Transportation employees, such as locomotive engineers and conductors, switch rail cars in and out of customer facilities at their origin and destination. They also make up trains in classification yards and operate them over the railroad. Yardmasters and clerks coordinate with customers and employees, plan train makeup, and document the location and status of rail cars. Crew dispatchers arrange for train crews to be at the right place at the right time, and train dispatchers control train movement on the main track. Mechanical employees inspect and repair locomotives and rail cars.
Mechanics inspect, service, and perform minor repairs to locomotives in use in the field.
Carmen inspect and repair rail cars in yards or in shops. Machinists and electricians perform thorough periodic inspections and major repairs to locomotives in shops. Bridge and building workers take care of structures including railroad bridges and yard offices. Communication and signal employees install and maintain track signaling systems, radios, and telephone systems needed to safely control train movement. These jobs typically require physical outdoor work in a potentially dangerous environment.