For Etihad Passenger Train captain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, three key factors helped him become the first Emirati passenger train captain in the UAE despite strong competition: pursuing a specialized railway qualification early, excelling in his field, and gaining extensive practical experience.Al Hammadi said he is committed to operating trains to the highest standards of safety while maintaining punctuality and precision, which he described as the foundations of successful passenger train operations. He also emphasized that passenger journeys should be safe and comfortable.“My journey began immediately after high school,” he said. “I was ambitious to work in the country’s rapidly growing transport sector, which led me to enroll in the UAE’s first Railway Diploma programme at the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute, launched in partnership with Etihad Rail.”Al Hammadi said the diploma programme lasted three years, including two years of academic study and one year of practical training on the rail network. He graduated in 2020 as part of the first cohort and was the only student in his class to choose train-driving.Ibrahim Al Hammadi said the most memorable moment of his career was driving the new passenger train for the first time, describing it as the culmination of years of study, training, and work.Describing his operational experience, Al Hammadi said he went on to drive heavy freight trains transporting granulated sulphur from the Shah and Habshan fields to Ruwais Port. He noted that these trains can consist of up to 110 wagons and exceed one kilometre in length, requiring a high degree of concentration and discipline. Duties included conducting pre-departure inspections, checking fuel levels, testing braking systems, and ensuring safe operations while adhering to schedules.Speaking about his path to joining Etihad Rail, Al Hammadi said competition was intense at every stage, from admission to the diploma programme and selection for the train-driving track to ultimately being chosen among the first Emirati passenger train captains.“After that, I completed an intensive, multi-stage training programme to qualify for passenger transport services,” he said. “The programme covered operating systems, safety procedures, modern driving techniques, and practical training on operational networks, all in accordance with the highest international standards.”“This network is designed for you. We have worked hard to ensure your journeys are safe and comfortable, and we look forward to welcoming you on board and introducing you to a new way of travelling across the UAE.”He added: “I am very proud to have been selected for this role. The diploma programme gave me a strong engineering foundation, while my years operating freight trains provided extensive practical experience. The passenger train qualification programme then took my skills to a new level. I am also proud that my career coincided with the expansion of the network from a dedicated freight line to a national passenger transport network.”Discussing the technical programmes and training he completed before operating passenger trains, Al Hammadi said training in the profession is continuous.“It began with the three-year Railway Diploma at the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute,” he said. “After moving into passenger transport services, I completed an intensive, multi-stage passenger train driving programme that combined theoretical and practical learning. It covered operating systems, safety procedures, modern driving techniques, and field training on operational networks in line with the highest international standards.”He noted that the Etihad Rail network operates using Level 2 of the European Train Control System (ETCS), one of the world’s most advanced signalling systems. Qualification on this system, along with training in safety and emergency procedures, formed an essential part of the programme.Al Hammadi said the most memorable moment of his career was driving the new passenger train for the first time, describing it as the culmination of years of study, training, and work.“I felt I had reached the stage I had been preparing for and that I was participating in the beginning of a new phase for the UAE’s railway sector by providing a new service to the public,” he said.He added: “One of the proudest moments of my career was driving a train with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on board. It was an exceptional experience and a great source of pride, not only as a train captain but also as an Emirati representing my country during an important stage in the development of the UAE’s transport sector.”He said such moments remain unforgettable because they reflect years of hard work, collaboration, and commitment behind the scenes.“Today, with the launch of passenger transport services, I am very happy to see people travelling more easily and comfortably between different parts of the country,” he said. “Every journey represents a real opportunity to make a difference in people’s daily lives, and that is a source of great pride for me as an Emirati.”To residents across the UAE, Al Hammadi said: “This network is designed for you. We have worked hard to ensure your journeys are safe and comfortable, and we look forward to welcoming you on board and introducing you to a new way of travelling across the UAE.”
