Locomotive Engineers
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.
- Tasks
- 14 tasks13 core, 1 supplemental
- Family
- Transportation & Material MovingOne of its 57 occupations
- Code
- 53-4011.00SOC 2018: 53-4011
What the work is made of
13 core tasks and 1 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all
- Task 1. Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.Core taskTask 12752Rated by 65 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 2. Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.Core taskTask 12754Rated by 65 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 3. Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.Core taskTask 12753Rated by 64 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 4. Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.Core taskTask 12750Rated by 64 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 5. Observe tracks to detect obstructions.Core taskTask 12751Rated by 65 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 6. Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.Core taskTask 12758Rated by 64 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 7. Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.Core taskTask 12755Rated by 65 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 8. Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.Core taskTask 12757Rated by 62 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 9. Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.Core taskTask 12756Rated by 63 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 10. Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.Core taskTask 12759Rated by 65 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 11. Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.Core taskTask 12762Rated by 64 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 12. Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.Core taskTask 12760Rated by 64 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 13. Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.Core taskTask 12761Rated by 63 people who do the job, July 2015
- Task 14. Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight or rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.Supplemental taskTask 12764Rated by 64 people who do the job, July 2015
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 53-4011
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
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