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O*NET-SOC 53-4013.00

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

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

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3
  1. Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.Core10667
  2. Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.Core10669
  3. Apply and release hand brakes.Core10670
  4. Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.Core10666
  5. Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.Core10665
  6. Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.Core10675
  7. Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.Core10673
  8. Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.Core10679
  9. Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.Core10668
  10. Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.Core10672
  11. Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.Core10671
  12. Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.Core10678
  13. Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.Core10674
  14. Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars.Core10677
  15. Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.Supplemental10676
  16. Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.Core10680
  17. Perform routine repair and maintenance duties.Core10685
  18. Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied.Core10683
  19. Pull knuckles to open them for coupling.Core10681
  20. Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.Supplemental10684
  21. Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.Core10682
  22. Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment.Supplemental10687
  23. Provide assistance in the installation or repair of rails and ties.Supplemental10688

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 8 examples in 6 categories, 0 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Expert system software

  • Positive train control PTC systems

Facilities management software

  • Railcar inspection management software

Industrial control software

  • RailComm DocYard
  • Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System

Inventory management software

  • Railyard inventory software
  • Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager

Data base user interface and query software

  • Railyard management software RMS

Internet browser software

  • Web browser software

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Getting Information

  • Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

  • Monitor vehicle movement or location.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Monitor traffic signals.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

  • Inspect locomotives or other railroad equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

  • Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

  • Climb ladders or vehicles to perform duties.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

  • Connect hoses to equipment or machinery.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Connect cables or electrical lines.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Position material handling equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

  • Operate locomotives or other rail vehicles.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

  • Maintain locomotives or other rail equipment in good working condition.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Documenting/Recording Information

  • Record service or repair activities.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Record operational or production data.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  • Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

  • Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 17
Distinct tools0
Level mix
  • No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.