Description
Coordinate and control the movement of trains and track equipment across assigned rail territories to ensure safe, efficient operations and on-time performance. Use computerized dispatching systems, signals, and radio/telephone communications to issue movement authorities, manage meets and work windows, and respond to service disruptions. Maintain operational logs, bulletins, and performance reports.
- • Dispatch trains and track equipment through assigned territory according to timetable, bulletins, and service plans.
- • Issue movement authorities, track warrants, and work protections; line routes and signals as required.
- • Monitor train locations, track occupancy, and system status using CAD/CTC and radio communications.
- • Coordinate meets, passes, and priorities to maintain safe separation and schedule adherence.
- • Relay operating instructions, track bulletins, and messages to engineers, conductors, yardmasters, and maintenance crews.
- • Plan and authorize track outages, work windows, slow orders, and speed restrictions with maintenance and signal departments.
- • Adjust lineups and coordinate reroutes or crew changes in response to delays, incidents, or weather disruptions.
- • Confer with terminals, connecting railroads, and customer service to align interchange and service commitments.
- • Advise crews of hazards such as work zones, defective crossings, obstructions, or severe weather.
- • Initiate emergency procedures and coordinate response to accidents, equipment failures, or rule violations.
- • Maintain dispatcher logs, train sheets, bulletins, delay reports, and required regulatory records.
- • Conduct shift briefings and handoffs and ensure compliance with operating rules, FRA regulations, and company policies.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
