Railroad conductors supervise train crews and are responsible for the safety of the passengers and crew who ride on the train. Some conductors work on trains that carry passengers or freight locally or long distances. They are called road service conductors. Other conductors work in the train yard. They are called yard conductors.
Before the train leaves the station, road service conductors receive the train orders by telephone or facsimile from the dispatcher at the railroad's central office. These orders include a listing of the cargo and the route with the scheduled stops. They must make sure that the crew of the train including the engineer, who operates the train and the brakers understand these orders. During the train trip, or run, conductors inspect each car of the train. They also make sure that the brakers monitor the train's equipment and operating mechanisms and report any problems. If there are problems conductors must have the engineer or the brakers make the repairs. If the repairs cannot be made during the run, conductors must instruct the engineer to remove the defective cars from the rest of the train and leave them in the area used for unloading cars. Conductors see that cars are added or removed at the proper points for picking up or unloading cargo.
Conductors signal to the engineer when they want the train to leave the station or the train yard. On passenger trains they sometimes collect tickets and cash fares. They also give information to passengers. However, brakers are usually responsible for these duties.
After a run, road service conductors are responsible for telling company officials about the trip. They must report the number of passengers carried and the time the train departed and arrived. If the train carries cargo, they must report on its condition when the train reaches its destination.
Yard conductors supervise all the workers and activities in the rail yard. Some cars are sent to unload their cargo on special tracks, and other cars must be prepared to leave at scheduled times. Yard conductors give instructions to assemble, disassemble, and move cars to engineers, who use computers to direct the cars. However, some cars may need to be moved in unusual manners to different tracks and are moved manually by yard workers.
Education and Training
It takes several years to become a conductor. Most conductors are former brakers who have been promoted on a seniority basis. Brakers generally learn their skills on the job. Those who want to become conductors take test covering signals, timetables, operating rules, and other subjects. After passing these tests, potential conductors are made temporary conductors until a full time opening occurs. Temporary conductors, also called "extra board" conductors, fill in for regular conductors who are sick or on vacation.
Most railroads prefer to hire brakers who are high school graduates. Helpful high school courses include electronics and courses in the manual arts, such as wood and metal shop. Humanities courses are also helpful because many conductors must write reports after a run. Part time work on railroads during the summer and holiday seasons may be available and is good experience.
Brakers often have to wait as long as 10 years before there is an opening for a conductor. Those with the greatest seniority are made conductors first. There are usually separate seniority lists for road service and yard conductors. However, depending on the railroad, some yard conductors may advance to freight work, and eventually they may work on passenger trains.
Getting the Job
The best way to get a job on a railroad is to apply for a position as a braker at a railroad employment office. You might also talk to the superintendent of the railroad's local division.
Employment Outlook
Conductors are already at the top of their field. However, those who show special ability with people may become train masters or passenger agents.
The employment outlook for conductors is poor. About 25,000 people are currently employed as railroad conductors. The demand for railroad freight service will grow as the economy and the inter modal transportation of goods expand. However, employment will decline because of advances in automation technology that allow road service conductors and other workers to make more runs per day.
In addition, there are new rules that allow trains to travel with smaller crews. As a result, the industry is eliminating positions left vacant by workers who retire. The number of yard conductors will also decline because coupling and uncoupling is automated, and the amount of supervision needed for yard workers is being reduced.
Working Conditions
Road service conductors travel most of their working day. Those who work on long distance runs see many parts of the country, but they must spend a great deal of time away from home.
Conductors have to be able to assume responsibility and direct the work of others. They must be courteous to passengers. Conductors should have a good working knowledge of the operation of the train and its mechanical details. They must have good eyesight and hearing and be in good health.
Full time conductors have set schedules that they follow year after year. Extra board conductors, on the other hand, usually have irregular schedules. Most conductors work at least 40 hours a week. Yard conductors are more apt to work a regular 40 hour week and do not spend much time away from their home terminal.
Earnings and Benefits
Railroad conductors' pay varies with the size of the railroad and the type of duties. Because most conductors are unionized, wages are usually guaranteed by contract. Conductors who work on trains that pass through mountains get extra pay because the work is more dangerous. Generally, conductors who work in passenger or freight service get a full day's pay after they have made a run of a certain number of miles or have worked a certain number of hours. Conductors who work overtime receive time and a half pay. However, many contracts limit the number of hours conductors can work or the amount of miles they can ride each month. After conductors have put in a certain number of miles or hours of work, they are often replaced by extra board conductors. Extra board conductors earn less than regular conductors because they work fewer hours a week.
Average pay for local and freight conductors is $62,100 a year. The average annual salary for yard conductors is about $49,000.
Railroad conductors generally receive paid sick days and vacations. In addition, they have liberal pension and disability plans. Conductors are also eligible for unemployment insurance. Their families are usually able to travel at reduced rates or free of charge.
