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…
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
- Transportation Specialist
- Trains Service Conductor
- Trainman
- Terminal Carman
- Switch Foreman
- Railroad Switchman
- Railroad Brakeman
- Locomotive Switch Operator
- Carman
- Brakeman
- Yard Switch Operator
- Yard Person
- Yard Coupler
- Yard Brakeman
- Tub Rider
- Trip Rider
- Train Crew Member
- Train Braker
- Train Brakeman
- Train Brake Operator
- Trailer
- Track Supervisor
- Track Helper
- Switchman
- Switching Operator
- Switch Tender
- Switch Operator
- Switch Coupler
- Swamper
- Snapper
- Skatesman
- Skates Operator
- Signal Person
- Set Rider
- Rope Rider
- Road Freight Brake Coupler
- Rider
- Railway Switchman
- Railway Switch Operator
- Railroad Yard Worker
- Railroad Signal Operator
- Railroad Signal and Switch Operator
- Railroad Carman
- Railcar Switchman
- Railcar Foreman
- Railcar Brake Operator
- Patcher
- Passenger Train Braker
- Passenger Brakeman
- Nipper
- Narrow Gauge Brakeman
- Motor Brakeman
- Locomotive Operator Helper
- Locomotive Engineer
- Lineman Apprentice
- Headman
- Gang Rider
- Freight Conductor
- Freight Brakeman
- Freight Brake Operator
- Flagman
- Flagger
- Enginehouse Brakeman
- Engineer
- Dukey Rider
- Dinkey Brakeman
- Coupler
- Conductor
- Car Shunter
- Car Shifter
- Car Runner
- Car Rider
- Car Hopper
- Car Coupler
- Brake Rider
- Brake Holder
- Air Hose Coupler
- Air Brake Operator
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