53-4011.00Apprenticeship

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.

Career Cluster:Supply Chain & Transportation
Job Family:Transportation and Material Moving
Job Zone:Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Industry:Transportation and Warehousing
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Key Tasks

  • 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.
  • Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
  • 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.
  • Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
  • Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
  • Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
  • Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight or rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.

Skills

Operation and Control
78%
Operations Monitoring
75%
Active Listening
69%
Speaking
66%
Monitoring
66%
Critical Thinking
66%
Reading Comprehension
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Time Management
53%
Active Learning
53%
Complex Problem Solving
53%
Writing
50%
Coordination
50%
Quality Control Analysis
47%
Learning Strategies
47%
Troubleshooting
44%
Social Perceptiveness
44%
Mathematics
38%
Management of Personnel Resources
38%
Instructing
35%
Service Orientation
35%
Systems Analysis
31%
Systems Evaluation
28%
Equipment Maintenance
28%
Persuasion
25%
Negotiation
25%
Repairing
22%
Operations Analysis
19%
Management of Material Resources
19%
Management of Financial Resources
16%
Equipment Selection
13%
Science
10%
Technology Design
6%
Programming
0%
Installation
0%

Knowledge

Transportation
87%
Public Safety and Security
66%
Education and Training
58%
English Language
58%
Customer and Personal Service
51%
Mechanical
50%
Administration and Management
45%
Law and Government
36%
Telecommunications
35%
Computers and Electronics
33%
Geography
32%
Personnel and Human Resources
31%
Mathematics
30%
Engineering and Technology
28%
Administrative
27%
Communications and Media
24%
Physics
24%
Psychology
21%
Production and Processing
19%
Chemistry
19%
Economics and Accounting
16%
Therapy and Counseling
15%
Medicine and Dentistry
14%
Building and Construction
13%
Design
11%
History and Archeology
10%
Philosophy and Theology
9%
Sociology and Anthropology
7%
Biology
7%
Foreign Language
6%
Sales and Marketing
6%
Food Production
3%
Fine Arts
1%

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Abilities

Far Vision
85%
Control Precision
75%
Selective Attention
75%
Response Orientation
75%
Reaction Time
72%
Problem Sensitivity
72%
Near Vision
72%
Depth Perception
72%
Perceptual Speed
69%
Oral Expression
69%
Oral Comprehension
69%
Multilimb Coordination
69%
Auditory Attention
66%
Flexibility of Closure
66%
Information Ordering
66%
Rate Control
66%
Inductive Reasoning
63%
Hearing Sensitivity
60%
Speech Recognition
60%
Manual Dexterity
60%
Deductive Reasoning
56%
Speech Clarity
56%
Written Comprehension
56%
Time Sharing
56%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
53%
Spatial Orientation
53%
Visualization
50%
Finger Dexterity
50%
Glare Sensitivity
50%
Written Expression
50%
Visual Color Discrimination
50%
Peripheral Vision
47%
Speed of Closure
47%
Night Vision
44%
Category Flexibility
44%
Trunk Strength
44%
Wrist-Finger Speed
44%
Sound Localization
41%
Static Strength
38%
Mathematical Reasoning
38%
Number Facility
38%
Speed of Limb Movement
35%
Memorization
31%
Extent Flexibility
31%
Stamina
28%
Fluency of Ideas
28%
Dynamic Strength
28%
Gross Body Equilibrium
28%
Originality
25%
Gross Body Coordination
25%
Explosive Strength
13%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes
91%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
88%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
87%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
86%
Getting Information
83%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
81%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
79%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
78%
Processing Information
73%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
72%
Analyzing Data or Information
69%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
69%
Handling and Moving Objects
66%
Documenting/Recording Information
65%
Training and Teaching Others
61%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
60%
Performing General Physical Activities
58%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
56%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
53%
Coaching and Developing Others
52%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
52%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
51%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
51%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
50%
Scheduling Work and Activities
48%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
48%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
47%
Thinking Creatively
42%
Developing and Building Teams
41%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
41%
Assisting and Caring for Others
38%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
37%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
36%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
34%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
33%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
33%
Working with Computers
33%
Performing Administrative Activities
29%
Selling or Influencing Others
27%
Staffing Organizational Units
24%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
22%

Work Context

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

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

97%

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

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?

96%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

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

95%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

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

95%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

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

94%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

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

94%

Contact With Others

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?

90%

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

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

90%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

87%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

87%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

86%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

86%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

85%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

84%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

84%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

84%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

84%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

84%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

81%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

77%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

75%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

74%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

74%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

73%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

72%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

71%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

68%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

65%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

62%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

59%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

59%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

58%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

56%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

54%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

53%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

50%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

49%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

46%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

45%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

44%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

41%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

40%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

38%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

35%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

29%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

29%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

28%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

28%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

26%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

22%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

19%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

19%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

19%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

13%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

12%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

11%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

6%

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

68%

Post-secondary certificate

23%

Some college, no degree

7%

Interests

Realistic

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, t

96

Conventional

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 hum

59

Investigative

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 f

41

Enterprising

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/advertis

19

Social

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.

16

Artistic

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,

0

Work Styles

Dependability
100%
Cautiousness
91%
Attention to Detail
86%
Stress Tolerance
76%
Integrity
72%
Self-Control
69%
Perseverance
63%
Self-Confidence
45%
Achievement Orientation
39%
Cooperation
31%
Adaptability
30%
Optimism
14%
Sincerity
14%
Intellectual Curiosity
13%

Work Values

Support
83%
Relationships
56%
Working Conditions
56%
Independence
45%
Recognition
39%
Achievement
28%

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