Jobs / Transportation and material moving / 53-4013.00
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
- US jobs
- 3,920
- Median wage
- $60,600 a year
- Job family
- Transportation and material moving
Can agents do the work of rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Transportation and material moving: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)
No direct benchmark gives a success rate.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 21%Operate transportation equipment or vehiclesNot measured
- 16%Communicate with others about operational plans or activitiesNot measured
- 16%Inspect vehiclesNot measured
- 8%Position tools or equipmentNot measured
- 5%Maintain vehicles in working conditionNot measured
- 5%Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipmentNot measured
- 5%Signal others to coordinate work activitiesNot measured
- 5%Connect components or supply lines to equipment or toolsNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in transportation and material moving, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
- 82%Waymo Driver (rider-only, 220.6M miles through March 2026) · Mar 2026Unrated
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.
- Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.
- Apply and release hand brakes.
- Signal crew members for movement of engines or trains, using lanterns, hand signals, radios, or telephones.
- Confer with conductors and other workers via radiotelephones or computers to exchange switching information.
- Inspect track for defects such as broken rails and switch malfunctions.
- Observe water levels and oil, air, and steam pressure gauges to ensure proper operation of equipment.
- Couple and uncouple air hoses and electrical connections between cars.
- Drive engines within railroad yards or other establishments to couple, uncouple, or switch railroad cars.
- Inspect the condition of stationary trains, rolling stock, and equipment.
- Read switching instructions and daily car schedules to determine work to be performed, or receive orders from yard conductors.
- Receive, relay, and act upon instructions and inquiries from train operations and customer service center personnel.
Other job titles for this occupation (47)
Carman · Engineer · Hostler · Rail Yard Engineer · Railcar Switcher · Railroad Engineer · Switchman · Yard Engineer · Car Barn Laborer · Car Mover · Coal Tram Driver · Coal Trammer · Diesel Dinkey Engineer · Diesel Dinkey Operator · Dinkey Driver · Dinkey Engine Operator · Dinkey Engineer · Dinkey Locomotive Engineer · Dinkey Locomotive Operator · Dinkey Motor Operator · Dinkey Operator · Dinkey Skinner · Dump Motor Operator · Dump Motorman · Duty Engineer · Engine Hostler · Haulage Engine Operator · Ingot Buggy Operator · Ingot Car Operator · Larriman · Larry Car Operator · Mine Motor Engineer · Mine Motor Operator · Rail Equipment Operator · Rail Switcher · Rail Switchman · Railcar Switchman · Shunt Operator · Slag Motor Operator · Switch Engineer · Switcher · Switcher Operator · Train Operator · Work Car Operator · Yard Hostler · Yard Motor Operator · Yard Switcher