Will “Freight Brakeman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Freight Brakeman” 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 “Freight Brakeman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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