Locomotive Engineers

• 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 brakelines 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.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Locomotive Engineers.

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• 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.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Locomotive Engineers.