According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers. | 99% |
| Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication. | 95% |
| Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites. | 93% |
| Pull or push track switches to reroute cars. | 93% |
| Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated. | 93% |
| Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes. | 91% |
| Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly. | 90% |
| Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks. | 90% |
| Operate locomotives in emergency situations. | 89% |
| Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains. | 89% |
| Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched. | 87% |
| Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes. | 87% |
| Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts. | 87% |
| Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations. | 85% |
| Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand. | 84% |
| Refuel and lubricate engines. | 83% |
| Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently. | 82% |
| Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains. | 81% |
| Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary. | 80% |
| Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions. | 77% |
| Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers. | 75% |
| Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed. | 73% |
| Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains. | 73% |
| Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs. | 71% |
| Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools. | 67% |
| Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches. | 64% |
| Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information. | 60% |
