According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors. | 92% |
| Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation. | 92% |
| Apply and release hand brakes. | 91% |
| Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones. | 90% |
| Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information. | 90% |
| Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions. | 90% |
| Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment. | 89% |
| Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars. | 89% |
| Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars. | 88% |
| Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment. | 87% |
| Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors. | 86% |
| Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel. | 86% |
| Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations. | 83% |
| Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars. | 83% |
| Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps. | 83% |
| Operate switching diesel engines to switch railroad cars, using remote controls. | 82% |
| Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty. | 80% |
| Perform routine repair and maintenance duties. | 79% |
| Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied. | 79% |
| Pull knuckles to open them for coupling. | 78% |
| Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed. | 76% |
| Operate and control dinkey engines to transport and shunt cars at industrial or mine sites. | 74% |
| Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars. | 73% |
| Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment. | 72% |
| Provide assistance in the installation or repair of rails and ties. | 70% |
