Will “Yard Hostler” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.

• Apply and release hand brakes.

• Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.

• Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.

• Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars.

• Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.

• Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.

• Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.

• Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.

• Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.

• Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment.

• Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.

• Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.

• Provide assistance in the installation or repair of rails and ties.

• Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.

• Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.

• Perform routine repair and maintenance duties.

• Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.

• Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.

• Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.

• Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied.

• Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.

• Pull knuckles to open them for coupling.