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The ability to see details at a distance.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Locomotive Engineers

Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Train Engineer 

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

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.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Locomotive Engineers and Operators

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

Rail Transportation Workers

Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.

Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.

Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.

Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.

Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.

Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.

Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.

Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.

Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.

Microsoft Excel

Electronic train management systems ETMS

Microsoft Word

Route mapping software

Time tracking software

Phillips head screwdrivers

Straight screwdrivers

Automatic track switching systems

Manual rail switches

Electric freight engines

Gas-turbine-electric engines

Freight car air brakes

Locomotive air brakes

Diesel freight engines

Diesel passenger engines

Warning horns

Socket wrench sets

Two-way end of train devices

Electric passenger engines

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Every day

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Very high responsibility

High responsibility

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Extremely important

Very important

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Constant contact with others

Contact with others most of the time

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Locomotive Engineers

Overview

Career

What Locomotive Engineers Do

Other Job Titles Locomotive Engineers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Locomotive Engineers

Overview

Career

What Locomotive Engineers Do

Other Job Titles Locomotive Engineers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Locomotive Engineers

Majors Related to Career

Related Leaders