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.
Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, and other supplies before each run, and to check for mechanical problems.
Interpret train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
Monitor gauges and meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, and air pressure in brakelines and in main reservoirs.
Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations, and to assemble and disassemble trains within rail yards.
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.
Call out train signals to assistants in order to verify meanings.
Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
Check to ensure that documentation, including procedure manuals and logbooks, is in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
Drive diesel-electric rail-detector cars to transport rail-flaw-detecting machines over tracks.
Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight and rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.
Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
Transportation -- Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Telecommunications -- Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Public Safety and Security -- Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Operation and Control -- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension -- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking -- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Operation Monitoring -- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening -- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Time Management -- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making -- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Maintenance -- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Coordination -- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Writing -- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment -- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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.