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Conductor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical conductor skills. We ranked the top skills for conductors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 28.3% of conductor resumes contained switches as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a conductor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 conductor skills for your resume and career

1. Switches

Here's how conductors use switches:
  • Couple and uncouple cars, operate switches and make repairs to include replacing heavy couplings or air brake hoses.
  • Review schedules, throw rail switches, maintain shipping records and paperwork, properly distribute weight throughout the train.

2. Electrical Connections

Here's how conductors use electrical connections:
  • Couple air and electrical connections between locomotives, tie manual hand breaks when needed.
  • Maintain couple air and electrical connections between locomotives when making up trains.

3. Locomotives

Here's how conductors use locomotives:
  • Performed hostler operations of operating locomotives between various shop locations, service tracks and switching areas.
  • Facilitated maintenance and timely repairs of damaged pipe lines/gaskets on locomotives and rail cars.

4. Conductors

Here's how conductors use conductors:
  • Implemented and directed training program, coaching more than 200 new hire conductors on train operating rules and procedures.
  • Conduct orientation meeting for new hire conductors upon arrival to Montgomery Terminal to begin Phase II of conductor training.

5. FRA

Here's how conductors use fra:
  • Maintained positive relationships with external partners through an understanding of FRA regulations.
  • Certified FRA Conductor and Locomotive Engineer

6. Field Training

Here's how conductors use field training:
  • Provided on the job field training to new hire Conductor candidates during all phases of training.
  • Received passing scores on all field training exercises and event recorder evaluations.

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7. Hand Signals

Hand signals are signs made using the hands to indicate or communicate certain instructions to anyone when audio communication won't be possible. Hand signals are used to flag down cabs, gesture at people from a distance, teach the deaf, and wave at someone. All these are in cases where voicing out the instructions won't be audible on the end of the receiver.

Here's how conductors use hand signals:
  • Railroad Conductor responsible for signaling engineers to monitor train operation and speed using telecommunications equipment or hand signals.
  • Communicated by radio and hand signals to the engineer all safety and federal regulatory procedures.

8. Federal Safety Rules

Here's how conductors use federal safety rules:
  • Comply with company and federal safety rules, policies and procedures, responding to safety concerns and taking appropriate action.
  • Maintain constant awareness of safety; comply with company and federal safety rules, policies and procedures.

9. Hazardous Materials

Any substance or good that is harmful to human health as well as the environment are called hazardous materials. Such materials must be handled carefully to avoid any mishaps. Harmful gases. chemicals, strong medicines or drugs, radioactive elements required for radiation purposes, a human blood sample that carries germs, all of these are considered hazardous materials.

Here's how conductors use hazardous materials:
  • Maintained excellent scores in General Code of Operating Rules, Hazardous Materials, and Federal regulations examinations.
  • Observed and communicated Federal Regulations concerning rail traffic and hazardous materials.

10. Radio Signals

Here's how conductors use radio signals:
  • Observed, interpreted and relayed arm, lantern or radio signals and all other indications affecting movement of a train.
  • Observe, interpret and relay arm or radio signals when needed.

11. Hazmat

Hazmat is a combination of the words ‘hazardous' and ‘material'. The meaning of this word is found in the integration of the aforementioned words -- which is dangerous or toxic material.

Here's how conductors use hazmat:
  • Reviewed and verified the train paperwork and train lists were accurate and in accordance with HAZMAT and other federal regulations.
  • Ensured the safe movement and positioning of HAZMAT containers.

12. Train Cars

Here's how conductors use train cars:
  • Informed supervisors about location of train cars verbally and through company specific computer programs.
  • Work on trains transporting 53 foot tractor trailer and train cars of coal and loaded them onto large coal ships.

13. Federal Regulations

Federal regulations refer to the set of rules, both general and permanent that are published in the Federal Register by the agencies of the federal government and the executive departments. Federal regulations are the large body of rules that govern federal practice. Examples of these laws include taxes and financial regulation, discrimination law, wages law, and so on.

Here's how conductors use federal regulations:
  • Comply with all Federal regulations, work safely and efficiently on a daily basis, and work in various weather conditions
  • Comply with all federal regulations regarding the operation of the train air brakes.

14. Radio Communications

Here's how conductors use radio communications:
  • Control locomotive switching movements with radio communications while also communicating with yardmasters and other switching crews.
  • Communicated with dispatch via radio communications for all train movements and information related to safety requirements.

15. Train Movement

Here's how conductors use train movement:
  • Administer and document significant events associated with train movement and operation.
  • Communicate and report information concerning train movements and work orders.
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List of conductor skills to add to your resume

Conductor Skills

The most important skills for a conductor resume and required skills for a conductor to have include:

  • Switches
  • Electrical Connections
  • Locomotives
  • Conductors
  • FRA
  • Field Training
  • Hand Signals
  • Federal Safety Rules
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Radio Signals
  • Hazmat
  • Train Cars
  • Federal Regulations
  • Radio Communications
  • Train Movement
  • Safety Equipment
  • Lanterns
  • Communication Devices
  • Safety Procedures
  • Train Orders
  • Freight Cars
  • Outbound Traffic
  • Train Operations
  • RCO
  • Rail Yard
  • Traffic Signals
  • Identify Solutions
  • CSX
  • Bnsf
  • Freight Trains
  • Precise Adjustments
  • Yard Operations
  • WAY Bills
  • Outbound Trains
  • Uncouple Cars
  • Air Brake Hoses
  • Gcor
  • Locomotive Equipment
  • Switch Points

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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