What does a conductor do?
Conductors are generally responsible for interpreting the composition to reflect the set demonstration in that composition, setting the rhythm, making sure of the precise entries, and creating the proper phrasing. They communicate with their musicians fundamentally through hand gestures with the use of a baton and may use other signals like eye contact. Also, they routinely augment their direction with a verbal command to their musicians in rehearsal. Additionally, they act as guides to the orchestra, choose the work they're supposed to present and studying the composition, formulate their interpretation, and attend to organizational matters.
Conductor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real conductor resumes:
- Provide excellent leadership by training new conductors in railroad rules and regulations, while simultaneously managing the train yard.
- Manage all commodities, crew, safety, and efficient delivery of each assign train and while following strict FRA guidelines.
- Review and verify the train paperwork and train lists are accurate and in accordance with HAZMAT and other federal regulations.
- Claim ladders to tops of cars to set brakes, make minor repairs to couplings air hoses, using have tools.
- Qualify RCL operator and instructor.
- Service customers including Paxon, Rhodia and Exxon.
- Ensure the safe movement and positioning of HAZMAT containers.
- Use lanterns to give signals to employees governing movement of the train.
- Operate locomotive equipment with and without the use of a RCO device.
- Climb and hang on ladders on side of cars and apply and release brakes
- Communicate with engineers and other staff using lanterns, arm signals, or radio.
- Receive oral or written instructions from yardmasters or yard conductors indicating track assignments and cars to be switch.
- Train and educate new and experience rail transportation employees on CSX operational rules, safety and best practices.
- Work to meet and exceed transportation and safety goals within specify time frames according to senior management and CSX company goals.
- Maintain positive relationships with external partners through an understanding of FRA regulations.
Conductor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Conductors are proficient in Switches, Electrical Connections, and Locomotives. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Hand-eye coordination.
We break down the percentage of Conductors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Switches, 28%
Couple and uncouple cars, operate switches and make repairs to include replacing heavy couplings or air brake hoses.
- Electrical Connections, 16%
Couple air and electrical connections between locomotives, tie manual hand breaks when needed.
- Locomotives, 14%
Performed hostler operations of operating locomotives between various shop locations, service tracks and switching areas.
- Conductors, 7%
Implemented and directed training program, coaching more than 200 new hire conductors on train operating rules and procedures.
- FRA, 6%
Maintained positive relationships with external partners through an understanding of FRA regulations.
- Field Training, 6%
Provided on the job field training to new hire Conductor candidates during all phases of training.
Most conductors use their skills in "switches," "electrical connections," and "locomotives" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential conductor responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a conductor to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what conductors do because "railroad workers must be able to communicate with other crewmembers, dispatchers, and passengers to ensure safety and keep the trains on schedule." Additionally, a conductor resume shows how conductors use communication skills: "have the ability to perform proper bnsf radio communication. "
Customer-service skills. Many conductor duties rely on customer-service skills. "conductors on passenger trains ensure travelers’ comfort, make announcements, and answer questions," so a conductor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways conductor responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "switched storage cars, spotted customer cars, determined train sequence for interchanges and communicated with bnsf at interchange point. "
Hand-eye coordination. This is an important skill for conductors to perform their duties. For an example of how conductor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "locomotive engineers must operate controls based, in part, on their observations of the train’s surroundings." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a conductor: "organize and assemble trains in train yard - comply with federal rules and regulations in coordination with safe train handling".
Hearing ability. conductor responsibilities often require "hearing ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "to ensure safety on the train and in the rail yard, railroad workers must be able to hear warning signals and communicate with other employees." This resume example shows what conductors do with hearing ability on a typical day: "conducted internal investigations and acted as charging officer during disciplinary hearings. "
Leadership skills. Another crucial skill for a conductor to carry out their responsibilities is "leadership skills." A big part of what conductors relies on this skill, since "on some trains, a conductor directs a crew." How this skill relates to conductor duties can be seen in an example from a conductor resume snippet: "provided excellent leadership by training new conductors in railroad rules and regulations, while simultaneously managing the train yard. "
Mechanical skills. While "mechanical skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to conductor responsibilities. Much of what a conductor does relies on this skill, seeing as "railroad workers should be able to adjust equipment when it does not work properly." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of conductors: "integrated electro-mechanical components such as displays, switches, cables and connectors. "
The three companies that hire the most conductors are:
- Genesee & Wyoming84 conductors jobs
- BNSF Railway31 conductors jobs
- Kansas City Southern22 conductors jobs
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Compare different conductors
Conductor vs. Switchman
The job of a switchman is to operate the track switches for railroads. Your day-to-day duties typically include operating the brakes and switches, attaching and detaching freight cars, and conducting a routine inspection of important train parts. Additionally, you will be responsible for visually checking the conditions of switches, and relaying radio, arm, and lantern signals that affect train movement. A switchman typically gets and follow instructions from the freight operator, and may be required to assist in setting train brakes and adding or removing cars.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, conductor responsibilities require skills like "conductors," "basic math," "field training," and "math." Meanwhile a typical switchman has skills in areas such as "ladders," "rail cars," "air hoses," and "track switches." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that switchmen earn slightly differ from conductors. In particular, switchmen are 4.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a conductor. Additionally, they're 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Conductor vs. Trainman
Each career also uses different skills, according to real conductor resumes. While conductor responsibilities can utilize skills like "electrical connections," "conductors," "basic math," and "field training," trainmen use skills like "rail cars," "safety rules," "equipment inspections," and "customer service."
In general, trainmen achieve similar levels of education than conductors. They're 1.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Conductor vs. Trains dispatcher supervisor
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from conductor resumes include skills like "switches," "electrical connections," "locomotives," and "conductors," whereas a trains dispatcher supervisor is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "emergency situations," "dot," and "assist safety. "
When it comes to education, trains dispatcher supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to conductors. In fact, they're 2.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Conductor vs. Railroad dispatcher
Types of conductor
Updated January 8, 2025
