Will “Lineman Apprentice” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Lineman Apprentice” 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 “Lineman Apprentice”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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