Railway and Yard Locomotive Engineers
(NOC 7361)
in All Trades and TransportationRailway locomotive engineers run railway locomotives to transport passengers and freight. They work for railway transport companies. Yard locomotive engineers run locomotives within yards of railway, industrial or other businesses. They work for railway transport companies and industrial or commercial users of rail transport.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
Read more
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hourly Pay
$26.10
Minimum$38.09
Median$49.31
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$92,744
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Hourly Pay
$15.00
Minimum$24.00
Median$37.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$7,580
Minimum$37,269
Median$79,787
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Railway locomotive engineers run railway locomotives to transport passengers and freight. They work for railway transport companies. Yard locomotive engineers run locomotives within yards of railway, industrial or other businesses. They work for railway transport companies and industrial or commercial users of rail transport.
Job duties
Railway locomotive engineers:
- Run locomotives to transport passengers and freight on railways.
- Use communication systems to communicate with train crews and traffic controllers to make sure trains are scheduled and run safely.
- Inspect assigned locomotives and test controls and equipment.
Yard locomotive engineers:
- Run locomotives to switch, couple and uncouple cars for loading and unloading.
- Carry out switching tasks according to written switching orders or dispatched instructions.
- Inspect locomotives, refill fuel or carry out routine maintenance on locomotives.
Sample job titles
- locomotive engineer
- railway engineer
- switch engineer
- transfer hostler
- yard engineer
Skills
- You should be responsible, reliable, and in good physical health. You must also be able to work on your own and carry out instructions given by your employer. Physical strength, stamina, and attention to detail are also assets.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- Experience as a conductor is required for railway locomotive engineers and may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
- Experience as a railway yard worker may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
- Railway locomotive engineers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
Other considerations
- Movement between railway transport companies or between businesses that hire locomotive engineers may be limited due to seniority provisions of collective agreements.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
N/ACape Breton
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Transportation and warehousing
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
25-34
35-44
Compared to: All Trades and Transportation
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
N/ATrade Certification
N/AHigh school
N/ACompared to: All Trades and Transportation
Trade Certification
$46,494 median annual incomeHigh school
$31,260 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$42,050 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,319 median annual incomeBachelor
$30,527 median annual incomeEducation & training
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Not Provincially Regulated: This job may be regulated by a federal regulatory body.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.