Will “Car Shunter” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Car Shunter” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #458 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job 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.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 53-4021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 55,320.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 26.00
Currently, there are 19,860 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Car Shunter”

Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.
Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.
Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
Refuel and lubricate engines.
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.
Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.
Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.
Monitor oil, air, and steam pressure gauges, and make sure water levels are adequate.

Related Technology & Tools

Air pressure gauges
Safety gloves
Signal flags
Steel-toes boots
Derailers
Buffer stops
Protective glasses
Signal flares
Diesel freight engines
Locomotive wheel chocks
Oil pressure gauges
Signaling lanterns
Electric freight engines
Hand brakes
Automatic track switching systems
Remote control locomotives
Car pullers
Ground throw switches
Equipment couplers
Railroad track switches
Steam pressure gauges
Safety air horns
Mobile scaffolding
Mobile radios
Dock boards
Dinky engines
Specialty wrench sets
Switch handles
Diesel switch engines

Route mapping software
Data entry software
Time tracking software
Electronic train management systems ETMS