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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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