Locomotive Engineers

Career Description: Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

Industry: Transportation and Material Moving

Other Job Titles for Locomotive Engineers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Monitor gauges and meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, and air pressure in brakelines and in main reservoirs.
• Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
• Interpret train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
• Receive starting signals from conductors, then move controls such as throttles and air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives.
• Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations, and to assemble and disassemble trains within rail yards.
• Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
• Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
• Call out train signals to assistants in order to verify meanings.
• Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, and other supplies before each run, and to check for mechanical problems.
• Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
• Check to ensure that documentation, including procedure manuals and logbooks, is in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
• Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
• Drive diesel-electric rail-detector cars to transport rail-flaw-detecting machines over tracks.
• Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight and rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.
• Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.
• Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, and caps, using hand tools.
• Stack cargo in locations such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.
• Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.
• Set up the equipment needed to produce special lighting and sound effects during performances.
• Bundle and band material such as fodder and tobacco leaves, using banding machines.
• Rig and dismantle props and equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.
• Check out, rent, or requisition all equipment needed for productions or for set construction.
• Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, and containers so they can be loaded.
• Lay tracks for camera dollies and cranes and carry or push dollies and cranes as instructed.
• Adjust controls to raise and lower scenery and stage curtains during performances, following cues.
• Wash out cargo containers and storage areas.
• Build braces and otherwise lash and shore cargo in ships' holds to prevent shifting during voyages.
• Shovel material such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete into containers or bins, or onto conveyors.
• Erect tents and canopies to protect crews and equipment from weather.
• Secure and release mooring lines of ships.
• Sew canvas and other materials to make and repair tents, tarps, scrims, and backings, using sewing machines.

Emerging Tasks

• Visually inspect cargo for damage upon arrival or discharge.
• Collect tickets or cash fares from passengers.
• Drive vehicles over specified routes or to specified destinations according to time schedules, complying with traffic regulations to ensure that passengers have a smooth and safe ride.
• Handle passenger emergencies and disruptions.
• Maintain cleanliness of bus or motor coach.
• Record information, such as cash receipts and ticket fares, and maintain log book.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 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 Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: 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 of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• examine vehicle to detect malfunctions, damage, or maintenance needed
• inspect railroad equipment
• monitor railroad vehicle or equipment operation
• monitor variables affecting route activities
• observe track to detect obstructions
• operate locomotives, dinkey engines, or other rail vehicles
• perform safety inspections in transportation setting
• prepare reports
• read switching order, train orders, or arrival or departure schedules
• receive instructions from traffic control personnel
• transport passengers or cargo
• understand railroad signals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use time management techniques
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair specialized rigging
• requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
• set up specialized rigging
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use spray paint equipment
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• wrap products
• orient new employees
• oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
• perform safety inspections in transportation setting
• plan or organize work
• prepare or maintain employee records
• prepare reports
• read maps
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recommend improvements to work methods or procedures
• recommend personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, and dismissals
• recommend purchase or repair of furnishings or equipment
• requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
• resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
• resolve personnel problems or grievances
• review schedules to obtain cargo loading information
• route freight shipments
• schedule activities, classes, or events
• schedule employee work hours
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use weighing or measuring devices in transportation

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$27.65
• Average annual wage (2007) - $57,520.00

• n/a

• Bridge and Lock Tenders
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
• Motorboat Operators
• Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
• Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
• Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services
• Riggers
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
• Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products