# Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers > 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. - Code: 53-4022.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 53-4022) - Family: [Transportation & Material Moving](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-53), one of its 57 occupations - Tasks: 26 tasks (20 core, 5 supplemental and 1 not rated) - Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-4022.00 - JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/53-4022.00.json ## What the work is made of 1. Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers. Core task · Task 23774 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 2. Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication. Core task · Task 23775 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 3. Pull or push track switches to reroute cars. Core task · Task 23776 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 4. Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated. Core task · Task 23777 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 5. Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes. Core task · Task 23778 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 6. Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly. Core task · Task 23779 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 7. Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks. Core task · Task 23780 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 8. Operate locomotives in emergency situations. Core task · Task 23781 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 9. Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains. Core task · Task 23782 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 10. Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes. Core task · Task 23783 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 11. Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched. Core task · Task 23784 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 12. Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts. Core task · Task 23785 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 13. Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations. Core task · Task 23786 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 14. Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand. Core task · Task 23787 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 15. Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently. Core task · Task 23788 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 16. Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains. Core task · Task 23789 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 17. Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary. Core task · Task 23790 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 18. Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs. Core task · Task 23791 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 19. Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools. Core task · Task 23792 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 20. Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches. Core task · Task 23793 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 21. Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites. Supplemental task · Task 23794 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 22. Refuel and lubricate engines. Supplemental task · Task 23795 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 23. Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions. Supplemental task · Task 23796 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 24. Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed. Supplemental task · Task 23798 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 25. Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains. Supplemental task · Task 23799 · Rated by O*NET analysts, November 2020 26. Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains. Not rated · Task 23801 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 ## More in Transportation & Material Moving - [Air Traffic Controllers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-2021.00): 23 tasks - [Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-1041.00): 6 tasks - [Aircraft Service Attendants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-6032.00): 18 tasks - [Airfield Operations Specialists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-2022.00): 27 tasks - [Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-2011.00): 24 tasks - [Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-3011.00): 11 tasks - [Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-6031.00): 14 tasks - [Aviation Inspectors](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-6051.01): 13 tasks - [Bridge and Lock Tenders](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/53-6011.00): 18 tasks - 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