Monitor locomotive instruments and watch for dragging equipment, obstacles on rights-of-way, and train signals during run. Watch for and relay traffic signals from yard workers to yard engineer in railroad yard.
Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently.
Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
Receive signals from workers in rear of train and relay that information to engineers.
Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.
Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand.
Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.
Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.
Transportation -- Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Mechanical -- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Operation Monitoring -- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Coordination -- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Operation and Control -- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Far Vision -- The ability to see details at a distance.
Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Night Vision -- The ability to see under low light conditions.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment -- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.