Freight Conductor - Freight Conductors Specialties

Freight Conductors Specialties

1) Yard Foreman - A yard foreman, is a freight conductor that has been assigned to a yard job. Yard jobs are divided into 2 categories; Switcher and Industry Switcher.

Yard Foreman Switcher - A Yard foreman assigned to a yard switcher crew is responsible for sorting inbound trains. This is done by pulling out a single track and placing the rail cars from that track into other assigned tracks, as directed by the Yardmaster.

Switch/local Conductor - A switch/local conductor is responsible for servicing local industry customers close to their assigned rail yard. This is done by gathering rail cars from one or more tracks within the yard, as assigned by the Yardmaster, then transporting those rail cars to the assigned industries; and placing them in their designated "spots". The Industry switcher is also responsible for "pulling" the cars that the customer has "Ordered Out", and returning them to the rail yard for classification and placement in an outbound train.

2) Remote Control Yard Foreman - A remote control yard foreman, has the same duties as a "Yard Foreman". The difference is that he or she also controls the movement of the locomotive with a remote control device.

3) Road Conductor - The road conductor is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of trains from one terminal to another, generally located in another city or state. The Road foreman is the employee in charge of the assignment and is responsible to ensure that all safety guidelines are met, as well as ensuring that all of the rail cars within the train are "Set Out" at the appropriate stop; often referred to as a "Terminal".