The Young Engineer: A story of Eka Purnama

Have you ever imagined what it's like to be in a locomotive cabin, responsible for thousands of lives behind you, and traversing tracks at high speed?

In this special episode of Talk More - Hike More from Hikemore ID, we had the opportunity to chat directly with Eka Purnama, a young train engineer from Bandung who is also a Hikemore Brand Ambassador. He shared his story from the rigorous recruitment process to traumatic experiences on the tracks.

Here is the true journey and challenges behind the profession of a train engineer.

1. A Long Journey: Not a Childhood Dream

Who would have thought, being a train engineer wasn't Eka's childhood dream. He even briefly aspired to be a police officer and participated in the initial tests. Eka only became acquainted with the railway world during vocational high school and only realized the vastness of the train enthusiast community (railfans) after becoming part of the profession.

For those interested, there are formal educational paths such as the Land Transportation College (STTD) or the Railway Academy (API) Madiun, although Eka emphasizes that the main key is to pass KAI recruitment.

2. Train Engineer School: Physical and Mental Selection

After passing recruitment, Eka's journey to the locomotive cabin was very long, taking at least 1.5 years:

• Semi-Military Training (10 Days): The initial mandatory stage, focusing on character building and discipline. Here, solidarity between recruits is forged through shared punishments.
  
• Technical Training at BPTT Yogyakarta (3 Months): Intensive training on regulations, simulator practice, and technical mastery at the Solo Locomotive Depot.
  
• Field Practice (2 Weeks x 2): After completing training, engineers must undergo two weeks of direct service practice, following senior engineers, and two weeks of technical practice at their respective regional Locomotive Depots.

The process is tiered. It took Eka 1.5 years from being accepted to becoming a First Engineer (Assistant Engineer), and he needs to accumulate at least 2,000 hours of flight time or one year of work to advance to the level of Young Engineer—a level where he is allowed to operate the train by himself.

3. Risks, Trauma, and Challenges in the Cabin

Controlling a train is not just about stepping on the gas and brake; this profession demands high focus and direct confrontation with risks.

• Biggest Challenge: Eka admits the biggest challenge is fighting drowsiness and preparing for adequate rest before duty.
  
  
• Collision Incident: Eka experienced trauma after hitting a car and a motorbike at an unauthorized crossing. He shared the horrifying moment when he saw the victim's face just before the collision. Despite the traumatic event, engineers are required to continue their service to their destination after making a report.
  
  
• Extreme Emergency Procedures: In cases of unavoidable major danger (e.g., collision with a large truck or other rolling stock), regulations allow engineers to leave the cabin (jump) after making maximum efforts to activate emergency braking.
  
  
• Personal Needs: Since non-KRL locomotives are not directly connected to passenger toilets, biological needs must be strictly managed. Engineers must ensure they are "done" before duty. For emergency urination, the solution is to use an empty mineral water bottle!
  
  
• Salary Commensurate with Risk: Given the high risk, Eka believes that an engineer's salary should be above 10 million rupiah, considering that this profession directly confronts death.

4. Two Professions at Once: Engineer and Social Media Star

Amidst the busy schedule of the Argo Parahyangan service between Bandung and Gambir, Eka is also known as an influencer and Hikemore Brand Ambassador. His second career started by accident.

Initially, Eka only wanted to document his duty moments at the suggestion of a senior. These documentations were loved by railfans who then spread his photos by word of mouth. His popularity peaked until he started receiving endorsements in 2021.

Eka is now proud to carry the Hikemore name, especially when he sees railfans carrying Hikemore bags and rain covers while taking photos of trains by the tracks—a genuine appreciation from the community.

Eka Purnama's story proves that the profession of a train engineer is a combination of military discipline, deep technical knowledge, and extraordinary mental resilience. If you dream of becoming an engineer, prepare yourself to face a long selection process and high-risk challenges behind the controls.

Watch the Full Interview!

Curious about the exciting details of Eka Purnama's experiences and the mystical stories heard from fellow engineers? Watch the full discussion in the More Talk Seru video below:

Eka Purnama's Favorite Products (Hikemore Brand Ambassador)

As an adventurer on the tracks and occasionally in the wilderness, Eka Purnama has several go-to products from Hikemore.

Check out Eka's favorite collection that accompanies him on duty and in his activities: