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Train Conductor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical train conductor skills. We ranked the top skills for train conductors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 17.5% of train conductor resumes contained switches as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a train conductor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 train conductor skills for your resume and career

1. Switches

Here's how train conductors use switches:
  • Operated track switches and derails to change routing of engines or cars within yards or on the road.
  • Couple and uncouple cars, operate switches and make minor repairs to cars.

2. Rail Cars

Rail Cars, also called railroad cars, are large containers set on a railway and pulled by a locomotive. Rail cars are frequently used for shipping large quantities of product or material, such as metal, chemicals, or livestock; however, a rail car may also transport people such as a subway system. A locomotive often pulls numerous cars that attach to each other, which then form a train.

Here's how train conductors use rail cars:
  • Climbed on and off equipment, set or released hand brakes, coupled and uncoupled air hoses between rail cars.
  • Job Experiences/Skills: Lining rail cars in yard tracks for building incoming and outgoing trains.

3. FRA

Here's how train conductors use fra:
  • Train Conductor: Follow industry, FRA, and company specific safety policies and working standards.
  • Train Services, operation of freight train per FRA regulations, safety, radio communications.

4. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how train conductors use safety procedures:
  • Provided training to all new hires in the areas of safety procedures, policies and standards, and compliance regulations.
  • Ensured the train followed numerous safety procedures.

5. Ladders

Here's how train conductors use ladders:
  • Claim ladders to tops of cars to set brakes, make minor repairs to couplings air hoses, using had tools.
  • Have good balance to regularly step on and off equipment and work from ladders to perform various tasks.

6. Locomotives

Here's how train conductors use locomotives:
  • Performed hosteler operations of passenger cars and locomotives in switching areas.
  • Control the operation of motors functioning in the regeneration system and the electric locomotives functioning in power station mode.

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7. 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 train conductors use hazmat:
  • Required attention to detail in train consist and hazmat placements.
  • Reviewed and verified the train paperwork and train lists were accurate and in accordance with HAZMAT and other federal regulations.

8. Track Switches

Here's how train conductors use track switches:
  • Ride cars to inspect track, couple and uncouple cars, and throw track switches.

9. 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 train conductors use hand signals:
  • Train Conductor* Train operations* Effective communication using hand signals and radio communications* Computer skills
  • Direct and conduct movements using two-way radios and hand signals.

10. Train Cars

Here's how train conductors use train cars:
  • Developed knowledge of the layout and workings of a train yard to efficiently reorganize train cars.
  • Welcomed customers as they approached, opened and closed the train car doors for the riders.

11. Safety Regulations

Here's how train conductors use safety regulations:
  • Identify and properly place hazardous material cars per safety regulations.
  • Applied all industry and government safety regulations and followed Amtrak's protocols and procedures.

12. Mechanical Problems

Mechanical problems are used to describe issues that occurred to something involving a machine or tools. For instance, a mechanical problem at the workplace might mean the copier has broken down again. Other examples of mechanical problems in a car include faulty brakes, tire blowouts, etc.

Here's how train conductors use mechanical problems:
  • Prioritized mechanical problems & arranged for repair stops when necessary.
  • Monitor any equipment issues, and prioritize mechanical problems.

13. 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 train conductors use hazardous materials:
  • Passed GCOR Exam, Railroad Signals Exam, And Hazardous Materials Exam all on the first try.
  • Maintain records and follow all hazardous materials requirements.

14. Radio Communications

Here's how train conductors use radio communications:
  • Interacted extensively with train operator, supervisor, and control center through radio communications.
  • Comply with train orders, train signals, radio communications to operate safely and efficiently.

15. Train Movement

Here's how train conductors use train movement:
  • Supervised train movement in rail yards and road services.
  • Paper work for Train Movements.
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List of train conductor skills to add to your resume

Train Conductor Skills

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

  • Switches
  • Rail Cars
  • FRA
  • Safety Procedures
  • Ladders
  • Locomotives
  • Hazmat
  • Track Switches
  • Hand Signals
  • Train Cars
  • Safety Regulations
  • Mechanical Problems
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Radio Communications
  • Train Movement
  • Identify Solutions
  • Freight Cars
  • Safety Equipment
  • Rail Yard
  • Communication Devices
  • Outbound Traffic
  • Train Operations
  • Precise Adjustments
  • Traffic Signals
  • Service Tracks
  • Yard Operations
  • Train Orders
  • Bnsf
  • CSX

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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