Alabama Department of Labor

SOC: 53-4012 Locomotive Firers Monitor locomotive instruments and watch for dragging equipment, obstacles on rights-of-way, and train signals during run. Watch for and relay traffic signals from yard workers to yard engineer in railroad yard. Default

Education:		These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

OJT:		Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Tasks:		Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers. Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes. Receive signals from workers in rear of train and relay that information to engineers. Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks. Operate locomotives in emergency situations. Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts. Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations. Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand. Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently. Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.

License:		License not required.

Outlook:		poor

Alabama Employment Outlook
Comprehensive wage data available: Alabama Occupational Wage Survey	Alabama Projections Estimated Employment 2016 Projected Employment 2026 Annual Average Openings Annual Growth Rate N/A N/A 0 -13.47

Related Occupations:

Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Logging Equipment Operators Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation Pile-Driver Operators Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

John C Calhoun State Community College

Occupational Videos 53-4012.00 Locomotive Firers