Locomotive Engineer Career
Locomotive engineers are the individuals who operate trains. These drivers can transport either passengers or cargo freight. The trains that locomotive engineers drive may be powered by steam, diesel-electric or gas-turbine-electric.
Locomotive engineers must fully understand train orders and must know all the meanings to electronic or manual signals. In addition, they must be familiar with railroad rules and have a complete understanding of all regulations that impact their industry.
Locomotive Engineer Career Snapshot
Most trains operate daily, running 24-hours each day, seven days a week, so those interested in a career as a locomotive engineer should expect to work nights, weekends and holidays. Some locomotive engineers operate trains that run long distances and may be gone for several days at a time.
Further details on a career as a locomotive engineer are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the estimated salary per year for locomotive engineers.
decrease in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a High School diploma or equivalent while 23% have a Post-secondary certificate.
Locomotive Engineer Education
Most rail companies require a high school diploma or equivalent to be considered for a position as a locomotive engineer. The Federal Railroad Administration certifies all locomotive engineers, and two to three months of on-the-job training is generally provided by the railroad company. To be successful as a locomotive engineer, it’s important that you master communication, hand-eye coordination, mechanical and decision making skills.
Locomotive Engineer Job Outlook
As more goods are being shipped by alternative methods, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that locomotive engineer careers will start to decline. Still, it’s predicated that 39,500 locomotive engineers will be needed in the year 2024, and the skills you master in this career can be transferred to a number of other positions.
Locomotive Engineer Salaries
On the low end, locomotive engineers make $40,490 a year according to BLS.gov statistics from 2015. The highest salaried engineers make around $82,310 annually. On average, most earn around $56,240 a year.
Locomotive Engineer Job Duties
Locomotive engineers are tasked with a variety of job duties, including controlling the train’s speed and direction; listening to incoming instructions from station masters, yardmasters and dispatchers; documenting, storing and recording information concerning the trip; and monitoring and reporting any obstacles on the track or any pertinent weather or environmental information that may make driving the train hazardous, among other things. With time and experience, a locomotive engineer may be required to instruct other employees on driving a train. If you’re good at multitasking and able to work as a team player, you’ll find better success as a locomotive engineer.
Locomotive Engineering Skills & Traits
| Locomotive Engineer Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Locomotive Engineers: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Operation and Control • Operation Monitoring • Active Listening • Critical Thinking • Monitoring | • Far Vision • Control Precision • Response Orientation • Selective Attention • Depth Perception | • Diesel freight locomotives • Electric freight locomotives • Rail switching systems • Screwdrivers • Train braking systems | • Controlling Machines and Processes • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material • Operating Vehicles • Getting Information |
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