Yard Locomotive Operator Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Yard Locomotive Operator

Best Schools to become a Yard Locomotive Operator in U.S. 2024

Gadsden State Community College

Gadsden, AL

In-State Tuition:$4,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,000
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:25%
Total Enrollment:4,352

Georgia Northwestern Technical College

Rome, GA

In-State Tuition:$2,400
Out-of-State Tuition:$4,800
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:49%
Total Enrollment:6,141

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Elizabethtown, KY

In-State Tuition:$4,368
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,288
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:42%
Total Enrollment:5,648

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Lexington, KY

In-State Tuition:$4,368
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,288
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:35%
Total Enrollment:10,318

Owensboro Community and Technical College

Owensboro, KY

In-State Tuition:$4,368
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,288
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:47%
Total Enrollment:4,621

MIAT College of Technology

Canton, MI

In-State Tuition:$14,678
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,678
Admission Rate:99%
Graduation Rate:61%
Total Enrollment:1,303
Yard Locomotive Operator 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 Yard Locomotive Operator

Job Duties for Yard Locomotive Operators

  • 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 Yard Locomotive Operators

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 Yard Locomotive Operator

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Yard Locomotive Operator

FAQs About Becoming a Yard Locomotive Operator