Train Driver Training

We read that delays to the Spencer Street development are due, in part, to a shortage of train drivers (The Age, 5/8). Apparently, this has come about since it takes over two years to train a person to drive a train. I must confess to supposing uncharitably that it was a simple matter of going forwards or backwards at different speeds, since steering is not required. Then I reflected on some incidents this past few months and realised the two year syllabus has been squeezed to exclude such important lessons as "when slipping out to the loo, leave the handbrake on" and "ensure there's enough fuel to complete the journey". Perhaps we need to look at extending the training into a third year?