Conductor​/Engineer; NATL

Position Summary

The conductor/engineer position is responsible for controlling and coordinating train movements while switching railcars in the yard of a railroad, industrial plant, or similar location. The role facilitates the safe and efficient unloading and loading of railcars to serve customers. This is a manual labor position that requires proficiency in the following skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period.

• Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write, and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Inspect locomotive before run to verify specified fuel, sand, water, and all FRA requirements.
• Read switching orders from designated person.
• Observe radio and hand signals in yard or in cab and operate locomotive in accordance with railroad rules and regulations.
• Observe arm or lantern signals and move controls to move locomotive backwards or forwards to switch and couple cars; or receive starting signal and move control such as throttle and air brakes to operate locomotive.
• Read and interpret wayside signals, track warrants, bulletins, and railroad rules and regulations to operate locomotive, following safety rules and regulations and time schedule.
• Talk to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information.
• Confere with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains.
• May assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved in performing switching operations.
• Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake and tie handbrakes.
• Observe track to detect obstructions.
• Inspect locomotive after run to detect damaged or defective equipment.
• Maintain records of number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched.
• May coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower.
• Raise coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars.
• Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals, or radio.
• Climb ladder to top of car, ride atop cars, and turn hand wheel to set brakes or control the speed of the car when it has been shunted.
• Connect air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force.
• Walk along tops of cars and peer down between them to inspect couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes.
• Set warning signals such as flares, flags, lanterns, or torpedoes at front and rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains.
• Sit or ride in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members.
• Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses, and journal boxes, and report any equipment requiring major repairs.
• Perform other duties as requested or required.

• High school education or general education development (GED).
• Must have or have had 49
  
  CFR
  242 and/or 49
  
  CFR
  240 qualifications.
• At least 1-year job‑related experience; or equivalent education and experience.
• Ability to pass training and required testing.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.

• Apply common sense and understanding to carry out written and oral instructions.
• Write legibly.
• Perform duties that require heavy lifting.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Have a flexible work schedule.
• Recognize problems.
• Knowledge of Roadway Protection Rules.
• Broad understanding of railroad operations.

• Representatives of the work environment include being exposed to outside weather conditions and elements, noise, and fumes from gas, oil, and grease.

• Hammers, ratchets, chisels, pry bars, wrenches, and brushes.
• PPE: hard hat, vest, safety glasses, FR clothing, gloves, steel‑toed boots.