{{Short description|Operator of a train}} {{refimprove|date=October 2022}} thumb|A tram driver (right) and conductor, Glasgow, 1918 [[Image:Nsl motorman hat emblem.jpg|thumb|200px|Hat pin from motorman on the Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee railroad]]

A '''motorman''' is a person who operates a tram (streetcar), light rail, or rapid transit train. A motorman is in charge of operating their train, applying power to traction motors, in the same sense as a railroad engineer is in charge of the engine.

The term was and, where still used, is gender-neutral. Though motormen have historically been men, women in the position (first appearing in the United States during the World Wars) were usually also called motormen as a job title. Twin City Lines adopted the diminutive "motorette" for their women employees.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Diers |first1=John W. |last2=Isaacs |first2=Aaron |title=Twin Cities by Trolley: The Streetcar Era in Minneapolis and St. Paul |year=2007 |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |location=Minneapolis |isbn=978-0-8166-4358-5 |pages=163}}</ref> The term has been replaced by more neutral ones, as gender-specific job titles have fallen into disuse.

On systems such as the New York City Subway and London Underground, the position is now called "train operator" (T/O). After transitioning to one-person operation on the Chicago "L", use of "operator" came as a replacement term after motormen assumed additional responsibilities previously held by the conductors.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hilkevitch |first1=Jon |title=CTA to leave train conductors at the station |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-24-9706240319-story.html |access-date=8 October 2022 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=24 June 1997}}</ref>

The operator of an electric locomotive or electric multiple unit on a commuter or mainline railroad is typically called an engineer, operator, or driver.

The term may also refer to a person on a locomotive-hauled train when the train is being propelled by the locomotive. The driver is responsible for applying power in the locomotive, while the motorman (usually in a specially-built or converted vehicle) at the front of the train, is responsible for obeying signals, sounding the horn, and applying the brakes where necessary.

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Railway occupations

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