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Locomotive Engineers
Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.
Other titles employers use
Locomotive Engineer · Passenger Locomotive Engineer · Railroad Engineer · Through Freight Engineer · Train Engineer · Trainmaster · Transportation Specialist · Freight Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
- Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
- Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
- Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
- Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
- Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
Useful strengths
- Far Vision
- Selective Attention
- Control Precision
- Response Orientation
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.4 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.6 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 70%
- A certificate or some college 30%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Word processing software
- Expert system software
- Route navigation software
- Time accounting software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,290
- Job openings each year
- 360
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.0%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 4,290 | 360 | 10.0% |
| New York | 2,360 | 0 | 1.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,670 | 130 | — |
| California | 1,600 | 120 | −5.9% |
| Indiana | 1,590 | 130 | — |
| Missouri | 1,390 | 110 | −4.1% |
| Colorado | 1,160 | 90 | — |
| Minnesota | 1,060 | 90 | 2.9% |
| Kansas | 1,000 | 70 | −9.9% |
| Georgia | 990 | 80 | 11.2% |
| Iowa | 880 | 70 | 1.1% |
| Nebraska | 830 | 70 | 2.5% |
| Virginia | 830 | 60 | −7.8% |
| Washington | 780 | 50 | −4.9% |
| Kentucky | 710 | 60 | — |
| Michigan | 710 | 50 | −6.6% |
| Ohio | 710 | 60 | 1.4% |
| Tennessee | 660 | 50 | −7.0% |
| Alabama | 640 | 50 | 1.6% |
| Arkansas | 610 | 40 | −19.7% |
| North Carolina | 540 | 40 | −3.6% |
| Mississippi | 510 | 40 | 6.3% |
| New Jersey | 490 | 40 | 8.9% |
| North Dakota | 460 | 40 | 7.0% |
| Oklahoma | 450 | 40 | 2.3% |
| Arizona | 440 | 30 | −10.2% |
| Wyoming | 440 | 40 | — |
| Florida | 390 | 30 | −17.0% |
| Wisconsin | 380 | 30 | −7.3% |
| Oregon | 320 | 30 | 6.7% |
| South Carolina | 250 | 20 | — |
| South Dakota | 230 | 20 | — |
| Idaho | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Alaska | 70 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 40 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
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