Occupations/53-4011.00
Locomotive Engineers
Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
50%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
67%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
68%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- Mostly routine
Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
- Mostly human
Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
- 02Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- 03Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
- 04Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
- 05Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
- 06Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.61
- Degree of automation1.75
- Time sitting4.37
- Originality (ability)2.00
- Conflict situations3.17
- Hands-on objects/tools4.61
- Outdoors / weather4.44
- Disease exposure1.50
- Decision freedom4.37
Top abilities
- Far Vision4.38
- Selective Attention4.00
- Response Orientation4.00
- Control Precision4.00
- Reaction Time3.88
- Problem Sensitivity3.88
- Near Vision3.88
- Depth Perception3.88
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.38
- Active Listening3.75
- Writing3.00
- Speaking3.62
- Mathematics2.50
- Science1.38
- Critical Thinking3.62
- Active Learning3.12
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.62
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
2 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Railroad and Railway Transportation 49.0208 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Railroad and Railway Transportation 49.0208 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |