Profession train dispatcher

Train dispatchers ensure the safe and efficient dispatch of the train services. The safety of customers is their main priority. When carrying out train dispatch duties, they check the traffic signals and communicate promptly with train drivers and conductors that it is safe for the train to pull away.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Conventional
• Enterprising / Realistic

Skills

• Handle stressful situations

  Deal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.

• Control train arrivals

  Monitor and control arrival of trains into train stations. Check inbound trains according to their departure station.

• Control train departures

  Monitor and control departure of trains; prepare outbound trains with the required number of carriages and provide safety assurance.

• Manage rail yard resources

  Manage rail yard resources in order to ensure maximum efficiency. Prepare resource usage in advance in order to limit the time trains spend in yards.

• Shunt inbound loads

  Shunt inbound freight loads to and from railcars for inbound and outbound trains.

• Monitor train schedules

  Ensure train schedules are followed; trains should not leave the station too late or too early. Monitor and regulate train dispatch and arrival in order to avoid trains arriving either too late or too early.

• Shunt outbound loads

  Shunt outbound freight loads to and from inbound and outbound trains.

• Monitor conditions affecting train movement

  Monitor conditions that may influence train movements, e.g. crew availability, weather conditions, equipment operability, speed or track limitations, etc. Undertake actions to ensure and optimise train performance and safety; anticipate emergencies and unexpected situations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB