3 ms·

There's more in it than you think, it's not just about escapism. Driving a train usually needs an engineering degree in real life, it's about managing the mome

by exDM69 8y ago

There's more in it than you think, it's not just about escapism. Driving a train usually needs an engineering degree in real life, it's about managing the momentum of a thousand ton vehicle up and down hills. Reversing a truck with a trailer takes a ton of practice. Flying aircraft, especially over long distances requires a lot of knowledge and skills in aviation and navigation. Farming simulator may sound mundane, but it's about driving heavy vehicles, managing economy and getting to understand farming. There's a lot more to these games than meets the eye. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of them. There's no way I'll ever be a train engineer, a pilot or a farmer but I get a glimpse into what the job is like in an entertaining gaming session.

p0llard 8y ago
> Driving a train usually needs an engineering degree in real life I'm dubious of this claim, but am happy to be proven wrong. I don't really see how an engineering degree would be necessary, or even helpful at all for this; I quite agree that it definitely requires a lot of skill, but an engineering degree is an academic qualification which is really an assessment of intellect as opposed to trained skill. Building on that last claim, I would say that a significant minority, if not a small majority, of professional engineering jobs (in the traditional sense, and excluding train drivers) do not actually require a degree in practice, instead requiring only a certain aptitude and the ability to skill up as necessary for the specific job.
- kirrent 8y ago
  I know some train drivers. None of them have engineering degrees or are particularly technically minded in any real way.
- exDM69 8y ago
  I guess I should have been more specific. In my country, train drivers still have engineering degrees. Maybe not everywhere any more. Back in steam engine days the job was more difficult, and needed higher education than today. And train simulators reflect this, operating a steam locomotive is really difficult. Although the diesel electrics are hard, steam locos are a whole different game. I still haven't been able to complete a route without running into trouble with pressure, water levels, fire mass or fuel. Train sims are fun, challenging and entertaining. If you're into slower paced and more strategic gaming, give one of the train sims a go.
- NamTaf 8y ago
  They absolutely do not in Australia. They'd do a certificate of rail operation through some sort of technical college (we call it TAFE). A full-on engineering degree is wasted for operating trains these days. Much of the manual aspect of old locomotives is automated and you're not expected to maintain the thing.
Spooky23 8y ago
A locomotive engineer requires a high school education and a lot of training. Qualifying for routes is a significant lift. It’s a good blue collar job that pays well because the schedule really sucks and it’s hard to plan your life. A few friends do this and it has some really shitty rules... you’re on call for a week or more, and can be called to do a 12 hour run a couple of hours before you’re supposed to be off... and you’re often unsure of exactly when you’ll get back. You basically need to have a spouse who doesn’t work to make it work.

by exDM69 8y ago

p0llard 8y ago

> Driving a train usually needs an engineering degree in real life I'm dubious of this claim, but am happy to be proven wrong. I don't really see how an engineering degree would be necessary, or even helpful at all for this; I quite agree that it definitely requires a lot of skill, but an engineering degree is an academic qualification which is really an assessment of intellect as opposed to trained skill. Building on that last claim, I would say that a significant minority, if not a small majority, of professional engineering jobs (in the traditional sense, and excluding train drivers) do not actually require a degree in practice, instead requiring only a certain aptitude and the ability to skill up as necessary for the specific job.

kirrent 8y ago
I know some train drivers. None of them have engineering degrees or are particularly technically minded in any real way.
exDM69 8y ago
I guess I should have been more specific. In my country, train drivers still have engineering degrees. Maybe not everywhere any more. Back in steam engine days the job was more difficult, and needed higher education than today. And train simulators reflect this, operating a steam locomotive is really difficult. Although the diesel electrics are hard, steam locos are a whole different game. I still haven't been able to complete a route without running into trouble with pressure, water levels, fire mass or fuel. Train sims are fun, challenging and entertaining. If you're into slower paced and more strategic gaming, give one of the train sims a go.
NamTaf 8y ago
They absolutely do not in Australia. They'd do a certificate of rail operation through some sort of technical college (we call it TAFE). A full-on engineering degree is wasted for operating trains these days. Much of the manual aspect of old locomotives is automated and you're not expected to maintain the thing.

Spooky23 8y ago

A locomotive engineer requires a high school education and a lot of training. Qualifying for routes is a significant lift. It’s a good blue collar job that pays well because the schedule really sucks and it’s hard to plan your life. A few friends do this and it has some really shitty rules... you’re on call for a week or more, and can be called to do a 12 hour run a couple of hours before you’re supposed to be off... and you’re often unsure of exactly when you’ll get back. You basically need to have a spouse who doesn’t work to make it work.