The brakeman is the conductor's helper on the ground: lining switches, pulling pins, lacing air, inspecting the train, tying hand brakes and protecting shoves. Most road freights run with just an engineer and a conductor, so brakemen work mainly yard and local jobs. Brakie and shack are the friendly names for the job.
Heard on the job
Brakie's on the ground at the east switch, he'll line us in and we'll pick up the four cars off the spur.
Also heard as
- brakeman
- shack
- switchman
Related terms
Hogger
A locomotive engineer, the person who runs the train.
Pull the pin
To uncouple cars by lifting the coupler's pin with the cut lever; also, to retire from the railroad.
Line
To throw a switch so it routes a train or car onto the intended track.
Tie down
To secure standing cars or a locomotive by applying enough hand brakes to keep them from rolling.