Free AI job risk scan
Will AI replace Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers?
O*NET occupation 53-4022.00
Operate or monitor railroad track switches or locomotive instruments. May couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Watch for and relay traffic signals. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes. May watch for dragging equipment or obstacles on rights-of-way.
O*NET alternate job titles
- Firer
- Railroad Brake Operator
- Railroad Signal Operator
- Railroad Switch Operator
- Locomotive Switch Operator
- Railroad Firer
- Switch Operator
- Locomotive Firer
Example core tasks from the O*NET database
- Observe train signals along routes and verify their meanings for engineers.
- Signal locomotive engineers to start or stop trains when coupling or uncoupling cars, using hand signals, lanterns, or radio communication.
- Pull or push track switches to reroute cars.
DeadByAI is preparing the free scan from this trusted O*NET occupation profile. It compares the role's tasks with current AI capabilities to show where automation pressure may appear first and where human judgment still matters.
Risk scores and pressure timelines are heuristic estimates, not guarantees. They do not predict an individual job outcome.