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Job Definition
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.
Job Zone

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Knowledge
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Public Safety and Security - 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.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Skills
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Tasks
Drive diesel-electric rail-detector cars to transport rail-flaw-detecting machines over tracks.
Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight and rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.
Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, and other supplies before each run, and to check for mechanical problems.
Interpret train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
Monitor gauges and meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, and air pressure in brakelines and in main reservoirs.
Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations, and to assemble and disassemble trains within rail yards.
Receive starting signals from conductors, then move controls such as throttles and air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives.
Call out train signals to assistants in order to verify meanings.
Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
Check to ensure that documentation, including procedure manuals and logbooks, is in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $67,700.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $47,340.00 and $99,080.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 3,300 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 3,800 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 50 openings due to growth and about 100 replacement openings for approximately 150 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
There are currently no programs listed for this occupation.
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