Careers / Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
Job Description
Operate railroad track switches. Couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Signal engineers by hand or flagging. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Opportunities are expected to be good for qualified applicants since a large number of workers are expected to retire or leave these occupations from 2008 to 2018.
76 percent of these workers are members of unions, and earnings are relatively high.
