Locomotive Firers

This occupation is part of the Transportation and Material Moving cluster

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About the Job

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.

It is also Called

Assistant Engineer
Assistant Passenger Locomotive Engineer
Diesel Locomotive Firer
Diesel Locomotive Firer/Fireman
Dinkey Engine Firer
Dinkey Engine Firer/Fireman
Donkey Engine Firer/Fireman
Electric Locomotive Firer/Fireman
Engineer Assistant
Fireman

What They Do

Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.

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.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: RC.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Realistic interests, but also prefer Conventional environments.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Support, but also value Working Conditions and Relationships in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.