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Locomotive Firer

What Do Locomotive Firer Do?

Locomotive Firer Example Monitor locomotive instruments and watch for dragging equipment, obstacles on rights-of-way, and train signals during run. Watch for and relay traffic signals from yard workers to yard engineer in railroad yard.

A Day in the Life of a Locomotive Firer

  • Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
  • Monitor oil, temperature, and pressure gauges on dashboards to determine if engines are operating safely and efficiently.
  • Receive signals from workers in rear of train and relay that information to engineers.
  • Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
  • Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.
  • Signal other workers to set brakes and to throw track switches when switching cars from trains to way stations.

Skills Needed to be a Locomotive Firer

When polled, Locomotive Firers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Types of Locomotive Firer

  • Fireman
  • Railroad Firer
  • Dinkey Engine Firer
  • Passenger Locomotive Engineer
  • Roundhouse Firer/Fireman

Locomotive Firer Job Outlook

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 1,200 jobs in the United States for Locomotive Firer. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Locomotive Firer.

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The states with the most job growth for Locomotive Firer are Idaho and Indiana. Watch out if you plan on working in Indiana or Idaho. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Locomotive Firer

The salary for Locomotive Firers ranges between about $53,180 and $99,630 a year.

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Locomotive Firers who work in Alabama, make the highest salaries.

How much do Locomotive Firers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $66,810

What Tools do Locomotive Firers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Locomotive Firers:

  • Data entry software
  • Route mapping software
  • Time tracking software

How do I Become a Locomotive Firer?

Are there Locomotive Firers education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Locomotive Firer?

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Who Employs Locomotive Firers?

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Locomotive Firers work in the following industries:

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Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Locomotive Firer may also be interested in:

References:

Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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