WordNet
n. the operator of a railway locomotive [syn: engineer, locomotive engineer, engine driver]
Wikipedia
An engineer ( American and Canadian), engine driver, train driver, train operator ( British and Commonwealth English) is a person who operates a train. The engineer 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.
For many American railroads, the following career progression is typical: assistant conductor ( brakeman), conductor and finally engineer. In the US, engineers 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.
In India, a driver starts as a diesel assistant or electrical assistant (in case of electric locomotives). They then get promoted on a scale: goods, passenger, Mail/Express and Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto.
In New Zealand, the United States and Canada, train drivers are known as "locomotive engineers". In the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia they are known as "train drivers", "engine drivers", "locomotive drivers", or "locomotive operators".
Usage examples of "railroad engineer".
Tish has one brother - no sisters - grandmother dead, aunts and uncles moved away, grandfather a retired railroad engineer in Sawdust City.
Walking from his home on 32nd Street, Kansas Pacific Railroad engineer John Bacon crossed the bridge over the South Platte River.
I told him that when I grew up I intended to be a railroad engineer, but that if that didn’.
The story contained a verbatim transcript of a radio conversation between Admiral Lewis and Captain Grafton that had been recorded by a ham radio operator in Clearwater, Florida, a retired railroad engineer.