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Locomotive Engineers Go Back to List
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.
 Technology used in this occupation:
 
  • Data base user interface and query software
  •  Tasks
     
  • Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brakelines or in main reservoirs.
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  • Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
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  • Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
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  • Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
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  • Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
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  • Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
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  • Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
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  • Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
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  • Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
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  • Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
  •  Skills
     
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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  • 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.
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  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  •  Knowledge
     
  • Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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  • 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.
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  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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  • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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  • Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
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  • Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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     Education & Training
      Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
      Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
      View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.
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     Wage Information
     
    Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range 
    Annual  Hourly 
    Statewide $91,137.00 $43.82  $36.35  $37.17 - $46.61 
    ONET Resource Center Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
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