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Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$58030	200	0.3%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$58030

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

200

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

0.3%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Detailed Work Activities

Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Monitor traffic signals.
Operate locomotives or other rail vehicles.
Inspect locomotives or other railroad equipment.
Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
Monitor vehicle movement or location.
Climb ladders or vehicles to perform duties.
Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.
Connect hoses to equipment or machinery.
Connect cables or electrical lines.
Position material handling equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Record service or repair activities.
Maintain locomotives or other rail equipment in good working condition.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
Apply and release hand brakes.
Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.
Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.
Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.
Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.
Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars.
Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.
Perform routine repair and maintenance duties.
Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied.
Pull knuckles to open them for coupling.
Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.
Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.
Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.
Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment.
Provide assistance in the installation or repair of rails and ties.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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