Locomotive Engineer

General Summary:

The Locomotive Engineer is responsible for driving diesel-electric locomotives to transport freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.

General Duties:

• Confers with conductor or dispatcher by radio to give or receive information and to give instructions concerning stops, delays or oncoming trains

• Notifies proper authorities and prepares reports to explain accidents, unscheduled stops or delays

• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of locomotives and cars

• Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs

• Receives train consist which provides the physical make-up of train and includes weights, lengths, location of loads and empties, and cars requiring special handling

• Applies knowledge of territory, including terrain, grades, curves, and grade crossings, in order to give prescribed warning signals and to otherwise operate the train in a safe manner

• Observes track to detect obstructions and to anticipate operating concerns as required by federal or company rules

• Ensure compliance with all train orders, signals, and railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)Inspects locomotive for operational readiness by making FRA and Company required checks and tests

• Diagnose minor malfunctions and performs minor maintenance and servicing activities when maintenance personnel are unavailable

• This position may be required to work periodically as Conductor, coupling and uncoupling cars, operating track switches, and other duties associated with the movements of trains, cars and engines

  • Receives information and acts upon oral and written from dispatcher, customer service, and others specifying the switch activity, placement or delivery of railroad cars and/or train

  • Safely conducts the movement or rail cars and train movements

  • Climb on and off equipment, set or release hand brakes, couple and uncouple air hoses between rail cars, remove and replace broken knuckles (80lb railcar connector), ride moving cars by hanging on grab irons, or ladders

  • Observe, interpret and relay hand, lantern, and other signals affecting the movement of the train, judge and control the speed and clearance distance of cars and distinguish among colors and see at night

  • Receives and relays information and acts upon oral and written from dispatcher, customer service, and others specifying the switch activity, placement or delivery of railroad cars and/or train

  • Reads and understands the book of rules, timetables, bulletins, train orders, waybills, placards, safety instructions and other written or printed material

  • Prepares required daily reports; switch lists – manually or with a computer; fills out forms including train orders

  • Properly operate track switches and derails to change routing of engines or cars within yards or on the road

  • Make decisions about switching, placement of cars and building of trains

  • Monitor track conditions (e.g. broken rails, defective switches, weather-related problems)

  • Inspect cars in conformance with Federal Railroad Administration Regulations. Observe the condition of passing trains

• Assist with other projects and perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• 18 years of age or older

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Certified Conductor / Certified Engineer

• No driving violations involving alcohol or drugs within the past 3 years

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to read and comprehend written safety rules, procedure and safety manuals, government regulations, operating and maintenance instructions, memos and other work-related information

• Must be able to work varying shift schedules, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including nights, holidays and weekends

• Must be able to pass training and required testing

Behavioral Expectations:

• Comply with train orders, train signals, radio communications and railroad rules and regulations to operate the locomotive in an efficient and safe manner

• Must be able to report to work safely with two-hour notice

• Comply with company and federal safety rules, policies and procedures to include wearing required safety equipment, responding to safety concerns and taking appropriate action

• Must be able to solve problems quickly and react to changing conditions on the job.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, climb and work in confined areas

• Must meet all physical requirements as described in the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Regulations, including auditory and vision

• Must be able to handle medium to heavy work; ability to lift a minimum of 50 to 80 pounds to waist height

• Able to use hands to perform activities involving holding, grasping, turning and pulling

• Able to perform work on uneven surfaces; frequently climb ladders and on/off equipment; work on top of locomotives and other equipment

• Able to work in conditions that include loud noise and fumes, work on and around heavy and moving machinery, bend, lift, walk, stand and sit for extended periods of time and use hand tools

• Walk long distances over uneven terrain

• Must have strong vision and hearing, including the ability to: see and read hand signals from near and far; distinguish between colors; visually judge the speed and distance of moving objects; see at night; and recognize changes in sounds.

Work Environment:

• Extreme all-weather conditions; uneven surfaces; safety sensitive work environment

• Able to complete strenuous work outdoors in all weather conditions: (hot, cold, rain, snow, and sleet)

• Able to work in conditions that include loud noise and fumes