Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

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Also known as:
Freight Conductor, Passenger Car Conductor, Train Conductor, Yard Conductor

See all Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Careers.

SNAPSHOT

Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	LOW
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	LOW
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	HIGH
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Document and prepare reports of accidents, unscheduled stops, or delays.

Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.

Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.

Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.

Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.

Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.

Inspect each car periodically during runs.

Verify accuracy of timekeeping instruments with engineers to ensure trains depart on time.

Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.

Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.

Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing General Physical Activities	Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Handling and Moving Objects	Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Transportation	Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Telecommunications	Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Mechanical	Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

TOP SKILLS

Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Operation Monitoring	Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.