How do they match: Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

  • Car Chaser
  • Car Dispatcher
  • Car Distributor
  • Car Spotter
  • Passenger Car Conductor
  • Sleeping Car Conductor

  • Arrange for the removal of defective cars from trains at stations or stops.
  • Confirm routes and destination information for freight cars.
  • Direct and instruct workers engaged in yard activities, such as switching tracks, coupling and uncoupling cars, and routing inbound and outbound traffic.
  • Direct engineers to move cars to fit planned train configurations, combining or separating cars to make up or break up trains.
  • Inspect each car periodically during runs.
  • Inspect freight cars for compliance with sealing procedures, and record car numbers and seal numbers.
  • Instruct workers to regulate air conditioning, lighting, and heating in passenger cars to ensure passengers' comfort.
  • Keep records of the contents and destination of each train car, and make sure that cars are added or removed at proper points on routes.
  • Receive information regarding train or rail problems from dispatchers or from electronic monitoring devices.
  • Review schedules, switching orders, way bills, and shipping records to obtain cargo loading and unloading information and to plan work.

  • Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
  • Verify information or specifications.