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"Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator"

Job Description - Part 1

Basic 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.

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Duties / Tasks	Activities	Skills	Abilities	Knowledge / Experience

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Job Duties and Tasks for: "Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operator"

1) Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.

2) Monitor oil, air, and steam pressure gauges, and make sure water levels are adequate.

3) Open and close chute gates to load and unload cars.

4) Open and close ventilation doors.

5) Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.

6) Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.

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7) Refuel and lubricate engines.

8) Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops in order to warn oncoming trains.

9) Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.

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10) Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.

11) Attach cables to cars being hoisted by cables or chains in mines, quarries, or industrial plants.

12) Collect tickets, fares, and passes from passengers.

13) Place passengers' baggage in racks above seats on trains.

14) Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.

15) Repair and install rails and ties.

16) Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.

17) Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.

18) Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.

19) Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.

20) Observe signals from other crewmembers so that work activities can be coordinated.

21) Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.

22) Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.

23) Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.

24) Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.

25) Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.

26) Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.