A professional who coordinates activities of train crew engaged in transporting freight on freight train. Responsibilities include:

• Reads train orders, schedules, and other written instructions received from train dispatcher and discusses their contents with locomotive engineer and train crew.
• Inspects couplings and airhoses to ensure that they are securely fastened.
• Inspects journal boxes to ensure that they are lubricated.
• Inspects handbrakes on cars to ensure that they are released before train begins to run.
• Inspects freight cars to ensure that they are securely sealed.
• Records number of car and corresponding seal number and compares listing with waybill to ensure accuracy of routes and destinations.
• Compares watch with watch of locomotive engineer to ensure that departure time from station or terminal is in accordance with timetable schedules.
• Signals locomotive engineer via radiotelephone or by waving lantern to begin train run.
• Talks to locomotive engineer and traffic control center personnel via telephone during run to give or receive instructions or information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• Instructs workers to set warning signals in front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
• Supervises workers engaged in inspection and maintenance of cars and mechanical equipment during run to ensure that train is operating efficiently and safely.
• Records time of departures and arrivals at all destinations.
• Prepares reports at end of run to explain accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.