How do they match: Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

  • Air Brake Operator
  • Air Hose Coupler
  • Engineer Assistant
  • Dinkey Engine Fireman
  • Dinkey Engine Firer
  • Donkey Engine Fireman
  • Donkey Engine 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.

  • Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
  • Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
  • Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
  • Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
  • Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
  • Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.
  • Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently.
  • Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
  • Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
  • Refuel and lubricate engines.
  • Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
  • Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.

  • Maintain locomotives or other rail equipment in good working condition.
  • Monitor engine operation or functioning.