Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

What the job really is

Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.

At a glance

• Sector: Transportation & Material Moving
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-4022
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
• Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
• Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
• Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
• Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
• Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
• Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
• Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
• Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
• Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
• Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
• Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.

Tools and technology

Google Android, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Accelerometers, Air horns, Air pressure gauges, Automatic track switching systems, Battery gauges, Buffer stops, Car pullers, Circuit breakers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Locomotive Engineers
• Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
• Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
• Hoist and Winch Operators
• Signal and Track Switch Repairers
• Rail Car Repairers
• Subway and Streetcar Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.