Locomotive Engineers

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.

Job Task

• Interprets train orders, train signals, and railroad rules and regulations to drive locomotive, following safety regulations and time schedule.
• Observes track to detect obstructions.
• Receives starting signal from conductor and moves controls, such as throttle and air brakes, to drive locomotive.
• Confers with conductor or traffic control center personnel via radiophone to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• Calls out train signals to assistant for verification of meaning to avoid errors in interpretation.
• Drives diesel-electric rail-detector car to transport rail-flaw-detecting machine over railroad.
• Inspects locomotive before run to verify specified fuel, sand, water, and other supplies.
• Synchronizes watch with that of conductor to ensure departure time from station or terminal is in accordance with time schedule.
• Inspects locomotive after run to detect damaged or defective equipment.
• Prepares reports to explain accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.

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