How To Become a Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator and Hostler

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How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More

Rail Yard Engineers

Rail Yard Engineers drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

Salary
$55200
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match



What degree do you need

Recommended degree level

High School Diploma

We did a survey to ask other Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators and Hostlers what degree they had when they became a Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator and Hostler. Here are the results.
High School Diploma
78.77%


College Certificate
13.82%


a Post-Secondary Certificate
4.75%


One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Rail Yard Engineers or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Rail Yard Engineers what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Railroad and Railway Transportation

Some rail companies require a high school diploma or equivalent, especially for locomotive engineers and conductors. Other positions may not have any formal education requirements.



How hard is it

Difficulty
Easy

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator and Hostler. For example, a bank teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Careers in this difficulty category need anywhere from a few months to one year of on-the-job training.


Related work experience required
6 months to 1 year

6 months to 1 year
27.16%


None
27%


1 to 2 years
21.76%


Job training
1 to 3 months

1 to 3 months
29.78%


Up to 1 month
19.9%


6 months to 1 year
18.37%



License and certifications

Do you need any license or certification
Required

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers must be certified by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). 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.


Skills required

We asked other Rail Yard Engineers if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

1. Operation Monitoring what does this mean
2. Operation and Control what does this mean
3. Active Listening what does this mean
4. Speaking what does this mean
5. Monitoring what does this mean

= Hot in-demand that most employers are looking for


Knowledge required

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Rail Yard Engineers are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.

1. Transportation what does this mean
2. Public Safety and Security what does this mean
3. English Language what does this mean
4. Telecommunications what does this mean
5. Administration and Management what does this mean


Learn more about Rail Yard Engineers

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Job Description
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Related to Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators and Hostlers Requirements

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