Railroad Brake / Signal / Switch Operator / Locomotive Firer

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Brakeman; Carman; Fireman; Locomotive Switch Operator; Railroad Brakeman; Railroad Switchman; Switch Operator; Switchman; Terminal Carman; Yard Switcher

Tasks

• Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
• Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
• Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
• Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
• Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
• Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
• Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
• Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
• Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
• Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
• Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
• Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.
• Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
• Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
• Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.

Knowledge

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

Skills

• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Problem Sensitivity
• Far Vision
• Control Precision
• Reaction Time
• Response Orientation
• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Speech Clarity
• Selective Attention
• Multilimb Coordination
• Stamina
• Extent Flexibility
• Speech Recognition
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Flexibility of Closure
• Manual Dexterity
• Static Strength
• Trunk Strength
• Perceptual Speed
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Gross Body Equilibrium
• Auditory Attention