Rail Yard Switch Coordinator Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Rail Yard Switch Coordinator

Best Schools to become a Rail Yard Switch Coordinator in U.S. 2024

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

In-State Tuition:$1,984
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,933
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:45%
Total Enrollment:43,370

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV

In-State Tuition:$6,840
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,840
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:55%
Total Enrollment:48,668

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS

In-State Tuition:$4,140
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,580
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:51%
Total Enrollment:12,949

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

In-State Tuition:$16,437
Out-of-State Tuition:$42,427
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:82%
Total Enrollment:50,023

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN

In-State Tuition:$11,332
Out-of-State Tuition:$29,522
Admission Rate:68%
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:33,805
Rail Yard Switch Coordinator Job Description:
  • Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Rail Yard Switch Coordinator

Job Duties for Rail Yard Switch Coordinators

  • Apply and release hand brakes.

  • Inspect engines before and after use to ensure proper operation.

  • Observe and respond to wayside and cab signals, including color light signals, position signals, torpedoes, flags, and hot box detectors.

Technologies and Skills Used by Rail Yard Switch Coordinators

Expert system software

  • Positive train control PTC systems

Industrial control software

  • RailComm DocYard
  • Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System

Inventory management software

  • Railyard inventory software
  • Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Talking to others

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Rail Yard Switch Coordinator

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Rail Yard Switch Coordinator

FAQs About Becoming a Rail Yard Switch Coordinator