Jon Coghill & Tim Reid
Ever wondered what a train driver job is really like when you’re stuck on the wrong side of the country? Meet this West Australian legend who got dragged to Sydney by love, now drives trains all over NSW, and still dreams of going home. His chat about the train driver job – the solitude, the near-misses, the daylight-saving hell – is honest, funny, and surprisingly deep. Hit play; you’ll never look at a train the same way again.
Ready for some stranger stories? Personal stories of love, resilience & daring unfold in this loveable podcast, as story-collectors Tim Reid & Jon Coghill wander the streets of Australia, microphone in hand, chatting to strangers.
It’s conversations… with everyday people.
Episode Summary
Meeting the Train Driver in the Sunshine
Tim bumps into a train driver soaking up the sun during a break. He’s a proud West Australian who got “dragged” to NSW by his ex-wife years ago. He never planned to stay, but here he is – and he still misses home like crazy.
Why the Train Driver Job Stole His Heart
He loves the train driver job because it’s just him in the cab with the world rolling past. No office walls, no desk – just open track, any weather, any time. He drives both electric and diesel, city and regional. The solitude feels perfect, yet the crew becomes family thanks to the weird hours.
The Hardest Parts of the Train Driver Job
Daylight saving tops the hate list – trying to sleep while the sun blares is torture. Near-misses haunt him most: people who step too close and chicken out at the last second. He’s had one fatal. “Taking a life isn’t something you wish on anyone,” he says quietly.
The Best Bits of the Train Driver Job
He grins talking about the people – passengers getting where they need to go, crew banter, the rare wave from kids (or adults) on platforms. He waves back every time. “Doesn’t hurt anybody.” Those little moments make the long shifts worth it.
Homesick but Still Loving the Ride
He tried for regional runs back in WA – no luck yet. One day he’ll get home and drive trains there. Until then, he makes the most of it. The train driver job gave him freedom, family, and a front-row seat to the country. And honestly? He wouldn’t swap it.
Chapters
00:00 – Intro and meeting the train driver in the sun
00:38 – Dragged from WA to NSW by love, never left
01:31 – Why he loves the train driver job – solitude + scenery
02:49 – Electric vs diesel, city vs regional runs
03:30 – Crew as family, daylight-saving hell
05:15 – Near-misses and the one fatal he never forgets
07:36 – Best part: people, waves, making someone’s day
08:45 – Homesick for WA trains, still grateful – farewell
00:38 – Dragged from WA to NSW by love, never left
01:31 – Why he loves the train driver job – solitude + scenery
02:49 – Electric vs diesel, city vs regional runs
03:30 – Crew as family, daylight-saving hell
05:15 – Near-misses and the one fatal he never forgets
07:36 – Best part: people, waves, making someone’s day
08:45 – Homesick for WA trains, still grateful – farewell
Key Moments
- “I got dragged over by my ex-wife” – classic WA bloke honesty
- Train driver job love: “Just me in the cab, world going past”
- Hates daylight saving more than anything – can’t sleep
- The near-misses that haunt: people who chicken out last second
- One fatal on the tracks – “Don’t wish it on anyone”
- Still waves at every kid (and adult) on the platform
- Dream: one day drive trains back home in Western Australia
Listen to the Full Conversation
The train driver job – solitude, responsibility, homesickness, and random waves. This chat is gold.Listen now on your favourite platform
🎙️ Want more, Stranger?
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Made & Hosted by Tim Reid & Jon Coghill
Music Supervision by Dennis Feletto
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