Careers in Rail Transportation

Vehicle Operations

Locomotive Engineers:

Locomotive engineers are among the most highly skilled workers on the railroad.  There are about 35,000 locomotive engineers.   Employment opportunities should remain good throughout the year 2005.

What's it like to be a locomotive engineer?

Locomotive engineers operate trains carrying cargo and passengers between stations.  They control the throttle to start and accelerate the trains and use air brakes or dynamic brakes to slow and stop it.  They monitor gauges and meters that measure speed, fuel, temperature, battery charge, and air pressure in the brake lines.  They must have a thorough knowledge of the signal systems, yards, and terminal along their routes and be constantly aware of the condition and makeup of their trains.  Most engineers run diesel locomotives, but a few run electric locomotives.   Before and after each run, engineers check locomotives for mechanical problems and make minor adjustments on the spot.

Because trains operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you may have to work nights, weekends, and holidays.  According to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in 1993, passenger engineers earned an average of about $63,900 a year; through-freight engineers, about $62,900; local-way freight engineers, about $60,800; and yard engineers, about $47,700.  Locomotive engineers receive extra pay for overtime work.

How do I become a locomotive engineer?

If interested in becoming a locomotive engineer; railroads prefer that you be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma, and pass a physical examination.  If your goal is to be an engineer, it's a good idea to start at a lower-level job in the rail industry and work your way up.  The Federal Railroad Administration at the Department of Transportation requires you to be certified before you are permitted to operate a locomotive.  To become certified, you will undergo a training program that lasts a minimum of 6 months and includes both classroom and hands-on instruction in locomotive operation.

Railroad Conductors:

These are the people that make the railroad system operate smoothly.  There are approximately 26,000 railroad conductors.  You can work either as a road conductor or a yard conductor.  But if you pick one, you usually remain that for the rest of your career.

What's it like to be a railroad conductor?

As a road conductor, you will be assigned to a freight or passenger train.  If you are assigned to a freight train, you will record each car's contents and destination and make sure that cars are added and removed at the proper points along the route.  If you are assigned to a passenger train, you will collect tickets and fares and assist passengers.  You will be working a lot with the engineer during the trip.  At stops, you will signal engineers when to pull out of the station.  Before the train leaves the terminal, you and the engineer will discuss the train's route, timetable, and cargo.  During the trip, you will receive additional information by radio, such as news about track conditions ahead or instructions to pull off at the next available stop to let another train pass.  You will use a two-way radio to pass on this information to the engineer.  You will also work with the brake operators regarding any equipment problems.

Yard conductors supervise the crews that assemble and disassemble trains.  Some cars are sent to special tracks for unloading, while the rest are moved to other tracks to await assembling into trains destined for different cities.  Yard conductors also work closely with engineers and brake operators.  If you are a yard conductor, you will spend most of your time outdoors in all kinds of weather.

How do I become a railroad conductor?

Conductor jobs are usually filled by experienced brake operators who have passed tests covering signals, timetables, operating rules, and related subjects.  In 1994, annual earnings of conductors averaged about $40,000.

Brake Operators:

These are the people that are part of the crew responsible for operating the train. There are about 18,000 brake operators, also known as trainmen.

What's it like to be a brake operator?

Brake operators make locomotives and cars into trains.  Working under the direction of conductors, they do the physical work involved in adding and removing cars at railroad stations and assembling and disassembling trains in railroad yards.  Freight train crews include one trainman who assists in inspecting the train to make sure that all couplers and airhoses are fastened, handbrakes are released, and air brakes are functioning properly.  During the trip, brake operators regularly look for smoke, sparks, and other signs of sticking brakes, overheated axle bearings, and other equipment that may be faulty.  The work of brake operators is physically demanding.  Climbing up and down and getting off moving cars is strenuous and requires that the brake operator always be alert.

How do I become a brake operator?

If interested in becoming a brake operator, you should have a high school education and have good hearing, eyesight, and color vision, as well as hand-eye coordination and mechanical aptitude.  Physical stamina is an important requirement.  The amount of formal training you will get depends on the railroad.  On most railroads, you will begin by making several trips with conductors and experienced operators to become familiar with the job.  On some railroads, however, new brake operators undergo extensive training, including instruction in signaling, coupling and uncoupling cars, throwing switches, and boarding moving trains.  Brake operators average about $30,000 a year.

Subway and Streetcar Operators:

There is a relatively small amount of people who are subway and streetcar operators.  There are approximately 12,000 people accounted for in the year of 1994.  As cities build new rail systems and add lines to existing systems, the number of subway and streetcar operators is expected to grow faster than the average for other occupations.

What's it like to be a subway operator?

Subway operators control trains that transport passengers throughout a city and it's suburbs.  The trains usually run on tracks in underground tunnels, but some systems run in part on tracks on the surface or elevated above streets.

What's it like to be a streetcar operator?

Streetcar operators drive electrically powered streetcars or trolleys that transport passengers.   Streetcars run on tracks that may be recessed in city streets, so operators must observe traffic signals and cope with car and truck traffic.

According to the American Public Transit Association, in 1994, subway operators earned about $19.20 an hour.
 

How do I become a subway or streetcar operator?

If you are interested in becoming a subway or streetcar operator, there are a couple of options for you.  The first one is that some systems require subway operators to work as bus drivers for a specified period of time.  New Operators generally are placed in training programs that last from a few weeks to 6 months.  Also some Operators who have sufficient seniority can advance to station managers.    

Source of Information-"Careers in Transportation", U.S. Department of Transportation