A strike by rail workers would have stalled the operations of railroads, costing the economy over a billion dollars. In the late 1920s, there were over 1.7 million rail employees nationwide. ... To meet FRA requirements to become a railroad inspector you must possess a valid driver's license, obtain a government contractor-issued travel card, pass a drug test and have experience in the railroad industry. Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. A Railroad Worker throws track switches within yard of railroad, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location to switch cars for loading, unloading, making up, and breaking up of trains. The Valdosta Railway also known as VR it’s a shortline operated by Genesee & Wyoming, connects Clyattville to CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway at Valdosta.. St. Marys Railroad operates in the great state of Georgia, they were recently purchased by Birmingham, Alabama-based Boatright … at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/railroad-occupations.htm (visited February 19, 2021). Rail yard engineers operate train engines within the rail yard. Rail companies typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, especially for locomotive engineers and conductors. Conductors on passenger trains ensure customers’ comfort, make announcements, and answer any travel questions a passenger has. Locomotive engineers have to operate various controls while staying aware of their surroundings. Workers in railroad occupations generally need a high school diploma or equivalent and several months of on-the-job training. Locomotive engineers and conductors are in constant contact and keep each other informed of any changes in the condition of the train. Railroad brake, signal, or switch operators control equipment that keeps the trains running safely. Railroad mechanics use welding and machining equipment. They learn how to operate remote locomotive technology and how to manage railcars in the yard. They drive long-distance trains and commuter trains, but not subway trains. The primary responsibility of a railroad mechanic to maintain the train engine, usually diesel-electric engines. Job Outlook. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. To apply to become a railroad special agent or officer, visit the website of nearly any rail company and search for careers. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. The position is an apprenticeship to become an oiler.In modern times, a wiper is required to work on a ship for a specific amount of time, gaining what is referred to as "sea time." Last Modified Date: The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings. Flight attendants provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers. May be required to complete specific trade school courses and possess necessary certifications. The projected percent change in employment from 2019 to 2029. The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2019 to 2029. Rail yard engineers and signal and switch operators also receive on-the-job training, generally through a company training program. ... To meet FRA requirements to become a railroad inspector you must possess a valid driver's license, obtain a government contractor-issued travel card, pass a drug test and have experience in the railroad industry. The projected numeric change in employment from 2019 to 2029. The program may include some time in a classroom and some hands-on experience under the direction of an experienced employee. These switches allow trains to move between tracks and ensure trains are heading in the right direction. Signal operators install and maintain the signals along tracks and in the rail yard. Decreasing demand for the transportation of bulk commodities, such as coal and oil, is expected to cause some railroads to reduce employment in an effort to become more efficient. Long before state workers' compensation laws came into existence in our country, Congress worked to protect the rights of injured railroad workers through enactment of the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (commonly referred to as “FELA”). The railroad worker salary for a conductor varies based upon position and years of service. All occupations are in contact with dispatchers who give them directions on where to go and what to do. Locomotive engineers generally receive 2 to 3 months of on-the-job training before they can operate a train on their own. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face. information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. An official website of the United States government https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any Primary Activities and Responsibilities. Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. You work in all weather, and you may need to travel to repair distant pieces of track. They must be courteous and patient. Some engineers and conductors, called extra board, are hired on a temporary basis and get an assignment only when a railroad needs an extra or substitute worker on a certain route. Passenger vehicle drivers operate buses, taxis, and other modes of transportation to take people from place to place. Some workers drive trains, some coordinate the activities of the trains, and others operate signals and switches in the rail yard. Job opportunities should be competitive for railroad workers. All workers in railroad occupations work together closely. However, an increase in intermodal freight—the shipment of goods through multiple transportation modes—may increase demand for some railroad workers. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of railroad workers. The railroad denied all liability and pointed to our client's smoking history as the basis for his lung disease. Each railroad has its own training process that usually lasts two to three months, follows federal guidelines and results in certification. Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation. Rail yard engineers work in rail transportation and also support activities for rail. Locomotive engineers travel with conductors and sometimes brake operators. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics. Most locomotive engineers first work as conductors for several years. All Rights Reserved. Ensure compliance with all railroad rules, procedures, and regulations for safety, operations and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) An experienced engineer who switches to a new route also has to spend a few months in training to learn the route with an engineer who is familiar with it. In addition to our current training, our Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC) Railroad Flaggers will meet your training requirements by attending your training courses. Railroad track workers are responsible for fixing and maintaining track conditions and rail. Locomotive engineers who work on long routes are sometimes away from home for long periods at a time. In order to become a railroad conductor, a person must have a high school diploma and receive on the job training. On passenger trains, they ensure safety and comfort and make announcements to keep passengers informed. Railroad workers generally require a high school diploma or equivalent and several months of on-the-job training. Being a Railroad Worker is familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Federal regulations require a minimum number of rest hours for train operators. Passenger trains transport millions of passengers and commuters to destinations around the country. Online and Onsite Railroad Safety Training Free Course Preview Rail Safe Training The Railroad Safety Experts Rail Safe Training’s responsiveness, experience, and results-oriented approach will get the job done. The following are examples of types of railroad workers: Locomotive engineers drive freight or passenger trains between stations. Workers on some freight trains have irregular schedules. Duties Railroad workers typically do the following: Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education. It is overseen by the Railroad Retirement Board and the Social Security Administration. Some engineers, called ""extra board,"" are hired on a temporary basis and get an assignment only when a railroad needs an extra or substitute worker on a certain route. The site is secure. Conductors and yardmasters working for freight railroads also learn the proper procedures for loading and unloading different types of cargo. In fact, some vets prefer to stay mobile after separation from service, even though their families Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Those who work on passenger trains with short routes generally have a more predictable schedule. May be required to complete specific trade school courses and possess necessary certifications. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. Hearing ability. Some rail yard engineers have to lift heavy equipment. It took a vast, coordinated army of workers to run a large railroad. Most railroad companies have 1 to 3 months of on-the-job training for conductors and yardmasters. According to an article on “Slate," federal law also mandates that those new to the profession m… Rail yard engineers, switch operators, and signal operators can advance to become conductors or yardmasters. Education. Trains are scheduled to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, meaning that many railroad workers sometimes work nights, weekends, and holidays. In addition, railroad companies provide continuing education so that engineers can maintain their skills. The .gov means it's official. How to Become a Railroad Worker. At that time, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Get a … They may have to deal with unruly or upset passengers. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Railroad Workers, Even engineers who do not switch routes must be recertified every few years. With all the issues confronting by rank & file railroaders this past year, Railroad Workers United has dramatically increased our level of activity. In rail yards that do not have yardmasters, a conductor performs the duties of a yardmaster. The certification, conducted by the railroad that employs them, involves a written knowledge test, a skills test, and a supervisor determining that the engineer understands all physical aspects of the particular route on which he or she will be operating. No formal education is required for this job and some example resumes display a high school diploma. Because trains are scheduled to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, many railroad workers sometimes work nights, weekends, and holidays. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.