What Do Locomotive Firers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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. They also observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.

Other tasks include:

• 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.

We asked Locomotive Firers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Locomotive Firers inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts. They check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand.

A typical day for a Locomotive Firer will also include:

• Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
• Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
• Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.
• 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.

We asked some Locomotive Firers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	55% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	55% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	100% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	10% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	10% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	60% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Locomotive Firers also operate locomotives in emergency situations. They may also start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Locomotive Firers Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations. They might also Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.

In addition, they Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.

To some Locomotive Firers, it is also their responsibility to Receive signals from workers in rear of train and relay that information to engineers.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Locomotive Firer, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/transportation-and-material-moving/railroad-occupations.htm

http://www.amtrak.com/

https://www.aar.org/