Being a conductor takes over your life Conductors work long days (anywhere from 11 to 13 hours, typically), they have to maneuver heavy machinery in sometimes terrible weather conditions, and they can’t really plan time off for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries.
What skills do you need to be a train conductor?
To be successful as a train conductor, you should be observant, alert, and adept at handling passengers’ concerns. Ultimately, an outstanding train conductor should be able to communicate effectively with crew members and passengers as well as demonstrate excellent problem-solving and customer service skills.
Do train conductors sleep?
In the United States, train conductors are not provided sleeping accommodations because they have to stay awake throughout their work period. Sleeping on the job is a fireable offense. On American passenger trains, there are two types of crews.
What’s the top pay for a train conductor?
Railroad Conductor Salaries
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| BNSF Railway Railroad Conductor salaries – 350 salaries reported | $69,903/yr |
| Union Pacific Railroad Conductor salaries – 339 salaries reported | $71,996/yr |
| Norfolk Southern Railroad Conductor salaries – 257 salaries reported | $63,782/yr |
Do conductors actually drive the train?
Locomotive engineers drive passenger and freight trains, while conductors manage the activities of the crew and passengers on the train. Conductors may take payments or tickets from passengers and assist them when they have any difficulties.
What challenges do train conductors face?
- Checking that equipment, doors and controls are working properly.
- Making sure the train is clean, safe and ready for departure.
- Using the brake in an emergency.
- Reporting and dealing with any on-train incidents.
- In an emergency, looking after the welfare of the passengers.
Do train conductors work on Sundays?
Sunday Working: The guaranteed working week on the railway has always run from Monday to Saturday with Sundays counted as voluntary overtime.
Do train conductors get to go home?
Sometimes when there is not enough train traffic they will send taxis to take crews home, but that is usually not the case. Once you get back to the home terminal, you either put your train away or swap crews, and head back home before you are back on call in 10 more hours, minus drive time.
Do train conductors have a bathroom?
Can the train be put on “automatic”? The Conductor and the Engineer are both in the cab of the lead locomotive on an over the road freight train. The conductor is free to get up at any time to use the restroom. The engineer is the person at the controls who is actually operating the locomotive.
What is a train conductors life like?
Conductors work long days (anywhere from 11 to 13 hours, typically), they have to maneuver heavy machinery in sometimes terrible weather conditions, and they can’t really plan time off for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. A former conductor told Reddit: “It is a career that kills marriage.”
Do Train Conductors travel a lot?
Requirements to Become a Railroad Conductor
But it does help to know what you’re getting into. As mentioned, conductors travel. A lot. Starting off, you may work an unpredictable schedule, perhaps without even a promise of a 40 hour work week.
Do train conductors make 6 figures?
Salary Ranges for Train Conductors
The salaries of Train Conductors in the US range from $13,808 to $373,999 , with a median salary of $66,833 . The middle 57% of Train Conductors makes between $66,837 and $168,912, with the top 86% making $373,999.
How long does it take to be a conductor on a train?
Completing Job Training and Becoming a Conductor
Some train companies require new conductors to complete a 5-6 week training program–often offered through a community college or technical school. These programs often lead to a certificate in railroad conductor technology.
Is conducting a train easy?
I would say driving a train is not as simple as driving a car, and it varies between freight and passenger trains. True—you don’t have to steer, but the braking is much more complicated, and you certainly don’t want to spread your train around over the countryside when you brake.
How physical is a train conductor job?
You’ll most likely have to do some of the physical labor that’s mostly associated with freight crews and yardmasters. You’ll spend time loading and unloading heavy materials from a freight train, uncoupling cars by hand, and a whole lot more tasks that really work the arms and back.
Do you have to have good vision to be a train conductor?
Since part of the job will include hearing warning sounds and reading signs, you will need to have excellent hearing and vision. Most employers will require you to pass a physical examination if you want to work as a train conductor.
How many days a week do train conductors work?
May work nights, weekends, and holidays, since trains travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. May work multiple shifts in one day. Choice of shift comes with seniority. May work odd hours and on short notice when working on freight trains.
What does a day in the life of a train conductor look like?
Day-to-day tasks
check the carriages are clean before the start of a journey. make sure equipment, doors and controls are working properly. greet customers and create a welcoming atmosphere. walk through carriages during the journey to check tickets and travel documents.
What are the disadvantages of train transport?
Another disadvantages of railway transport is its inflexibility. It routes and timings cannot be adjusted to individual requirements. Rail transport cannot provide door to door service as it is tied to a particular track. Intermediate loading or unloading involves greater cost, more wear and tear and wastage of time.
Can train conductors wake you up?
Can train inspectors wake you up? There is technically no rule against sleeping on trains, but passengers can regularly be woken up by train inspectors. Ticket inspection is one of the main reasons people’s sleep is disturbed on public transport.
How do train drivers go to the toilet?
Now, the only way to use the bathroom while operating the train, is to stop the train, because the cameras in the cab watch every move the crew makes, for management to find the crew doing something against the rules, so they can fire the crew from their job, because that is the current corporate culture we are forced