Will “Motor Brakeman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Motor 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 “Motor Brakeman”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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