What does a Locomotive Engineer do?

According to people in this career, the main tasks are...

TaskImportance
Interpret train orders, signals, or railroad rules and regulations that govern the operation of locomotives.
99%
Confer with conductors or traffic control center personnel via radiophones to issue or receive information concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
97%
Receive starting signals from conductors and use controls such as throttles or air brakes to drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas turbine-electric locomotives.
96%
Monitor gauges or meters that measure speed, amperage, battery charge, or air pressure in brake lines or in main reservoirs.
96%
Observe tracks to detect obstructions.
96%
Call out train signals to assistants to verify meanings.
95%
Operate locomotives to transport freight or passengers between stations or to assemble or disassemble trains within rail yards.
93%
Check to ensure that brake examination tests are conducted at shunting stations.
92%
Respond to emergency conditions or breakdowns, following applicable safety procedures and rules.
89%
Inspect locomotives to verify adequate fuel, sand, water, or other supplies before each run or to check for mechanical problems.
89%
Inspect locomotives after runs to detect damaged or defective equipment.
88%
Prepare reports regarding any problems encountered, such as accidents, signaling problems, unscheduled stops, or delays.
86%
Check to ensure that documentation, such as procedure manuals or logbooks, are in the driver's cab and available for staff use.
83%
Monitor train loading procedures to ensure that freight or rolling stock are loaded or unloaded without damage.
81%
Drive diesel-electric rail-detector cars to transport rail-flaw-detecting machines over tracks.
71%