What does a locomotive operator do?

As a locomotive operator, sometimes called or sometimes sharing duties with a rail switch, your job is to ensure the proper functioning of a railcar facility, operating engines or switching vehicles between tracks as needed. Other responsibilities include providing briefings and explanations of the tracks, applying rules and special instructions, performing inspections, loading and unloading trains from tracks, and creating daily reports for each railcar whose activities you are logging. Some companies ask you to switch between the control booth and operating a train as a conductor, so you may need to know safe train engine operation and procedures.