Will “Railroad Brake Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Railroad Brake Operator” 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 “Railroad Brake Operator”

Refuel and lubricate engines.
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.
Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
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.
Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.
Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
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.
Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.
Monitor oil, air, and steam pressure gauges, and make sure water levels are adequate.
Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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