Job description Front-end Brakeman/woman in the Southwest Region

Find out what work is like for a front-end brakeman/woman in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Railway conductors and brakemen/women (NOC 73311).

Railway conductors and brakemen/women

Description

Railway conductors coordinate and supervise the activities of passenger and freight train crew members. Brakemen check train brakes and other systems and equipment prior to train run, and assist railway conductors in activities en route. They are employed by railway transport companies.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Railway conductors and brakemen/women have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Railway conductors
  • Supervise and coordinate the activities of passenger and freight train crew members (except locomotive engineers) to ensure train operations are in accordance with schedule, train orders and code of operating rules
  • Receive train orders and explain orders to brakemen/women, locomotive engineer and other crew members
  • Communicate with train crew members by radio, signals or by other means to give and receive train operation information
  • Collect fares on board passenger trains, announce approaching train stops and answer passenger enquiries
  • Prepare train run reports.
  • Brakemen
  • Check train systems and equipment such as air conditioning and heating systems, brakes and brake hoses prior to train run
  • Communicate with train crew members by radio, signals or by other means to aid in the movement and operation of train
  • Receive orders from traffic controllers, observe signals and track conditions and open and close track switches
  • Set and release hand brakes and connect air brake hoses to couple and switch passenger or freight cars, making minor repairs to couplings, air hoses and wheel-bearing boxes as required
  • Assist in collecting fares and helping passengers on and off train.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 73311), and a list of similar occupations:

  • brakeman/woman
  • conductor - switching yard
  • freight train conductor
  • front-end brakeman/woman
  • passenger train conductor
  • railway conductor
  • road freight brakeman/woman
  • tail-end brakeman/woman

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Railway conductors and brakemen/women in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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