O*NET Career Intelligence

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

SOC 53-4031.00

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.

Green Occupation Zone 2 Transportation and Material Moving

Skills

Knowledge

Job Zone

Yes

Green

Top Skills 8

Speaking

3.8

Monitoring

3.8

Coordination

3.8

Critical Thinking

3.6

Active Listening

3.5

Judgment and Decision Making

3.5

Time Management

3.5

Operation Monitoring

3.4

Knowledge Areas 8

Public Safety and Security

4.0

Transportation

4.0

English Language

3.5

Education and Training

3.1

Law and Government

3.0

Customer and Personal Service

2.9

Telecommunications

2.9

Mechanical

2.9

Key Tasks

1Signal engineers to begin train runs, stop trains, or change speed, using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.

2Confer with engineers regarding train routes, timetables, and cargoes, and to discuss alternative routes when there are rail defects or obstructions.

3Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.

4Receive instructions from dispatchers regarding trains' routes, timetables, and cargoes.

5Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.

Also Known As

Agent Car Chaser Car Dispatcher Car Distributor Car Spotter Centralized Traffic Control Operator (CTC Operator) Conductor Conductor and Engineer Conductor, Freight Conductor/Brakeman