?

Types of a Loco Pilot

What is the workplace/work environment of Loco Pilot like?

How to become a Loco Pilot?

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Loco Pilot?

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Loco Pilot?

Loco Pilot Jobs and Salaries

What is the job outlook for Loco Pilot?

Frequently Asked Questions for Loco Pilot

What is the role of Loco Pilot?

The duties of the Loco Pilot Assistant include helping the Loco Pilot to run the train smoothly. Loco pilot work includes performing a number of important operations, like maintaining the appropriate ability to function of the locomotive engine, carrying out repair and maintenance tasks in the train, inspecting signal changes, and interacting with other railway authorities.

Loco pilots are responsible for preparing reports.
Loco pilots monitor other workers in order to increase efficiency and protect resources efficiently.
Loco Pilots are responsible for driving the engine, as well as the mechanical operation of the train, train speed, and all other operations.
Loco Pilots follow a particular track to avoid the derailment of the engine.
Maintenance of machinery is indeed an important prerequisite and a required task.

Types of a Loco Pilot

You must be wondering how to become a loco pilot after the 10th, we will discuss that in this article but before that you must also know that the Loco Pilot career comes with multiple opportunities in various specialisations. Here are the options or types of a Loco Pilot.

Locomotive Engineer: Locomotive engineers operate large rail services on the proposed route, transporting passengers and freight to different locations. For each trip, locomotive engineers must be familiar with the freight, schedule and route to ensure that the train operates smoothly and on time.

Yardmaster: Railroad operators or yardmasters are responsible for coordinating train activities on behalf of their organisation. They are responsible for facilitating the delivery and unloading of different items. Some of their primary duties include completing rail are switching tasks on time. Yardmasters ensure that all freight and rail cars reach their intended destinations on time.

Mechanical Engineer: A career as a mechanical engineer is a technical professional. He or she must therefore be responsible for the management of manufacturing products and other technical staff. The mechanical engineer shall research, design, and develop equipment, devices, and other materials of a machine. A mechanical engineer is involved in all stages of the development process.

What is the workplace/work environment of Loco Pilot like?

Loco Pilots operate engines, passenger trains, and commuter trains. Loco Pilots illustrate railway instructions, guidelines, and rules and regulations governing the operation of locomotives. Detectors and meters in the brake pads and primary underground aquifers are supervised mainly for pace, circuit, power output, and temperature analysis. The loco pilot duty time who are posted in Indian Railways.

Does Loco Pilot require travelling?

Likely

Loco Pilots run a large number of commuter and passenger trains along a proposed route that moves people and products to different locations. For each journey, the freight, timetable, and path must be regarded to make sure that the train needs to travel safely and on time. The Loco Pilot job accurately defines how much they need to travel.

Time Pressure

Likely

In a given time span, Loco Pilots need to perform tasks. It takes a lot of time and mental strength to do this loco pilot job because we know that nothing productive can be achieved without hard work and effort.

Overtime Details

Loco Pilots sometimes have to work overtime for long distances and time. They would only have to operate for a certain amount of time, but emergency situations require extra hours of work.

How to become a Loco Pilot?

Steps to become a Loco Pilot

If you love maintaining and operating train engines and helping the trains to run smoothly then a career as a Loco Pilot is the best suitable option for you. If you are looking for the details of how to become a Locomotive Pilot then we have mentioned below the steps for you to know how to apply loco pilot job or how to become a Loco Pilot after 12th.

Identify Loco Pilot skills
Enrol in formal Training/Course
ITI course
Eligibility To Become a Loco Pilot
Meet The Eligibility Criteria for RRB Exam
Apply for RRB Exam
Clear RRB ALP Exam
Recruitment And Training
Begin A Career As A Loco Pilot

01 Step

Identify Loco Pilot skills

A loco pilot possesses some important skills and qualities that every candidate planning to pursue a career as a loco pilot must have. We have mentioned here some of the skills that you must know to become a Loco Pilot in India.

Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Physical Strength
Problem-Solving Skills
Management Skills
Communication Skills
Programming Skills
Mechanical and Mathematical Repairs

02 Step

Enrol in formal Training/Course

You are required to complete 10+2 or it is equivalent from a recognised board with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks. You must also opt for an ITI Certification or Diploma in Engineering by giving an entrance examination and qualifying for the RRB exams. We have mentioned below how to become a Loco Pilot after 10th steps in detail.

Entrance Examinations

Diploma Courses in Engineering

The first and foremost step in how to become a Loco Pilot is that you must opt for a diploma in railway engineering or a diploma in another relevant field.

03 Step

ITI course

If you are looking for how to become a Loco Pilot in India, then you have the option of studying vocational courses. You can either choose to pursue an engineering diploma, engineering degree or an ITI (industrial training institution) program that is approved by the National Council for Vocational Training or the State Council for Vocational Training.

04 Step

Eligibility To Become a Loco Pilot

If you are looking for how to become a Loco Pilot in India, then you must know what is its eligibility criteria and prepare according to the requirements. We have mentioned here the eligibility criteria to become a Loco Pilot in India.

To become a Loco Pilot in India, you must be a citizen of India.
Your age must be a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 28 years. For SC/ST candidates it is 33 years, for OBC 31 years and for PWD candidates it is 38 years.
Qualify for the entrance exam conducted by RRB
Pass the Medical fitness test after the CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test)

05 Step

Meet The Eligibility Criteria for RRB Exam

Below we have mentioned the eligibility criteria that you must know and meet to become a Loco Pilot in India.

To become a Loco Pilot in India, you must be a citizen of India.
Your age must be a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 28 years. For SC/ST candidates it is 33 years, for OBC 31 years and for PWD candidates it is 38 years.
Class 10th pass certificate or
ITI degree or diploma

06 Step

Apply for RRB Exam

Once you are eligible for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Exam, you can apply online for the Loco Pilot exam. This exam can be written if you pass your matriculation 10+2 or SSLC pass certificate. You can apply on the official website of the RRB of your region.

07 Step

Clear RRB ALP Exam

The RRB exam for ALP is a computer-based test and consists of three stages such as Computer-based test 1 (CBT 1), Computer-based test 2 (CBT 2), and Aptitude test.

Computer-based test 1 (CBT 1)

The first stage of the RRB examination consists of Computer-based test 1 (CBT 1) in which the test is conducted for 60 minutes of duration and consists of 75 questions.

Computer-based test 2 (CBT 2)

The Computer-based test 2 (CBT 2) has two parts, Part A and Part B.

Part A has 100 questions and is for 90 minutes of duration.
Part B has 75 questions and is for 60 minutes of duration.

Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)

Once you have passed the CBT 1 and CBT 2 test, you are called for the CBAT test. After you pass the aptitude test, the next step is document verification and verification of certificates and once the document verification is completed the final results will be announced.

Clear Medical test after CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test)

The Loco Pilots are required to be extremely fit and healthy and must have extreme physical strength. To test your fitness, you are required to give the following test:

ECG
Vision Test
Hearing Test
Chest X-Ray
Diabetes Test
Blood Pressure Check-Up
Ishihara Test for Colour Blindness

08 Step

Recruitment And Training

Once you successfully get selected for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot in the Indian Railways you are now sent to the Zonal Training Centres. There you have trained on the technical and operatives of the functioning of the locomotive.

09 Step

Begin A Career As A Loco Pilot

This is the final step in how to become Loco Pilot in Indian Railways. Once you have completed your training you will be working under a senior Loco Pilot in driving a train to learn all the operating techniques.

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Loco Pilot?

Critical thinking
Technical skills
Physical strength

To become a loco pilot, individuals must have some loco pilot skills and qualities that are extremely important to succeed in the career. Here, in this article, we will discuss how to become a loco pilot.

Technical skills: Loco Pilots with this technique and skill in a critical and enjoyable position often get better at multitasking. Technical skills are required to perform various functions. They are practical and often relate to mechanical, mathematical or scientific tasks in information systems. Some instances often include language programming knowledge, mechanical systems, or methodologies.

Physical strength: Physical activity can improve muscle strength and endurance. Exercise carries oxygen from the lungs to your muscles, allowing blood circulation more effectively. Loco Pilots have to work in a stretch for a prolonged period of time and sometimes migrate heavy machinery so that, for such purposes, candidates need to be fit and healthy.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking is essential for Loco Pilots as it encourages individuals and organisations to evaluate problems more effectively and to acknowledge alternative approaches which are not completely evident initially. Critical thinking provides an opportunity to fix problems in the workplace.

Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Loco Pilot?

Internship Availability

Yes

Internships are an essential way of learning practical skills once you finish up with gaining theoretical knowledge. Internships allow potential employees to enjoy an edge over other candidates. Individuals preparing to opt for a career as a locomotive pilot should opt for internships.

Loco Pilot Jobs and Salaries

Junior Loco Pilot

Monthly Salaries

Average Salary 25000

Job Description

The Junior Loco Pilot job description includes taking necessary precautions in the time of need and checking the sanctioned speed of the train and managing the running of the trains as per the time and speed. A Junior Loco Pilot maintains the speed instructions and maintains the timing of trains stoppage in different stations.

Salary Description

The Junior or Assistant Loco Pilot salary in India has been revised after the 7th Pay Commission. The salary for RRB ALP varies from Rs. 19,900 to Rs. 35,500 apart from this, there are other various perks and allowances such as Dearness Allowance, Running allowance, and transport allowance HRA.

Read Full Details

Senior Loco Pilot

Monthly Salaries

Average Salary 50000

Job Description

The Senior Loco Pilot job description includes checking the locomotive carefully for its brake conditions, oil levels and all the emergency procedures before it starts. A Senior Loco Pilot also checks on the speed of the train, station halts, signals and level crossing gates and ensures the safety of the passengers.

Salary Description

The estimated Senior Loco Pilot salary in India ranges from Rs 43,302 to Rs 64,912 per month. Senior Loco Pilot salary in India may vary depending on the various job factors.

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What is the job outlook for Loco Pilot?

The total employment of railway professionals is projected to decline by three per cent between 2016 and 2026.The requirements for passenger rail services, such as transporting people and metropolitan transit systems, are mainly improved by increased volumes. Indian railway loco pilot salary depends on various factors, such as loco pilot qualification, skills, eligibility, and experience.

Frequently Asked Questions for Loco Pilot

Que. Can commerce students become loco pilots?

Ans.

With Commerce Stream, you would not be able to qualify for the Loco Pilot Aptitude test. You must have at least a 12th degree with a PCM or an engineering degree to meet the criteria for it. The selection is based on the performance of the written test and the fitness and strength test.

Que. What is the loco pilot salary?

Ans.

Standard Indian Railway Loco Pilot compensation package is Rs. 55,500. Loco Pilot salaries at Indian Railways can range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 85,000.

Que. Which ITI trade is required for the loco pilot?

Ans.

Students should have accomplished an internship or ITI or a Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering from any institution which is recognised by AICTE. To become an Assistant Loco Pilot, the age of the applicant should range from 18 years to 28 years.

Que. Is Loco pilot a good job?

Ans.

Being a Loco Pilot in the Indian Railways seems to be a very fascinating choice of career because it is a government job. The post ranks high in terms of working conditions and gets good pay and extra perks. However, it is perceived as a difficult job and requires a lot of endurance, great agility and an observant mind.