Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 3 (11%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 4 (14%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 21 (75%)

• Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switched.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Record numbers of cars available, numbers of cars sent to repair stations, and types of service needed.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
• Answer questions from passengers concerning train rules, stations, and timetable information.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
• Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
• Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Observe signals from other crew members so that work activities can be coordinated.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and handbrakes to ensure that they are securely fastened and functioning properly.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate locomotives in emergency situations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Raise levers to couple and uncouple cars for makeup and breakup of trains.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Climb ladders to tops of cars to set brakes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Set flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Inspect tracks, cars, and engines for defects and to determine service needs, sending engines and cars for repairs as necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Start diesel engines to warm engines before runs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, using hand tools.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Connect air hoses to cars, using wrenches.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate and drive locomotives, diesel switch engines, dinkey engines, flatcars, and railcars in train yards and at industrial sites.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Refuel and lubricate engines.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Ride atop cars that have been shunted, and turn handwheels to control speeds or stop cars at specified positions.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Adjust controls to regulate air-conditioning, heating, and lighting on trains for comfort of passengers.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Provide passengers with assistance entering and exiting trains.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Conduct brake tests to determine the condition of brakes on trains.Little or no AI speed-up