These conductors are not limited to Amtrak and long cross country trips. Passenger train conductors may also be found on transport as small and simple as a city trolley. Some subway systems, like the New York City Subway, still employ conductors as well, despite the fact that many of the conductors’ duties on these smaller trains are either automated or performed by the driver.
If you’re interested in becoming a passenger train conductor, take a look at the chapter on conductor responsibilities. This job does not have the same physical requirements as that of a freight train conductor, however, it is still very demanding and involves working with a wide variety of people. One might argue that it takes the most patience.
A Quick Comparison
We’ve already covered the main difference between these two conductor professions, however, if you look closely at these positions, you’ll notice that there are some key differences worth considering beyond customer service.
Freight train conductors:
Generally travel longer distances than passenger train conductors.
Tend to work in greater isolation.
Have more physical demands placed on them.
Receive little assistance from other personnel (typically freight trains only employ one conductor and one engineer these days).
Passenger train conductors:
Travel long and short distances depending on the type of passenger train.
Work with people (even if they don’t have assisting personnel, they still have passengers to attend to).
Have fewer physical demands placed on them.
May receive assistance from other personnel depending on the type of train and length of the journey.
These jobs may have similar names. But if you scratch the surface, you’ll easily uncover very different positions for very different temperaments. Take a moment to consider what it would be like to travel across the United States in a freight train with only one other person. Imagine having to stay alert that whole time with no one else to delegate to or even talk to half the time. It’s an important job but not one for those easily made lonely.
Now consider the alternative. It’s your responsibility to make sure the trains run on time. However, herding a hundred passengers feels a lot like herding cats. They’re confused about where to go, where to sit, or who to pay. They have questions, concerns, and complaints. You start fantasizing about that career you passed up in freight train conducting, thinking that it would be so much easier to just latch on a batch of cargo that can’t talk than to try and be on time with this circus.
Don’t get me wrong. If you’re interested in a career as a conductor, you’re barking up a very noble tree. However, it never hurts to think about the real challenges each of these professions is most likely to face when deciding which conductor path you want to walk down.
Chapter Four: Responsibilities
When we imagine train conductors, we imagine men in smart suits with pocket watches blowing whistles as they usher passengers onto cars. They shout “all aboard” before disappearing onto the train themselves and sliding the door closed behind them. The role seems charming and, in a way, even laid back. When conductors walk the train platform, they stroll. When they check their watch, it’s never with a hurried expression. And they always smile at the passengers.
While being a conductor could be a relaxed and pleasant job for the right person, let’s take a moment to disabuse ourselves of the notion that this is in any way an easy job. The responsibilities of the conductor are varied and, at times, complex. They require vigilance, patience, and a meticulous attention to detail. Rather than list all of the responsibilities in one large chunk, we’ve divided them up into four main categories. Remember from the last chapter that not every conductor will do all of the responsibilities listed here. Duties may vary depending on the type of train involved or even that company’s particular best practices.
Customer Service
This is primarily the realm of the passenger train conductor. That’s not to say that these conductors don’t have a wide variety of other responsibilities. But freight conductors, who don’t deal with human cargo, don’t have to concern themselves with any of the following.
Ushering passengers on and off the train.
Taking tickets or issuing them to passengers already on the train.
Making announcements to passengers.
Answering passenger questions related to travel.
Handling unexpected delays due to passenger issues (passengers may fall ill or have an accident).
Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.
Think of the conductor as a host. Although the conductor has many more responsibilities behind the scenes, he or she is also there to make the passengers feel comfortable and welcome. Train travel is an aesthetic experience as much as it is a functional one.
Crew Management
As modern freight trains generally only have a conductor and an engineer, there is not much crew for the conductor to manage. Occasionally, a brakeman may be available to assist, but typically the conductor fulfills both his responsibilities and those that would normally have been delegated to a brakeman, including some repairs and operating train switches. The following duties are more relevant for passenger conductors.
Delegating responsibilities to assistant conductors.
Making announcements to crew.
Delegating responsibilities to other crew members (such as instructing them to make repairs or operate switches).
Freight train conductors do manage on site crews like the switch engine crew when trains are in the yard. They also coordinate the loading and unloading of cargo with the help of onsite crews. One could say the role is as much about diplomacy and cooperation as it is about delegation and management.
Train Management
When we talk about train management, we are talking about overseeing the operation of the train. This means knowing what’s on it, where it’s going, and when. It also means that the train is operating according to industry standards. The following duties are relevant to both passenger and freight train conductors.
Making sure the train sticks to its schedule.
Coordinating the train’s movement with the dispatcher and engineer.
Ensuring that the proper cargo is picked up or dropped off that the proper locations.
Knowing what cargo is on the train at all times.
Checking that the crew and train follow relevant safety standards.
Corresponding with other conductors and stations while en-route.
Paying attention to signals, such as switch positions, weather, and track obstructions.
Some of this may sound straight-forward, but much of it is easier said than done. After all, sticking to a schedule can be tricky when you must wait for passengers to board or exit a train, passengers who are all intent to move at their own pace. And freight trains don’t have it any easier. Moving and checking cars all take time.
Ensuring that the train is running on time and checking for signals is a matter of safety as much as it’s a matter of convenience. If one train starts running behind, it can affect the schedules of other trains that share its track. Wayside signals and constant communication between the conductor, engineer, and dispatcher ensure that all trains are aware of any delays or schedule adjustments. Not paying attention to these changes could result in a train collision, which in turn could be fatal.
Paperwork
If you’re interested in becoming a conductor in order to escape your dull and sedentary office job, allow us to disappoint you. True, the job of a conductor is more active and you won’t be spending your hours constantly behind a computer. But if you thought you were going to escape paperwork, think again. Conductors, like most other professions, have their fair share of paperwork to complete while on their journey. Listed below are the most common types. However, each railroad company operates with its own set of expectations and the exact extent and nature of the paperwork
could vary.
Writing reports detailing any incidents or delays.
Reviewing waybills (documents detailing the contents of a train).
Reviewing consignment notes (documents containing shipping information for specific cargo).
Keeping logs detailing all cargo and stops.
Reviewing work orders.
Reviewing bulletins which may contain pertinent information for the journey.
Reviewing switch lists that keep track of the changing of cars on the train.
Although it may not sound the most exciting, paperwork is the conductor’s best friend. Conductors must be organized in order to keep track of shifting schedules and cargo. Waybills, consignment notes, work orders, and logs help conductors manage all of this information. Careful documentation can also help conductors in the event there is a complaint. Keeping thorough track of the train’s movement can protect conductors when others try to make unfounded claims.
Manual Tasks
Conducting a train is a manual pursuit in general. Therefore, it seems a bit odd to have a separate list for manual tasks. However, it bears repeating that there is a significant physical aspect to this job (especially for freight train conductors). While some of these may seem easy, others require no small degree of physical strength.
Controlling the train’s movement when it is running in reverse.
Coupling and uncoupling cars (attaching and detaching them).
Switching (also known as Shunting), which puts cars in position to be coupled and uncoupled.
Checking that the train cars are clean and undamaged prior to the start of a journey.
Making sure equipment (such as doors) are working properly prior to the start of a journey.
Assisting crew in making repairs whenever able or necessary.
Assisting engineer in checking brakes.
While some of the aforementioned tasks do require a degree of physical strength, you don’t need to be Hulk Hogan to become a train conductor. That being said, if you’re not one for physical activity and you find any amount of reasonable heavy lifting to be too much, this may not be the career path for you. Typically, train crew are expected to be able to lift at least fifty pounds on a regular basis. They may be asked to lift closer to eighty or ninety pounds on the rare occasion. This is true of conductors as well; their position of authority does not make them immune to hard work in the train yard.
Jack of All Trades
As you can see, the job of the train conductor, whether freight or passenger, is a complicated one. What’s more, it involves everything from people skills for managing passengers and crew to mechanical skills for assessing the safety of the train and assisting in repairs. While the following are not set in stone requirements for the job, they certainly couldn’t hurt.
Attention to detail. This is about more than just paperwork. A strict attention to detail will help a conductor better note any safety issues on the train when running inspections. What’s more, conductors who are detail oriented will have an easier time noticing suspicious activity.
A good memory for details. This is particularly relevant for passenger conductors who may find themselves inundated with questions about arrival times, routes, and policies. If a conductor has to constantly consult the books every time a passenger asks a question, it will appear unprofessional and slow things down.
Ability to multitask. A conductor’s attention is constantly being pulled in multiple directions. This is especially true of passenger train conductors who need to manage passenger complaints and requests in and around managing the train, doing their paperwork, and more. However, freight train conductors can also find themselves pulled in multiple directions. Even as they are looking over their paperwork, they need to be alert for communications regarding schedule changes or wayside signals that could affect the trip.
Patience Anyone who has ever worked a position in customer service would say that this goes without saying. After all, travelers can be an anxious bunch and that tension can easily turn into lashing out. Passenger train conductors must keep a cool head to be able to diffuse situations and maintain a professional demeanor. Freight train conductors also need patience, just a slightly different kind. While remaining vigilant during long journeys, it is easy to allow your mind to wander.
Problem solving skills Anyone can make a decision or have a knee jerk reaction. Conductors, however, need to make smart and reasoned decisions (sometimes under pressure). This is not a job for people who like mindless, automated work. Nor is it a job for people accustomed to following directions. Conductors must be able to think critically and trust in their ability to make the right choices.
Organization skills Train conductors have to be on top of a variety of things. This means keeping track of tickets, money, and more. It also means keeping careful records regarding schedules and cargo. This may seem redundant, as we’ve already covered “attention to detail” and “a good memory for details.” But it’s worth mentioning this skill on its own. After all, it’s not enough to just pay attention. Conductors need to be meticulous about keeping track of things and they need to know where their paperwork is at all times so as to access it with little trouble.
Clerical skills This overlaps with “organizational skills” somewhat. However, Clerical skills are about more than just filing out your paperwork in a logical manner. Clerical skills include things like data entry, working phones, and being competent with basic computer programs. In short, a conductor needs to understand the tools related to the more administrative aspects of his job and how to use them most effectively. This includes understanding the paperwork and filling it out correctly.
Mechanical skills Nobody is asking a prospective conductor to be a mechanical engineer. However, it would serve any prospective conductor well to have some basic knowledge when it comes to mechanical systems. It also doesn’t hurt to have an aptitude for mechanics, as that will help anyone looking to learn on the go. As most conductors work their way up from a lesser position on the train crew, they generally already have some working knowledge of train systems.
If you are seeking employment as a conductor and feel overwhelmed by this list of tasks and qualifications, fret not. As with any position, skilled or otherwise, there is a degree of “on the job” training. This training is extensive and can sometimes last for months. It includes instruction on day to day tasks, train operating procedures, safety regulations, and more. Trust that train companies do not want to throw their conductors in the deep end. There’s no place for a sink or swim policy when the safety of people and equipment is at stake.
Chapter Five: Modern Working Conditions
We’ve already spent a great deal of time talking about what train conductors do. So it’s not difficult to imagine what their working conditions may be like. However, given the relative risks involved in such a career, it’s important to outline exactly what those conditions are. To start, we’ll be taking a look at a day on the life of both a freight train conductor and a passenger train conductor. In this way, we’ll get a better picture of what it might be like to have one of these roles.
Keep in mind that when we talk about the day in the life of a conductor, we are using the word “day” very loosely. Trains, whether passenger or freight, may travel at all times during the day or night. Therefore, when a conductor starts his or her “day,” it might be eight in the morning or it might be eleven at night. What’s more, the day doesn’t end exactly eight hours later the way you might expect a typical office job to end. Depending on the line and the length of the journey, conductors could be away from home for more than twenty-four hours.
Also keep in mind that every conductor job can be subtly different depending on the company that conductor works for. Some jobs may promise more regular hours or more reasonable days right off the bat, particularly if the distances traveled are short. However, the following description should give you a general idea of what you’re likely to expect as a conductor and most of t
he activities described will apply to most conductor positions.
A Day in the Life of a Freight Train Conductor
A freight train conductor gets a call and is told when his next trip or “tour of duty” is. When he arrives, he first reviews all of the paperwork for that trip, making sure that everything is in order, including that the train is authorized to use the track. Once he’s finished checking and double checking the paperwork, he briefs the crew on the details of that journey and any relevant safety measures. Finally, he conducts a physical inspection of the train.
At this point, things can vary somewhat. The next step is to ensure that the train is loaded with the proper cargo. This could involve waiting for another train, traveling to a specific location to acquire the cargo, or simply shifting train cars to make sure the correct cars are attached to the train. Shifting could involve walking on ballast (the material, usually stones, upon which the track is laid), riding end ladders along cars that are being moved, or coupling and uncoupling train cars.
Once the train is ready to go, the conductor spends his time keeping an eye out for signals and obstructions, reviewing paperwork, and staying in constant communication with the engineer, dispatcher, and other conductors. This doesn’t have to be as tedious as it might sound. Freight train conductors who love their jobs appreciate the freedom of traveling through open country. There are, in fact, parts of the country that can only be seen by rail. And for many, the fresh air combined with minimal supervision can make this a very appealing position.
Conductor- The Heart & Soul of the Railroad Page 3