A long time ago, the brakeman’s job was a difficult and dangerous one. They had to defeat death quite often while they were on the job.
Fortunately, the job of the brakeman is no longer perilous. Today, the brakeman needs to inspect the coupling and other train parts. They must also be knowledgeable about railroad equipment and how the train operates.
There have been many improvements concerning the railroad rules over the years. Read this article and discover what the primary responsibilities of a train brakeman entail.
What Does a Train Brakeman Do?
A train brakeman often referred to as a brake operator, regulates railroad track switches and is responsible for the coupling and uncoupling of railroad passenger freight cars. Some brake operators will travel with the trains. Some of the other duties of the brake operator include the following:
- Inspecting couplings
- Hand brakes
- Air hoses
- Signaling train engineers to stop/start
- Other parts of the train
There are no formal courses taught on becoming a brakeman. On-the-job training is necessary to become a brake operator. There is a specific skill needed to be able to navigate the job. If you are hired as a brakeman, you will be expected to have knowledge of the following:
- Railroad equipment
- Policies/procedures
- Mechanical work
- Condition of train cars
Some brake operators also have manual labor they must do on the job. They may need to pick up or carry heavy objects, which means they must be in decent physical condition.