Division/Department: Operations

Job Title: Brakeman

Reports To: Superintendent of Operations

Type of Position: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Classification: Seasonal

Compensation: $16 - $20.00

Location: Durango, Colorado .

Job Summary: The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is seeking Brakemen for the 2021 Season. This position is seasonal between May and September. Promising candidates may be considered for year round full time employment.

Brakemen are a component of a train crew who work on board our passenger trains. The brakeman on each train work under the supervision of the Conductor and assists him to ensure the safe operation of the train and the comfort of our passengers.

Duties of the Brakeman include, but are not limited to, assisting in the build and makeup of train consists, inspection of passenger cars, performing air brake tests, setting handbrakes, coupling of passenger equipment, coupling air hoses, lining track switches, communicating via radio with train crew members and the Dispatcher, and using of hand/lantern signals and flags.

Brakeman will assist passengers in boarding and de-boarding train. They may collect tickets from passengers, place passengers’ baggage, backpacks and freight in boxcars, baggage cars, or other designated storage areas, place and retrieve wheelchairs in and out of wheelchair lift, respond to passenger’s questions regarding train rules and timetables, and regulate temperature/lighting on the train.

Brakemen should possess strong customer service skills and be able to work in a team atmosphere. Each train makes either one 90 mile round-trip a day to Silverton, or three 16 mile round-trips between Rockwood and Cascade Canyon. Each shift can last up to twelve hours. An average of four shifts a week will be scheduled for full time work during the Silverton Season. Candidates must be able to work full-time from May through August, as a minimum, for consideration.

Brakemen must be able to read, understand and apply D&SNGRR all Safety, Operating, Airbrake and Timetable Rules.

On the job training will be provided for newly hired Brakemen in early May. This includes classroom sessions, field training and student brakeman trips. First Aid, CPR and AED training may be included in the training.

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
• Walks on uneven, graveled surfaces that are wet, slippery, and sloped while carrying lantern, flashlight, etc.
• 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
• Works in daylight and darkness
• 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

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
• Navigating in and around an Industrial/railyard environment
• Standing on moving train with unbalanced footing
• Working outdoors in all weather types