Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

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

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers.

• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers.