About This Career

Drives switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster Transportation Operations pathway.

A person in this career:

• Observes and responds to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
• Inspects engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
• Applies and releases hand brakes.
• Confers with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
• Signals crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
• Inspects track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
• Couples and uncouples air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
• Observes water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
• Drives engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
• Inspects the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Picking out a particular sound in the presence of other sounds
• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Judging how far away an object is, or which of several objects is closer or farther away
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Overnight travel
• Rotating shift work
• Weekend work