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This question is about what a train engineer does, what a conductor does, and train engineer.
Train Engineer vs. Conductor
A train engineer is someone who operates passenger or freight trains, while a conductor is a railroad employee who coordinates the daily activities of a train crew.
Train engineers, also known as locomotive engineers, generally travel long distances with locomotives or commuter trains. They monitor a train's speed, air pressure, and battery use to make sure a train is operating as efficiently as possible. They may also check a train's mechanical conditions and make maintenance and mechanical adjustments when necessary.
A conductor's responsibilities vary depending on if they are working on a passenger or cargo train. A freight train's conductor, for example, supervises the loading and unloading of cargo, while a passenger train conductor primarily supervises the crew. All conductors are in charge of seeing their train and its passengers or cargo reach the destination on schedule.
Here are the key differences between a train engineer and a conductor:
Train engineers have an education and experience in train engineering
Conductors do not need a technical education in locomotives
Train engineers handle mechanical oversight and maintenance on trains, conductors do not
Conductors take passenger's tickets when boarding a train and assist them in other ways throughout their travel experience
Train engineers have a higher salary on average than conductors
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