Cleveland, OH Train Conductor

Overview

At Norfolk Southern, we value Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork. We invite you to explore the conductor role as part of one of the nation’s premier transportation companies.

• Build and inspect trains, railcars, and equipment for safe operation.
• Operate remote control locomotives and perform tasks such as coupling, aligning drawbars, applying hand brakes, and riding railcars.
• Communicate effectively with crews, dispatchers, and yard controllers.
• Maintain accurate documentation and comply with FRA and company safety regulations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Conductor training is provided with on-the-job instruction. On-the-job training lasts about 20 weeks, with classroom and field training. Initial weeks take place at the Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, GA, including hotel accommodations, weekly meal stipends, and travel reimbursement. The remaining weeks occur at your assigned location. To successfully complete the program, you must pass all classroom, field, and on-the-job requirements, including written exams and field evaluations covering operating rules, safety, hazmat, and signal rules.

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
• Ability to report to work within 90 minutes.
• Clean driving record in the past 36 months without drug- or alcohol-related suspensions or denials.
• Must not have been involved in diversion or probation or pleaded guilty to a drug- or alcohol-related driving incident.
• Must not have refused to undergo a drug or alcohol test related to operating a motor vehicle.
• Must pass pre-employment FRA drug and alcohol screening.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

• Experience outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Experience with heavy equipment or physically demanding roles.
• Experience with non-traditional shifts, on call, and/or 12+ hour shifts.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 85 lbs.
• Must meet physical standards including tests for strength and endurance (e.g., Hang Test).
• Ability to hang from a rail car ladder with three points of contact for 1 minute 15 seconds per side.
• Ability to walk several miles per shift on uneven terrain.
• Ability to meet FRA medical requirements: visual acuity (at least 20/40 per eye), color vision, and hearing standards.

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Irregular schedules, including on-call, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be available for call 24/7.
• Safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness around heavy, moving locomotives.

• Conductor Trainees earn a minimum of $240 per shift during on-the-job training, with overtime at $30/hour.
• First-year conductors average about $70,000 annually; experienced conductors about $84,000.
• Locomotive engineers: guaranteed minimum of $94,000, with potential to exceed $100,000.
• Medical insurance for employees and eligible dependents begins the second calendar month of employment.
• After one year: dental, life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility.
• Covered under Railroad Retirement benefits and taxes.

Two weeks after 2+ years, three weeks after 6+ years, four weeks after 15+ years, and five weeks after 23+ years of service.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We power progress.