Railroad Conductor / Yardmaster

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Conductor; Freight Conductor; Freight Train Conductor; Local Freight Conductor; Railroad Conductor; Railway Yardmaster; Thru Freight Conductor; Train Master; Trainman; Yardmaster

Tasks

• Observe yard traffic to determine tracks available to accommodate inbound and outbound traffic.
• Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.
• Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
• Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
• Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
• Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
• Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
• Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
• Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
• Operate controls to activate track switches and traffic signals.
• 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.
• Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.

Knowledge

• Public Safety and Security
• Transportation
• English Language
• Education and Training
• Law and Government

Skills

• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Information Ordering
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Reaction Time
• Written Expression
• Category Flexibility
• Perceptual Speed
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Control Precision
• Auditory Attention
• Flexibility of Closure
• Time Sharing
• Depth Perception