Will “Switchman” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

83% Chance of Automation

“Switchman” 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 “Switchman”

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.
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.
Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.
Monitor oil, air, and steam pressure gauges, and make sure water levels are adequate.
Watch for and relay traffic signals to start and stop cars during shunting.
Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.
Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.
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.
Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.
Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.
Refuel and lubricate engines.
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.
Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.
Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.

Related Technology & Tools

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

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