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.

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.
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.
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
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.
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.
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.

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Site updated April 30, 2024

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