Will “Yard Person” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Yard Person” 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 “Yard Person”

Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
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.
Refuel and lubricate engines.
Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.
Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
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.
Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
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.
Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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