Railway Conductor

Requisition ID 33465 -Posted 04/29/2026 - Railroad Operations

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco .

Here’s what you can expect from Watco:

Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek

Competitive compensation and benefits

Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers

Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center

Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University

Career advancement opportunities

Job Summary

The conductor/switchman position will control and coordinate the train movements while switching railcars whether in the yard of a railroad, industrial plant, or similar location to facilitate the unloading and loading of railcars in a safe and efficient manner to service our customers. This position is a manual labor position which requires that the individual become proficient in the following skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance

Follow written and verbal directions to complete assigned tasks on schedule

Read, write, and communicate in English & understand basic math

Learn from directions, observations, and mistakes and apply procedures using good judgment

Read switching orders from designated person

Supervise and coordinate the activities of train crews

Receive oral or written instructions from Manager or Customer indicating which cars are to be switched

Notify engineer of switching orders and which cars are to be moved to specified locations of yard, using radio, verbal or hand signals

Talk to crew or other yard workers via radio to give or receive switching information

Confere with train dispatcher via radio to issue or receive information or instructions concerning stops, delays, or oncoming trains

Give instructions to throw track switches and to couple and uncouple cars

Assist workers to throw switches or perform other activities involved when performing switching operations

Turn hand brake wheel or ratchet type brake as well to apply and release handbrakes

Observe track to detect obstructions

Maintain records, number, origin, destination, and cargo of cars switched

Coordinate activities of switching crew from locomotive cab, caboose, or control tower

Raise coupling lever to couple or uncouple cars

Throw track switches to facilitate shunting of cars and signal Engineer to move cars, using lantern, arm signals or radio

Connect air hose to cars when making up trains by bending and applying force

Set warning signals, such as flares, flags, or lanterns at front of and at rear of train during emergency stops to warn oncoming trains

Sit or ride in cab of locomotive to observe signals from other crew members

Make minor repairs to couplings, air hoses and report any equipment requiring major repairs

Talk to Dispatcher via radio to give or receive switching information

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to pass and or obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.

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