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Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators

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.

Common Tasks

  • Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
  • Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
  • Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
  • Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
  • Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.

Required Education

No education requirement is available for this occupation.

Wages

In 2016 the mean hourly wage in California was $27.01 . The hourly rate for this occupation typically paid between $21.70 and $31.19 .

In 2016 the mean annual salary in California was $56,162.57 . The annual salary for this occupation typically paid between $45,139.91 and $64,882.89 .

Occupation Outlook

No occupation outlook data is available for this occupation.

Data courtesy of O*NET
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