<P> An engineer (American and Canadian), engine driver, train driver, loco pilot, motorman, train operator (British and Commonwealth English), is a person who operates a train . The driver is in charge of, and responsible for driving the engine, as well as the mechanical operation of the train, train speed, and all train handling . The use of the term engineer to describe this occupation in North America should not be confused with the usual meanings of engineer . </P> <P> For many American railroads, the following career progression is typical: assistant conductor (brakeman), conductor and finally driver . In the US, drivers are required to be certified and re-certified every two to three years . In American English a hostler moves engines around train yards, but does not take them out on the normal tracks . </P>

A person that drives a train is called what