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

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.

Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.
Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently.
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.

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Site updated April 30, 2024

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