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Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Go Back to List
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
 Technology used in this occupation:
 
  • Facilities management software
  •  Tasks
     
  • Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
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  • Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
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  • Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
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  • Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
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  • Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
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  • Apply and release hand brakes.
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  • Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.
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  • Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.
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  • Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
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  • Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.
  •  Skills
     
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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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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  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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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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  • 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.
  •  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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  • Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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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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  • 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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  • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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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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  • Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
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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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     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.
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    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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