Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

A typical week, in the words of people in the job

1. 01Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.
2. 02Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
3. 03Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.
4. 04Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
5. 05Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.
6. 06Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.
7. 07Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
8. 08Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
9. 09Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
10. 10Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
11. 11Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
12. 12Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.

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