Rail transportation workers are hired by three different kinds of railroads: passengers, freight, and urban transit. The work of freight railroads is to transport many tons of goods to locations within the US and to harbors to be shipped abroad. The work of passenger railroads is to deliver commuters and passengers to destinations across the country.
Job Description
The rail transportation workers work on trains as well as in rail yards where railcars are repaired, inspected, uncoupled, and coupled as required. The work of locomotive engineers is to operate large trains transporting passengers or cargo between stations. Many locomotive engineers run diesel-electric locomotive whereas few operate locomotive powered by externally supplied electricity or battery. The work of these engineers is to examine the mechanical condition of locomotives.
The work of railroad controllers is to coordinate activities of passenger or freight train crews. Conductors are assigned to freight trains to examine switching orders, review schedules, shipping records, and waybills to attain unloading or loading information about their cargo. Additionally, they are responsible for the allocation of tonnage in the train. They also deal with operation of freight cars within rail terminals and yards, which use remote control locomotive technology.
The engineer and conductor talk about any concern pertaining to train's route, cargo, and timetable before trains start their route. In rail yards and during runs, conductors and engineers interface electronically with traffic control center personnel, monitoring equipment, personnel, and dispatchers to receive or issue information about delays, stops, and the destination of trains.
The job of railroad brake operators is to help with the uncoupling and coupling cars and operate some switches. The work of a signal operator is to maintain, repair, and install the signals in yards and on tracks. The work of yardmasters is to coordinate the activities of workers dealing with railroad yard operations. These activities are also performed by conductors, which include switching outbound or inbound traffic and breaking up or making up trains to the particular section of the line.
The work of yardmasters may include informing yard engineers and other staff members where to turn the cars to fit the designed train configuration. Yardmasters may operate switches remotely using computers with regard to diverting railcars and trains to the appropriate track.
Work Environment
Rail transportation employees may work weekends, holidays, and nights to operate trains that run twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. Many rail transportation workers serve forty hours a week. Conductors and engineers can be assigned an extra board when railroad requires substitutions for workers who are absent due to illness, vacation, or any other reason.
Generally, freight trains are dispatched as per the requirements of customers; therefore, train crews may have irregular schedules. Train workers need to place their name on a list and then go for the work as per their turn. Usually, jobs are assigned at odd hours and on short notice. Workers have reliable and regular shifts who are working on passenger trains. They work with passenger trains wherein temperature, accommodations, and appearance are more comfortable than of freight trains.
Rail yard workers spend ample amount of time outdoors and work in all type of weather conditions. Rail yard workers have to climb up and down equipment, which may be dangerous and strenuous. Therefore, these workers have to follow safety rules in order to avoid hazards. The work is physically demanding. Engineers and conductors on local runs frequently stops at local rail yards or at stations where they pickup and deliver cars.
Training and Educational Qualification
Rail transportation workers begin their career in various positions. They gain experience to perform more demanding tasks. Upon gaining extensive experience, rail workers may advance to conductor position. Subsequently, they are promoted to engineer positions based upon their experience and educational qualification.
An engineer position needs federal licensure. Almost all rail transportation workers complete hands-on training and formal classroom training before performing actual work. Many candidates should pass a background check, physical exam, and drug screening, before being employed. Railroad transportation requires candidates must have completed at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Many new employees are given on-the-job training and through company's formal training programs. Candidates who get into brake and signal operator job are given special training at the outside training facility. These training programs last from a two-week to six months. At the end of the training programs, operators ought to pass qualifying exam covering the troubleshooting, operating system, emergency procedures, and evacuation procedures.
Licensure
The federal regulations require beginning engineers to finish a formal engineer training program comprising simulator, classroom, and practical exercises in locomotive operation. Generally, the program is approved by the Federal Railroad Administration and the instructions of the program are administered by the rail company. Engineers should occasionally pass an operational rules efficiency test in order to maintain their licensure.