......................................................................................... 2

GRADE LEVELS .......................................................................................................................................... 2

NOTE TO USERS ......................................................................................................................................... 2

BRAKER-SWITCHER, GRADE 7 ................................................................................................................ 3

CONDUCTOR, GRADE 9 ............................................................................................................................. 5

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

1 Braking-Switching and Conducting, 5736

TS-25 June 1973 & TS-38 October 1979
WORK COVERED

This standard is used to grade the nonsupervisory work involved in coordinating (onsite) the
movement, make up, or break up of trains, locomotives, and train cars. The work requires
knowledge of the layout of a railroad track system; knowledge of and ability to follow numerous
safety, signaling, switching, track use, train car, and train movement procedures, restrictions, and
requirements; and knowledge of the movement and braking characteristics of locomotives, train
cars, and various sizes of trains under a variety of weather, visibility, speed, cargo, track, and
other operating conditions. Some work covered also requires ability to plan efficient work
sequences in making up, breaking up, and overseeing (onsite the safe movement of trains; ability
to coordinate the work of a train crew, and the ability to enforce numerous operational and safety
procedures and requirements.

WORK NOT COVERED

-- Operation of locomotives. (See
Locomotive Engineering, 5737
.)

-- Maintaining railroad track. (See
Railroad Repairing, 3546
)

TITLES

The title, Braker-Switcher is to be used for work which involves helping to move locomotives
and trains by throwing switches, setting brakes, coupling and uncoupling cars, observing for
hazards, flagging, and signaling.

The title, Conductor, is to be used for work involving full responsibility, as crew chief, for
monitoring and coordinating, onsite, the movement and work activities of a train and crew.

GRADE LEVELS

This standard does not describe all possible grade levels for this occupation. If jobs differ
substantially from the skill, knowledge, and other work requirements at the grade levels
described in this standard, they may be graded at levels other than those described based on the
application of sound job grading methods.

NOTE TO USERS

Some conductors, on a regular and recurring basis, may be in charge of train crews that are
larger than those described as typical in the grade 9 level of this standard. Such jobs should be
reviewed to determine whether they fully meet the criteria for grading under the Office of
Personnel Management
Job Grading Standard for Leader
.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management

2 Braking-Switching and Conducting, 5736

TS-25 June 1973 & TS-38 October 1979
BRAKER-SWITCHER, GRADE 7

General
: The grade 7 braker-switchers perform individual switching, signaling, flagging,
coupling, uncoupling, brake setting, observing, and safety tasks involved in the movement of
locomotives, trains, and train cars under a variety of size, load, weather, and track conditions.
They use a thorough knowledge of the layout of an installation track system and numerous safety
and operational track use requirements and procedures. They maintain constant watch over their
assigned area and equipment, checking continually for operating hazards, malfunctioning or
defective equipment, or track obstructions, and when problems arise informs the conductor or
engineer, through signals or other means, so that necessary action can be taken to resolve the
problem. They give, pass, and respond to signals and instructions in both routine and emergency
situations. They receive general directions from the conductor regarding the move to be made or
the task to be done, and performs the tasks necessary to carry out the work with a minimum of
further instructions.

Skill and Knowledge
: The grade 7 braker-switchers apply a knowledge of the layout of an
extensive track system such as the layout characteristics of 32 to 160 kilometers (20 to 100)
miles of track with numerous pick up and set out points (sidings, loading ramps, warehouses,
repair shops, or classification areas), crossovers, curves, busy grade crossings without protective
gates, car storage areas, and switching points.

When informed of the trip destination and purpose, the braker-switchers know whether the track
switches are properly set as the train approaches them, how to change those which are not, and
how to reset them after the train passes or a car is set out or picked up. They know how and
when to get on and off standing or moving trains; and how, when, and where to signal and flag.
They know the approximate location of shops, warehouses and storage areas, sidings, etc., and
the usual track routes and switch setting and leaving these areas.

Grade 7 braker-switchers know the operating characteristics of one or a few types of locomotives
when pulling a variety of types and sizes of cars and cargo under various weather conditions,
visual conditions, and track conditions. Using this knowledge, they apply skill in judging
braking and stopping distances (e.g., in connection with coupling) in order to give signals in time
for the engineer to react properly. Grade 7 braker-switchers know, give, pass, or respond to all
required sound, sign, hand, light, fusee, torpedo, switch, color, and lantern signals for both
normal and emergency conditions. For example, they select and use the proper signaling means
or equipment, such as arms and hands, lanterns, lights, or flags; the various signal codes; and the
proper techniques to give signals. These signals include, for example, those for the train to move
forward, move backward, apply brakes, increase or decrease speed, and come to an immediate
(emergency) stop; signals to ask the engineer for information, to warn motorists or pedestrians,
and to alert others to accidents; and signals which indicate direction of train movement,
presence of work crews or obstacles ahead, and defective running gear.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management

3 Braking-Switching and Conducting, 5736

TS-25 June 1973 & TS-38 October 1979
Grade 7 braker-switchers know and use a variety of standard procedures for setting out,
transferring and picking up individual cars and groups of cars. They know procedures, such as
rear and front end shoving, for placing a car in the desired area. They know how to move or
place a car in a specific section or order in the train or set out area by uncoupling, controlling
brakes, shunting, etc. The braker-switchers know the appropriate location for cars at warehouse
ramps, turnouts, classification areas, and other setout points. They know how and when to set,
release, and control car brakes, attach and release air brake hoses, close air line angle cock, and
place and remove chocks. They can identify a wide variety of cars, such as various gondola, flat,
tank, and box cars. They use this knowledge, along with signaling and observing ability and
skill in estimating stopping and braking time or distance, to assist in picking up, setting out,
switching, coupling, and moving ca in activities.

Grade 7 braker-switchers maintain a constant check for variety of common track and train
operating conditions which can cause train breakdown, derailment, damage to cargo, operating
failure or which could lead to other accidents. They detect defective switches, misaligned tracks,
presence of track maintenance crews and vehicles, insecure cargo, and similar conditions. The
braker-switchers look for unusual smoke, flame, or hot boxes; locked wheels; flat wheels;
defective couplers and air hoses, derailed cars, and similar defective equipment. They also help
the engineer check the operation of the sander and brakes by observing their operation.

Responsibility
: Grade 7 braker-switchers receive instructions which indicate the crew to which
he is assigned, destination points, and the duties he is to perform. They are required to know and
follow numerous standard safety, signaling, and train movement procedures, and to respond to
the signals of the conductor and locomotive engineer. They must be constantly alert to help
avoid, or take appropriate actions for, track obstructions, track defects, train derailment,
malfunctioning or defective equipment (e.g., hot boxes, locked wheels or defective air brake
hoses), unscheduled track vehicles, unsealed cars, improperly marked cars, and other operating
dangers.

The braker-switchers must be extremely watchful and careful, particularly when visibility is
poor, track is slippery, cargo is hazardous or not fully secure, or clearances are tight. They must
be able to independently signal, judge distances, judge extent of danger, and perform these and
other tasks in stress situations, such as when anticipating a collision or detecting a derailment or
track obstruction during operation. The braker-switchers must be able to keep pace with the
train crew, and work effectively as part of a team.

The braker-switchers follow directions and instructions from higher grade employees