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Railroad Conductors & Yardmasters

Also called: Conductor, Engineer, Railroad Conductor, Yardmaster

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
  • Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
  • Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.

Knowledge

Transportation
  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
Business
  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills
  • talking to others
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things
Hearing and Speech
  • speak clearly
  • recognize spoken words
Controlled Movement
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Industrial control software
  • Automated equipment identification AEI software
  • RailComm DocYard
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
  • Bourque Data Systems YardMaster
  • Freight reservation software
Inventory management software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Softrail AEI Rail & Road Manager

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$53,880
per year, on average
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Green
This work is part of the green economy.

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about railroad conductors and yardmasters.