Will “Car Shifter” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Car Shifter” 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 “Car Shifter”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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