What they do
|
Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.
|
| |
| Also called: |
|
Brakeman, Carman, Fireman, Locomotive Switch Operator, Railroad Brakeman, Railroad Switchman, Terminal Carman, Trainman
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Wages
Wage rates not available for Vermont
but may be for the nation and other states at
CareerOneStop |
|
| | |
Industries of Employment
| United States - 2020 |
| Industry | Percent of total |
| 81% |
- Support activities for transportation
| 9% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 5% |
| 1% |
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
| 1% |
| More at BLS |
|
|
| |
Knowledge
| People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
|
- Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
|
- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
|
- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
|
| More at O*NET |
|
|
| |
Skills
| People in this career often have these skills: |
- Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
|
- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
|
- Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
|
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
|
- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
|
| More at O*NET |
|
|
| |
Interests
| People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
|
- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
|
- Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
|
| What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
|
|
| |
Work Styles
| People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
|
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
|
- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
|
- Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
|
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
|
| More at O*NET |
|
|
| |
Tasks
| On the job, you would: |
- Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
|
- 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 crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
|
- Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
|
| More at O*NET |
|
|
| |
| Related Occupations
|
| |
|
|
| Career Video
|
| |
Projected Employment
Projected employment not available for Vermont
but may be for the nation and other states at
CareerOneStop |
|
| | |
Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
|
- Work experience in a related occupation
None
|
- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Moderate-term on-the-job training
|
| Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
|
|
| |
Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
|
- Physical activity is Important
|
- Level of activity is Moderate
|
|
|
| Low |  | High |
|
|
|
| Compare Occupations at O*NET |
|
|
| |
Job Zone
| Some Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(4.0 to < 6.0) - A typical worker will require
over 3 months up to and including 1 year
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
|
| Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
|
|
| |
Abilities
| People in this career often have talent in: |
- Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance.
|
- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
|
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
|
- Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
|
- Reaction Time
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
|
| More at O*NET |
|
|
| |
Work Activities
| In general, what you might do: |
- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
|
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
|
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
|
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
|
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
|
| More at O*NET |
|
|
| |
Detailed Work Activities
| What you might do in a day: |
|
- Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
|
- Operate locomotives or other rail vehicles.
|
- Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.
|
- Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
|
| More at O*NET |
|
|
| |
Other Resources
|
- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
|
- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
|
|
|
| |
|
