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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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