Railway Training

BCIT has been delivering education in the railway sector for over 15 years. We are one of the three colleges in Canada that offers this type of training, however we are the only college that has a certified industrial railway (BC) with the Minister’s operating certificate.

Key features of our facility include:

• 1650 feet of track
• four switches
• a locomotive
• a rail car mover
• a fleet of cars
• yard turnouts for 6 axle locomotive

Industry Training

BCIT can create custom courses designed to meet your operational needs.

Training can be delivered on your site, or at our yard on Annacis Island. Examples of our industry services include site risk assessments, SMS and GOI creation, modification, recommendations for changes to the latest regulations, refresher training for recertification in CROR, signals, TDG, air brakes, and a variety of other courses. Theoretical reviews, practical training and proficiency assessments can be delivered. Railway Association of Canada learning guides are provided in many of the courses as reference material for students to keep.

If you wish to receive a full listing of options and available training, please contact us.

Part-time Courses

In addition to the following part-time courses, customized part-time courses may be arranged.

• RAIL 0115 - Introduction to Canadian Railway Culture
  This course will familiarize learners with railways, their organization, railway unions, regulatory bodies, and the technology, culture, and political reality of this industry.


• RAIL 0116 - Introduction to Railway Infrastructure
  This course will give learners a basic knowledge of the railways’ main infrastructure aspects (track, freight railcars, locomotives and their maintenance), as well as an introduction to the specific Canadian Railway Operating Rules and how they impact major functions within railway operations.


• RAIL 0117 - Freight Railway Equipment Air Brakes Refresher
  This course will give those working in the railway industry (mainly conductors, locomotive engineers, yard supervisors) an overview of the responsibilities and procedures for performing tests on freight air brake equipment. It reviews pre-departure and en-route tests required in accordance with regulations.


• RAIL 0118 - Crew Resource Management for Railway
  This course will provide those working in the railway industry greater awareness of safety and prevention of incidents and accidents.


• RAIL 0119 - Railway Discovery
  This course will introduce learners to the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) that governs federally regulated railway operations in Canada, the railways main infrastructure aspects (track, freight railcars, locomotives and their maintenance), and basic concepts and principles used by freight Conductors (Yard Foremen) to ensure safe and efficient switching and marshalling.


• RAIL 0120 - Canadian Rail Operating Rules Recertification
  This course will provide those working in the railway industry (conductors, locomotive engineers, yard supervisors) a review of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) that govern federally regulated railway operations in Canada and Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, and Regulations impacting Canadian railways.


• RAIL 0121 - Introduction to Canadian Railway Culture, Safety, Organization and Business
  This course will familiarize learners with railway organization, the technology, culture, and political reality of this industry, and introduction to safety in the railway industry.


• RAIL 0123 - Canadian Rail Operating Rules for Industrial Railways, Shortlines, Sidings, and Spurs
  This course will provide industrial railway operators a review of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) that govern provincially regulated industrial railways in British Columbia. Students will write a CROR level examination for rules pertaining to non-main track operations.


• RAIL 0124 - OCS and CTC Update for BC Industrial Railways, Shortlines, Sidings, and Spurs
  This course will provide those working in the industrial railways, that come in contact with a main track, an update and review of the federal Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) in Occupancy Control System (OCS) and Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) rules.


• RAIL 0125 - Transportation of Dangerous Goods for Railway Recertification
  This course will provide those working in the railway industry (conductors, locomotive engineers, yard supervisors) an overview of the Canadian federal legislation regulating the transport of dangerous goods and its impact on Canadian railways.


• RAIL 0126 - Rail Yard Safety
  This course will give those interested in working in the railway industry the opportunity to learn essential skills required for safety in a railway yard and working on freight equipment.


• RAIL 0131 - Transportation of Dangerous Goods for Railway Certification
  This course will give those working in the railway industry (mainly conductors, locomotive engineers, yard supervisors) an overview of Canadian federal legislation regulating the transport of dangerous goods. Content will include a review of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations with a focus on the impact to Canadian railways.


• RAIL 0132 - Introduction to Railway Business Operations
  ​This course covers how Canadian railways position themselves in a competitive transportation industry and how employees contribute to the success of a railway's business operations.


• RAIL 0133 - Introduction to Railway Management and Organization
  This course will provide learners with a broad overview of how and why railway organizations operate the way they do. As a future employee it is required you recognize the key priorities and challenges of any railway and the roles that management and operations play within the company.