What You'll Do

  • 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.

Essential Skills

Monitoring 3.5/5
Operations Monitoring 3.38/5
Active Listening 3.25/5
Critical Thinking 3.25/5
Operation and Control 3.25/5
Reading Comprehension 3.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5
Speaking 2.88/5
Instructing 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Stress Tolerance, Self-Control, Adaptability/Flexibility

Want a personal read on fit. Take the free assessment and see your exact compatibility with this career and many related roles.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.75/5
Oral Comprehension 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.62/5
Far Vision 3.62/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.5/5
Perceptual Speed 3.5/5
Reaction Time 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Electronic train management system software Electronic train management systems ETMS Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Route mapping software Time tracking software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.53/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.25/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.09/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.02/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 3.87/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Air Brake Operator Air Hose Coupler Area Brakeman Brake Holder Brake Rider Brakeman Car Coupler Car Hopper Car Rider Car Runner Car Shifter Car Shunter Carman Conductor Coupler Diesel Locomotive Fireman Diesel Locomotive Firer Dinkey Brakeman Dinkey Engine Fireman Dinkey Engine Firer Donkey Engine Fireman Donkey Engine Firer Dukey Rider Electric Locomotive Fireman Electric Locomotive Firer Engineer Assistant Enginehouse Brakeman Fireman Firer Flagger Flagman Freight Brake Operator Freight Brakeman Freight Conductor Gang Rider Locomotive Fireman Locomotive Firer Locomotive Switch Operator Motor Brakeman Narrow Gauge Brakeman Nipper Passenger Brakeman Passenger Train Braker Patcher Railcar Brake Operator Railcar Mechanic Railcar Switchman Railroad Brake Operator Railroad Brakeman Railroad Carman Railroad Fireman Railroad Firer Railroad Signal Operator Railroad Switch Operator Railroad Switchman Railroad Yard Worker Railway Switch Operator Railway Switchman Rider Road Freight Brake Coupler Rope Rider Roundhouse Fireman Roundhouse Firer Set Rider Shop Fireman Shop Firer Signal Maintainer Signal Person Skates Operator Skatesman Snapper Steam Locomotive Fireman Steam Locomotive Firer Swamper Switch Coupler Switch Operator Switch Tender Switchgear Specialist Switching Operator Switchman Terminal Carman Track Operator Trailer Train Brake Operator Train Brakeman Train Braker Train Crew Member Trainman Trip Rider Tub Rider Yard Brakeman Yard Coupler Yard Person Yard Switch Operator