Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
O*NET Code: 53-4013.00
Education Level
Zone 2 - Some Prep
High school + some training
Description
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
🗺️ Explore Your Career Path
Visualize advancement opportunities, lateral moves, and skill development roadmaps. See interactive career maps showing transition difficulty and salary progression.
💼 Also Known As
Car Barn LaborerCar MoverCarmanCoal Tram DriverCoal TrammerDiesel Dinkey EngineerDiesel Dinkey OperatorDinkey DriverDinkey Engine OperatorDinkey EngineerDinkey Locomotive EngineerDinkey Locomotive OperatorDinkey Motor OperatorDinkey OperatorDinkey SkinnerDump Motor OperatorDump MotormanDuty EngineerEngine HostlerEngineer
⚡ Skills (14)
Operation and Control4/100
Monitoring4/100
Operations Monitoring4/100
Speaking4/100
Active Listening3/100
Complex Problem Solving3/100
Critical Thinking3/100
Reading Comprehension3/100
Coordination3/100
Troubleshooting3/100
+ 4 more skills
📚 Knowledge (0)
💪 Abilities (0)
🔧 Technologies & Tools (8)
0Positive train control PTC systems
Expert system software
0RailComm DocYard
Industrial control software
0Railcar inspection management software
Facilities management software
0Railyard inventory software
Inventory management software
0Railyard management software RMS
Data base user interface and query software
0Softrail AEI Automatic Yard Tracking System
Industrial control software
0Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager
Inventory management software
0Web browser software
Internet browser software
🔄 Career Transition Paths
Occupations with similar skills and natural career progression opportunities
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep(↑1 level)
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep(↑1 level)
Rail Car Repairers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep(↑1 level)
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep
Locomotive Engineers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep
📊 Skills Comparison
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers → Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Transition Difficulty: Easy (76% skill overlap)
✅ Transferable Skills (13)
Skills you already have that transfer to the new role
Troubleshooting
Current: 3Target: 4
→
Operations Monitoring
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Operation and Control
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Quality Control Analysis
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Critical Thinking
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Reading Comprehension
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Complex Problem Solving
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Judgment and Decision Making
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Active Listening
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Speaking
Current: 4Target: 3
→
Active Learning
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Monitoring
Current: 4Target: 3
→
Time Management
Current: 3Target: 3
→