Will “Railway Switch Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Railway Switch 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 “Railway Switch Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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