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Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

Tasks
20 tasks14 core, 6 supplemental
Family
Transportation & Material MovingOne of its 57 occupations
Code
53-4031.00SOC 2018: 53-4031

Read the 20 tasks Download this record as JSON

What the work is made of

14 core tasks and 6 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.

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Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all

  1. Task 1. Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.Core taskTask 10690Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2013
  2. Task 2. Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.Core taskTask 10699Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2013
  3. Task 3. Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.Core taskTask 10691Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  4. Task 4. Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.Core taskTask 10697Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  5. Task 5. Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.Core taskTask 10692Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2013
  6. Task 6. Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.Core taskTask 10694Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  7. Task 7. Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.Core taskTask 10693Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2013
  8. Task 8. Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.Core taskTask 10700Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2013
  9. Task 9. Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.Core taskTask 10696Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2013
  10. Task 10. Inspect each car periodically during runs.Core taskTask 10701Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  11. Task 11. Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.Core taskTask 10698Rated by 77 people who do the job, July 2013
  12. Task 12. Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.Core taskTask 10704Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  13. Task 13. Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.Core taskTask 10710Rated by 79 people who do the job, July 2013
  14. Task 14. Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.Core taskTask 10703Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  15. Task 15. Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.Supplemental taskTask 10695Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  16. Task 16. Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.Supplemental taskTask 10702Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  17. Task 17. Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation.Supplemental taskTask 10706Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  18. Task 18. Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers.Supplemental taskTask 10705Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  19. Task 19. Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations.Supplemental taskTask 10707Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013
  20. Task 20. Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.Supplemental taskTask 10708Rated by 78 people who do the job, July 2013

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
  1. Published by
    O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
  2. Classification
    Standard Occupational Classification 2018, 53-4031
  3. License
    CC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
  4. Changed by us
    Nothing.

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