‘Norway’s most beautiful office’
While many of us are always looking at the same surroundings at work, the train driver’s views are constantly changing. Through busy cities, deserted forests, along the rivers and the seas.
‘I like to say that we have Norway's most beautiful office. We get to see sunrises and sunsets, wildlife and beautiful scenery.’
‘At the same time, we get to meet different people and take them where they need to go – which I find very rewarding. I'm proud of my job,’ says Kenneth with a smile.
Although he spends most of his working day in the cab, he does get to meet passengers. And he's very happy about that.
‘I often field questions when I take a break at stations. I appreciate that and I enjoy being able to help in that way.’
Fulfilling the train dream
He has had an interest in trains ever since he was a young boy. This interest was not lessened by the fact that his father worked on the railways.
‘I guess I always had a childhood dream of driving the trains my father worked on. But I also wanted to carve out my own path and I trained as an automotive mechanic.’
However, after a number of jobs the train dream finally became reality.
‘It all started with a summer job at Norsk Jernbanedrift, which is involved with maintenance. It whet my appetite and I decided to apply to attend Train Driver School,’ the 30-year old says.
A highly competitive selection process
However, being admitted to Train Driver School is far from a given. Last year alone, there were 1162 applicants for 168 available spaces and the hopefuls need to pass both medical examinations and psychological tests.
‘Being a train driver is a huge responsibility. Among other things, it’s crucial that you can remain calm under pressure, as we can end up in many different stressful situations,’ he says.
Many people might think that a train driver simply drives the train. That is far from the truth.
‘We need to be familiar with the entire train structure, down to the smallest of details. If we find ourselves stranded in the middle of the Hardanger plateau due to problems with the train itself, I will be able to get us out of there,’ he explains.
‘I need to get out and look for mechanical or electrical faults – supported by another train driver on the phone.’
Transparency is important to our passengers
The train whizzes through the Vestfold scenery, bathed in sun, at a speed of 200 km/hour, the train’s maximum speed. Kenneth manoeuvres the levers, his gaze fixed firmly on the rails.
Fortunately, he has not experienced many problems during his four-year career.
‘I did have to lie down under the train once between Notodden and Ski because one of the compressors had broken. However, since it is rare that unforeseen events occur, it is particularly important that we maintain our knowledge,’ the train driver stresses.
This involves both independent studying and annual traffic safety tests. Every two years, train drivers have to practice various types of situations in a simulator.
‘Safety is the most important thing. Driving a train is first and foremost about ensuring the safety of all passengers,’ he says.
He thinks that passengers value communication most when things are not going entirely to plan.
‘As a train driver, I have to be open about why we have come to a standstill, what happens next and how long we are likely to be at a standstill for. The more honest we are, the easier it is for customers to accept the situation,’ Kenneth explains.
Working day and night
Working days and nights for the Skien native involve travelling back and forth on the Vestfold Line – or in the direction of Notodden. Other days might consist of carrying out more thorough safety inspections, collecting trains from the workshops or parking them at the final stations.
He became a dad for the first time a year and a half ago.
‘It can be tough to get up at three o'clock in the morning to go to work. You miss out on some time with the family when you work every other weekend, but since I enjoy my job so much and I find it so fulfilling, it has actually been working out well. The working environment is also great and that is important to me,’ he concludes.
