As you jump aboard the train heading to or from the new Alkimos, Eglinton or Yanchep stations and settle into your seat, take a minute to think about the person driving the train.

Seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, Perth’s train drivers ensure passengers reach their destination on time and safely, and driver training is an essential part of any new train line.

With the Yanchep Rail Extension now finished, we had a chat to train drivers Karimudeen (Kari) Khan and Matt Leeson to find out what it was like to drive the first trains* on the 14.5km of new track as part of the driver familiarisation program.

With 18 years’ experience as a train driver, Kari took on the role as a pilot in the program, undertaking early training when the line was first commissioned and then training other drivers.

“I was one of the few who went for training to become familiar with the new line in different weather conditions, drive through gradients which requires track knowledge, and practice timing and scheduling. I was then able to share my knowledge with fellow railcar drivers, including Matt,” Kari explained.

“Each day we made three to four trips along the freshly laid track and stopped at every station to familiarise ourselves with the facilities such as toilets, crib rooms and bus stations.”

“Getting to drive on the new route is exciting as for many years we’ve stopped at Butler, but now we get to drive all the way to Yanchep,” he said.

Matt has been driving trains for seven years and explains that the job is always evolving.

“We really enjoy transporting people in a timely and safe manner and no two days are the same. We have new trains to drive and different routes to explore each day. The Yanchep Line is something different and is providing more travel options for passengers and easing congestion,” Matt explained.

When they’re not driving trains across Perth you’ll find Kari gardening, watching soccer, spending time with family and making sure he’s doing his 10,000 steps a day, while Matt enjoys hiking, camping/caravanning and family time.

*B-Series trains were used for the driver familiarisation program. C-Series trains are now in operation on the Yanchep Line.