Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

What Does a Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Do?

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

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
• 2Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
• 3Apply and release hand brakes.
• 4Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
• 5Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
• 6Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
• 7Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
• 8Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.

Required Skills

• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Positive train control PTC systems
• Railcar inspection management software
• RailComm DocYard
• Railyard inventory software
• Railyard management software RMS
• Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System
• Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager
• Web browser software

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Salary