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

  • Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

  • Signal Person
  • Railroad Signal Operator

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
  • Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.

  • Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
  • Monitor traffic signals.