Rail Transportation Worker
A Rail Transportation Worker is a professional responsible for ensuring the safe and timely arrival of freight and passenger trains. This role encompasses a variety of specialized duties, including operating trains, performing mechanical maintenance, and managing rail yard activities. Workers typically operate in both indoor and outdoor environments, such as moving trains and rail yards, which require adherence to strict safety protocols due to the presence of heavy machinery and the complexities of the rail system.
To enter this field, a high school diploma or equivalent is generally required, although many workers start in entry-level positions like conductors or yardmasters before advancing. On-the-job training is common, allowing workers to gain practical experience. Rail transportation workers are often drawn to the profession due to a strong interest in mechanics and engineering, as many roles demand significant technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. The median annual earnings for this occupation are around $73,580 as of 2023, reflecting the importance and specialized nature of the work involved. Communication and collaboration are essential, as these workers often interact with colleagues and passengers to ensure operations run smoothly and safely.
Rail Transportation Worker
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Interests: Mechanics, mechanical engineering, engine mechanics, physics
Earnings (Yearly Median): $73,580 per year, $35.38 per hour (2023)
Employment & Outlook: 1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Related Work Experience Though not required, many first work as conductors or yardmasters.
On-the-job-Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. The responsibilities of a rail transportation worker encompass a wide range of tasks. Rail transportation workers ensure that freight and passenger trains arrive safely and on time at their destinations. They may work on trains, rail yards where railcars are stored, or tracks. Workers perform various specialized duties, including operating trains or performing mechanical maintenance according to their areas of expertise.
Work Environment. Rail transportation workers such as engineers and operators work inside trains and their exteriors. They can work in rural and urban areas. Railyard workers commonly work outside in all weather, maintaining and inspecting railcars. Because workers must often climb up and over railcars and work in busy rail yards alongside other workers and heavy machinery, they must be aware of their surroundings and follow safety procedures at all times.
Occupation Interest. Rail transportation work covers a broad range of duties, and many of the jobs in the rail industry require significant knowledge of mechanics and engineering. The rail transport industry attracts individuals who enjoy working with their hands and solving mechanical problems. Specialized positions, such as that of engineers, require great attention to detail, and workers must be able to monitor equipment and signals closely for long periods.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Rail transportation engineers, conductors, and operators work closely to ensure passenger and freight trains arrive safely and on time. While a railcar is still in the rail yard, an engineer will inspect the mechanical components and identify any problems. The yard engineer makes any necessary repairs and documents these issues for further inspection. An engineer may need to drive a train to a different maintenance location. A conductor helps manage the day’s activities, including schedules, freight orders, and routes. At the same time, a yardmaster acts as a manager at the rail yard, coordinating the arrangement of railcars, tracks, and cargo.
After a train has left the station, the engineer is in charge of controlling the train’s speed and airbrakes. They use controls such as levers and switches to operate the train. Engineers also observe instruments that monitor speed, air pressure in the brakes, and amperage. They may communicate with dispatchers from traffic control regarding delays, stops, and the locations of other trains. While a train is in motion, a team of conductors is responsible for managing cargo and passengers, collecting tickets and fares, and keeping passengers aware of upcoming stops.
Throughout the day, engineers monitor their trains’ performance. They may sometimes perform maintenance and repairs if there are any malfunctions. Some railroads employ brake, signal, and switch operators responsible for overseeing the brakes, communication signals, and track switches. On some trains, the engineer is in charge of these duties.
Yard Conductors (910.137-022). Yard conductors supervise and coordinate all activity related to the movement of cars inside the railroad yard.
Tower Operators (910.362-010). Tower operators operate switching equipment from a control tower centrally located within a railroad yard. These operators are responsible for properly sequencing switching equipment according to a pre-arranged schedule.
Locomotive Engineers (910.363-014). Locomotive engineers drive electric, diesel-electric, and gas-turbine electric locomotives. These engineers must monitor the engine's operation, oversee the entire train's function, and maintain pre-scheduled timetables.
Passenger Train Brakers (910.364-010). Passenger train brakers are responsible for various duties on board a train. They inspect equipment before, during, and after service, assist passengers entering and exiting the train, and operate all climate control equipment in the non-locomotive sections of the train. They are responsible for all non-locomotive-related functions of trains.
Yard Tenders (910.667-026). Yard tenders do most of the physical work related to coupling and uncoupling railroad cars in a train yard.
Streetcar and Subway Operators (913.463-014). Streetcar and subway operators are responsible for the complete operation of public transportation vehicles. This includes the lawful operation of public rail vehicles, collecting money from passengers, managing personnel and passengers on board, and providing assistance to all rail travelers.
The salary of a railway technician varies depending on the position. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary of a railroad worker in general was $73,580 a year in 2023. Locomotive engineers earned $74,770 a year, while conductors and yardmasters earned $71,130.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Rail transportation workers work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. Some work exclusively in rail yards, while others work on moving trains. Rail yards present several safety hazards because of the proximity of heavy machinery, while trains are relatively cramped and often require engineers, conductors, and operators to work in close quarters. In either environment, workers must follow the necessary procedures to ensure their safety and that of the passengers.
Human Environment. As rail transportation workers typically work alongside several other professionals, they must communicate and collaborate constantly to ensure their trains run smoothly and safely. Conductors converse frequently with passengers and must be adept at handling concerns or complaints and enforcing safety regulations.
Technological Environment. Rail transportation workers use a variety of technologies. Workers based in rail yards use hand and power tools to perform repairs and maintenance, and those aboard trains must be familiar with such devices in an emergency. The trains comprise hundreds of heavy mechanical parts, and driving a train requires levers, throttles, and monitoring gauges.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. While some positions in the railroad industry do not have any education requirements, most railroad companies require a high school diploma or the equivalent. Aspiring rail transportation workers benefit from taking mathematics, English, and science courses. Many high schools offer automotive shop courses where students learn about engine mechanics. Prospective rail workers interested in the mechanical field may find these courses particularly helpful.
Postsecondary. Most railroad companies do not require a college education. However, courses in advanced mathematics, mechanical engineering, and physics may benefit those seeking to enter the field. Companies are more likely to hire an individual with a strong background in mechanics and a college degree in a relevant subject.
Related Occupations
− Freight, Stock & Material Mover
Bibliography
"Locomotive Engineers." O*NET OnLine, 6 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-9032.00. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters." O*NET OnLine, 6 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-4031.00. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Railroad Workers." US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/railroad-occupations.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.