Rail Yard Engineer / Dinkey Operator / Hostler

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

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Carman; Engineer; Hostler; Rail Yard Engineer; Railcar Switcher; Railroad Engineer; Switchman; Yard Engineer

Tasks

• Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
• Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
• Apply and release hand brakes.
• Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
• Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
• Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
• Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
• Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
• Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
• Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.
• Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.
• Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.
• Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.
• Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars.
• Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.

Knowledge

• Transportation
• Public Safety and Security
• Administration and Management
• Mechanical
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service

Skills

• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Far Vision
• Control Precision
• Reaction Time
• Oral Expression
• Response Orientation
• Near Vision
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Speech Clarity
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Rate Control
• Deductive Reasoning
• Multilimb Coordination
• Depth Perception
• Speech Recognition
• Information Ordering
• Flexibility of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Visualization
• Trunk Strength
• Auditory Attention
• Written Comprehension
• Inductive Reasoning
• Spatial Orientation
• Time Sharing
• Finger Dexterity
• Static Strength