Will “Brake Holder” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Brake Holder” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #458 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Operate railroad track switches. Couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Signal engineers by hand or flagging. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-4021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 55,320.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 26.00
Currently, there are 19,860 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Brake Holder”

Refuel and lubricate engines.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.
Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.
Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
Monitor oil, air, and steam pressure gauges, and make sure water levels are adequate.
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.
Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.
Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.

Related Technology & Tools

Ground throw switches
Mobile scaffolding
Car pullers
Electric freight engines
Steam pressure gauges
Oil pressure gauges
Dinky engines
Specialty wrench sets
Mobile radios
Diesel switch engines
Railroad track switches
Safety air horns
Equipment couplers
Signal flags
Remote control locomotives
Locomotive wheel chocks
Dock boards
Automatic track switching systems
Signaling lanterns
Steel-toes boots
Protective glasses
Diesel freight engines
Hand brakes
Buffer stops
Air pressure gauges
Safety gloves
Signal flares
Switch handles
Derailers

Electronic train management systems ETMS
Time tracking software
Data entry software
Route mapping software