Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

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Also known as:
Coal Tram Driver, Dinkey Driver, Dinkey Operator, Engine Hostler, Haulage Engine Operator, Railcar Switcher, Yard Hostler

SNAPSHOT

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

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	LOW
Communication with others	LOW
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	LOW
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	HIGH
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied.

Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.

Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.

Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.

Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.

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.

Apply and release hand brakes.

Pull knuckles to open them for coupling.

Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.

Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Controlling Machines and Processes	Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

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

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

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

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

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

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

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

Administration and Management	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.

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

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

Customer and Personal Service	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.

TOP SKILLS

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.

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

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.

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.