[Core] [79% incumbents] Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
  DWAs: Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.

[Core] [79% incumbents] Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
  DWAs: Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

[Core] [79% incumbents] Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
  DWAs: Direct passenger or freight transport activities.

[Core] [79% incumbents] Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
  DWAs: Record operational details of travel.

[Core] [79% incumbents] Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
  DWAs: Arrange maintenance activities.

[Core] [79% incumbents] Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
  DWAs: Direct passenger or freight transport activities.

[Core] [79% incumbents] Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.
  DWAs: Verify information or specifications.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
  DWAs: Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
  DWAs: Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
  DWAs: Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Inspect each car periodically during runs.
  DWAs: Inspect locomotives or other railroad equipment.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
  DWAs: Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.

[Core] [78% incumbents] Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.
  DWAs: Prepare accident or incident reports.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Instruct workers to set warning signals in front and at rear of trains during emergency stops.
  DWAs: Direct emergency management activities.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Supervise workers in the inspection and maintenance of mechanical equipment to ensure efficient and safe train operation.
  DWAs: Direct maintenance or repair activities.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Supervise and coordinate crew activities to transport freight and passengers and to provide boarding, porter, maid, and meal services to passengers.
  DWAs: Direct passenger or freight transport activities.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Record departure and arrival times, messages, tickets and revenue collected, and passenger accommodations and destinations.
  DWAs: Record operational details of travel.

[Supplemental] [78% incumbents] Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.
  DWAs: Inspect locomotives or other railroad equipment. | Record operational or production data.

[Core] [77% incumbents] Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
  DWAs: Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.

--- SKILLS ---
  Speaking (imp:3.75 lvl:3.12) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Monitoring (imp:3.75 lvl:4.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.62 lvl:3.62) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Active Listening (imp:3.50 lvl:3.12) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Active Learning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Mathematics (imp:2.25 lvl:2.62) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Science (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Public Safety and Security (imp:3.98 lvl:4.01) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Transportation (imp:3.95 lvl:4.13) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  English Language (imp:3.46 lvl:2.93) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Education and Training (imp:3.11 lvl:3.48) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Law and Government (imp:3.01 lvl:2.62) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:2.94 lvl:3.17) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Telecommunications (imp:2.89 lvl:2.10) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Mechanical (imp:2.87 lvl:3.24) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Computers and Electronics (imp:2.79 lvl:2.91) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Mathematics (imp:2.68 lvl:2.31) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Administration and Management (imp:2.64 lvl:2.28) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Chemistry (imp:2.49 lvl:2.64) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Physics (imp:2.42 lvl:2.25) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Geography (imp:2.40 lvl:1.84) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Administrative (imp:2.34 lvl:1.83) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Psychology (imp:2.31 lvl:2.73) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Communications and Media (imp:2.28 lvl:1.67) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.20 lvl:1.88) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Engineering and Technology (imp:2.12 lvl:1.79) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:2.06 lvl:1.80) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Production and Processing (imp:2.00 lvl:1.84) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.90 lvl:1.28) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:1.89 lvl:1.26) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:1.85 lvl:1.17) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Biology (imp:1.67 lvl:1.10) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.63) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Design (imp:1.58 lvl:1.10) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  History and Archeology (imp:1.56 lvl:1.16) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.55 lvl:1.13) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Building and Construction (imp:1.49) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Food Production (imp:1.43 lvl:0.81) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  Foreign Language (imp:1.31) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Fine Arts (imp:1.29) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform

--- ABILITIES ---
  Oral Expression (imp:4.00 lvl:4.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Oral Comprehension (imp:3.88 lvl:4.00) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.88 lvl:3.75) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Near Vision (imp:3.62 lvl:3.50) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Far Vision (imp:3.62 lvl:3.88) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.62 lvl:3.12) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.62 lvl:3.50) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Information Ordering (imp:3.50 lvl:3.75) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.38 lvl:3.75) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.38 lvl:3.12) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Reaction Time (imp:3.25 lvl:3.50) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Written Expression (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Category Flexibility (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Visualization (imp:3.12 lvl:3.38) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Selective Attention (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Control Precision (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Auditory Attention (imp:3.12 lvl:3.88) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Time Sharing (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Depth Perception (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Rate Control (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.75 lvl:2.38) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Manual Dexterity (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Trunk Strength (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.75 lvl:2.50) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Originality (imp:2.62 lvl:2.75) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Response Orientation (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Static Strength (imp:2.62 lvl:2.50) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Spatial Orientation (imp:2.50 lvl:2.25) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:2.50 lvl:2.00) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Stamina (imp:2.50 lvl:2.38) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.50 lvl:2.75) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.50 lvl:2.38) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Number Facility (imp:2.38 lvl:2.25) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Memorization (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Peripheral Vision (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:2.25 lvl:2.62) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:1.88 lvl:1.75) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Night Vision (imp:1.88 lvl:1.75) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.88 lvl:1.62) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.00) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Getting Information (imp:4.37 lvl:4.17) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:4.18 lvl:3.85) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:3.98 lvl:3.94) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:3.97 lvl:4.04) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:3.90 lvl:4.93) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.85 lvl:3.69) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.72 lvl:3.35) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:3.64 lvl:5.43) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.59 lvl:3.71) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.53 lvl:4.11) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:3.51 lvl:3.60) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:3.34 lvl:3.97) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:3.22 lvl:3.27) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Working with Computers (imp:3.20 lvl:2.67) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:3.12 lvl:3.31) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.06 lvl:3.37) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Processing Information (imp:2.97 lvl:2.90) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:2.83 lvl:2.84) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:2.77 lvl:2.53) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:2.74 lvl:2.65) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:2.64 lvl:2.26) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:2.62 lvl:2.79) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:2.60 lvl:2.71) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:2.59 lvl:2.11) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:2.57 lvl:2.03) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:2.56 lvl:2.25) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:2.51 lvl:2.33) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:2.49 lvl:2.25) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:2.48 lvl:2.17) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:2.42 lvl:1.89) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.39 lvl:2.36) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.31 lvl:2.38) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:2.24 lvl:1.80) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Thinking Creatively (imp:2.16 lvl:1.95) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.15 lvl:1.69) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:1.97 lvl:1.87) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.87 lvl:1.52) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:1.76 lvl:1.68) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.75 lvl:1.04) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:1.52 lvl:1.23) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:1.51 lvl:0.95) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:6.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Attention to Detail (imp:5.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity (imp:4.00) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Cautiousness (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Dependability (imp:2.65) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cautiousness (imp:2.62) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.37) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Leadership Orientation (imp:2.25) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:2.21) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Integrity (imp:2.10) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:2.00) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control (imp:1.91) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Cooperation (imp:1.84) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Perseverance (imp:1.77) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Adaptability (imp:1.68) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.63) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Social Orientation (imp:1.33) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Achievement Orientation (imp:1.25) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Initiative (imp:1.05) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Leadership Orientation (imp:1.00) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:0.91) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Optimism (imp:0.79) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Sincerity (imp:0.70) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.28) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Empathy (imp:0.28) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Humility (imp:-0.04) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Innovation (imp:-0.48) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Coordination (imp:3.75 lvl:3.88) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.50 lvl:3.00) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Time Management (imp:3.50 lvl:3.50) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Operations Monitoring (imp:3.38 lvl:3.12) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.25 lvl:3.38) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Operation and Control (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Persuasion (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Systems Analysis (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Systems Evaluation (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:3.00 lvl:3.50) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Instructing (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Service Orientation (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Negotiation (imp:2.50 lvl:2.12) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.88 lvl:1.62) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.75 lvl:0.75) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Programming (imp:1.50 lvl:0.50) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Technology Design (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.00) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Repairing (imp:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 46,440
  annual_median    : $78,000
  annual_pct10     : $58,740
  annual_pct25     : $65,610
  annual_pct75     : $83,820
  annual_pct90     : $109,770
  annual_mean      : $79,100
  hourly_median    : $37.50

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Oklahoma ($102,260)
  lowest_state     : Kentucky ($52,380)
  dispersion_ratio : 1.952x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (33 total) ---
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:   42,040  median: $  77,550
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:    4,020  median: $  80,000
  Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction emp:       80  median: $  85,280

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (3 total) ---
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:   42,040  median: $  77,550
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:    4,020  median: $  80,000
  Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction emp:       80  median: $  85,280

exact_match_status : no_exact_match
matched_title      : N/A
match_score        : 0.0000
wikidata_qid       : N/A
word_count         : 0
wikipedia_url      : N/A
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T23:34:00.624663Z

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Conductor (train crew) (similarity: 0.5263)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductor_(train_crew)
  QID: Q228422
  Extract: A conductor, guard, or travelling ticket examiner, is a member of a train crew responsible for operational and safety duties. The role is common worldwide under various job titles, although on many railroads, the role has been discontinued. The title conductor is most common in North America, Austra

  Title: Unstoppable (2010 film) (similarity: 0.1379)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unstoppable_(2010_film)
  QID: Q644276
  Extract: Unstoppable is a 2010 American disaster action thriller film directed and produced by Tony Scott, written by Mark Bomback, and starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. It is based on the real-life CSX 8888 incident, telling the story of a runaway freight train and the two men who attempt to stop i

  Title: Freight conductor (similarity: 0.4615)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freight_conductor
  QID: Q5501373
  Extract: A freight conductor is a person who is employed by a railroad. The freight conductor is the lead employee assigned to a freight train, and is responsible for the smooth operation of the assignment, which includes reviewing schedules and maintaining communication with the train's crew members.

  Title: United Transportation Union (similarity: 0.2581)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Transportation_Union
  QID: Q7893615
  Extract: The United Transportation Union (UTU) was a broad-based, transportation labor union that represented about 70,000 active and retired railroad, bus, mass transit, and airline workers in the United States. The UTU was headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. On August 11, 2014, it merged with the Sheet Metal

  Title: Railroad brotherhoods (similarity: 0.5000)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_brotherhoods
  QID: Q7284087
  Extract: The railroad brotherhoods are labor unions of railroad workers in the United States. They first appeared in 1863 and they are still active. Until recent years they were largely independent of each other and of the American Federation of Labor.

model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong confidence supported by comprehensive O*NET data including detailed tasks, skills, and work activities. Clear occupation definition with specific industry employment data and wage information from BLS OEWS May 2025.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-04T03:09:10.721530+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,690
tokens_output        : 4,197
cost_usd             : $0.046181
wikipedia_used       : False
wikipedia_title      : None
wikipedia_note       : No exact Wikipedia match found, with closest matches being 'Conductor (train crew)' and 'Freight conductor' providing relevant context about railroad operations. These sources confirm the role's focus on train crew coordination and safety management.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters coordinate train operations and yard activities to ensure safe and efficient rail transportation. Conductors manage crew activities on passenger and freight trains while communicating with engineers and dispatchers, while yardmasters oversee switching operations, train configurations, and worker coordination in rail yards. These safety-critical positions require strong communication skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of transportation regulations and procedures.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
Railroad professionals spend their days signaling engineers using telecommunications equipment and hand signals to control train movement, speed, and stops. They confer with engineers about routes, timetables, and cargo while monitoring for operational problems through dispatchers and electronic systems. Daily tasks include directing yard workers in switching tracks and coupling cars, maintaining detailed records of car contents and destinations, and operating controls for track switches and traffic signals. They verify departure times with engineers, arrange removal of defective equipment, and ensure trains are properly configured by directing car movements to combine or separate rolling stock.

WHO THRIVES:
Successful railroad conductors and yardmasters exhibit exceptional dependability and attention to detail, as safety-critical decisions impact both personnel and equipment worth millions of dollars. They possess strong realistic and conventional personality traits, enjoying hands-on work with mechanical systems while maintaining precise documentation and following established procedures. These professionals excel at oral communication and active listening, enabling clear coordination with engineers, dispatchers, and yard crews under time pressure. Individuals who thrive demonstrate problem sensitivity to identify potential issues early, combined with the physical capability to work outdoors in all weather conditions while maintaining focus during long, irregular shifts.

CAREER ENTRY:
Most railroad conductors and yardmasters enter with a high school diploma or equivalent (85.6% of workers), though some obtain post-secondary certificates in transportation or related fields (8.3%). New hires typically complete extensive on-the-job training programs lasting several months, learning railroad operating rules, safety procedures, and specific company protocols. Entry-level positions often begin as railroad workers or brake operators before advancing to conductor roles through experience and additional training.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Railroad conductors commonly advance to locomotive engineers after gaining experience and completing additional training programs, representing a natural career progression within rail operations. Experienced professionals may move into supervisory roles as yardmasters, trainmasters, or first-line supervisors of material-moving operations. Some transition to related transportation roles such as dispatchers, transportation inspectors, or air traffic controllers, leveraging their coordination and safety management skills across different transportation modes.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters earn a median annual wage of $78,000 according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, with employment of 46,440 workers nationally. The wage range spans from $58,740 (10th percentile) to $109,770 (90th percentile), showing significant earning potential with experience and location. Geographic variation is notable, with Oklahoma offering the highest wages at $102,260 compared to Kentucky's $52,380, representing a 1.95x difference. Employment is heavily concentrated in Transportation and Warehousing (42,040 workers) with additional opportunities in government sectors (4,020 workers) and mining operations (80 workers). Job security remains stable due to the essential nature of freight and passenger rail transportation, though long-term growth may be limited by industry consolidation and efficiency improvements.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Railroad conductors and yardmasters face moderate automation risk as advanced train control systems and remote monitoring technologies continue evolving. While core coordination activities requiring real-time problem-solving, safety oversight, and crew management remain difficult to automate, routine tasks like record-keeping and some signaling functions are increasingly digitized. The emphasis on safety-critical decision-making and human oversight in transportation operations provides protection against full automation in the near term.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [task_similarity] Locomotive Engineers (53-4011.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles coordinate train operations and require knowledge of transportation regulations, with conductors working directly with engineers on train crews.
    data: shared transportation knowledge (4.0+ importance)
    data: communication coordination tasks
    data: same job zone 2
  [career_pathway] Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers (53-4022.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Entry-level railroad positions often serve as stepping stones to conductor roles, with overlapping mechanical knowledge and safety requirements.
    data: shared mechanical knowledge (2.9 importance)
    data: similar physical work activities
    data: transportation sector progression
  [skill_overlap] Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance (43-5032.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both roles require strong communication skills, coordination abilities, and information monitoring to manage transportation operations.
    data: speaking skill (3.8 importance)
    data: monitoring skill (3.8 importance)
    data: getting information activity (4.4 importance)
  [career_pathway] First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators (53-1043.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Experienced yardmasters advance to supervisory roles overseeing transportation equipment operators, leveraging their coordination and safety management experience.
    data: supervision tasks in yardmaster role
    data: material handling activities (3.6 importance)
    data: transportation knowledge transfer
  [skill_overlap] Air Traffic Controllers (53-2021.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both occupations require precise communication, coordination of vehicle movement, and safety-critical decision-making in transportation systems.
    data: oral expression ability (4.0 importance)
    data: coordination skill (3.8 importance)
    data: safety and security knowledge (4.0 importance)

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['railroad conductor', 'yardmaster', 'train conductor', 'rail conductor', 'freight conductor', 'passenger conductor', 'railroad crew', 'train crew']
  exclude_keywords : ['orchestra conductor', 'music conductor', 'electrical conductor', 'heat conductor', 'lightning conductor']
  title_patterns   : ['conductor', 'yardmaster', 'trainmaster', 'railroad', 'rail yard']
  common_variations: ['freight conductor', 'passenger conductor', 'assistant conductor', 'head conductor', 'train conductor', 'yard conductor', 'railroad yardmaster', 'rail yardmaster']

total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['tendency', 'others', 'equipment', 'activities', 'principles', 'railroad', 'operations', 'control', 'procedures', 'freight', 'transportation', 'includes', 'objects', 'problems', 'monitoring', 'management', 'ideas', 'engineers', 'techniques', 'materials']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
tendency                   42  0.01490  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
others                     40  0.01419  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:95%  dwas:5%
equipment                  31  0.01100  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:74%  dwas:10%  inference:10%
activities                 20  0.00710  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:45%  dwas:30%  inference:15%
principles                 16  0.00568  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
railroad                   16  0.00568  inference            inference:62%  wikipedia:25%  dwas:12%
operations                 15  0.00532  inference            inference:47%  onet_dimensions:40%  dwas:13%
control                    15  0.00532  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:13%  dwas:7%
procedures                 14  0.00497  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:57%  inference:21%  dwas:14%
freight                    13  0.00461  wikipedia            wikipedia:31%  onet_tasks:23%  dwas:23%
transportation             13  0.00461  inference            inference:69%  wikipedia:23%  onet_dimensions:8%
includes                   13  0.00461  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:92%  wikipedia:8%
objects                    12  0.00426  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
problems                   11  0.00390  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  onet_tasks:9%  inference:9%
monitoring                 11  0.00390  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:73%  inference:18%  onet_tasks:9%
management                 11  0.00390  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:64%  inference:27%  dwas:9%
ideas                      11  0.00390  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
engineers                  10  0.00355  inference            inference:60%  onet_tasks:40%
techniques                 10  0.00355  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
materials                  10  0.00355  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
performing                 10  0.00355  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  dwas:20%
body                       10  0.00355  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
maintaining                10  0.00355  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:60%  inference:30%  wikipedia:10%
hand                        9  0.00319  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  onet_tasks:11%  inference:11%
problem                     9  0.00319  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  inference:22%
rules                       9  0.00319  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  inference:11%
safety                      9  0.00319  inference            inference:78%  onet_dimensions:11%  wikipedia:11%
resources                   9  0.00319  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
production                  9  0.00319  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  dwas:11%
coordination                9  0.00319  inference            inference:56%  onet_dimensions:44%
quickly                     9  0.00319  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
orientation                 9  0.00319  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
trains                      8  0.00284  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:75%  inference:25%
speed                       8  0.00284  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  onet_tasks:12%  inference:12%
rail                        8  0.00284  inference            inference:50%  onet_tasks:25%  onet_dimensions:12%
direct                      8  0.00284  dwas                 dwas:62%  onet_tasks:25%  onet_dimensions:12%
cars                        8  0.00284  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:88%  inference:12%
attention                   8  0.00284  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  inference:25%
needs                       8  0.00284  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
moving                      8  0.00284  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%