Will “Freight Conductor” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Freight Conductor” 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 Conductor”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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