What Do Locomotive Firer Do?
Locomotive Firer Definition 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.
Life As a Locomotive Firer
- Operate locomotives in emergency situations.
- Monitor trains as they go around curves to detect dragging equipment and smoking journal boxes.
- Check to see that trains are equipped with supplies such as fuel, water, and sand.
- Inspect locomotives to detect damaged or worn parts.
- Receive signals from workers in rear of train and relay that information to engineers.
- Observe tracks from left sides of locomotives to detect obstructions on tracks.
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Locomotive Firer Skills
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 Jobs
- Roundhouse Firer/Fireman
- Shop Firer/Fireman
- Locomotive Engineer
- Railroad Firer/Fireman
- Electric Locomotive Firer/Fireman
Is There Going to be Demand for Locomotive Firers?
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.

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

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 & Technology 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?
What education is needed to be a Locomotive Firer?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Locomotive Firers Work

Locomotive Firers work in the following industries:

Related 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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