Railway Specialist

OVERVIEW
Railway Specialists are primarily responsible for supervising and operating diesel-electric locomotives and related equipment. They also serve as crewmembers or brakemen in the makeup and movement of railway cars and trains.

JOB DUTIES

• Execute instructions received from signal towers, switches, other trains and trainmen
• Signal with fuses, hands, flags, lamps and engine whistles
• Perform car coupling and uncoupling operations
• Check lashing and bracing to assure safe hauling of cargo
• Administer lubrication orders on railway cars and make minor running repairs
• Verify seals and seal numbers on freight cars

TRAINING
Job training for a Railway Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and six weeks and three days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, VA with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.

REQUIRED ASVAB SCORE(S)
Mechanical Maintenance (MM): 92

FUTURE CIVILIAN CAREERS
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with privately owned national railway chains or government-operated railroad companies.