Will “Railroad Carman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Railroad Carman” 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 Carman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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