Railroad Brake, Signal, & Switch Operators
Also called:
Railroad Switchman, Brakeman, Terminal Carman, Trainman
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
- Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
- Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
- Observe signals from other crewmembers so that work activities can be coordinated.
Transportation
- movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Business
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
Engineering and Technology
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Basic Skills
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
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Controlled Movement
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
- use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Hand and Finger Use
- hold or move items with your hands
- keep your arm or hand steady
Attention
- pay attention to something without being distracted
Verbal
- listen and understand what people say
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People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Self Control
- Stress Tolerance
- Cooperation
- Adaptability/Flexibility
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Examples of the technology used in this career will be available soon.
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high school diploma
usually needed
Get started on your career:
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New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
$51,340
per year, on average
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