Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Railroad Conductor
What railroad conductors actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Report to the yard and receive the train list and work orders. From there, the day usually includes review train paperwork and consist, inspect cars and hazardous materials documentation, and throw switches and couple and uncouple cars. Freight conductors are often on call around the clock, with nights and weekends. Yard jobs may have set shifts.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a railroad conductor working full time.
- Report to the yard and receive the train list and work orders.
- Walk the train, checking hazmat placards and car positions.
- Throw switches and line the route out of the yard.
- Set out cars at an industry, coupling and uncoupling with hand signals.
- Copy a track warrant from the dispatcher.
- Arrive at the terminal and update the paperwork.
- Tie down the train and go off duty.
Where railroad conductors work
Conductors work outdoors in rail yards and along tracks in all weather, walking on ballast and climbing on equipment, as well as in locomotive cabs.
Hours and schedule
Freight conductors are often on call around the clock, with nights and weekends. Yard jobs may have set shifts.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Review train paperwork and consist
- Inspect cars and hazardous materials documentation
- Throw switches and couple and uncouple cars
- Communicate with dispatchers and yard crews
- Monitor signals and authorities with the engineer
- Perform switching moves in yards and industries
- Report delays, defects and incidents
Tools you’ll use every day
- Radios
- Switches and hand brakes
- Lanterns and flashlights
- Tablets with train documents
- PPE: boots, gloves, glasses
- Rulebooks and timetables
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Strong pay and benefits
- No degree required
- Paid training
- Path to locomotive engineer
What’s hard
- On-call, irregular hours
- Outdoor work in harsh weather
- Physically demanding
- Serious hazards around moving equipment
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like working outdoors
- I can handle irregular schedules
- I follow rules carefully
- I like being in charge of a crew
- I want good pay without college
- I’m comfortable around heavy equipment
Not sure? Take the free Railroad Conductor fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use three-step protection before going between cars
- Wear PPE and watch footing on ballast
- Never ride equipment in unsafe positions
- Stay alert for moving equipment on adjacent tracks