TRAN 157 — Introduction to Railroad Yard Operations
This beginning course introduces students to the rail industry and the responsibilities of a rail yardmaster. It provides an overview of the coordination of yard work and the prompt movement of cars using proper communication to crew management. The course introduces procedures for using the basic mainframe to document, update, and retrieve train arrivals and departures. It explains the physical characteristics surrounding specific yard components such as mileposts, switches, and restrictions on assigned tracks or territory. The course also explains the process of car management and inquiries and how they are used to manage shipments and to plan or forecast work.