Brakeman

Description

Division/Department: Operating Department 

Job Title: Brakeman

Reports To: Trainmaster/Road Foreman of Engines 

Type of Position: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Classification: Seasonal

Compensation: $17.00 - $22.00/hour DOE

Location: Durango, Colorado.

Summary: 

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is seeking Brakemen for the 2025 season with an expected start date between May 1st and May 19th, 2025.

Brakeman is an entry level railroad Operating Department position. Brakemen are a component of a train crew who work primarily on board our passenger trains, but also on freight and maintenance trains.  The Brakemen on each train work under the supervision of the Conductor, assisting them to ensure the safe operation of the train and the comfort of our passengers.  This position is seasonal, primarily between May and October. Additional work may be available during the holiday season, including set up and tear down for our The Polar Express(tm) Train Ride. Candidates who excel may be considered for advancement and/or year-round, full-time employment when such positions become available. 

Brakeman duties include, but are not limited to, assisting with the building and makeup of trains, inspection of passenger cars, performing air brake tests, setting handbrakes, coupling and uncoupling railroad cars, connecting air hoses, lining track switches, communicating via radio with other train crew members and the Train Dispatcher, using hand and lantern signals to direct train movements, providing customer service and speaking in front of groups of passengers. Brakemen also assist passengers in boarding and de-boarding trains.  They may collect tickets from passengers, stow passengers’ baggage, backpacks and freight in boxcars, baggage cars, or other designated storage areas, operate wheelchair lifts, and respond to passengers’ questions about the railroad.

Brakemen should possess strong customer service skills, be able to work in a team atmosphere, and take instruction from Conductors and other senior staff members. They are expected to be neat and clean in appearance, report for their shifts promptly by the designated times, and exhibit pride in their job.

Our trains primarily make 90-mile roundtrips to Silverton and 50-mile roundtrips to Cascade Canyon.  Each shift can last up to 12 hours, and Brakemen typically work 4 to 5 days per week. Overtime, extra shifts, and maintenance train shifts may be available.  Candidates must be available to work 4 12-hour shifts beginning early May through August at minimum. Scheduling is varied and will include weekends and holidays. Candidates must be able to read, understand, pass written tests on, and apply all D&SNGRR Safety, Operating, Airbrake and Timetable rules.

Training will begin in May. This includes classroom sessions and field training. All uniform items will be supplied except for safety toe boots (for which there is a reimbursement), belts, watches, and a small bag/backpack in which to carry items required for duty. These items are required for service.  

Requirements

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Communicates and interacts with passengers and other train personnel
• Ascends and descends train steps/ladders
• Lifts/lowers/carries passenger portable step stools
• Walks about and stands on moving train (up to 12 hour shifts)
• Opens and closes boxcar-baggage car sliding doors
• Assist with passenger ticket collections when needed
• Lines switches (stand and flop switches) (up to 40 times/shift)
• Operates hand brake with brake club
• Couples/uncouples cars, connects/separates air hoses, and applies/removes derail devices
• Lifts/lowers/carries backpacks and occasional freight items that weigh up to 75 lbs. (two man lift for heavier objects)
• Deploys and secures wheelchairs in and out of wheelchair lift
• Lifts/lowers/carries re-railing appliances to and from locomotive tender and track (2-3 man lift)
• Lift/lower/carry coach battery (two man lift)
• May operate fire-fighting equipment
• Uses hand tools including, but not limited to: shovels, wrenches, hammer, and hydraulic jacks.
• Assists with minor repairs
• Lifts/lowers/carries tree branches and other obstructions from track
• Shovels dirt, rocks, snow

Education, Skill and Work Experience Requirements:

• Familiarity with train operations and equipment, preferred
• Experience working on or around heavy equipment, preferred
• Comfort and confidence in interacting with public with prior experience in customer service, required
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening and partake in ongoing random, reasonable suspicion, and post accident drug testing.

Work Environment:

• Frequent to occasional lifting, carrying and lowering of equipment or materials weighing up to 75 pounds
• Standing up to 12 hours per shift with frequent bending, twisting, crouching
• Walks on uneven, graveled surfaces that are wet, slippery, and sloped while carrying lantern, flashlight, etc.
• Navigating in and around an Industrial/railyard environment
• Standing on moving train with unbalanced footing
• Working outdoors in all weather types and times of day.

Salary : $17 - $22