Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Transportation & Material Moving
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-4031
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
• Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.
• Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Inspect each car periodically during runs.
• Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.
• Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Adjustable wrenches, Automated equipment identification AEI software, Automatic container locks, Bourque Data Systems YardMaster, Bridge plates, Cable sheath cutters, Car pullers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Locomotive Engineers
• Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
• Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
• Subway and Streetcar Operators
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
• First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
• Air Traffic Controllers
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.