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Locomotive Engineers

Also called: Locomotive Engineer, Conductor, Transportation Specialist, Passenger Locomotive Engineer

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Army.

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brakelines or in main reservoirs.
  • Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
  • Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.

Knowledge

Transportation
  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
Arts and Humanities
  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Controlled Movement
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • quickly decide if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time
Hand and Finger Use
  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady
Visual Understanding
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Expert system software
  • Electronic train management systems ETMS
Route navigation software
  • Route mapping software
Time accounting software
  • Time tracking software

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$49,380
per year, on average
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs
Green
This work is part of the green economy.

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about locomotive engineers.