Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

<ul><li>Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.</li><li>Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.</li><li>Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.</li><li>Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.</li><li>Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.</li><li>Apply and release hand brakes.</li><li>Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.</li><li>Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.</li><li>Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.</li><li>Spot cars for loading and unloading at customer locations.</li><li>Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.</li><li>Ride on moving cars by holding onto grab irons and standing on ladder steps.</li><li>Operate track switches, derails, automatic switches, and retarders to change routing of train or cars.</li><li>Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.</li><li>Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.</li><li>Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.</li><li>Pull knuckles to open them for coupling.</li><li>Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.</li><li>Drive locomotives to and from various stations in roundhouses to have locomotives cleaned, serviced, repaired, or supplied.</li></ul>