In the UK, "brakeman" was an alternative term for the position more often referred to as the guard, originally tasked with stopping the train from the brake van if a coupler broke.

As trains were sometimes required to run in reverse, the guard was further tasked with ensuring the tail lamp shone white instead of red in these cases.

By the start of the 20th century, some local U.S. labor laws noted that enough brakemen would be staffed on every train such that a brakeman would be responsible for no more than two cars.

A brakeman's job was historically very dangerous with numerous reports of brakemen falling from trains, colliding with lineside structures or being run over or crushed by rolling stock.

On passenger trains, brakemen were in charge of lighting and heating, as well as opening the doors and assisting the conductor to collect tickets and fares.

[12] By 2018, the total number had dropped to 14,270, with the highest employment rates in Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, and New York.

[14] In North American passenger service, the brakeman (called trainman or assistant conductor) collects revenue, may operate door "through switches" for specific platforming needs, makes announcements, and operates trainline door open and close controls when required to assist the conductor.