Occupations/53-4022.00
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.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
45%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
60%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
63%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
- Mostly routine
Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
- Mostly human
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
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
- 01Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
- 02Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
- 03Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
- 04Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
- 05Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
- 06Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.66
- Degree of automation1.80
- Time sitting3.74
- Originality (ability)2.50
- Conflict situations2.79
- Hands-on objects/tools4.43
- Outdoors / weather4.72
- Disease exposure1.50
- Decision freedom4.30
Top abilities
- Near Vision3.75
- Control Precision3.75
- Oral Comprehension3.62
- Far Vision3.62
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.62
- Reaction Time3.50
- Problem Sensitivity3.50
- Perceptual Speed3.50
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.12
- Active Listening3.25
- Writing2.62
- Speaking2.88
- Mathematics2.12
- Science1.00
- Critical Thinking3.25
- Active Learning2.62
- Learning Strategies2.62
- Monitoring3.50
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 |