Railroad Brake Operators and Couplers, also just known as railroad Brake Operators, are primarily responsible for doing the physical work involved in assembling and disassembling trains. They may be assigned to travel with a train or be permanently stationed in a railroad yard.

JOB DUTIES 

Railroad Brake Operators and Couplers may:

Inspect and secure all couplings and air hoses, releasing all hand brakes, and testing air brakes (before the train leaves)

Watch for smoke, sparks, and other signs of sticking brakes, overheated axle bearings, and other faulty equipment (while train is moving)

Set warning signals, such as flares or lanterns, at both ends of the train during emergency stops

Make minor repairs to couplings and air hoses

Couple and uncouple cars to assemble or disassemble trains

Retrieve misrouted cars

Inform the conductor of needed repairs

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Railroad Brake Operators and Couplers may specialize in these areas:

910.367-010 ROAD FREIGHT BRAKE COUPLERS are part of a freight train crew and work in the locomotive with the engineer or in the caboose with the conductor. They might climb up the side of rail cars to inspect equipment or signal to the engineer to start or stop the locomotive when assembling or disassembling the train using hand or radio signals. They may also jump off slow moving trains and run ahead to operate track switches or control the speed of cars that have been uncoupled from the train while standing on the cars' ladders and operating the hand brakes.

910.364-010 PASSENGER TRAIN BRAKERS, in addition to the general duties of a brake operator, may assist passengers to board and leave the train and help the conductor collect tickets. They also regulate the lights and ventilation on a train.

910.664-010 YARD COUPLERS perform their duties within railroad or industrial plant rail yards, quarry construction projects, or similar locations. They may work for a non-railroad employer.

910.667-026 SWITCH TENDERS throw track switches within a railroad yard of an industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location to switch railroad cars for loading, unloading, making up, and breaking up of trains.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Whether on the road or at terminals and railroad yards, Brake Operators and Couplers work together with locomotive engineers and conductors as part of a train crew. Others in this group of operating employees are hostlers, who prepare locomotives for the train crews, and switch tenders, who throw track switches within railroad yards.

Brake Operators work both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather. They face greater physical risks than other railroad workers because of the activities involved in switching, coupling, and uncoupling cars. They may also have to board moving trains.

Most beginning Brake Operators first make several trips with conductors or experienced Operators to become familiar with the job. They then are placed on the "extra board" list by seniority. They are then on call for temporary assignments. Permanent positions are filled from the "extra board" list.

Brake Operators may work days, nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be required to work more than 40 hours per week. Few Road Brake Operators have scheduled assignments since most freight trains are unscheduled. Instead, their names are placed on a list and when their turn comes they are assigned the next train. Freight and passenger Brake Operators often must travel hundreds of miles on trains between terminals and may spend several nights a week away from home. Yard Brake Operators normally work a scheduled 40-hour week.

All Brake Operators must buy watches that meet railway standards. Operators working on passenger trains also wear uniforms. Workers and employers usually split the cost of uniforms.

Most Brake operators are members of the United Transportation Union and pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities which involve the use of machines, processes, or methods

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Work well with your hands

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Judge accurately the speed at which uncoupled rail cars are rolling

• Judge accurately the distance to reach the "switching" point

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Rate information according to measurable standards

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If the train travels 50 miles per hour and today's trip is 300 miles, how long will the trip take you?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Work then involves moving an object through a distance. A force may be applied, but if there is no motion, then no work is done.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any problems that may have occurred on the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to repair a faulty coupler so that the train is not delayed.

Employers prefer applicants who are high school graduates (or the equivalent) and at least 18 years old. Most railroads require that applicants pass a physical examination. Before new employees go on the road, they must demonstrate their ability on trial trips.

                                                                                                                              [back to top]

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

  E-Learning Courses and Programs  

                                                                                                                        [back to top]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Individuals may gain experience in railroad work through summer employment in railroad yards as switch tenders and brake holder, if they are 18 years of age or older. They may also gain experience by working as a car dropper in a mine or quarry yard.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Railroad Brake Operator and Coupler employer

internships

volunteer work with a Railroad Brake Operator and Coupler employer

community service work with an agency

Most Railroad Brake Operators and Couplers enter this field through direct application to employers. Individuals usually learn this occupation through on-the-job training. Assistance in locating a job may be available from the United Transportation Union, your high school placement office, or a local office of Michigan Works!. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank  

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.  

                                                                                                                                [back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Railroad Brake Operators and Couplers depend on the number of hours worked and miles traveled, unionization, and the type of service (passenger, freight, or yard).

Nationally, in 1998, the median annual earnings of Railroad Brake Operators and Couplers were $51,220.

Both nationally and in Michigan, Brake Operators and Couplers employed by railroad companies earned the following average annual wages in 1998:

There is no maximum wage a Brake Operator may earn while traveling on the road. However, federal law limits a Brake Operator's work day to 12 hours. When overtime is required, workers usually receive 1 1/2 times their normal hourly rate of pay or miles traveled, whichever is greater. Freight and passenger brake operators also receive pay differentials for work on long-haul trains and for work in mountainous country. In addition, extra pay is earned for runs of over 100 miles on freight trains and over 150 miles on passenger trains.

Most Brake Operators receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, and health insurance; and a retirement plan. Some receive dental insurance. These benefits are usually paid for by the employer.

Brake Operators may advance to become conductors or engineers. Advancement is determined by seniority and test results, but it takes a minimum of 10 years of seniority before Brake Operators are considered for promotion.

                                                                                                                    [back to top]

E MPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 17,800 Railroad Brake Operators employed in 1996. Employment is expected to decline through the year 2006. However, some openings are expected each year to replace some of the Brake Operators who retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work. Technological advances have made it possible to move freight more efficiently and rapidly. Such innovations as central traffic control systems, which enable a dispatcher to control all signals and track switches over a vast section of track from a central location; automatic classification system, which brake and route cars in the railroad yard by electronic control; and larger, better designed freight cars will result in a need for fewer Brake Operators.

Approximately 325 Brake Operators work in Michigan. Most worked for railroad companies. Others worked for steel and mining companies.

Employment of Brake Operators in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2005 because of further automation in the railroad industry and reduction of train crews from two Brake Operators to one. However, some openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. Most of these openings will be filled by laid-off workers. Continued automation in the railroad industry and the reduction of the number of Brake Operators per train crew from two to one are reasons for this decreasing employment trend. These factors, along with reductions in government subsidies, will continue to lead to reductions in the number of Brake Operators.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development