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.

Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.
Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand.
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.
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.
Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
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.

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Site updated April 16, 2024

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