Will “Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators” 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

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators”

Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.
Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.
Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
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.
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
Refuel and lubricate engines.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Monitor oil, air, and steam pressure gauges, and make sure water levels are adequate.
Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.
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.
Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.
Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
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.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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