Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Career Overview

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

Also Known As

• Engineer
• Railcar Switcher
• Railroad Engineer
• Switchman

Alternate Job Titles

• Car Barn Laborer
• Car Mover
• Carman
• Coal Tram Driver
• Coal Trammer
• Diesel Dinkey Engineer
• Diesel Dinkey Operator
• Dinkey Driver
• Dinkey Engine Operator
• Dinkey Engineer
• Dinkey Locomotive Engineer
• Dinkey Locomotive Operator
• Dinkey Motor Operator
• Dinkey Operator
• Dinkey Skinner

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
• Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
• Apply and release hand brakes.
• Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
• Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
• Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
• Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Transportation
• Public Safety and Security

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Operation and Control
2. Monitoring
3. Operations Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Far Vision
• Control Precision
• Reaction Time
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Near Vision
• Response Orientation
• Oral Expression
• Speech Clarity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Stress Tolerance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Relationships
• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Tools & Equipment

• Air brake hoses
• Air pressure gauges
• Automatic switches
• Backout punches
• Bumping posts
• Cab signals
• Capstan car pullers
• Car-mounted derricks
• Color light signals
• Diagonal cut pliers
• Dinkey engines
• Flat cold chisels
• Hand brakes
• Hand wheels
• Handheld sprayers

Work Environment

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
• Health and Safety of Other Workers
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$44,510
Median	$58,030
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$79,070

Workers Employed Nationally: 3,300

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.