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Is driving a train actually harder than a car? More specialised, sure, but my impression is that you'd just need to be able to take signals, operate communications and work the throttle
Probably not any harder no, but much higher responsibility. You've got a few hundred lives depending on you.
I think there's a lot to it in stopping the train smoothly and accurately and applying the correct amount of power for any given conditions. The drivers also seem to have to require extensive route knowledge to the point they can drive the train safely in poor visiblity.
It’s a bit more involved. The lower friction coefficient is the magic that makes it happen, but it does make things challenging if you want to take a train uphill, or if there is wet leaf-sludge, or if you want to stop at a specific point. Anyone can start a train, the skill comes in stopping it again. Particularly if there’s a thousand tons of inertia involved.
hold on... those aren't automated?
I'm surprised there's shortages, I thought loads of people apply to be train drivers?
For many years the TOCs have opted to hire drivers for 6 days a week, and rely on voluntary overtime to cover Sundays. This has led to many strikes.
And many may apply, but it’s about who can get through training and pass the psych evaluation and who still wants to do it.