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• 1 2020-09-08T11:40:04-07:00 Anatomy of a Railroad Crew 16 work plain text 2 plain 2020-09-08T11:58:57-07:00
  
  The Conductor
  The conductor runs the train. Directly answerable to the trainmaster, it is the conductor’s job to ensure that all the paperwork is correct, all the cars and cargo are accounted for, and all parts of the train are in good condition. The conductor is also in charge of ensuring that the train follows all speed and safety regulations along the way. Traditionally riding in the caboose, the conductor originally communicated with the engineer through hand signals, enhanced by flags or lanterns depending on time of day. With developing technologies, the two ends of the train are now connected with radios instead.
  
  
  The Fireman
  On steam trains, the fireman’s job is to watch the fire that keeps the train running. In charge of the boiler, the fireman stoked the fire and ensured that the steam pressure powering the train was at the right level. Located in the locomotive with the engineer, the fireman also helped keep an eye on the tracks and watch for potential problems ahead or behind. As steam trains have become less common, firemen have become less necessary and, today, most trains in the United States operate without one entirely.
  
  The Engineer
  The engineer drives the train. This means not only controlling the speed but operating the brake. A locomotive cannot stop too abruptly, or the cars will crash into it, and so manipulating the brakes to bring an entire train safely to a halt is a delicate operation. Along with manning the brakes, the engineer keeps an eye on the tracks, alert for potential problems, and keeps track of when and where to pull over to allow oncoming trains to pass. Although not answerable to the trainmaster directly, the engineer is under the command of the conductor, and must step in for them if they become incapacitated.
  
  The Flagman
  Flagmen were responsible for signaling to other trains. Usually also brakemen, flagmen staked out colorful flags on the tracks when trains came to an unexpected halt, alerting oncoming trains to the blockage in order to avoid collisions. Senior to ordinary brakemen, the flagman rode in the caboose when there was one, monitoring the track for any danger or disruption. Like brakemen, flagmen were gradually phased out of train crews, their positions made less important with better communication and braking technology.
  
  The Brakeman
  In the days before air brakes, each train car had individual brakes on it. Upon signal from the conductor, brakemen would climb to the top of the train and begin the process of applying the brakes, jumping from car to car until all the cars had been brought to a stop. In addition to this extremely dangerous job, performed in all weather and at any time of day, brakemen were responsible for coupling and uncoupling train cars and ensuring that all cars were securely attached. As brake systems evolved, brakemen became less common, going from two or three per train to one to none at all. Today, it is common for trains to be operated without any brakemen.

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