NJ TRANSIT debuted its new accelerated Locomotive Engineer Training class this week, with 14 assistant conductors learning how to become rail engineers, fulfilling the agency’s commitment to speed up the training of locomotive engineers.

The accelerated training program consists of 14 assistant conductors who are already rules-qualified, reducing their training time from 20 months to 12 months.

“This accelerated class is part of our commitment to explore new ways to get engineers trained and qualified to operate our trains without reducing our rigorous standards of excellence ’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “This new class contains NJ TRANSIT assistant conductors, who are already familiar with complex rail rules and regulations, and leverages that railroad experience to dramatically reduce their training period. This will help alleviate some of our engineer shortage issues and will get more personnel in position to operate the trains on a more reliable schedule.”

Training is being held at the agency’s Rail Operations Center in Kearny. Executive Director Corbett and other members of the senior management team and training staff were on hand to welcome the new trainees.