• drive trains safely to scheduled running times
• stop at stations to pick up or drop off passengers
• shunt wagons (push or pull them using a locomotive)
• comply with all signal indications and speed boards
• visually inspect the locomotive to detect any problems before starting a service
• read bulletins (information about track work in specific areas and rule changes) before departing the station
• act promptly and comply with safety rules in emergency conditions or breakdowns
• identify faults in breakdown situations.

Locomotive engineers usually specialise in either inter-city freight and passenger trains, or urban passenger trains. However, many skills for these specialisations are interchangeable.