What Does it Take to Be a Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler?
Job Description & Duties Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
List of Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler Job Duties
- Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
- Report arrival and departure times, train delays, work order completion, and time on duty.
- Provide assistance in aligning drawbars, using available equipment to lift, pull, or push on the drawbars.
- Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
- Perform routine repair and maintenance duties.
- Operate flatcars equipped with derricks or railcars to transport personnel or equipment.
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Qualities of a Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles
- Duty Engineer
- Railroad Engineer
- Switch Crew Supervisor
- Dinkey Motor Operator
- Haulage Engine Operator
Job Outlook for Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 4,400 jobs in the United States for Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler by 2026. There will be an estimated 400 positions for Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler per year.
The states with the most job growth for Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler are South Carolina, Texas, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, Minnesota, or Michigan. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler Average Salary
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers make between $33,280 and $81,380 a year.
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers who work in South Carolina, New York, or Alabama, make the highest salaries.
How much do Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,960 |
| Arkansas | $40,320 |
| California | $55,480 |
| Colorado | $36,980 |
| Florida | $54,890 |
| Georgia | $41,010 |
| Illinois | $58,140 |
| Indiana | $59,130 |
| Kentucky | $49,940 |
| Massachusetts | $61,180 |
| Michigan | $40,570 |
| Minnesota | $55,740 |
| Missouri | $44,900 |
| Nebraska | $58,090 |
| New York | $72,370 |
| North Carolina | $45,740 |
| Ohio | $56,780 |
| Oklahoma | $71,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,650 |
| South Carolina | $73,390 |
| Tennessee | $52,250 |
| Texas | $51,140 |
| Utah | $44,380 |
| West Virginia | $50,040 |
What Tools do Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers may use on a daily basis:
- Web browser software
How do I Become a Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler?
What kind of Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Rail Yard Engineer, Dinkey Operator, or Hostler?
Where Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers Work
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers work in the following industries:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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