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Locomotive operator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical locomotive operator skills. We ranked the top skills for locomotive operators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 17.8% of locomotive operator resumes contained locomotives as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a locomotive operator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 locomotive operator skills for your resume and career

1. Locomotives

Here's how locomotive operators use locomotives:

Operated and performed basic maintenance on locomotives.
Operate locomotives to transport freight or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.

2. Switches

Here's how locomotive operators use switches:

Follow all safety calls and procedures including calling ahead for verifying track switches and constant communication with engineer during coupling process.
Inspect railroad equipment, (such as tracks, signals, switches and cars) for defects before and during movement.

3. Safety Inspections

Safety inspections are a vital procedure for all kinds of businesses. This may be a restaurant to ensure is properly cleaned and stored or a factory to confirm employees are not risking their safety during the manufacturing process. The goal of these inspections is to highlight any potential risks or hazards present that may lead to injuries, damages, or lawsuits.

Here's how locomotive operators use safety inspections:

Perform safety inspections to ensure men and equipment are compliant with operating rules and safety requirements.
Performed train consist set-ups and safety inspections.

4. Air Brakes

Here's how locomotive operators use air brakes:

Use a variety of controls, such as throttles and air brakes, to operate train.
Coupled freight cars and air brakes connections.

5. FRA

Here's how locomotive operators use fra:

Handle trains with care and under the instructions of the FRA.
Maintained positive relationships with external partners through an understanding of FRA regulations.

6. Safety Regulations

Here's how locomotive operators use safety regulations:

Follow all safety regulations in compliance with the federal railroad administration.
Required at all times to demonstrate proper knowledge and execution of company and federal safety regulations and procedures.

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7. Remote Control

Here's how locomotive operators use remote control:

Licensed as a Remote Control Locomotive Operator.
Attended REDI school training for conductors and remote control operators in Atlanta, Ga.

8. Train Cars

Here's how locomotive operators use train cars:

Unload train cars and run heavy machine equipment.
Performed plant maintenance and train car inspections.

9. Tank Cars

Here's how locomotive operators use tank cars:

Operated a 25 ton overhead crane in accord with plant safety procedures to rise and lower tank cars for repair.
Move tank cars per client request, supervise a 3 man crew.

10. Freight Cars

Here's how locomotive operators use freight cars:

Train operations including separating into designed track location of freight cars.
Test air brake system on freight cars to insure the brakes are working properly on all cars before movement of train.

11. Hand Signals

Hand signals are signs made using the hands to indicate or communicate certain instructions to anyone when audio communication won't be possible. Hand signals are used to flag down cabs, gesture at people from a distance, teach the deaf, and wave at someone. All these are in cases where voicing out the instructions won't be audible on the end of the receiver.

Here's how locomotive operators use hand signals:

Coordinated rail car movements with portable Motorola radios and the use of hand signals.
Railroad Conductor responsible for signaling engineers to monitor train operation and speed using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.

12. Safety Rules

Principles or regulations that ensure the protection of people, objects, or the environment are called safety rules. These rules can be governing actions, devices, or procedures that help in minimizing the risks of loss, injury, or damage.

Here's how locomotive operators use safety rules:

Apply safety rules to prevent injury on the job.
Ensured that safety rules and requirements are being followed in all work areas !

13. Mechanical Problems

Mechanical problems are used to describe issues that occurred to something involving a machine or tools. For instance, a mechanical problem at the workplace might mean the copier has broken down again. Other examples of mechanical problems in a car include faulty brakes, tire blowouts, etc.

Here's how locomotive operators use mechanical problems:

Report delays, mechanical problems and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
Check trains for mechanical problems.

14. Track Maintenance

Here's how locomotive operators use track maintenance:

Truck, boxcar and track maintenance.

15. Air Pressure

Air pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, is the force by air exerted on the surface below it. It is caused by the pull of gravity. It is measured by the barometer.

Here's how locomotive operators use air pressure:

Monitor gauges that measure, speed, amperage, battery charge, and air pressure in brake lines and reservoirs.
Regulate gauges and meters that measure speed, amperage, and air pressure in brake lines and in main reservoirs.

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List of locomotive operator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a locomotive operator resume and required skills for a locomotive operator to have include:

Locomotives
Switches
Safety Inspections
Air Brakes
FRA
Safety Regulations

Remote Control
Train Cars
Tank Cars
Freight Cars
Hand Signals
Safety Rules

Mechanical Problems
Track Maintenance
Air Pressure
Hopper Cars
Rail Yard

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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