train driver emmigration to oz/nz

[Johncleesefan]

I know this topic has being covered a few years ago (through doing a quick google search) but has anyone, especially the oz/nz guys on here got the latest on opportunities over there?

Its a long-term goal for me and me wife to get over there. Having emailed operators already and awaiting replies I am now taking to the forums for opinions.

Cheers

 

[miami]

There's not a lot of rail in those places. In NZ certainly there's no shortage either
http://skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz/

 

[Johncleesefan]

cheers for that, i know nz certainly has a very small network. il hope to hear from the operators as to what the situation is.

 

[furnessvale]

cheers for that, i know nz certainly has a very small network. il hope to hear from the operators as to what the situation is.

I understand that NZ freight is about to have a Beeching done to it, so I doubt there will be much recruitment on NZ railways until that is all sorted.

 

[sarahj]

I know a few drivers who went out to drive Ore* trains. However the massive downturn in the market has lead to job losses and I heard one of them came back. But while the sun shone, the money was good.


*Ore as in rock used to make stuff, not the 'fantastic' station just east of Hastings.

 

[ian959]

As Sara says the big iron ore railways are cutting back now due to the lower demand for iron ore and are likely to start laying off/having voluntary redundancies soon. Similarly, whatever this weeks name of the Western Australian arm of Aurizon is called is experiencing traffic contraction right now and demand for train drivers is not high. Certainly not seen them advertise for train drivers for a while. Some of the smaller operators may be taking up some of that slack but I doubt anyone is on a serious recruiting drive for train drivers in the freight area in Western Australia.

http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/employment/traindriverrecruitment/tabid/97/default.aspx pretty much confirms that TransPerth is not looking for drivers right now either.

V/Line were advertising recently though - Seek

 

[TheEdge]

I know a few drivers who went out to drive Ore* trains. However the massive downturn in the market has lead to job losses and I heard one of them came back. But while the sun shone, the money was good.

Money was good??!!?

Apparently the Rio Tinto employed ore drivers in Australia are the best paid train drivers on Earth by a decent margin.

 

[furnessvale]

Money was good??!!?

Apparently the Rio Tinto employed ore drivers in Australia are the best paid train drivers on Earth by a decent margin.

Is that why they have been looking at fully automatic, ie, driverless operation?

 

[radamfi]

Is that why they have been looking at fully automatic, ie, driverless operation?

A recent Click programme on the BBC News channel showed remote controlled driving being used at mining sites, without apparent controversy because it avoids staff having to travel to remote locations and live away from home for long periods of time, and instead "drive" the vehicles from the comfort of the office.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Had a NZ friend over this last week - it is a small country with only 4.5 million population and the rail network is under some challenge at the moment (cutbacks expected) - I do not know about Australia but you can factor on less bulk rail movements as coal and ore are in less demand globally at the moment - though the commuter / urban side seems to be doing quite well.

One of my ex drivers went over some years ago - and enjoys it greatly. He may have got over at the right time.

 

[Johncleesefan]

Cheers ian959 I have emailed v/line and left some questions so hope for a response there too ??????

Thanks everyone for your responses

 

[furnessvale]

A recent Click programme on the BBC News channel showed remote controlled driving being used at mining sites, without apparent controversy because it avoids staff having to travel to remote locations and live away from home for long periods of time, and instead "drive" the vehicles from the comfort of the office.

Rio Tinto have invested $518millions in driverless trains for the long haul runs from the mines to the ports. Trains are controlled from a centre in Perth.

The first ran on 10th March and Rio Tinto expect to have all 41 trains running this year.

Presumably displaced drivers will be looking at relocating to more conventional railways in Oz, further reducing opportunities for emigration from the UK.

 

[LesS]

I too have heard that NZ will be cutting back on their network. The suburban networks in Wellington & Auckland are growing and they may be interested in drivers. Both cities are electrified networks.

As pointed out the heavy haul lines in the Pilbara may have limited futures. Rio's activities have been noted. For some time they have been operating Haulpaks (large road based trucks) by remote from Perth. I understand the centre is based at Perth airport. This centre also controls similar vehicles operating in Mongolia. Remote and automatic driven trains are the future.
The heavy coal haulage in Queensland & NSW is continuing but there could be some reduction in future years. Metalurgical coal will continue but steaming coal could be sharply reduced.

The general freight scene is mixed. Just try with the major operators; Pacific National & Aurizon. There may be opportunities with some smaller operators; Southern Shorthaul, Qube, Genesee & Wyoming or a few others

For passenger work the suburban/intercity networks in Sydney & Melbourne are extensive and almost always need drivers. I believe that a similar situation may exist in Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth.

 

[furnessvale]

As pointed out the heavy haul lines in the Pilbara may have limited futures. Rio's activities have been noted. For some time they have been operating Haulpaks (large road based trucks) by remote from Perth. I understand the centre is based at Perth airport. This centre also controls similar vehicles operating in Mongolia. Remote and automatic driven trains are the future.

Your posting seems to imply that automated haul trucks will replace trains.

This does not accord with Rio Tinto publicity which states that automated TRAINS are running now and will be the norm by the end of the year.

What is beyond doubt is that train DRIVERS are an endangered species.

 

[LesS]

Not so.

Rio are certainly operating driverless haulpaks and trains. There is no way road could replace rail with this type of heavy haul.

Driverless operations are expanding everywhere; some examples:
Victoria, Central & DLR in London
Metro1 and others in Paris
Lines in Singapore, Dubai, Abhu Dhrbi, Vancouver.

Others are under construction elsewhere including Sydney.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Driverless trains are only viable on standalone systems/routes, where all trains can be controlled

 

[ian959]

Which is exactly what the various iron ore railways of Western Australia are and hence why Rio Tinto is going driverless... no doubt to be joined by others in time especially if it means reduced manpower costs.

 

[miami]

Driverless trains are only viable on standalone systems/routes, where all trains can be controlled

Driverless cars are coming along fast and orders of magnitude harder than trains